Tourism JR reviving private Shinkansen compartments

[thomas]

JR Central will revive private luxury compartments in 2026. The operator says the compartments will return to its Shinkansen cars more than two decades after they were abolished. Each will provide a private area for up to two passengers. The new sections will have reclining seats, dedicated Wi-Fi, and systems to control lighting and the volume of train announcements. The company hopes to appeal to people who want privacy for online meetings.

According to the company, the first private shinkansen compartments were introduced in 1985 in its 100 Series trains, which were discontinued in 2003. Double-decker 200 Series train cars used for the Tohoku Shinkansen line also featured private rooms. Currently, the four-person compartments in the Sanyo Shinkansen's 700 Series cars are the closest thing to private rooms available on a Japanese bullet train. The company explained, "We have been studying new seating arrangements for bullet trains to meet customers' needs, which are diversifying due to changes in life- and work styles." These had included plans for seating that creates an enhanced business environment and higher-class seats in Green Cars that allow passengers to pass their travel time in comfort.

Japan railway to revive private compartments on bullet trains with beyond-1st class service - The Mainichi

NAGOYA -- Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train passengers will, after some 23 years, once again be able to zoom from point A to B in the comfort of a priva

mainichi.jp

Private bullet train compartments making a comeback | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Bullet train riders in central Japan can look forward to a new level of luxury when Central Japan Railway brings back private compartments in April 2026.

www3.nhk.or.jp