Can someone help me understand how to identify which shinkansen cars are reserved and which are open? Front vs. Back of train? Are all trains configured the same? What do the cars say on them? Are the platform areas marked? Etc. Any information would be appreciated.

Cars are numbered, and each train has its own configuration re how many cars and how many are reserved vs non reserved vs green. The platforms have signs or marks for the boarding line up for each car...but it is a bit difficult to understand as each train has its own system so there are all sorts of signs and marks. Easiest to show your ticket and ask someone where to stand. There are diagrams of the trains posted in the station as well usually in Japanese.

On the train cars themselves there is a sign next to the door that has the train name, car number and reserved or unreserved. It is definitely best to figure out before hand where to stand as going car to car once you are on is unpleasant and if crowded can be impossible. Trains don't typically spend long at all in a station unless it is first or last stop.

Here's a ticket sample & a guide on how to read it.


http://www.japanrail.com/JR_typesoftickets.html

For the ones most used by foreign tourists, Tokaido and Sayno Shinkansen Hikari trains, configuration is as follows.

Tokaido Shinkansen Tokyo - Shin Osaka (some continue to Okayama):
Unreserved cars are numbered 1 to 5 (at the front of the train going west towards Osaka), with car 3 being smoking.

Sanyo Shinkansen Shin Osaka - Hiroshima - Hakata(Hikari Railstar):
Unreserved cars are 1-3, car 2 being smoking, at the front of train heading west towards Hakata. Since Railstar has ony 8 cars (others have 16), seat reservation is strongly recommended.

For Tohoku, Joetsu and Nagano Shinkansen, configuration varies but generally unreserved cars are cars 1-4, 1-5 and 1-6 (some trains are completely unreserved). They are at the back of the train going away from Tokyo.
But as stated, always check on the platform where you should wait.

Thanks everyone.

KimJapan:
Thank you for all the information you contribute to this forum. Although I lived in Japan for 2 years 30 years ago, I am returning with my wife and kids for the first time since then (leaving in 2 days). From what I gather, it seems to have changed alot. I was in Southern Honshu, Northern Kyushu, and Shikoku. The ONLY McDonalds in that whole are was in the Fukuoka eki. I think we (USA) may have ruined the feel of their country. Your postings have been a great help in planning this trip.

there is still a McD's in Fukuoka train station....not everything has changed

Bookmarking

I'm sure you didn't mean it as an insult, but I can't imagine what you mean about "the feel of Japan being ruined by the US". The Japanese are quite capable of ruining their own country, gregg!

Just sampling the items in the "French" bakeries and "Italian" restaurants in Tokyo will convince you that Japanese control their own destiny. Natto croissant? Ham and eggs pizza? Half gallon ice cream 'parfaits' with gummy bears and six varieies of produce tossed in? Japanese seem to make all new items distinctly their own!

Icuy, having just returned from Japan yesterday, I can explain to you what I mean by US Companies ruining the feel of Japan. When I was there before, one did not see 7-11's, Circle K's, Sleep Inn's, and other US businesses all over. The difference in our perspective may be because in my two years in Japan I have never been in the Tokyo area. I was in rural areas of Japan, which is where I spent my time on this trip. I enjoy the traditional feel of rural Japan and have no interest in ever going to Tokyo. I enjoy experiencing traditional cultures and sights, prior their integration of American retail interests. And yes, I do think seeing a six story American Hotel building next to a 500 year old pagoda ruins the feel of Japan or any other country. I also think American businesses have taken away much of the flavor and uniquiness of American cities also. When I travel around the US, I see the exact same stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. in every city. US cities are begining to all look the same with less and less local flavor and culture.

IIRC, there is a sign on the reserved cars that says "Reserved".

I just noticed that KimJapan covered what I just posted.

I've received reserved seat tickets printed in Japanese and in English. I believe that if you ask then they will print the ticket in English. Then it is easy enough to find your way.

If you look around the Japan Rail webpage you probably can find a train map that would provide the info that Alec gave.

I can't agree at all with the bit about American influences ruining the feel of Japan. It is Japan and they do it their way. They incorporare foreign things and make them their own.

Right next to the six story American hotel you will probably see a seven story Japanese hotel. You'll see New Otani and APA and other Japanese chain hotels. And Lawsons (not a Japanese name but not an an American brand, I think).

gregg2,

Totally disagree with your observation about US companies ruining the feel of Japan

7-11 is now a Japanese company FYI

Maybe you should have gone to Japan before the 1940's if you did not want to see any US influence???

I think Lcuy is quite correct in her saying:

"the Japanese are quite capable of ruining their own country"

Have you ever heard of the term "global economy"?

You give the US too much credit imho

Aloha!