Train manners in Japan: phones and luggage

Keep phone calls off the train, speak softly and check each suitcase’s size before the shinkansen. Bags up to 160 cm in total length, width and height are fine. On the main lines, bags of 161 to 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area.

What are the basic train manners in Japan?

JNTO says speaking on the phone is frowned upon on trains and buses, phones should be on silent mode, and soft voices are acceptable. Priority seats go to elderly, pregnant or disabled riders, and passengers line up to let others get off first ¹.

These are small habits, and nobody expects perfection. Our first-timer etiquette guide covers other everyday manners.

How do chatty groups keep the peace?

Malaysian groups talk freely at home, and trains in Japan are quiet. Agree on a few rules before boarding.

• Keep conversation low and short.
• Message instead of calling.
• Use earphones for video.
• Give priority seats to those who need them.

Children and teenagers remember the rules better when they hear them once before the ride.

Where do big suitcases go on the shinkansen?

On the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi-Kyushu lines, bags up to 160 cm in total length, width and height need no reservation ². Bags of 161 to 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area, and bags over 250 cm are not allowed.

Smaller bags go at your feet, on the overhead rack or in the deck storage area. Our oversized baggage guide and the reserved seat luggage guide explain how to choose.

What if the bag is too big?

Bringing an oversized bag without a reservation on those lines costs 1,000 yen including tax, and reserving the seat costs the same as a regular reserved seat ³. At RM 2.603 per 100 yen on 19 October 2026, the fee is about RM 26 ^{3 4}.

Reserve ahead. Better still, pack lighter, or send bags ahead by delivery service. Read the luggage forwarding guide and the packing light guide.

What should families with elders plan?

Choose a reserved seat so grandparents do not stand, and sit near the carriage door for easy exit. The green car and elders guide compares the comfort of each car.

For stations with stairs, use coin lockers or luggage delivery. See coin lockers versus station storage.

When is another approach better?

If your group has three or more large cases, a luggage delivery service between hotels is simpler than carrying everything onto trains. Ask us which legs need it.

What should Malaysian travellers know?

Quiet is a courtesy that shows respect to other riders. A calm tone, silent phones and a short check of bag sizes before you board keep the journey easy for everyone.