Is it worth getting the green pass? My girlfriend and I are going to Japan at the end of August and are traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto to Takayama and back. We're getting the rail pass, but don't know if the green is worth the extra money. We're worried about crowding/space, about having room to drag our luggage on board and somewhere to put it. Does anybody have any suggestions or firsthand knowledge of what the trains are like?

I personally don't think it's worth the extra for green class. The standard class is fine. It's roomy and comfortable and you shouldn't have trouble finding space for your luggage if it's a reasonable amount. We had two big suitcases and carry -ons and had no trouble storing it on the train.

Agree with laurieco. The only trip we'd wished we had a green pass was the Limited Express from Kyoto to Matsuyama on Shikoku. The green seats were upstairs and right in the front carriage of the train. The water views were fabulous. We just got out of our seats & stood in the rear of the green car compartment and enjoyed the views, on our feet! The cost is too excessive for the value you get, imho.

The difference, once seated, between the green car and the ordinary is very little on Shinkansen.

The ordinary car East of Osaka is set 2-3 while West of Osaka (Hikari railstar) is set 2-2.

So what are the differences?

The green cars on Shinkansen are placed near the middle of the train, where stairs, escalators are located.

It is earier to find seats together for larger group on green cars than ordinary car at last minutes or at busy times. On ordinary cars configured 2 on one side and 3 on other, 2-3, the 2 side gets filled first (single and couple travellers, the majority of travellers like to sit on this side). If you don't care the there is someone else sits next to you, then this is not a problem.

The green cars have wee bit more leg room.

Hi

My wife and I went to Japan in May. We never made any reservations and we always managed to find a seat and room for our luggage. I have posted a bit of information in a trip report with pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com. Maybe you can find some useful information there Have a great trip...and get in touch if you have any questions.

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway