Frequently Asked Questions

*If you use the JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR-WEST RAIL PASS, click here.

What should I be aware of when using the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen during the three major peak periods*?

In Japan, many people travel home or go on trips during the three major peak periods*, and transportation becomes extremely crowded. Please be careful when making travel plans.

- During the three major peak periods*, many passengers use the Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, Sakura, and Tsubame non-reserved seating, meaning you may not be able to find a seat. So, please book a reserved seat in advance.

- All Nozomi seats are reserved.

*The three major peak periods are Golden Week(a period of holidays in Japan from the end of April to the beginning of May every year), Obon(a period around mid-August in Japan when many people take vacation), and the year-end and New Year holidays

I am planning a trip using the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen during the above period. What should I do?

During the above period, you may not be able to find a non-reserved seat on the Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, Sakura, or Tsubame depending on the boarding day or time of day. So, please book a reserved seat before traveling. *Please note that the Nozomi and Mizuho cannot be used when using the JAPAN RAIL PASS.

How do I reserve or buy a reserved seat?

Please use one of the following methods to make your purchase.

[At stations, etc.]

- Before boarding, please purchase a reserved seat limited express ticket at a JR station counter, ticket vending machine, or travel agency. Please check individual JR company websites regarding business hours and service details for the ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) and ticket vending machines at each station.

(Reference) JR Tokai—How to buy and use tickets

JR West—How to use JR-West​

[Shinkansen Online Reservation]

- Reserved seats can also be booked through the Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service.

- You can check the availability of seats for each train and reserve the desired train and seat by looking at the seat map.

[Available on JR companies’ online reservation services and at station counters]

- You can also make a reservation through JR companies’ online ​reservation services (JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION​, JR-KYUSHU Train Reservation).​

《With Shinkansen Online Reservation, you can reserve (book a seat) one year in advance》

- Tickets become available at 5:30 one year before the boarding date (the same day of the previous year).

We recommend that you make a reservation as soon as your plans are made.

*One year advance reservations are limited to some products. Special early products (excluding some products), S Work seats, wheelchair-accessible seats, seats with an oversized baggage area, and seats with an oversized baggage compartment cannot be reserved one year in advance. Please refer to the Shinkansen Online Reservation website for more information on reservation conditions and how to board.

*Even if a product can be reserved one year in advance, the seats that can be reserved one year in advance for each train are limited in number. As with the station counter, there are seats that you can reserve from 10:00 AM one month before the boarding date.

*If you make a reservation between one year and one month before the boarding date, we will finalize the train number, arrival and departure times, and seat number after 8:00 AM one month before the boarding date and inform you via the registered email address. In principle, when a reservation application is completed, the seats for the number of applicants are reserved.

When can I reserve or buy a reserved seat?

Reserved seats go on sale from 10:00 AM one month before the departure date of your train (the same day of the previous month).

With Shinkansen Online Reservation, only some products will be released at 5:30 AM one year before the boarding date (same day of the previous year).

What should I do if the reserved seats of the train I want are full?

Please consider boarding at a different time or on a different day so that you can reserve a seat on a train with vacant seats.

During the three major peak periods*, Nozomi trains are operated with reserved seats only. So, if you have not booked a reserved seat, you will not be allowed to sit.

*The three major peak periods are Golden Week(a period of holidays in Japan from the end of April to the beginning of May every year), Obon(a period around mid-August in Japan when many people take vacation), and the year-end and New Year holidays

I have a non-reserved limited express ticket. What should I do?

Before boarding, please change to a reserved seat limited express ticket in advance. You can change your ticket only once without a fee(but you need to pay the price difference). Please ask at the window counter at one of the major stations. This can also be done at some ticket vending machines.

If you enter the ticket gate with a non-reserved limited express ticket on the boarding date, please stand on the deck of an ordinary car, or use a non-reserved seat on a Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, Sakura or Tsubame train.

Can I board a Nozomi train with an non-reserved limited express ticket?

During the three major peak periods*, Nozomi trains are operated with reserved seats only. You cannot sit with a non-reserved limited express ticket.

If you use a non-reserved limited express ticket to get on a Nozomi train, you can stand on the deck of an ordinary car.

However, there is a risk that you may not be able to board the Shinkansen you wish to due to overcrowding. Please follow the directions of the station staff when boarding the Shinkansen.

*The three major peak periods are Golden Week(a period of holidays in Japan from the end of April to the beginning of May every year), Obon(a period around mid-August in Japan when many people take vacation), and the year-end and New Year holidays

What should I do if I want to transfer between a Nozomi train, which has only reserved seats, and other trains that have non-reserved seats (Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, and Sakura)?

If your trip includes a Nozomi train, please book a reserved seat for the Nozomi leg of your trip.

Please note that you cannot sit on a Nozomi train with a non-reserved limited express ticket (you can stand on the deck of an ordinary car).

If you purchase a ticket at a JR station counter, ticket vending machine, travel agency, etc., do not exit the ticket gate, and transfer to multiple Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen trains, the limited express fare for the reserved seat will be the same even if you book each reserved seat. In addition to the Nozomi leg of your trip, we recommend that you book reserved seats for the other legs of your trip.

Will there be more trains during the three major peak periods*?

We will endeavor to provide a sufficient numbers of seats by increasing the number of trains that directly connect the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen.

During the three major peak periods*, non-reserved seats (250 seats) on Nozomi trains will be switched to reserved seats, and ordinary car reserved seats will be increased by approximately 1.3 times.

In addition to some of the days and times when the number of passengers is particularly concentrated, many trains will be operated outside of these times.

Selecting different days and times will make it easier to book a reserved seat.

*The three major peak periods are Golden Week(a period of holidays in Japan from the end of April to the beginning of May every year), Obon(a period around mid-August in Japan when many people take vacation), and the year-end and New Year holidays

What should I do if I cannot make a decision until the day of my trip?

As soon as your schedule is decided, please book a reserved seat on a train with available seats before boarding.

What happens if a toddler or infant rides on a Nozomi train?

If you wish to reserve a seat for your child, you will need to book a reserved seat.

If a child (aged 1 to under 6) or an infant (age under 1) occupies an ordinary car reserved seat or a green car reserved seat, a child fare and fee are required (green fare is the same for adults and children) (for details, please see the ticket rules on each individual company website).

If I ride on the deck with a non-reserved limited express ticket, can I enter the cabin?

In general, we ask that you stand on the deck of an ordinary car, but depending on how crowded the train is, we may guide you to the aisles in the cabin. In such cases, please take care not to disturb the customers using the reserved seats.

What should I do if I miss my reserved Nozomi train?

If you miss your designated train, you can use your reserved limited express ticket to stand on the deck of a Nozomi ordinary car, or you can take a non-reserved seat on a Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, Sakura, or Tsubame train on the same day only. If you wish to sit in a reserved seat on a Nozomi train, you will need to purchase a limited express ticket for the reserved seat.​​

What is the JAPAN RAIL PASS? What is the JR-WEST RAIL PASS? ​

- The JAPAN RAIL PASS is a ticket that allows unlimited rides on JR Lines throughout Japan. The area where it can be used can be checked on the following
website: https://japanrailpass.net/en/ 
When using Nozomi and Mizuho, it is necessary to purchase a separate [ONLY WITH JAPAN RAIL PASS] NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket.

　​

- The JR-WEST RAIL PASS is a ticket that allows unlimited rides on JR Lines within the JR-West Japan area. The area where it can be used can be checked on the following
website: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/ 
For products that include the Sanyo Shinkansen in the available area, Nozomi and Mizuho can be used. Please reserve a seat in advance.

I am planning a trip using the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen with the JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR-WEST RAIL PASS during the above period. What should I do?

During the above period, you may not be able to find a non-reserved seat on the Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, Sakura, or Tsubame depending on the boarding day or time of day. So, please book a reserved seat before traveling. *Please note that the Nozomi and Mizuho cannot be used when using the JAPAN RAIL PASS.

During the three major peak periods*, you can also use the [JAPAN RAIL PASS Only] Nozomi/Mizuho Ticket. If you purchase a [JAPAN RAIL PASS Only] Nozomi/Mizuho Ticket for a non-reserved seat in an ordinary car and take the Nozomi, please stand.

The area in which the JR-WEST RAIL PASS can be used also includes the Sanyo Shinkansen, and can be used for Nozomi and Mizuho trains. Please book a reserved seat in advance.

*The three major peak periods are Golden Week(a period of holidays in Japan from the end of April to the beginning of May every year), Obon(a period around mid-August in Japan when many people take vacation), and the year-end and New Year holidays

How do I reserve or buy a reserved seat with a JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR-WEST RAIL PASS?

Please use one of the following methods to make your purchase.​

1.[Reserved seat ticket vending machine]​

- You can reserve and have a ticket issued for a JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR-WEST RAIL PASS at the reserved seat ticket machines at JR stations.​

*Some stations may not have a reserved seat ticket vending machine.​

2.[Ticket office, etc.]​

- You can present your JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR-WEST RAIL PASS at a JR station travel center, Midori-no-madoguchi (ticket office), or JR-designated travel agency shop ​to receive your seat reservation ticket.​

*There are some stations, such as unmanned stations, where you ​cannot receive a reserved seat ticket.​

3.[When you purchase a JAPAN RAIL PASS at JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation]​

- In addition to the above1. and 2., you can book a reserved seat on the website.​

*Please be sure to pick up your reserved seat ticket at a reserved ticket ​vending machine or Midori-no-madoguchi at a JR station before boarding.​

4. [If you purchase the JR-WEST RAIL PASS via JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION]​

In addition to 1. and 2., it is possible to reserve seats on the same site. ​

*Please be sure to pick up your reserved seat ticket at the reserved seat ticket vending machines or the Ticket Counter at JR stations before boarding. Note that collection is limited to major stations and travel agencies within JR-West's jurisdiction. ​

For more details, please check here.​

When can I reserve and buy reserved seats with a JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR-WEST RAIL PASS?​

Reserved seats go on sale from 10:00 AM one month before the departure date of your train (the same day of the previous month).

What should I do if the reserved seats on the train I want using the JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR-WEST RAIL PASS are full?

Please consider boarding at a different time or on a different day so that you can reserve a seat on a Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, Sakura, or Tsubame train with vacant seats.

Also, during the three major peak periods*, you can use the [JAPAN RAIL PASS Only] Nozomi/Mizuho Ticket, so please consider using this ticket. If you purchase a [JAPAN RAIL PASS Only] Nozomi/Mizuho Ticket for a non-reserved seat in an ordinary car and take the Nozomi, please stand.

*The three major peak periods are Golden Week(a period of holidays in Japan from the end of April to the beginning of May every year), Obon(a period around mid-August in Japan when many people take vacation), and the year-end and New Year holidays

What should I do if I travel without having a reserved seat ticket issued?

Before boarding, please change to a reserved seat limited express ticket in advance.

If you enter the ticket gate without having a reserved seat ticket issued, please stand on the deck of an ordinary car, or use a non-reserved seat on a Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, Sakura or Tsubame train. *Please note that the Nozomi and Mizuho cannot be used when using the JAPAN RAIL PASS.

*Image is for illustrative purposes only.