Home
Back

Dear visitor, if you know the answer to this question, please post it. Thank you!

Note that this thread has not been updated in a long time, and its content might not be up-to-date anymore.

Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan 2011/12/13 19:24
I tried to book the Shinkansen reservation from Tokyo to Yamagata on 1 January 2012 ( very peak day) and I was told the train was full. We have to reach our ski resort ( Zao Onsen) on that day.

Does anyone know whether we can just queue up on that day and hope to get 4 unreserved seats on any train ? We are desperate and any seats/ standing only in any smoking/non-smoking compartment will do; we just need to reach Yamagata on 1 January !

Is standing allowed on Shinkansen trains ?
by Dr Ang (guest)  

Re: Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan 2011/12/14 08:51
I tried to book the Shinkansen reservation from Tokyo to Yamagata on 1 January 2012 ( very peak day) and I was told the train was full.

The trains between Tokyo and Yamagata have non-reserved seating that you can use without a seat reservation. If all seats in the non-reserved cars are taken, you can also stand. Try to line up at the correct spot of the correct platform at Tokyo Station early in advance to secure a seat in the non-reserved section.

Alternatively, you could consider travel by shinkansen and bus via Sendai. I think it can even be faster. Some trains between Tokyo and Sendai are fully reserved, but others also have non-reserved seating.

More about the Yamagata and Tohoku Shinkansen:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018_tohoku.html
by Uji rate this post as useful

Re: Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan 2011/12/14 09:09
You won't be alone & many other people standing/sitting on luggage on the shinkansen without reserved seats. Keep eyes on passengers getting off so you may be able to take empty seats, if you get lucky.
by amazinga (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan 2011/12/14 09:56
Now I serched "seat-reservation (except non-reserve seat)" of "Tsubasa" 1st Jan,
all trains(Tokyo to Yamagata) ara not full.
(some trais full soon)

JR East all Shinkansen cars not have "smoking" and "compartment".
"Tsubasa" cars like this.
http://www62.tok2.com/home/tsubame787/seat_e3-2000.html


if want to as "2+2(front or rear seats turn) seats"
must go to Tokyo faster about 45-30min before and waiting
at "non-reservations cars[自由席]" gate line.
on platform sign(colior tape lines) exist.
http://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/30/ea/87be2ba45b6786854f50858fa790...
head up display(train info) JPN-ENG-JPN.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFmQFqVgDkU

if dont know "Tsubasa" or not, ask near traveler.
non-reservations cars "16" and "17" cars only.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/amenity/tsubasa/index.html
"16" (jyu-roku go-sya[16号車])
"17" (jyu-nana go-sya[17号車])

End car [東京/Tokyo]← 11-12-13-14-15-16-17 →[山形/新庄:Yamagata/Shinjyo] front car

Tsubasa all trains same body color(silver with green lines)
and same numbers set cars(always 7 cars).
by E-i (guest) rate this post as useful

:) 2011/12/14 12:53
Enjoy Yamagata!

Lovely place!!!
by Mon (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan 2011/12/14 13:18
Dr Ang,

In general, January 1st is not a "peak day" for transportation. Most Japanese tend to stay in home in the beginning of the year.

I searched the reservation status from Tokyo to Yamagata (Shinkansen) via JR East Eki-net site and found most if not all the shinkansen train are not fully booked. I guess you might have requested for one "compartment" seating area for four of you. This request might be refused, however, if you request just 4 seats, you will be able to get the seats easily. In fact there are 10-20% discount tickets (only through via eki-net) so that JR East is willing to sell reserved seats on Jan 1st. As for the end of this year, I searched Dec 30th and found most of the trains are fully booked.

Enjoy your trip!
by frog1954 rate this post as useful

Re: Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan 2011/12/14 18:32
Please note that if you do arrive early to catch a train on the unreserved seat, there might be two ques to line up in. There will be people lined up that are taking the next available train, then another line for people taking the train after that.

by ExpressTrain (guest) rate this post as useful

reply to this thread