Published on: September 16, 2026
Last updated on: September 16, 2026
This blog is brought to you by Tetsu, our Shinkansen Expert — the go-to expert for train routes, seating tips, and travel hacks.
If you're planning to visit Japan this September, here's one important thing to keep in mind.
Silver Week is a holiday period in Japan that occurs around Respect for the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day in September. Depending on how the calendar falls, several public holidays can create a longer stretch of time off, making it a popular period for domestic travel.
In 2026, Silver Week runs from Friday, September 18 through Wednesday, September 23, creating a six-day holiday period.
During this busy travel season, all Nozomi Shinkansen trains operating between Tokyo and Hakata will run with reserved seats only.
From September 18 to September 23, 2026, there will be no non-reserved seats on Nozomi trains.
This is a temporary measure introduced during some of Japan's busiest travel periods to help manage the large number of passengers.
Which trains are affected?
The change applies only to Nozomi trains, the fastest and most frequent Shinkansen service operating between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Hakata.
From September 18 through September 23, all Nozomi trains will operate with reserved seats only.
The following services will continue to offer non-reserved seating as usual:
- Hikari
- Kodama
- Mizuho
- Sakura
- Tsubame
Hikari and Kodama trains make more stops than Nozomi, so they generally take longer to reach their destinations.
Even so, they can be a good alternative if your schedule is flexible.
Reserve Early
Silver Week is expected to be a busy travel period in Japan, and popular routes such as:
- Tokyo – Kyoto
- Tokyo – Shin-Osaka
- Tokyo – Hiroshima
- Shin-Osaka – Hiroshima
can become very busy, especially around the holiday period. JR Central also recommends making reservations early for the 2026 Silver Week period.
Planning ahead will help make your journey more comfortable.
Keep an Eye on the Weather
There's one more thing to keep in mind this year.
A typhoon is approaching Japan around the Silver Week period, so travelers should keep an eye on the latest weather forecasts before and during their trip.
Heavy rain, strong winds, and other severe weather conditions can affect train operations, including possible delays or service suspensions.
If you're traveling during Silver Week, we recommend checking both the weather forecast and Shinkansen service information before heading to the station.
A little flexibility in your schedule can also be helpful during this time.
Safe travels, and enjoy your time in Japan!
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