[category]
[title]
Shoving suitcases down the aisle, reclining your seat ever so slightly to avoid annoying the passenger behind you, asking fellow travellers to duck down so you can snap a photo of Mt Fuji – standard-class shinkansen travel isn't exactly a luxury experience.
But things are about to change – soon. JR Central and JR West, operators of the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines, which run between Tokyo and Osaka and Osaka and Hakata respectively, have announced that fully private compartments are finally coming to the bullet train, as we first reported in January.
While details such as pricing and amenities were still under wraps when we first brought you the news, the operators have now unveiled more information. Positioned above the Green Car, which serves as the premium economy or business-class equivalent on the bullet train, the new 'Supreme Class' cabins, set to be introduced in Cars 7 and 10 of the latest N700S trainsets, will feature lockable doors, plush reclining seats with leg rests, individual lighting and climate controls, state-of-the-art speakers and more.
The most exclusive option is the Supreme Class Cabin, available in either a single-seat configuration (Car 10) or a two-seat layout (Car 7, with an additional sofa seat) from October 1. Each cabin comes with an auto-locking door that opens with a registered transit IC card, a (much needed) dedicated luggage storage area, reclining seats with ample lumbar support, leg rests and seat heating, plus adjustable lighting that can be dimmed, warmed or switched off entirely.
What's more, all Supreme Class passengers will have access to the latest on-train tech, including a dedicated high-speed internet connection that uses the windows as transparent glass antennas to pick up 5G signals (!), as well as Bluetooth-enabled speakers built into the headrest for listening to music from your device.
One step down, the Supreme Class Seat in Car 10 will carry over many of the same amenities, but in a semi-private setting. The cordoned-off area will feature six backshell-style rotating seats, with partitioning walls between the aisle and seat to provide an added sense of privacy. These upgraded seats will arrive later, with installation set to begin gradually from spring 2027.
All Supreme Class passengers will also receive complimentary welcome drinks and snacks on Nozomi and Hikari services (but not on the slower Kodama trains).
Tickets go on sale from 5.30am on September 15 through the official online booking platform SmartEX and the members-only ‘frequent flier’ Express Reservation service. As of June 17 2026, tickets for the fully private Supreme Class Cabin seats go for ¥60,500 between Tokyo and Osaka in the two-person cabin (plus a separate standard-class reserved seat fee for the accompanying passenger), and ¥42,100 per person in the solo compartment. Prices for the Supreme Class Seat will be announced at a later date.
More from Time Out Tokyo
FIFA fever: where to watch the World Cup in Tokyo
Tokyo just got a limited-time Yukimi Daifuku ice cream mochi café
Thousands of lanterns will be floating on the Chidorigafuchi Moat at this festival
This micro-cinema just outside Tokyo makes a magical day trip for film buffs
About 10.6% of Japan identifies as LGBTQ+ in 2026, survey suggests
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.