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Tokaido Shinkansen to Add “Half-Private” Luxury Seat Option in 2027
JR Tokai says it’s adding even more luxury options to some runs of its critical line between Tokyo and Osaka.
By Jay Allen
Want to travel Japan in style? You’ll have more choices come 2027, as JR Tokai has announced it’ll add a new “half-private” type luxury seat with plenty of space and a nice view.
The Tokaido is one of the world’s busiest high-speed rail lines, running between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka (and points beyond via the Sanyo Shinkansen). It’s served by three lines — the fast-running Nozomi, the medium-speed Hikari, and the full-stop Kodama.
The Tokaido line is currently split into two sections: regular seating and the Green Car first-class compartments. The latter offers wider seating and a QR code-based food ordering system.
Now, in a new press release, JR Tokai says it’s adding a new luxury option to several of its trips. Slated for 2027, the “half-private room” (半個室; hankoshitsu) type seats will be squirreled away from the main aisle behind a sliding door.
