Transport & luggage

Shinkansen bookings,
transfers and luggage.

Shinkansen reservation assistance, private transfers and luggage forwarding, planned around your Japan route and travel party. We agree the booking work, costs and responsibilities before you commit.

Tell us about your trip

We confirm the work and service fee before payment. Travel costs are separate.

Shinkansen booking assistance

The right train, seat and next connection.

For journeys such as Tokyo–Kyoto or Kyoto–Hiroshima, we bring the train choice, seating, luggage and hotel connections together. If your route is already decided, ask us to include the specified rail reservations in your Booking Coordination scope.

Route and timing.

Check the departure and arrival stations, travel date, preferred time and connection. Allow for reaching the station, boarding and getting to your next hotel.

Seats and luggage.

Compare ordinary reserved seating and Green Car, party seating preferences and the luggage arrangement needed for your train. Requested seats depend on availability.

Booking and boarding.

Confirm the booking method, who makes the purchase, payment and change terms, and the ticket or boarding instructions. Some account, payment or collection steps may need to be completed by you.

For one straightforward journey, booking directly with the operator may be enough. SmartEX is an official online option for the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen; it requires membership registration. We check the appropriate operator and booking route for other lines.

See how the Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka transfers fit together, and what to confirm before forwarding luggage.

From your train request to travel details.

Share your journey. Send the route, travel dates, party details, luggage sizes and any fixed hotel or flight commitments.
Agree the work and fee. We check the booking route and confirm which tasks we will handle and which you need to complete.
Review before purchase. Review the proposed train, seat class, fare and provider terms before approving a purchase or reservation request.
Receive the practical details. Your list records the reservation status, payment status, and available ticket or boarding information. A request or advance application is not treated as a confirmed seat.

Trains, transfers and luggage.

The best choice may change from one day to the next. We consider station access, connections, luggage, walking, check-in times and the needs of everyone travelling.

Private transfers and drivers

Useful when a car makes the route, luggage handling or pace more comfortable. Pickup, vehicle capacity, child-seat needs, driver language, waiting time and charges must be confirmed with the operator.

Shinkansen and Green Car

Compare the train, seating class, departure time and onward journey. A Green Car seat is a comfort choice, not a substitute for checking luggage rules and the connection.

Luggage forwarding

Plan collection and arrival around the hotels’ and delivery provider’s requirements. Timing, destination acceptance, price, size limits and what you keep overnight need confirmation.

Drivers, guides and independent travel

A driver provides transport unless guiding is specifically included. Your plan clearly separates guided visits, driver-only time and independent travel.

Transport planning and bookings.

Transport planning can be included in your itinerary-planning service. If your route is already planned, ask about selected transport bookings through Booking Coordination, from US$499 per trip.

Train fares, vehicle services and luggage delivery cost extra. We check the booking method, prices and terms for your journey, including any steps you need to complete yourself.

Selected transport arrangements
Full itinerary planning

Before you enquire

Questions about Shinkansen and transport bookings.

Can you help with Shinkansen bookings if I already have an itinerary?

Yes. We can assess the rail reservations and Japanese-language coordination you need as part of Booking Coordination. We confirm the work we can handle and any steps you must complete yourself before accepting the request.

How much does Shinkansen booking assistance cost?

Booking Coordination starts at US$499 per trip, with the request list and final fee agreed individually. This is a coordination service fee, not a train fare or a price per train booking. Rail fares, transfers and luggage delivery are additional. Full itinerary planning has its own published fees. Compare the booking-only scope.

Do I need my own booking account or payment card?

It depends on the booking method and ticket. If an operator requires your own account, direct payment or identification at collection, you complete that step. We explain the responsibilities before you commit.

When should Shinkansen seats be booked?

Share your dates before the relevant booking window so we can agree the work in time. Release dates and advance-request rules depend on the operator and product. We check those rules for your route and distinguish an advance request from confirmed train and seat details.

Does my suitcase need a special seat reservation?

On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, baggage with length, width and height totalling more than 160 cm and no more than 250 cm requires a seat with an oversized baggage area. A Green Car ticket alone does not establish that reservation. Check the exact train and luggage arrangement against JR Central’s official baggage guidance.

Can forwarded luggage arrive the same day?

Some services offer same-day delivery on specified routes, while others require more time. We check the service area, cutoff, hotel acceptance and delivery schedule before planning around it. Keep the items you need until the confirmed arrival time with you.

Rail references checked 30 October 2026: JR Central’s reservation guide, SmartEX and JR Central baggage information. Confirm the current operator rules for your actual journey.

Your next step

Tell us what you need.

Share your dates, who is travelling and the help you need. We normally reply within one business day, Monday to Friday, Japan time.