Shinkansen "Nozomi" to Be Fully Reserved Seating during 2023-2024 New Year Holidays
JR Tokai and JR West Japan announced on September 13th, 2023, that during Japan's "Big Three Peak Seasons" – the year-end holidays, Obon (Festival of the Dead), and Golden Week – the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen "Nozomi" services will operate with fully reserved seating, with no unreserved seating available.
This change in operation will take effect starting from December 28, 2023, through January 4, 2024, during the year-end holiday period.
During these Big Three Peak Seasons, reserved seats often become fully booked quickly, resulting in long lines for unreserved seating on the platforms, which can lead to delays in boarding and disembarking. To address these challenges, it was decided to make all seats on the "Nozomi" services during these peak periods fully reserved.
For other Shinkansen services such as "Hikari," "Kodama," "Mizuho," and "Sakura," unreserved seating will continue to be available as usual during the same period.
Secure Your Shinkansen Tickets for 2023-2024 New Year Holidays in advance!
With this announcement, it is expected that reserved seat reservations for the Shinkansen during the year-end holidays will be more crowded than usual, making it more challenging to secure seats.
If you're planning a trip to Japan for the year-end holidays, it's a good idea to secure your tickets with us now!
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Seat guide
Ordinary Seat
Regular seats used on Reserved cars and Unreserved cars of Shinkansen. Consider it as "economy class" seat.
Green Seat
Better seats with more space than ordinary seats. All Green Seats are reserved only. Consider it as "business class" seats.
Reserved Seat (Ordinary Reserved Seat)
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.
Green Reserved Seat
Better seats and free blankets. Popular among Japanese business persons, executives and people who
GranClass
Know as "First Class" of Shinkansen seats. Only available on Hokuriku and Tohoku Shinkansen lines.
Unreserved Seat
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