Shinkansen seat numbering mystery

[OLJR]

Konichiwa!

I have been using a Japan Rail Pass to travel on the Shinkansen in the Green Car (premium class). I have done Tokyo -> Shin Osaka -> Hiroshima -> Okayama -> Himeji -> Kyoto -> Tokyo. It has been an excellent experience and I recommend it to all, but there is something strange going on with the seat numbering.

Going west, on Tokyo -> Shin Osaka -> Hiroshima I was always in the seat at the back of the carriage with all seats facing forward and this was row number 15 or 17.

Going east on Hiroshima -> Okayama -> Himeji -> Kyoto -> Tokyo I was always in the seat at the back of the carriage with all seats facing forward and this was row number 1.

How can west-bound trains have row 15/17 at the back of the carriage and east-bound trains have row 1 at the back of the carriage with all seats facing forward in both directions? Thanks!

 

[Bletchleyite]

The seats turn round or flip so they're always facing forwards.

 

[stuu]

Yes, the pairs of seats are all flipped around at each end of the journey - there is a pedal on the end to unlock the swivel mechanism. I expect there is a video on youtube showing it being done

 

[Beebman]

Yes, the pairs of seats are all flipped around at each end of the journey - there is a pedal on the end to unlock the swivel mechanism. I expect there is a video on youtube showing it being done

Here's a video in English called 'Japan Bullet Train Top 10 Must Know Travel Hacks | Shinkansen Guide' which demonstrates flipping seats at 3:12:

Synopsis:

Top 10 Japan Bullet Train Travel Hacks and Tips. A Shinkansen guide and Shinkansen Hacks on how to ride a train in Japan while riding Tokaido Line Green Car, Reserved and reserved seats. This Japan Train Guide will take you on Japanese bullet train from Tokyo to Nagoya which is the same line for Tokyo to Osaka, Tokyo to Kyoto and Tokyo to Fukuoka. Full Tips on how to ride a bullet train in Japan from Tokyo. This bullet train in Japan is a N700.

 

[LYuen]

Not only Shinkansen, but most limited express trains in Japan, the seats flips so it is always forward facing.
Meanwhile coach and seat numbers are fixed, so coach 1 is always at the west-end of the train, row 1 is always at the west-end of the coach.

 

[OLJR]

Thanks everyone. That's really cool to see and also explains why a couple of groups were sitting facing each other.