Shinkansen is Japanese for the bullet train. It first debuted in 1964 and over 60 years later, it remains a world wide icon. A shinkansen features two different classes. They are Ordinary and Green. The former is often labeled as coach and the latter as first however the differences among the two is not that significant. Green class seats are wider and as a result there are only four to a row compared to five for Ordinary. There is also more legroom. It can be considered the quiet car even though it’s not a hard rule. The extra fee for the Green class is not trivial. As a result, the Green car is typically less crowded than its counterpart.

There is also a third, limited Gran class on a few shinkansen lines. Currently, it’s offered on the Tohoku, Hayate, Yamabiko, and Hokuriku. This class is another step above the Green and feels much more like first. Beyond the grandiose seat, it grants access to the View Gold Lounge in Tokyo station, complimentary food and drink on select trains, and a dedicated attendant. The additional fee is steep.