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Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan
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2011/12/13 19:24
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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 ?
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by Dr Ang (guest)
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Re: Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan
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2011/12/14 08:51
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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
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by Uji
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Re: Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan
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2011/12/14 09:09
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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.
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by amazinga (guest)
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Re: Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan
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2011/12/14 13:18
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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!
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by frog1954
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Re: Failed Shinkansen reservation on 1 Jan
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2011/12/14 18:32
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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.
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by ExpressTrain (guest)
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