Train seat number

This may be a silly question, but last year when i rode on the Shinkansen (Tokyo to Osaka) I did not know how to find the seat number on the ticket or in the train...one of my fellow travelers just said sit here, this is your seat. I will be going to Tokyo in April, but I'm worried if I'll be able to find my seat. Can someone explain to me exactly where the seat # is located on the ticket and in the train? Is it posted like on an airplane?
Thanks.

Car number and seat number are shown on your ticket. You can get your ticket in English, in which case it is easy to find out your car and seat number.

In Japanese, it looks something like:
３号車 means car number 3
９番Ａ席 means seat 9A

Car numbers are written on the outside and inside of trains (and on signs on the platform), while seat numbers are written above the seats like on airplanes.

One possibility was you had an unreserved seat ticket.

But yes if you had a seat reservation along with your ticket (should be 2 tickets) it should say car number seat number etc, marked just like an airplane.

Thanks for your replies; when I go to Tokyo in April, I'll be sure to study the train ticket before I get on! My fears are slightly alleviated.