Taking Skis on Japanese Trains: Shinkansen Luggage Rules and When to Ship Instead

David

You can take skis and snowboards on the Shinkansen without a special reservation. JR Central treats them as sports equipment, which is exempt from the oversized-baggage booking rule on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, and the JR East lines that serve Nagano and Niigata ski areas have no booking rule at all (JR Central). The harder part is getting a ski bag through Tokyo's commuter trains, which is why many skiers ship it from the airport with Yamato instead.

Do you need to reserve a seat for skis on the Shinkansen?

No, but it can still be worth it. JR Central's rule requires a "seat with oversized baggage area" for bags whose length, width and height add up to 161 to 250 cm, on the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen only. Unreserved oversized bags on those lines cost a ¥1,000 fee. Strollers, musical instruments and sports equipment are exempt: they can go on the rack or in deck space without a booking, and you only need a reservation if you want to use the oversized-baggage space behind the last row (JR Central).

On a long trip in ski season, booking one of those rear seats is still the easiest way to keep a ski bag next to you.

Sources: JR Central; JR East luggage guide.

What are the size and weight limits?

The general JR rule is two free pieces per passenger, each up to 30 kg and 250 cm in total dimensions, and no longer than 200 cm. Sports equipment and instruments may exceed the length limit if they are in a bag or case that can stand in the car (JR Central). A double ski bag with boots inside can approach 30 kg, so weigh it before you leave.

Should you take skis on Tokyo commuter trains?

Avoid it if you can. Weekday rush hours on Tokyo lines are crowded enough that a 180 cm ski bag is hard to manage, transfers often involve stairs, and many central hotels have small lifts and little storage. Going from Narita or Haneda straight to Tokyo or Ueno Station and onto the Shinkansen is fine; dragging the bag across the city to stay a night in Shinjuku is where it gets difficult.

When should you ship skis with Yamato instead?

Shipping makes sense when you spend at least two nights in a city before reaching the mountains. Yamato's Ski Ta-Q-Bin asks you to send skis two days before you ski (three for some areas), and it delivers to the resort at least a day before you arrive (Yamato).

A ski cover (¥400) or snowboard cover (¥600) is required. If you are going straight to the mountains on arrival day, the bag will not get there in time; carry it, or rent for the first day (where to rent gear). Counter locations at each airport are in our Yamato counter guide.

Is a bus easier than the train?

Often. Airport buses and resort ski buses load bags into a hold underneath, so you hand the ski bag over once and collect it at the stop. Check the operator's rules for ski bags when you book, since some count them as extra luggage. For Hakuba, our Hakuba access guide compares train and bus routes.

A practical plan for a cities-and-skiing trip

1. Land and ship the ski bag from the airport counter to your resort hotel.
2. Spend your city nights with just a suitcase.
3. Take the Shinkansen to the mountains; see booking the Shinkansen online.
4. At the end of the trip, ask the hotel to send the bag back to the airport two or three days before your flight.

If you do not want to deal with the bag at all, consider renting in Japan. Sending gear ahead from overseas? See posting skis from Australia to Japan. The full day-by-day version of this plan is in our 10-day Japan itinerary.