Shinkansen's Secret Private Booths Offer Affordable Serenity

A little-known secret has been hiding in plain sight on Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains. For years, a private booth called the Business Booth has been available to passengers who have purchased a regular seat in Car 7 of N700S-series Nozomi trains.

This exclusive space is located between Cars 7 and 8 and can be reserved for short periods of time, up to two hours. The prices are surprisingly affordable: 200 yen (US$1.25) per 10 minutes up to a half-hour, and 300 yen per 10 minutes between 30 and 60 minutes.

The Business Booth is equipped with two chairs, a counter, standard and USB power outlets, and a window for taking in the scenery. While it's not luxurious by any means, it offers a private space to work or relax during your journey.