Editing Travel class (section)

=== Japan ===
From 1872, Japan had a three-class structure for both seating carriages and sleeping carriages.  By 1960, as conditions improved on second and third class trains, there were few passengers travelling on first class; therefore, the few remaining first class carriages were rebranded "special" carriages available for hire, and consequently moved Japan's railway system to a two-class system, of which the original second class became the first, and the original third became second.

In 1969, the class structure was abolished altogether.  The first class was renamed "Green" carriages and the second "Standard" carriages.

All members of the [[Japan Railways Group]] (JR) offer separated classes of travel, with varying levels of availability on any given train.

The [[Kyushu Railway Company]] (JR Kyūshū), [[Hokkaido Railway Company]] (JR Hokkaido), and [[East Japan Railway Company]] (JR East) all offer an enhanced service known as the Green Car on nearly all of their intercity trains.  Additionally, the [[Central Japan Railway Company]] (JR Central) and [[Shikoku Railway Company]] (JR Shikoku) offer a Green Car on some trains, and a few [[West Japan Railway Company]] (JR West) trains also have a Green Car.  The alternative to Green Car is the Ordinary Car.  Although Ordinary Car tickets may be purchased with or without reserved seating, all Green Car tickets are reserved seating.  A ticket must be purchased in advance, and a special version of the [[Japan Rail Pass]] allowing travel in Green Cars is available.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/ticket/types.html |title=Types of Tickets &#124; Ticketing |publisher=JR-East |access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref>

Most JR Group Green Cars seats have increased width and pitch. In some stations, Green Cars are located nearer to the staircases and escalators leading to/from the train platform.  Green Cars also frequently offer slippers and reading materials in Japanese.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/japan-rail-pass-green-car-or-ordinary-car.cfm |title=Japan Rail Pass: Green car or ordinary car?| website=Fodor's Travel Talk Forums |date=2013-02-21 |access-date=2013-03-21}}{{unreliable source|date=January 2020}}</ref>

Additionally, JR East offers a third category of service, the GranClass, available on its [[Hayabusa (train)|Hayabusa]] route.  Features of GranClass cars include leather seats that recline to a 45-degree angle,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jreast.co.jp/e5/granclass.html |title=JR東日本 {{!}} 東北新幹線E5系| trans-title=About Gran Class |website=Jreast.co.jp |access-date=2013-03-21| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213151207/http://www.jreast.co.jp/e5/granclass.html| archive-date=13 February 2013}}</ref> raised footrests, adjustable dining tables and cocktail trays, and personal reading lights.  Full-service meals, both Japanese and Western, are provided by specialized GranClass attendants, who also serve soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.  Because the Hayabusa is a long-distance service to the [[Tōhoku region]], overnight amenities such as slippers, blankets, and eye masks are provided.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/aomori/granclass.html| publisher=East Japan Railway Company |access-date=2013-03-21| title="Hayabusa" GranClass| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329051308/http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/aomori/granclass.html| archive-date=29 March 2012}}</ref>