Upgrading Shinkansen seats?

Hi there,

You can but your regional pass would only cover the basic fare. To upgrade you'd have to pay for both the Shinkansen fee and Green / Cran Class fare.

For example:
Tokyo -> Kanazawa in Green Class
Base Fare: ¥ 7,480
Shinkansen fee: ¥ 6,700
Green Class fee: ¥ 4,920
Total:¥ 19,100

You'd have to pay ¥ 11,620 to upgrade to Green Class on this route. Money wise it would not be worth it, perhaps if you really want to experience.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Thank you! Yes, we are after the experience especially for the Gran Class if its reasonable enough. If we dont do any upgrade we can still ride the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kanazawa and back without any additional fees/payments right as part of the regional pass package? Are these reserve seats or only unreserved seats? Is it easy to find open seats together on this trip? Thanks

Also Im guessing we can opt to upgrade one way and use the regular seats with the regional pass on the other way right?

Green / Gran Seats are always reserved, non reserved seats are available on this route, expect for on the Kagayaki Shinkansen service.

Availability of seats depends on what train and time of day you travel, you can come a bit early to the train platform and queue up to get a seat.

Of course you can upgrade one way only.

Hope this helps :)
Daniel

Thanks so much Daniel