Shinkansen Update: New Years Train Travel in Japan
Planning to travel by train in Japan during the New Years period?
Reservations for your bullet train journey may very well be required (and are highly advised!
Here are some key things you need to understand about the Shinkansen (bullet train) system as we bid sayonara to 2024 and yokoso to 2025 in Japan.
Reservations Required for Nozomi Trains on the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen
From December 27, 2024 to January 5, 2025, something important is happening on the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen route.
The Nozomi trains – which are the fastest of the bullet trains that connect major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima – will only have reserved seating. You won’t be able to board one of the Nozomi trains during this time without a reservation (unlike most of the time, when you can otherwise show up to the station, buy a ticket and hop aboard).
Is this something that could have a significant impact on your travel plans? Possibly, yes.
Why Reserved Seating Matters
New Year's is really busy in Japan.
Everyone's traveling: families reuniting, businesses shutting down, and millions of people moving around the country.
The Shinkansen becomes the main artery connecting different regions, so managing passenger flow is critical.
That’s why the JR authorities have implemented reservations requirements for the Nozomi (fastest) bullet trains that run on the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen. There will not be any non-reserved cars on these trains between 27 December and 5 January.
Hikari & Kodama bullet trains, which make more stops and take more time, will continue to have some non-reserved cars. But it’s best not to rely on this during such a busy travel period in Japan! Those trains will fill up fast, meaning you’ll likely be waiting for some time in the station before getting onto a train, and even then you might be standing all the way to your destination.
Booking Strategies for Shinkansen Tickets: Timing Matters
Tickets for shinkansen bullet trains in Japan go on sale one month before your travel date, at 10am Japan time.
Want to travel on January 2nd? You'll need to be ready to book on December 2nd at 10am Japan time. If you’re not online and booking at this time, you could face getting shut out of your desired train.
So you’ll want to be prepared for the booking process ahead of time.
Be sure to set up an account with SmartEX (the official site for JR bookings on the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen) ahead of time
If your credit card cannot be linked to this account, try another card (if all else fails, see the next section regarding third party bookings)
Try a ‘dummy’ booking (without paying for it, of course) to get comfortable with the process
Does this mean you’ll have to get up really early, stay up late, or otherwise alter your plans to ensure a booking? We’d recommend that, yup.
About Those Third-Party Booking Sites
Sites like Klook might look tempting with "pre-sale tickets" more than 30 days in advance. But here's the catch:
You might not get to pick your seats
You could end up exchanging vouchers for actual tickets
No guarantee you'll actually get the booking you want
Still, some people prefer to book with Klook and similar 3rd party sites, and other folks are more or less forced to if their credit cards won’t work with JR’s systems.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
Missed your train or running late? Or too late for the bookings and finding it’s all sold out?You've still got options.
Hikari and Kodama trains also run between major cities on the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen:
Hikari trains are slower than Nozomi
Kodama trains stop at every single station
Non-reserved cars may be available on these alternative trains
The other means of travel within Japan include domestic flights, as well as long-distance buses.
Tips for Smoother Train Travel in Japan
Japanese trains are a different beast. They run on a schedule that's so precise it feels foreign to many people from other countries. A five-minute delay? That's practically a major incident.
So, barring weather or other force majeure type situations, those trains are going to leave on time, whether you’re on board or still on the platform / en route to the station.
Practical Prep for Your Trip
The New Year period means packed stations, crowded trains and busy platforms. Here's what you actually need:
Clothes you can layer
Luggage that's easy to carry
Copies of your tickets (digital & paper)
A portable charger
A solid sense of patience
That last one is key. Build in plenty of time as a buffer. Don’t put yourself in situations where you end up stressing over tight schedules. And remember, you’re on vacation! It’s all good here!!
FAQ: Your Shinkansen Questions Answered
Can I change my ticket if my plans shift? Check your ticket's specific terms. Flexibility varies.
What if Nozomi trains are full? Hikari and Kodama are your backup. They're slower but they'll get you there.
How early should I get to the station? 30 minutes minimum, more for bigger stations like Tokyo. During New Year's, everything takes longer.
English support available? Major stations have English support. Learn a few Japanese phrases if you can.
Luggage on the train? Large bags go in designated areas. Small bags stay with you. Send bigger bags ahead of time by Yamato or Sagawa express services to alleviate headaches.