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 seat | The Tohoku Shinkansen, The Hokkaido Shinkansen, The Hokuriku Shinkansen |
DX Green class seat | Some of the Limited Express trains in Kyushu area |
Green compartment | Limited Express Super View Odoriko Some of the Limited Express trains in Kyushu area |
Green class seat | Most of the Shinkansen trains Most of the Limited Express trains Rapid trains in Greater Tokyo area |
Ordinary compartment | Resort Shirakami |
Ordinary class seat | All trains |
Gran class seat
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
This 2+1 seat layout is very nice and so comfortable. It offers same amenity as 2+2 seat layout on the Shinkansen line.
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:
- Azusa, Kaiji (Shinjuku, Chiba, Tokyo – Kofu, Matsumoto, Minami Otari)
- Narita Express (Narita Airport – Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Yokohama)
- Hitachi, Tokiwa (Shinagawa, Ueno – Tsuchiura, Katsuta, Takahagi, Iwaki)
- Odoriko (Tokyo – Atami, Ito, Izukyu Shimoda)
- Wide View Hida (Nagoya – Takayama, Hida Furukawa, Toyama)
- Wide View Nanki (Nagoya – Kii Katsuura)
Some of Wide View Hida have 2+1 seat layout Green class car.
Green class seat on the ordinary 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
arrive 9may-11 may haneda – tokyo
I am travelling 11 may Tokyo-hakodate
14 may hakodate-sopporro
17may sopporo-Tokyo
18may tokto-Osaka/Kyoto/Hiroshima
22 mayosaka-Tokyo
26 may Tokyo to haneda
Thinking to get 14 day pass startin from 11th May
What do you think?
best regards
Hi Ann,
That’s a good idea. 14 days pass gives you a huge saving.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello there.
Takeshi, if you could advice whether I and my wife should take Green or stick to the Ordinary pass?
Our route is 18-24 July and covers Tokyo-Kyoto-Himeji- Hiroshima-Miyajima-Kumamoto-Yufuin-Fukuoka-Kiso Valley-Tokyo.
I suppose we will take two medium-sized wheelie luggage + 2 bags (for wandering around the city etc.).
I’m a little worried about the luggage and their storage… e.g. on the round from Kyoto do Hiroshima we want to visit Himeji and Okayama (garden) and just hope that the coin lockers would be available at that time 🙂
Any advice would be very much appreciated!
Thank you!
Hi Marcin,
If you have enough budget, Green Pass is always recommended. It’s much spacious, quieter and usually easier to get a seat.
Medium size may be able to be stored on overhead compartment. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
You also may try to book the seat on the last row. There are some spaces between the seat and wall. You can squeeze the baggage into this space. You may ask the last row seat when you book your seat by JR Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san
I plan to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto/Hirojima and to Ashikaga for flower festival. The period is from April 12 to April 19. Do you think the green pass is worthwhile from the stand point of crowd, luggge space, availability of seats? I think there may be more crowded during this period because of spring flowering. Please give me your opinion. Thank you.
Thao
Hi Thao san,
Actually mid April is not a peak season. It’s just as usual because it’s just after spring break and before Golden week. Of course you may use Green pass but in my opinion, it’s not required.
Cheers,
TAkeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your advice Takeshi-san!
Also, I will arrive in Hadena airport at 5:00am morning of April 12 and will exchange the Japan Pass order at 7:45 when the JR Service Center opens. Then I plan to take the Hikari 505 from Tokyo-Kyoto at 8:33. Since the schedule is a bit tight, do you think I can find seat at that time without reservation in advance?
In general, do you think I should be able to get seat on Shinkansen without reservation during the period from April 12 to 17?
Best regards,
Thao
Hi Thao san,
You may be able to find the seat. But if you travel with someone, you may not be able to find the seat side by side. I recommend you to reserve your seat because JR pass covers reserved seat.
I don’t think you can catch 8:33. It takes at least 30 minutes to get Tokyo by monorail and Yamanote line. But you will spend 10 minutes to transfer at Hamamatsucho and Tokyo. It’s not possible in my opinion. You may take one later Shinkansen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Your advice is excellent. However, one aspect of “Green vs. Regular” appears to be crowded trains and ease of access. We are touring Japan Kyushu & Honshu during late March – height of Cherry Blossom season apparently.
I’d appreciate your thoughts on the posting I’m copying here?
Thanks, David
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https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-north-east-asia/topics/green-or-ordinary-jr-rail-pass-traveling-in-western-honshu-and-kyushu
This is several months after my trip, but I would like to give an update on how things turned out. The green pass was DEFINITELY WORTH IT. Our trip started on Monday, July 18th a national holiday, and there was a huge line near the ticket office for the bullet trains. A train worker told us at 2 in the afternoon that all of the bullet trains were full for the rest of the day. I said, “we have the green pass” and she looked surprised and proceeded to book us for a train 30 minutes later. This was a reoccurring theme throughout our trip, had we not had the green pass during the busy summer travel season we would have been screwed.
So the green pass is more about availability than comfort. It’s great for people who don’t make reservations before hand, or are worried about availability if they miss a train (happend to us once).
As far as comfort, it’s a only a little better than the regular cars, I hear the seat reclines slightly more, although I would think it depends on the model of the bullet train. As 90% of the seats in the green car were usually empty, and I could always put my luggage behind the last row of seats, rather than in the rooms between the cars. By the way, I added it up, without the bullet train pass my trip would have cost $885 (USD). Instead I paid $472 for the green car pass, not bad.
Hi David,
I totally agree with it. However many travelers complains even ordinary pass is expensive.
And even Green car is packed in peak season. I have heard that some of Green pass holders could not get even reserved ordinary seat.
So I like Green pass but I don’t not recommend it very strongly.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for fast reply Takeshi.
Still not sure which we will choose, but leaning towards Green just for extra peace of mind.
Thanks again, David
No problem, David.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi san,
As I have purchased a green car ticket, will there be a good variety of ekiben that I can purchase from attendant? Or will it be better to purchase before boarding? I would like to try the regional ekiben as much as possible.
Thank you for
Hi Jen san,
It’s nothing different between Green and ordinary.
In these days, many wagon services are discontinued. I recommend to buy it before boarding.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your reply Takeshi san. I will purchase before boarding.
No problem, Jen san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Seriously, Takeshi-san!? I love to buy it on board since my first time to Japan.
Sometimes, actually in my very first trip from Tokyo to Nikko years ago, I did not have enough time to buy it before boarding. Having to take some hours on the trip without food will be exhausted for me. (T-T)
But as you say, thinking my last trip months ago, I have really seen less wagon services… too bad.
Hi Independencer,
Yes. Because there are many shops in the stations in these days. They have many more kinds of items than wagon service.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Arigatou gozaimasu, Takeshi-san.
However, any chance on Shinkansen and (Super) Hokuto?
This mid-July, I will have to take a long one from Tokyo to Hakodate (and return) in the brand new Hokkaidō Shinkansen, then more to Sapporo. Just in case I would not have enough time at some points…
Shorter routes from Sapporo to Otaru and Furano will still be ok without wagon services.
Just one more question to your topic, I am really considering buying Green JR (nationwide) Pass this time since it is quite a peak time for Hokkaidō (and first summer after Shinkansen’s launch). My group is my family of 4.
I have not had any problems reserving the seats (never pre-booked, but right at Midori no Madoguchi) for Ordinary Pass every time before, though we might not have sit together, but still always in the same car. However, please consider that our trips have never crashed into peak seasons or holidays.
It will be my first time in Hokkaidō, as well. So please advise us.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Hi Independencer,
Most of Shinkansen still carry wagon service.
Mostly Green is easier to book than ordinary. However in super peak season, Green may be full. Even if you have Green pass, you may not be able to book Green. Please refer the following post:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/2016-busiest-period-to-travel-by-train-tips-to-book-your-seat-in-even-busy-period.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
thanks for the excellent page, really helpful for my plans. One thing I have not figured out yet: In the information on the Japan Rail Pass Green Class that I got it says that most Hikari and Sakura Shinkansen on the Sanyo and Kyushu lines do not carry Green Class. Is that still up to date? And is there a way to see which train actually has Green Class?
Thanks for your help,
Lars
Hi Lars san,
Both Hikari and Sakura have green class. Please see the link below to find some images.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/tokaido-shinkansen-image-gallery.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/shinkansen/tokaido-sanyo-and-kyushu/kyushu-shinkansen-n700-series-for-mizuho-sakura-and-tsubame-image-gallery.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am sorry for the auto spellcheck. I meant Takeshi San and not Takeshita.
Hi Jen san,
No worries about spelling my name.
You may change Yamabiko to Tsubasa at Fukushima. But Tsubasa and Yamabiko are coupled between Tokyo and Fukushima. So you have to change these two trains at Fukushima in hurry. It usually stops there for 2 or 3 minutes. It’s not impossible but you must be hurry.
Azusa’s Green seat is not very impressive. It’s not much different from ordinary seat but there is no other choices.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi San,
Doumo arigatou gozaimashita. I think I will just use Tsubasa and stay on to Yamagata. 2-3 minutes is a little tight especially when I am not familiar. How is the Tsubasa Toreiyu?
Hi Jen san,
Treiyu is very different from ordinary Tsubasa. It’s very nice and recommended.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/cruising-train/toreiyu-tsubasa-first-ever-shinkansen-train-that-has-foot-bath.html
If you travel to Yamagata on weekend, you may be able to take this train.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2016-spring-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html#Toreiyu_Tsubasa
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi San,
Thank you again! Thank you for the links for the Toreiyu. It sounds like a very good experience. If there will not be a rush to change trains in Fukushima then I will definitely want to try this.
Enjoy your ride, Jen san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshita,
I realize the earlier inquiry of the trains I will be taking does have Green but as you had mentioned prior that the configuration isn’t much different from Ordinary. So I plan to change the Yamagata course using Yamabiko to Fukushima then transferring to Yamagata. How does this sound? I welcome any suggestions. Thank you very much.
I used Hyperdia to make a schedule of trip using JR Green Pass. Please inform me whether all the trains or most I plan to use has a Green Car. I read that the Tsubasa does not have a Green Car but using the Hyperdia drop bar it seems to have Green Car. I have listed the trains I plan to use. Please inform me whether they have Green Cars.
Hikari 461, 501, 530, 532
Kodama 740
Kagayaki 503, 512
Nasuno 251,278
Azusa 3, 14
Tsubasa 127, 135, 146
Thank you very much.
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you for the informative site.
I would like to get your advise on which pass to use. I will be in Japan in the following dates
March 24 Tokyo to Kyoto
March 27 Nara
March 28 Osaka
March 29 to April 3 Tokyo
Will be traveling once I arrived from Tokyo airport to Kyoto (via shinkansen) then day tour to Nara afterwards.
Do you think its worth to get the 14days jr pass or is there other pass to use?
Thank you,
Jesi
Hi Jesi san,
7 days JR pass is enough. You may use it for the first 7 days. You can use local deals, such as subway pass in Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Arigato Takeshi san, for your recommendation.Thank you!
No problem, Jesi san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
As per your recommendation we will buy Tokyo subway ticket for 3 days. May I know where we can buy this?
Can this ticket take us to Mount Fuji, Gotemba, Ginza, Akihabara, Odaiba and Tokyo airport?
Regards,
Jesi
Hi Jesi san,
Please see the link below:
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html
Fuji and Gotemba are not in Tokyo. Those places are way far from Tokyo. You need to add single fare or other deal.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
If you just want to see Fuji, you can see this mountain from Gotemba.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com