Published on: July 02, 2026
Last updated on: July 02, 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 summer, here's one important thing to keep in mind.
From August 7 to August 16, 2026, all Nozomi Shinkansen trains operating between Tokyo and Hakata will run with reserved seats only.
That means there will be no non-reserved seats on Nozomi trains during this period.
This is a temporary measure introduced every year during Japan's busy Obon holiday, one of the country's busiest travel seasons.
Which trains are affected?
The change applies only to Nozomi trains, the fastest and most frequent Shinkansen service operating between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hakata.
During the Obon period, 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
Obon is one of Japan's busiest travel seasons, and popular routes such as:
- Tokyo – Kyoto
- Tokyo – Shin-Osaka
- Tokyo – Hiroshima
- Shin-Osaka – Hiroshima
often sell out well in advance.
If you're traveling with family, need oversized luggage seats, or would like a Mt. Fuji-side window seat, we strongly recommend reserving your tickets as early as possible.
Planning ahead will help make your journey much more comfortable.
Safe travels!
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