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Shinkansen power outlets: which seats have one

Every seat has an outlet on JR Central's N700S. On N700 and N700A, ordinary cars have them at window seats and the seats at the very front and very back (JR Central). JR East says the outlets on the Tohoku Shinkansen are 100V.

Updated

6types with an outlet at every seat
15shinkansen types listed
100VTohoku Shinkansen seat outlets (JR East)

Outlets by train

6 of the 15 types below list an outlet at every seat. On the others, look at window seats and the front and back rows.

Seats with a power outlet on each shinkansen type (JR companies' official pages; JR East's seat positions from JRE MALL, which JR East runs)
TrainOperatorSeats with an outlet
N700S (Tokaido Shinkansen)JR CentralEvery seat Source
N700 and N700A (Tokaido Shinkansen)JR CentralGreen Cars: every seat. Ordinary cars: window seats and the seats at the very front and very back Source
N700S, some trainsets (Tokaido and Sanyo)JR WestEvery seat on those trainsets Source
N700, 8 cars (Mizuho, Sakura, Kodama)JR WestGreen Car: every seat. Ordinary cars: window seats and the front and back rows Source
700 series (Hikari Rail Star)JR WestThe front row of cars 5 to 8 Source
W7 (Hokuriku Shinkansen)JR WestEvery seat, ordinary cars included Source
E7 (Hokuriku and Joetsu Shinkansen)JR EastEvery seat, ordinary cars included Source
E8 (Yamagata Shinkansen)JR EastEvery seat. Ordinary cars: under the armrest Source
E5 (Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen)JR EastOrdinary: A and E window seats on the wall side, B, C and D on the back of the seat in front (missing on some trains). Green: two outlets under the armrest. GranClass: front of the armrest Source
E6 (Akita Shinkansen)JR EastOrdinary: every A and D window seat; B and C only some seats near the doors. Green: every seat Source
E3 (Yamagata Shinkansen)JR EastOrdinary: every A and D window seat; B and C only some seats near the doors. Some trains have none Source
E2 (Tohoku Shinkansen)JR EastOrdinary: every A and E window seat; B, C and D only some seats near the doors. Green: every seat Source
H5 (Hokkaido Shinkansen)JR HokkaidoOrdinary cars: every seat (English page). Green Cars: power with the seat-back table (Japanese page) Source
N700 (Kyushu Shinkansen)JR KyushuGreen Car: every seat. Ordinary cars: window seats and the front and back of each car Source
N700S (Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome)JR KyushuEvery seat Source

The outlet in the armrest of an ordinary-class seat on an N700S shinkansen

Photo: MaedaAkihiko / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons (cropped)

Ask for a seat with an outlet

JNTO says new shinkansen models have outlets next to the window seats, and you can ask for such a seat when you buy the ticket.

JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization)If you need to charge your appliances on the go, new shinkansen models have outlets next to the window seats. If you would like such a seat, please ask the staff when you purchase your ticket. Some hamburger chains and family restaurants have outlets available.JNTO

A phone charger in the armrest outlet of an N700S shinkansen seat

Photo: Indiana jo / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons (cropped)

100V, with short power cuts

JR East says the mobile outlets on the Tohoku Shinkansen are 100V, and that short power cuts and voltage changes can happen while the train runs.

JR East FAQ客室の座席付近にモバイル用コンセント(100V)をご用意しておりますが、全座席分のコンセントがない列車もございます。JR East FAQ

In English: There are mobile outlets (100V) near the seats, but some trains do not have an outlet for every seat.

JR East FAQなお、走行中は一時的な停電、電圧変動が発生する可能性がございますのであらかじめご了承ください。JR East FAQ

In English: While the train is running, short power cuts and changes in voltage may happen.

JR Hokkaido (English page)Equipped at all seats. Convenient for computer use or charging your cellular phone.JR Hokkaido
JR Central: Supreme Class (English)To charge a smartphone or other device, please use the in-suite power outlets or USB charging ports (Type-A and Type-C compatible).JR Central

Limited express trains

Some JR limited express trains have outlets too, including the Narita Express and the Haruka to Kansai Airport.

Seats with a power outlet on JR limited express trains (JR East and JR West)
TrainOperatorSeats with an outlet
Narita Express (E259)JR EastEvery seat; the outlet is at the front end of the armrest Source
Azusa and Kaiji (E353)JR EastEvery seat Source
HarukaJR WestSome cars. The new 271 series cars have one at every seat Source
KuroshioJR WestFront and back of each car. Car 1 (Green): every seat Source
ThunderbirdJR WestFront and back seats of each car only Source
YakumoJR WestEvery seat Source
JR East: Narita Express (English)The reclining seats come with large seat tables and power outlets that are convenient for those with PCs.JR East

Frequently asked questions

Do all shinkansen seats have power outlets?

No. N700S, W7, E7 and E8 have one at every seat. N700 and N700A cars have them at every Green Car seat, at window seats and in the front and back rows (JR Central).

What voltage are the outlets on the shinkansen?

JR East says the mobile outlets on the Tohoku Shinkansen are 100V, the same as Japan's mains voltage (JNTO). It adds that short power cuts and voltage changes can happen while the train runs.

How do I get a seat with an outlet?

JNTO says new shinkansen models have outlets next to the window seats. Ask the staff for such a seat when you buy the ticket.

Related items

Official page: JR Central

Sources for this page

Back to Plugs and voltage

Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 3, 2026