JR trains’ seat guide, Gran class, Green class and Ordinary class seats. Guide to buy JR Pass Green or Ordinary

Green class interior of Narita ExpressRail pass for visitors
Green class interior of Narita Express
1024px-JRW_series283_inside-greencar.jpg
Green seat car of the Limited Express Kuroshio by 287 series. It offers very comfortable 2+1 seat layout with large panoramic windows. (C) w0746203-1

When you travel by the JR express train in Japan, you have a few choices of the seat. Most of the JR express trains offer two classes, Green and Ordinary. Those are like business class seat and economy class seat on the fight. And the highest class seat, “Gran class” is available on some of the Shinkansen lines. Some express trains in Kyushu offer Deluxe Green class. And there are some trains which offer the compartment.

Green class is better than Ordinary class definitely. But it is pricey. Before choosing the class of seat, you should know how much better Green class is than Ordinary class. And you should know what the benefit of Green class is. Especially if you intend to buy JR Pass, you will consider which you will get, Green seat pass or Ordinary seat pass.

In this post, I would like to focus on the seat of JR trains. You will know the layout of the seat, a leg space, benefit of higher class seat. I believe you can judge which seat is your choice after reading this post.

The types of JR train’s seat

Gran class seatThe Tohoku Shinkansen,
The Hokkaido Shinkansen,
The Hokuriku Shinkansen
DX Green class seatSome of the Limited Express trains in Kyushu area
Green compartmentLimited Express Super View Odoriko
Some of the Limited Express trains in Kyushu area
Green class seatMost of the Shinkansen trains
Most of the Limited Express trains
Rapid trains in Greater Tokyo area
Ordinary compartmentResort Shirakami
Ordinary class seatAll trains

Gran class seat

The seat of Gran class (C) Asacyan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Gran class is the highest category of seat in all JR trains. It is like First Class seat on the train in Japan. There are only 18 seats in the car. And the seat layout is 2+1.

  • Leg space – 1,300 mm
  • Width – 520 mm
Gran Class seat on E5 series (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Gran Class seat on E5 series (C) Sonic Rail Garden

There is an exclusive staff in Gran class car. The light meal is served on board. You can choose Japanese style or western style. The amount of the food is very small. Please do not expect a full size of meal.

Japanese style light meal on board (C) Kurumi1211 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Coffee, tea, green tea, pop, juce, beer, Japanese sake and wine are also included. You can drink as much as you can. And the tea snack is served too.

Green class seat

Green seat on Super Ozora by 283 series (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Green seat of 283 series in Hokkaido (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Gran class is the highest category of JR trains’ seats but it is available on the specific trains only. Green class is more common choice for the passenger who wants the higher class seat. Green class seat has more spacious in the leg space than Ordinary class seat. Green class seat has nicer head rest, the leg rest and this seat reclines much deeper than Ordinary class seat. Green class does not offer any meal and/or drink services on board.

Since Green class seat is available on most of limited express trains, the seat size, the leg space and the seat functions are varied by the train.

  • Leg space – 1,100 to 1,200 mm
  • Width – 460 to 490 mm
  • Seat layout – 2+2 or 2+1

2+1 layout is more spacious definitely. I would like to show you some of Green seat.

Green class seat on the Shinkansen

Green class seat of N700 series on the Sanyo Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen

All Green class seat on the Shinkansen has 2+2 layout and this layout is the standard of the Shinkansen. The Shinkansen train fleet is wider than the trains on the conventional lines. This 2+2 seat layout on the Shinkansen lines offers same amenity as 2+1 seat layout on the conventional trains.

However the Akita Shinkansen and the Yamagata Shinkansen are different. These two Shinkansen train fleets are same width of the conventional trains.

Green class seat of the Akita Shinkansen fleet E6 series.

As you saw the photo above, everything is more narrow than the standard of the Shinkansen. The seat itself is not bad. This seat has lots of the leg space. But the armrest is narrow.

If you take Akita Shinkansen “Komachi” or Yamagata Shinkansen “Tsubasa”, Green class seat is smaller than other Shinkansen trains. Please expect this and do not disappoint.

Green class seat of the limited express train on the conventional lines

The limited express train is the fastest and most comfortable train on the conventional line. This train runs on the route which the Shinkansen does not run. The seat layouts of the limited express trains are 2+2 or 2+1 as I mentioned above.

2+1 seat layout of Green seat of 287 series. This fleet runs in Kansai region as Limited Express Kuroshio, Konotori, and more.

This 2+1 seat layout is very nice and so comfortable. It offers same amenity as 2+2 seat layout on the Shinkansen line.

2+2 seat layout of Green class seat of E353 series. This fleet runs as Limited Express Azusa (C) Toshinori baba (own work) / Wikimedia Commons

Obviously 2+1 looks more spacious. This E353 series runs on Chuo line between Shinjuku and Matsumoto as the Limited Express Azusa. Actually this fleet is one of the newest fleets in all JR train cars.

This difference is caused by the value and the way of thinking of each train companies. JR East and JR Central place more importance on the capacity. Other JR companies place more importance of the comfort.

I would like to show you the major limited express trains which have 2+2 Green class seat layout:

Some of Wide View Hida have 2+1 seat layout Green class car.

Green class seat on the ordinary train

Green class seat of the commuter suburban train

Some local trains have Green class seat. In Greater Tokyo area, the train for suburban area offers Green class seat.

This seat is actually very similar to the limited express train’s Ordinary class seat. The leg space is only 960 mm which is much smaller than Green class seat standard on the limited express train, 1,100 mm to 1,200 mm. However the regular car on the local train is very crowded and it is hard to find the seat in many situation. And the seat is not like this in the regular car.

The commuter train regular car is always like this. It may be even more crowded.

This type Green class seat is available for the commuter who want to avoid the crowded train. Please do not expect the same amenity of other express train’s Green class seat.

DX Green class seat

This Green class is available on 787 series in Kyushu region.

There are only three seats of DX Green in one train set. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

This seat is much bigger than common Green class seat. It is 5 cm wider, 1 cm longer in the depth and 3 cm higher than common Green class seat on 787 series. You recline the seat deeply and it is almost flat. Each seat has two power outlets

Green compartment

Green class seat compartment is available on the Limited Express Super View Odoriko (Shinjuku – Izukyu Shimoda) and JR Kyushu’s 787 series.

Limited Express Super View Odoriko offers a few compartments in Green class car. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
JR Kyushu’s 787 series Green compartment is also called “Salon Space”. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Most compartments accommodate 4 passengers.

Ordinary class seat

This is most common seat for most travelers.

  • Leg space – 910 to 1,200 mm
  • Width – 440 to 480 mm
  • Seat layout – 2+3 on the Shinkansen or 2+2 on the limited express train on the conventional line

There are also many kinds of Ordinary class seat. However there is no big difference between many Ordinary class seats. Some trains offer better seat on the reserved Ordinary class car.

I like to show you several samples.

Ordinary class seat on the Shinkansen

2+3 seat layout is the standard of Ordinary class seat on most of the Shinkansen line.

Ordinary class seat of N700 series on the Sanyo and the Kyushu Shinkansen lines. This is the standard layout of the Shinkansens’ Ordinary class seat.

The Shinkansen fleet is wider than the trains on conventional trains. This is the reason why the layout is 2+3. You can recline the seat. Green car seat is way better but the ordinary class seat is not a bad choice.

Some Shinkansen trains have 2+2 seat layout. The Akita Shinkansen and the Yamagata Shinkansen have 2+2 seat layout.

The Akita Shinkansen E6 series Ordinary class seat (C) Sonic Rail Garden

These Shinkansen line trains go through the conventional line. The size of the fleet is smaller than the standard Shinkansen fleet size. This is a reason why these Shinkansen fleets have 2+2 seat layout. It does not mean that this 2+2 seat layout is better other Shinkansen 2+3 seat layout. The width of the seats are almost same .

There are several more Shinkansen fleets which have 2+2 seat layout in Ordinary class on the Sanyo and the Kyushu Shinkansen lines. These are better 2+2 seat layout which is different from Ordinary class seat on the Akita Shinkansen and the Yamagata Shinkansen.

The first one is 800 series on Kyushu Shinkansen. All Ordinary class seats are provided by 2+2 seat configuration.

800 series of the Kyushu Shinkansen does not Green class seat. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

And the other one is N700 series, 700 series and 500 series of the Sanyo Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen. N700 series usually runs as “Mizuho” or “Sakura”. 700 series and 500 series usually runs as Kodama. These series provide 2+2 seat for only RESERVED Ordinary class seat.

Ordinary class seat in reserved car on N700 series (C) Sonic Rail Garden

As you see the photo above, the seat looks Green class seat. If you take a seat in non reserved car, the seat layout is 2+3. If you take Sakura or Mizuho, I highly recommend you to reserve your seat. And Kodama offers 2+2 seat layout in the reserved car. However this seat is offered on Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata only. Kodama which runs on Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka does not offer any 2+2 seat layout. All Ordinary class seats are 2+3.

Ordinary class seat of the limited express train on the conventional line

All Ordinary class seats on the conventional lines’ limited express train are 2+2 seat layout.

If you take a seat on most of economy class seat on the flight, the leg space is around 800 mm. Even the smallest leg space on Ordinary class seat is 910 mm. It is way bigger than the flight economy class seat. My height is 184 cm (6 feet) but I am okay with Ordinary class seat.

What is the difference between Green and Ordinary?

If you are thinking to buy JR Pass, you may be wondering that you should buy Ordinary or Green pass.

The difference is basically amenity and the functions. Green class seat offers bigger leg space. And it offers lots of functions, such as the head rest, the leg rest and recline much deeper than ordinary seat. As I mentioned above, Green class seat does not include any meal services.

Usually Green class seat car is quieter than Ordinary class seat car. I do not mean that Ordinary class seat car is very noisy. But Green class seat is very expensive. Most of family travelers with small child avoid to take Green class seat. Many Green class seat passengers pay for this atmosphere.

And if you use JR Pass Green, you can book a seat on either Green or Ordinary. This gives you a bigger chance to book a seat. Especially if you travel in the busy period, this may be a big advantage. However some trains do not have any Green class seats. Even the train has it, the space may be very limited.

In my opinion, JR Pass Green is very good deal. As long as you can pay for it, you should go for it. But as I mentioned, JR trains’ Ordinary class seat is not a bad choice. If you are very sensitive with your budget, you can go for JR Pass Ordinary. That is not such a bad choice.

Green class of JR Hokkaido trains

Green seat on Super Ozora by 283 series (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Green seat on Super Ozora by 283 series (C) Sonic Rail Garden

If you have a plan to travel in Hokkaido, I recommend to buy Green pass. JR Hokkaido provides you the best service in Japan Railways Group (six companies = JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR Shikoku, JR Kyushu).Green class of all JR Hokkaido limited express train give you 2+1 seat configuration. “Twincle Lady” who is an attendant just for Green class on limited express “Hokuto/Super Hokuto” (Hakodate-Sapporo), “Super Tokachi/Super Ozora” (Sapporo-Obihiro/Kushiro) provide you soft drink, new paper (maybe Japanese only), magazine (maybe Japanese only too), blanket and steam hot towel. Twincle lady do not attend on the other limited express train, but the attendant provide you very similar service. (This service was discontinued in March, 2015.)

Comments

  1. Ash says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    First, thank you for this very informative site. My partner and I are planning to visit Japan next January. I have purchased a 7 day Green JR pass which we are hoping to use from Kyoto to Tokyo. I am worried that we won’t be able to use our Green pass since most of the sites state that it is not available on HIKARI and KODAMA.

    Appreciate if you can confirm this and if not, is there any alternative train where we can use our green pass from Kyoto to Tokyo?

    Best Regards
    Ashley

  2. JEN says:

    I came upon your website and would like to know if a green pass is a good idea. We will be traveling next April 2016 and there is an $80 difference since the last time I checked between green car and ordinary 7 day pass.
    Here is our tentative itinerary. We plan to do day trips except for Kyoto overnighter because we do not wish to bring larger luggage with us. We enjoy train rides and buying the different omiyage from regions.
    If you can also tell me what ekibens are famous and good from each train ride. どうもありがとうございます!
    Yokohama to Osaka to Himeji
    Yokohama to Kyoto
    Yokohama to Kanazawa (new Hokuriku Shinkansen)
    Yokohama to Tomita (Ashikaga Flower Park)
    Yokohama to Kofu
    Yokohama to Kanazawa

  3. Mohamad fikri says:

    Hi takeshi

    Since my flight will be arrive late at haneda. Where I can exchange jr pass? And where I can exchange the pass on the next morning?

  4. sk says:

    hi takashi san, thanks for the great informative site you have here.. need your advise on this.. i will be in japan with the following rough itinerary:
    23 – 26 oct oaska
    26 – 28 oct nagoya
    28 – 31 oct tokyo
    will be traveling to hakone for day trip when in tokyo..
    do you think its worth it to get a rail pass?
    warmest regards,
    sk

  5. Wang Chuan says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    May I check with you about my 1st Japan visit? My wife and I plan to visit Tokyo / Kyoto / Nara from 30-Oct to 08-Nov (Arriving at HND airport at night time 30-Oct and leave at night time 08-Nov NRT airport ), itinerary is roughly 4D Tokyo/3D Kyoto/1.5D Nara. In this case, is it worth to buy us 2 JR passes? And Other than national JR pass, I did not find out any suitable regional pass for my itinerary, any recommendation? Other than above, how can we use JR pass? Need to make a reservation or just go and pick a train randomly? Is there any advantage for green pass? I mean apart from larger space? Sorry for so many questions. Thanks in advance.

    • Hi Wang Chuan,

      You can use JR pass 7 days for the last 7 days of your trip. Because Haneda is very closed to downtown Tokyo but Narita isn’t. So it’s better to use the pass for access to Narita. You can take Narita Express.

      You can simply purchase single fare from Haneda. Or you may use Limousine and subway deal.
      https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/information/visitor_tickets/subwaypass/

      You may need to use subway pass anyway to explore Tokyo.

      I recommend you to book all trains by JR Pass because it covers reserved seat fee and secure the seat. Most of trains have non reserved seat and you can hop in without reservation. But sometimes you cannot get a seat and especially you cannot get the seats side by side. I usually complete all bookings when I exchange JR pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. gttan says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Your website is truly useful for my very first visit to Japan. I am much more enlightened now about travelling around some places in your beautiful country and at least able to ask more specific questions. Appreciate to hear any comments on my travel plans.
    I will be arriving on 20th september in Tokyo.
    21/9 Travel to Toyama. Using Toyama as base to sightseeing in Kanazawa and Kurobe Gorge also using the JR trains partially.
    23/9 Toyama to Kyoto.
    25/9 ,Kyoto to Hakone
    26/9 Hakone to Tokyo
    After researching, found that many parts of the journey are served by shinkansen trains hence I am thinking of a JR 7 day pass and reserving seats at Narita upon arrival. Read on the web there is a rare long stretch of holidays from 21-23 september or something like that. Would the train be very full during this time?
    Thank you very much for your time.

    Regards

    • Hi gttan,

      7 days JR Pass gives you a big saving as you think. It is obviously right choice.
      Regarding reservation, don’t worry. It will be busier but you can make it. There are lots of trains on Shinkansen. If you need to take a specific train, for example, need to take 8:00 departure only, you may not be able to do it. But you can take one earlier or later. It’s quite easy to book.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Beau says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Your website has been very informative and I appreciate all the information you have provided.

    I am visiting Japan on 25th of October. After visiting Tokyo I intend on travelling from Tokyo to Hakone, Hakone to Kyoto, Kyoto to Hiroshima, Hiroshima to Miyajima return, Hiroshima to Osaka within a 7 day spread. I believe the 7 day pass is the cheaper alternative to the individual trips.

    My question relates to the green pass. A friend of mine recently visited Japan and told me that the ordinary carriages are quite busy and there is a likelyhood of having to stand. Is this true? I do not want to have to stand for 2 or more hours with my luggage due to not being able to find a seat. For this reason I was leaning towards the green pass, just because of the assurance that my travel partner and I will have a seat and room to put our luggage.

    Is seating and overcrowding an issue? With an ordinary pass will I be able to ensure I have a seat and room to hold my luggage?

    Thank you

    • Hi Beau,

      JR pass 7 days is right choice for your trip.

      I think your friend travel in peak period, like early May or mid August. There periods are super busy season. There are lots of standing passengers. But it’s not happen very often. I don’t think it happens in late October.

      And also you have JR Pass and it covers reserved seat. You can book the train without any extra charge. Your seat will be secured. Of course green seat is more comfortable and spacious. You don’t need to worry about the seat anyway.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Lin says:

    Dear Takeshi San

    I’m so impressed by your website, you are truly a top notch Japan rail enthusiast/expert that won’t mind spilling your sweat in this hard worked website just to share info and updates to travelers out there and made our day easy, I love your website and I salute you sir!

    Mean while I need your advice, I plan to travel to Japan covering Hokkaido to Kanto and all the way to Kansai and Kyushu then back to Kanto, on the 16 – 29 August. I’ve been traveling with 7 days JRpass couple of times before and this time I’m going for a 14days pass, but due to the Obon and summer holiday, I’ve been receiving advise to top up some budget and upgrade to a 14days Green pass in order to secure my seats on every trains during this peak season. From your opinion, is it realistic to use the Green pass for the sake of higher chance seat secure?

    Millions appreciate

    Lin

    • Hi Lin san,

      Thank you very much for your comment about my website. It motivates me to keep writing!

      Green seat is always easier to book than ordinary. In Obon season, any seats may be booked out. So check the calendar and make an adjustment of your movement in your trip.

      In this Obon season, most of companies will be closed from 13 August to 16 August. Some companies will be closed longer, like 8 August to 16 August. So I expect the following:

      From major cities to outside — Busy on 7 (evening), 8, 12 (evening) and 13 (morning)
      To major cities from outside — Busy on 15 (evening) and 16

      Most of Japanese want to go back to hometown to stay with family members. So try to move different way from Japanese local. For example, if you move to Tokyo on 12 August, it will be okay. Don’t try to go outside from major cities, like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka on busy day, 7, 8, 12 and 13 August. This is a key to travel in this busy period.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Lin says:

        Dear Takeshi San

        Thank you so much for your prompt reply, I’ll be arriving Sapporo on 16 Aug and out from Haneda on 30 Aug, I guess this wont be messing around with obon’s traffic.

        I think I’ll go for the green pass. Coz I’ll be using dozens of limited express and Shinkansen, and also quite a lot of Tokaido line (comes with green seats too) as I’ll be staying in my friend’s house in Totsuka.

  9. Kimmy says:

    Hello JPRail expert,

    I will buy Shinkansen 7-day pass. I was plan to take route start from Osaka (2days) to Uozu/Kanazawa to ends in Tokyo. Can I used Shinkansen pass from Osaka to Uozu/Kanazawa?
    Im quite confused with JR pass and Shinkansen 7-days pass, are both passes are the same?

    • Hi Kimmy,

      Do you mean Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen pass?
      http://touristpass.jp/en/tokaido_sanyo/

      If so, this pass does not cover whole part of your trip. Meanwhile JR Pass is a bit more expensive than single fare and express surcharge for Osaka-Kanzawa-Tokyo. If you intend to make a side trip before/after this trip, or using pass from KIX-Osaka or Tokyo to Narita JR Pass may be cheaper.

      At this point, your choice is JR pass 7 days or single fare.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. rabbitE says:

    Hi,

    We (2 persons) are travelling to Hokkaido this summer from 21 to 27 July. We planned to get a 7-day Hokkadio Rail Pass. My itinerary will be:

    21 Jul – New Chitose Airport to Sapporo (Stay Sapporo)
    22 Jul – Sapporo to Tomamu (Stay Tomamu)
    23 Jul – Tomamu to Furano or Biei (Stay Furano)
    24 Jul – Furano to Sapporo (Stay Sapporo)
    25 Jul – Sapporo to Otaru to Sapporo (Stay Sapporo)
    26 Jul – Sapporo to Hakodate (Stay Hakodate)
    27 Jul – Hakodate to New Chitose Airport

    We are getting an ordinary pass. Just want to know is all ordinary cars are free seating or we still need to reserved a seat if we are travelling on a Limited Express cars eg. LTD. EXP SUPER OZORA (Sapporo to Tomamu – according to Hyperdia). Is there an extra charge to reserve a seat for ordinary pass holder?

    Lastly, is this itinerary doable? Or this could be a rush travelling? Appreciate your comment. Thanks.

    • JPRail says:

      Hi rabbitE,

      Most of trains have both, reserved and non reserved. Hokkaido Rail Pass can be used for both seats. So I recommend you to book all trains that you intend to take right after you purchase your pass. Hokkaido is busy during summer time. Try to book as much as you can.

      Your itinerary is okay. It’s not very tight. You will be able to enjoy your trip.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • rabbitE says:

        Hi Takeshi,

        Thank you for your reply & recommendation. I still have doubt about local transpotation in Furano. I am confused about Chuo bus, Lavendar-go bus, or Norokko Train which I seen from many websites. As I am arriving to Furano station, which local bus should I take to get into Kitanomine area to check in my pension?

        Same question to the access from Shiroi Koibito Park to Otaru, I read from forum some people recommended to take a local bus eg. Chuo Bus or JR Bus is easier and less walking than taking a train. Can your recommend me an easier way to Otaru from Shiroi Koibito Park either by bus or by train.

        Thank you in advance for your valuable advises.

        • JPRail says:

          Hi rabbitE,

          I have never been to both places so I can’t recommend the best way to get.
          Sorry that I can’t help you.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

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