JR West and JR Central announce major premium rail service expansions

JR West and JR Central have announced significant expansions to their premium seating services on major Japanese rail lines.

Starting October 3, 2026, JR West will expand its ‘Ureshi-to’ paid seating service to all time slots on the Biwako, JR Kyoto, and JR Kobe Lines, as well as the Yamatoji and Osaka Loop Lines. This move transitions the service from a peak-hour commuter option to a routine travel choice. On the Osaka Loop Line, the number of available Ureshi-to services will increase dramatically, from just a few per day to dozens. The service utilizes existing train cars by partitioning sections with curtains to create reserved seats, offering a ticketless option for 300 yen.

Separately, JR Central and JR West will launch ‘Supreme Class’ on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen corridors on October 1, 2026. This new tier sits above the Green Car and introduces lockable private cabins for the first time since 2003. The service will feature two configurations: a single-seat cabin and a two-seat cabin with a sofa. These cabins will include electronic-lock doors, reclining seats with integrated controls, 5G-capable Wi-Fi, and specialized audio technology to ensure privacy.