Wondering what to eat or drink on the Shinkansen? You can bring your own food, but onboard service varies by train. Here’s what to know before you board.
Yes, you can eat and drink on the Shinkansen. You can bring your own food and drinks and enjoy them at your seat. Many travelers pick up a lunch box, snack, or drink at the station before boarding.
Just keep in mind that food may not be sold on your train, so it is a good idea to buy what you need before boarding.
It is a good idea to buy food or drinks at the station before boarding because some Shinkansen trains do not have onboard sales.
If you want to buy onboard, check whether your train has onboard sales in advance.
If you know you will want food or drinks, buy them before boarding. Onboard sales are available on some Shinkansen trains, but not on others.
For example, several JR Kyushu Shinkansen services do not have onboard sales, while some JR East Shinkansen trains still do. This is why it is better not to rely on buying food or drinks after you board.
Buying what you need before boarding is the simplest option. Leave yourself a little time to shop so you do not have to rush.
You can usually buy food and drinks at the station before boarding.
What to Buy | Where to Look | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
Ekiben (station lunch boxes) | Station food shops, often near the Shinkansen gates or inside the ticketed area | A popular choice for eating on the train |
Snacks and sandwiches | Convenience stores and station shops | Easy to buy when you are short on time |
Prepared foods and side dishes | Station food shops and takeaway food shops | More common at larger stations |
Drinks | Convenience stores, station shops, and vending machines | Often available near the gates or on platforms |
Ice cream | Some station shops or vending machines | More likely to be available at larger stations |
What is available depends on the station. Larger stations usually have more choices, while smaller stations may have fewer shops.
If you follow a halal, vegetarian, or vegan diet, or have food allergies, suitable options at stations may be limited. Check the ingredients carefully and buy what you need before boarding.
If you want to know whether you can buy food or drinks onboard, check the railway operator’s official website before you travel. Services can vary by route, train, and class.
Look for:
If you cannot find the right page, try searching for your train name + “onboard sales.”
If you have already bought what you need at the station, you can usually skip this step.
Food and drink service varies by train and class. Premium classes may offer extra food and drink services, depending on the train.
Onboard sales are not available on every Shinkansen in Standard Class. Service varies by railway company and train.
For Standard Class, it is best to buy what you need before boarding.
On the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, Green Car passengers can use mobile ordering for snacks and drinks on applicable services.
Service availability can vary, so check your train before traveling.
GranClass has two service types:
The service type depends on the train. Hakutaka and Asama use the no-service type, while Kagayaki offers the beverage and light meal service. Hayabusa can have either type, depending on the train.
Check your specific train before booking if food and drink service is important to you.
Eating and drinking on the Shinkansen is common. A few simple manners can help keep the journey comfortable for everyone.
Drinking alcohol is allowed on the Shinkansen, and many travelers enjoy a beer or other drink during their journey.
However, Shinkansen cars are quiet spaces. If you drink alcohol onboard, please drink responsibly, keep your conversation low, and avoid disturbing other passengers.
Please note that Japan's legal drinking age is 20. This law applies to all visitors to Japan.
Eating on the Shinkansen is common, but try to avoid foods with strong smells that may bother nearby passengers. Foods such as fried chicken, curry, kimchi, and takoyaki can have a strong smell.
Mild-smelling ekiben, sandwiches, onigiri, bread, and baked snacks are usually easier choices for eating onboard.
This is a matter of courtesy rather than a formal rule.
Keep your seat area clean while you eat. Avoid leaving grease, crumbs, or spills on the tray table or around your seat.
Before you leave, check the area and clean up anything you dropped or spilled.
You can usually find waste bins on Shinkansen trains, often in the deck areas between cars. Follow the labels when sorting bottles, cans, and other waste. Bins may also be available on station platforms or near ticket gates.
Before leaving the train, take all your trash with you. Do not leave wrappers, bottles, or food containers at your seat.
You can enjoy food and drinks on the Shinkansen, but onboard sales vary by train. It is a good idea to buy the food and drinks you want before boarding. If you want to use onboard food or drink services, check in advance what is available on your train.
When you are ready to travel, book your Shinkansen tickets online through Japan Bullet Train. Japan Bullet Train is an online Shinkansen ticket booking service for international travelers visiting Japan, with multilingual support.
If you have any questions about our service or Shinkansen travel in Japan, feel free to contact our Japan-based customer support team. Phone support is available mainly in English, Chinese, and Korean.
