Riding the Shinkansen for the first time: tickets, gates, luggage and the Nozomi rule

How to put your tickets through the gates, why you must keep them until you exit, what to do with a big suitcase, and why Nozomi needs an extra ticket with the JR Pass. From JR Central's official pages.

Photo: Hugo Sykes / Pexels

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The Shinkansen is easier than it looks once you know three things: the tickets, the gates and the luggage. This guide covers the Tokaido Shinkansen and connecting lines, using JR Central's official English pages, checked on 2026-09-29.

Tickets and gates

From JR Central's "How to use the trains" page:

Insert your ticket into the automatic gate. When entering, take the ticket back from the other side. When exiting, the gate collects it.
You may have more than one ticket. When you transfer between a conventional line and the Shinkansen, put your conventional-line ticket together with your Shinkansen ticket into the transfer gate.
Keep your tickets until you leave the station at your destination. They are needed for on-board checks and for exiting. Do not lose them or leave them in the gate.
Only tickets with a black magnetic back work in the automatic gates. If the back of your ticket is not black, show it to the station staff instead.
With a non-reserved seat ticket, you may need to show it to the conductor on the train.

Rows of empty seats inside a Shinkansen car — Photo: William Mortlock / Pexels

Big luggage

On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, JR Central sorts baggage by the total of its three sides:

Up to 160 cm: at your feet, in the overhead rack, or in the storage area on the deck. No reservation needed.
161 to 250 cm: you must reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area when you buy your ticket. Without a reservation, a 1,000-yen baggage fee is charged.
Over 250 cm: not allowed on board.

More detail in Luggage in Japan.

The Nozomi rule for JR Pass holders

The Japan Rail Pass official site says Nozomi and Mizuho trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are not covered by the pass on their own. Pass holders need an extra ticket for each ride (for example, 4,960 yen between Tokyo and Kyoto). It also notes that all seats on Nozomi trains are reserved during peak periods, and links to JR Central's page for the dates.

More detail in Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?.

A short checklist

Check whether your train is Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama, and whether your ticket covers it.
Measure your suitcase. If it is over 160 cm, reserve the right seat.
Put all your tickets through the gate together, and take them back.
Keep every ticket until you have left the station at your destination.

Sources

Central Japan Railway Company, "How to use the trains": https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/tickets/use/ (checked 2026-09-29)
Central Japan Railway Company, "Luggage information": https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/oversized-baggage/ (checked 2026-09-29)
Japan Rail Pass official site, "Use of NOZOMI and MIZUHO trains": https://japanrailpass.net/en/use/special-ticket/ (checked 2026-09-29)