Shinkansen seat widths in ordinary cars
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SBY
Programs: AA, UA, NH
Posts: 184
Shinkansen seat widths in ordinary cars
I am trying to figure out the seat widths in the ordinary cars on the Tokaido and Tohoku Shinkansens.
Also, on the side of the car that is two seats wide, does the armrest between the two seats move up?
I am just debating whether to go green or ordinary.
Tnx.
Also, on the side of the car that is two seats wide, does the armrest between the two seats move up?
I am just debating whether to go green or ordinary.
Tnx.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SBY
Programs: AA, UA, NH
Posts: 184
=m
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kobe/Osaka
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,587
In case it matters to whoever is reading this thread, the seats can also rotate to face the opposite direction. There's usually a foot pedal to step on to release it. So, for example, a party of 4 or 6 can sit facing one another.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Riding the rails
Programs: Japan Forum, Skyteam Elite Plus, BW Diamond Select, HHonors Gold, NWA, DL, NH
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Varies on the model of train but usually around:
Green cars have 1160mm seat pitch.
Ordinary cars have 1040mm seat pitch.
Green cars have 475mm seat width
Ordinary cars have between 430-460mm seat width
Compared to Economy on many airlines which offer between 431-452mm seat width but only about 787-890mm in pitch.
You get more pitch in the regular car in the Shinkansen than airline economy and even compared to domestic first class you get a little more in pitch in the regular car in the Shinkansen.
Green cars have 1160mm seat pitch.
Ordinary cars have 1040mm seat pitch.
Green cars have 475mm seat width
Ordinary cars have between 430-460mm seat width
Compared to Economy on many airlines which offer between 431-452mm seat width but only about 787-890mm in pitch.
You get more pitch in the regular car in the Shinkansen than airline economy and even compared to domestic first class you get a little more in pitch in the regular car in the Shinkansen.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: United, AA, KrisFlyer
Posts: 179
Got back from Japan about three weeks ago, where we traveled extensively on the Shinkansen. I'm 6'3" tall and I had plenty of legroom in the regular cars. I don't think the added legroom in Green is worth it. As to the arm rest, the middle ones can be lifted entirely on both the two seat side and the three seat side.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
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#9
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Posts: 528
If you're using a railpass, the ordinary reserved seats are more than enough imho. One thing I'd recommend is booking the side that has two seats. From my recollection, the ordinary seat layout is 2+3. Check this site out if you want more info about JR and rail travel in country. Its the most comprehensive Japanese rail travel resource that I've found.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
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#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
In my past experience, the reservation agents almost always have taken a look at me (6'5" 265lb) and just booked me into a 2x seat whenever one is available. I don't know if they have some internal code or marking, but the other seat has stayed vacant, giving me a double to myself, as long as any open seats remain in the car. The only time I get a seatmate is when the car fills up completely.
This was more common back in the day when full trains were not so common. Nowadays, it might not work out that way. It also assumes that one reserves seats well in advance, as I usually do. When I have had to grab a train at the last minute, all bets are off and I get what is available, often with a seatmate. Even at my size, I don't usually have much trouble sitting with someone else in the ordinary car 2x seats.
This was more common back in the day when full trains were not so common. Nowadays, it might not work out that way. It also assumes that one reserves seats well in advance, as I usually do. When I have had to grab a train at the last minute, all bets are off and I get what is available, often with a seatmate. Even at my size, I don't usually have much trouble sitting with someone else in the ordinary car 2x seats.