[Gimon of Golden Week]To what extent is it OK to accompany pets on the Shinkansen? You need a ticket to bring it in. What are the unknown rules? | YTV NEWS NNN

Golden Week, which has a maximum of 10 consecutive holidays, started on the 27th. Many people use the Shinkansen for vacations or returning home, but some of them may also consider taking their pets along with them. However, not just any animal can be taken on the Shinkansen. What are some unknown rules when traveling with a pet?

■A snake was found on the Shinkansen. Snakes are prohibited even as pets.

On the evening of the 16th of this month on the Tokaido Shinkansen, a snake measuring approximately 40 centimeters was found in the sixth car of Kodama 730, which arrived at Tokyo Station. Although there were no reports of injuries to passengers, measures were subsequently taken to change the train scheduled to depart from Tokyo Station, resulting in a delay in the train schedule.

According to JR Tokai, no one has come forward as the owner and the snake has already been handed over to the police. However, it is not known whether the snake was a passenger’s pet in the first place or whether a wild snake entered the area.

However, when I checked the Tokaido Shinkansen website, it states that “small dogs, cats, pigeons, and similar small animals (excluding beasts of prey and snakes) may be brought in under certain conditions.” If you keep one as a pet, it is prohibited to bring it onto the Shinkansen.

■Puppies, cats, pigeons, etc. are OK…However, the total length, width, and height must be within 120 cm.

According to the regulations for “personal items” that can be brought onto the railways of JR companies,

It states, “Puts in a case specifically designed for animals with a total length, width, and height of less than 120 cm, and a combined weight of the case and animal less than 10 kg.”

In other words, one guideline is for the case to fit within 40 cm on each side and weigh less than 10 kg including the pet. This is the same rule for conventional lines, and cannot be used if the item is held in your arms, placed in a bag, or in a case that does not have a fixed form, such as cloth. It is also prohibited to take it out of the case while riding.

However, if you are a passenger with a physical disability, you may bring a guide dog, service dog, or hearing dog into the vehicle.

■There is a charge for bringing pets into the car!Purchase a ticket for 290 yen at the boarding station

When bringing a pet such as a puppy onto the train, there are important procedures to follow. The regulations for personal items state that “The fee for personal items is 290 yen per item,” and they cannot be brought in for free. (Free for guide dogs, etc.)

This rule is not limited to the Shinkansen, but also applies to conventional lines operated by JR companies across the country.You must show your luggage at the ticket gate of the station you are boarding, rather than at an automatic ticket vending machine, and then purchase a “personal item ticket.” It will be. When transferring from a conventional line to a Shinkansen, there is no need to purchase an additional personal item ticket.

During long holidays, all seats on the Nozomi trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are reserved, but it is not possible to reserve a reserved seat for your pet, so pet cases must be placed at your feet or in the overhead bin. Become.

■Small birds, insects, and seafood are free…where is the line drawn?

In addition, you are allowed to bring in “small amounts of small birds, small insects, day-old chicks, and seafood in cases.” This means that you can bring fish in aquariums, insects such as beetles, and small birds such as parakeets into the car. However, in this case, unlike dogs and cats, a personal item ticket is not required and the pet is free.

Where is the line drawn between paid and free animals?

When we contacted JR Tokai, they said, “It depends on the shape of the case, and it is difficult to draw a line based on the type and size of the animal,” and “If you have any questions about bringing in pets, please contact the ticket gate staff.” explains.

Do you want to bring your pet with you when you travel or return home? Why not check the rules before considering it?