Shinkansen reserved seat prices to rise on Tokaido and Sanyo lines

JR Central, JR West, and JR Kyushu have announced upcoming price increases for reserved seats on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. Effective July 1, 2027, the express surcharge for reserved seats on ‘Nozomi’ and ‘Mizuho’ trains will rise, with the Tokyo–Shin-Osaka route increasing by 700 yen. Green Car (first class) fares will see a larger adjustment starting December 15, 2027, including a 3,700 yen increase for the Tokyo–Shin-Osaka segment. Unreserved seats will remain at current prices. The companies cited rising costs related to inflation and the need to maintain safety and service quality as the primary drivers for the adjustment.

These changes will also affect online reservation services, including ‘Express Reservation’, ‘Smart EX’, and ‘LINE from EX’.

In addition to the pricing updates, JR Central unveiled the ‘S0 Series’, a next-generation Shinkansen model scheduled for commercial operation in July 2029. The S0 Series will feature the ‘GOA2’ automated driving system and enhanced earthquake detection capabilities that can reduce braking response times to one-tenth of current levels. The new model aims to reduce power consumption by approximately 6% compared to the N700S and will include improved passenger amenities such as expanded luggage space and new powder rooms in Green Cars.