If you are planning to take Shinkansen between end-December and early-January, we recommend you to book your tickets NOW.
Shinkansen is crowded during this period
Shinkansen will be crowded from end-December to early-January and will be hectically crowded from Friday, December 27th to Sunday, January 5th, as during this period, many Japanese returns to their hometown and it is also a peak season for tourists from inside / outside Japan.
It is likely that you have to line up for Shinkansen and end up standing during the ride, if you do not reserve your seats beforehand.
The Japan Railways group accepts a reservation from one month before travel date
Many people want to book tickets during those peak periods as soon as they fix their travel dates. However, the Japan Railways (JR) group accepts a reservation from one month before the travel date. You can see some people standing in a line at stations in the morning to buy tickets for peak periods one month later.
Shinkansen-Ticket.com buys on the ticket release day if tickets for a date more than one month after being ordered
We, Shinkansen-Ticket.com, on the other hand, can take orders for tickets even next year.
When we receive orders of tickets for a date more than one month ahead, we securely purchase those tickets on the JR release day, one month before that customer's travel date.
If you plan to take Shinkansen during the peak periods, ask us to reserve tickets once your traveling dates are fixed. We will securely reserve your tickets/seats.
See Also:
Japan Railways Group's definition and calendar: peak, regular and off-season
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/pages/the-best-time-to-travel-on-shinkansen-official-peak-and-off-season-periods-explained
About Us: Shinkansen Ticket Online Booking
You can book Shinkansen/Bullet train tickets online here. We purchase tickets for you and deliver them to your hotel. Reserve your tickets/seats without the hassle.
Regular seats used on Reserved cars and Unreserved cars of Shinkansen. Consider it as "economy class" seat.
Better seats with more space than ordinary seats. All Green Seats are reserved only. Consider it as "business class" seats.
Your seat is reserved and secured when you book your tickets. Head to the station with a peace of mind.
Seats are the same as Ordinary Seat.
Better seats and free blankets. Popular among Japanese business persons, executives and people who
Know as "First Class" of Shinkansen seats. Only available on Hokuriku and Tohoku Shinkansen lines.
You can take any open seats in unreserved cars of any train on the departure date. (No departure time will be indicated on your tickets.)
The best seat type if your priority is the cost and are traveling during less-crowded season/time.
For further information and photos, please visit official page at http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/ticket/types.html