The shinkansen, made easy
- Reserve seats. Reserved seats guarantee you sit together, and they matter on busy weekends and holidays. Reservations open about a month ahead.
- Green Car. Japan’s first class: wider seats, more legroom and a quieter car. Worth it on longer journeys.
- Arrive early. Big stations are vast. Allow 20–30 minutes to reach the platform calmly.
- Know your car number. Platforms show where each car stops; queue at the right marker.
Luggage: the rule many visitors miss
On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu shinkansen (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and beyond), suitcases with total dimensions (height + width + depth) of 161–250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized luggage area. Without one, you may be charged a fee on board and asked to move. Bags over 250 cm are not allowed.
| Bag size (H+W+D) | What to do |
|---|---|
| Up to 160 cm | Overhead rack or at your feet; no special booking |
| 161–250 cm | Book a seat with an oversized luggage area, or forward the bag |
| Over 250 cm | Not allowed on board; forward it |
Luggage forwarding (takkyubin)
The simplest solution of all: send your suitcases ahead. Hotels, convenience stores and airport counters accept bags and deliver them to your next hotel, usually by the next day, or to the airport for your flight. You travel with a small bag only. Mario arranges this for each transfer day.
Taxis
- Taxis are clean, safe and metered; doors open automatically.
- The GO app works in many cities and shows the fare estimate; Mario can call taxis for you.
- Larger taxis and vans for groups and luggage can be booked in advance.
- A car with driver for the day suits older travelers best; Mario arranges it on request, paid at cost.
IC cards
Suica, PASMO and ICOCA cards pay for local trains, subways and buses with a tap. On iPhone, Suica can be added to Apple Wallet. Mario sets up cards on your first day.
Stairs, elevators and walking
- Most major stations have elevators, but they are not always near the platform you need. Mario plans routes with elevators.
- Some temples, shrines and castles have steep steps; Mario warns you in advance and suggests alternatives.
- Expect to walk 6,000–12,000 steps on a typical sightseeing day; taxis between sights reduce it a lot.
Airports
- Kansai International (KIX): the Haruka limited express reaches Kyoto in about 75 minutes; reserved seats are available. A private car or shared airport limousine bus are calmer with luggage.
- Narita and Haneda: Haneda is about 15–30 minutes from central Tokyo; from Narita, the Narita Express and Skyliner take about 40–60 minutes.
- Luggage to the airport: forwarding services can deliver suitcases to the airport counter for your departure, usually with a day or two of notice.
A typical transfer day with Mario
- The day before: suitcases handed to the hotel desk for forwarding to your next hotel.
- Morning: a taxi from the lobby to the station, avoiding the busiest hour.
- At the station: elevators to the platform, reserved seats in the Green Car, a lunch box bought on the way.
- Arrival: a taxi straight to your next hotel, or to the first sight with a light bag only.
- Evening: your suitcases are waiting in the room.
Rush hour
City trains are packed on weekdays from about 7:30 to 9:30 and again in the early evening. Plan transfers with luggage outside those hours.
Who handles it all
Mario, a private English-speaking guide based in Kansai, coordinates every transfer: reserved seats, luggage forwarding, taxis, elevators and timing. Full day ¥69,600 · 8 h · for the whole private group. Outside Kansai, his train fare (and hotel if overnight) is added at cost.