2026/01/16 12:00
With the timetable revision in March this year, JR companies will increase the number of Shinkansen trains on the Tohoku, Tokaido, and other lines. JR Central will increase the number of special Nozomi trains during peak travel times, bringing the number of trains between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka to a maximum of 13 per hour. While this will likely increase convenience for business trips and vacations, there are often discussions surrounding the Shinkansen about passenger manners and issues, such as not reclining seats properly or carrying large carry-on bags.
On the Yomiuri Shimbun's user posting site, Hatsugen Komachi, a user named "Sobagon," who claims to have used a non-reserved seat on the Shinkansen, posted a topic with the ominous title, "I was forced to give up my non-reserved seat on the Shinkansen."
The poster boarded the Shinkansen from the first station and secured a window seat in the unreserved section. The aisle seat next to her was empty. She then left her seat to go to the restroom, leaving her drink and jacket behind. When she returned, two elementary school-aged brothers who had boarded at the next station were sitting in the window and aisle seats. The poster insisted that they had secured their seats first, but the brothers wouldn't give up, so she ended up standing for over an hour.
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/otekomachi/20260115-GYT8T00073/Is it time to end non-reserved seats?
