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Travelling on the Shinkansen avoids the lengthy and complicated procedure of air travel such as having to arrive early to check in baggage, and go through security screening. What you need to do is simply buy a ticket and choose your seat and then wait on the correct platform and step on board. I boarded the Nozomi Shinkansen train in Hiroshima at 14:53 and expected to arrive at Shin Yokohama station at 18:34. Yes! Train arrived sharp on time. The Nozomi category meant that it was the fastest of the three train types and wouldn’t stop at any stations other than major ones. The seat tray tables were large and sturdy which was great for holding a laptop as well as a meal. Some food and snacks are available on board which are reasonably priced and the staff are friendly and helpful. In all of my travels, this was definitely the easiest, most convenient and most comfortable way to get between two cities. I highly recommend taking the Shinkansen should you go to Japan! However, it is more expensive than a plane.…
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Date of experience: June 2019
1 Helpful vote
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+1
Shinkansen in Japan is very convenient but expensive. The only way to buy a JR Pass. The Sagno line was the most problematic for us in July 2018. First, a terrible flood that claimed more than 200 lives blocked Shinkansen. Well, of course, floods are rare - bad luck. We didn't expect anything bad on the way back. And indeed from Fukuoka (Hakata station) to Hiroshima everything was fine. However, we learned the next day that Shinkansen can be stopped not only because of rare floods, but also because of suicides. Quite frequent in Japan, by the way. On railway tracks. We`re waiting in Okayama for two hours while the police dealt with the suicide, The section between Okayama and Himeji was blocked, so we took the local train, because the suicide happened on the Shinkansen tracks, and the local trains run on other tracks/ We arrived in Osaka late in the evening. All plans were crashed... Here's a quick Shinkansen...…
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Date of experience: July 2018
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I made 2 round trips from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima during my visit to Japan in Feb 2019, using the JR Green Car Pass. What I realised the difference between Sanyo Shinkansen, Sakura trains is that the seating. When compared to the Tokaido Shinkansen, Green Cars are 2+2, while Ordinary Cars are 3+2 (for both reserved and non-reserved). But on the Sakura trains running on the Sanyo Shinkansen, the Green Cars (only occupy half a car) have seating arrangement of 2+2, Ordinary Cars, Reserved seating 2+2, and non-reserved Ordinary cars are 3+2. The differences I noticed between the Green Cars and Reserved Ordinary Cars are: 1) Green Cars have electric seat recline, 2) power supply for each seat, 3) electric leg rest, 4) seat warmer. Similar to Tokaido Shinkansen, the on-board staff will give you a refreshment towel after the train started to depart. …
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Date of experience: February 2019
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Wombling_Free_7548 wrote a review Nov 2018
Bristol, United Kingdom1,426 contributions478 helpful votes
The trains are punctual and of course very fast. Despite the speed, the ride is very smooth. It’s fine to eat and drink on board - we brought our own food onto the train but a trolley does come down the aisle if not too busy. There are power sockets at the seats which is handy. The luggage racks above the seat will hold medium / large suitcases. There is lots of legroom so plenty of room for smaller suitcases / bags to go in front of you. The trains don’t hang around for long at the stations so get ready to get off when it is time for your stop. It is worth reserving seats in advance if you can. We didn’t for our trip from Hiroshima to Osaka and had to stand for half the way. If you have a JR Rail pass, the trains are great value. Plus they are easy to use.…
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Date of experience: November 2018
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+1
Was my first time taking a shinkansen and it wasn't what I was expecting. The seats were spacious and clean. Really impressed with how the Japanese take good care of their trains. Their service was really good too.
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Date of experience: December 2017
1 Helpful vote
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