Is There Food on the Shinkansen Bullet Train?

Eating food on the Shinkansen is a traditional and very enjoyable experience while traveling Japan. However, you need to plan ahead.

Food on the Shinkansen

Before October 2023, you could buy food on the Shinkansen, but now most food and drink services have been discontinued. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know, so you’re prepared before you take your first train ride.

The Tokaido Shinkansen

The Tokaido Shinkansen, which connects Tokyo and Osaka, was established in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics. It used to have a dining car, followed by a food cart service that operated until October 2023.

Shinkansen at Hamamatsu Station

Even though these services have been discontinued, passengers are still able to bring their own food and drinks onto the train. If your journey is going to last a few hours, you need to plan ahead so you can have some refreshments and food on the Shinkansen.

Ekiben

Ekiben, a blend of eki (station) and ben (bento), refers to boxed meals sold at train stations. These boxes offer a variety of dishes, such as tonkatsu (fried pork), karaage (fried chicken), and fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sea bream. Many shops also sell sushi and onigiri. The meals are served cold.

Delicious Ekiben

In Tokyo and Osaka, Ekiben shops are conveniently located before and after the ticket gates, making them easy to grab.

Kyoto station is a bit smaller, so we recommend buying your Ekiben at Isetan before you go through the gates. Nagoya station has a Takashimaya department store with great options on the basement floors (before the ticket gates).

Convenience Stores

Convenience stores, or konbini, are smart choices for grabbing food and drinks. They’re usually near train stations.

The big names like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart offer a wide range of options. You’ll find sandwiches, sushi, onigiri rice balls, soba noodles, and bento boxes. They also stock a variety of drinks. You’ll find beer, chuhai (an alcoholic drink), highball (whiskey with soda), sodas, tea, and water.

Workers at a 7-Eleven Konbini

In most cases, convenience stores are situated outside the ticket gates. However, in larger stations such as Tokyo and Osaka, you‘ll also find stores located inside the gates.

Platform Kiosks

Platform kiosks have fewer choices than convenience stores. They might offer bentos, but a very limited selection.

Platform Kiosk Selling Ekiben

Platform kiosks are usually found at larger and medium-sized stations. Smaller stations may or may not have them.

Platform Vending Machines

You’ll find vending machines on most Shinkansen platforms. They offer a wide range of drinks. Cold options include sodas, juices, teas, and coffees. If you’re after hot coffee or tea, look for drinks with a red label.

Platform Vending Machine

Some vending machines even have ice cream and freshly brewed coffee. The vending machines accept cash, coins, and IC cards.

Green Car Service

On the Nozomi and Hikari bullet trains, Cars 8, 9, and 10 offer a green car service with food and drinks. The food choices are limited and sell out fast, but you can enjoy a variety of drinks. Options include coffee, tea, beer, whiskey, chuhai, and water. Ice cream is available too. There are also snacks, such as chips and nuts.

Yamazaki 12 Year Available in the Green Car of the Shinkansen

To place an order while riding in the green car, scan the QR code on the brochure in your seat pocket. Double-check your selections for accuracy and confirm your order twice. Once processed, a staff member will bring your order right to you. You can pay with cash, credit card, or IC card.

Final Thoughts

Although the services for drinks and food on the Shinkansen have been reduced, there are still plenty of options available. Whether you choose to buy Ekiben at the station, grab a bite from a convenience store, or enjoy snacks and drinks in the green car, planning ahead will make your bullet train ride a unique, once in a lifetime experience.