When you take the Shinkansen or the limited express train, you may have to book a seat because some trains require you a seat reservation. Though some limited express trains have some non-reserved cars, you should book a reserved seat if you can.
Especially if you use JR Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass, JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, Sanyo San’in Area Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass, these passes cover a reserved seat fee. Use this benefit to ride a train with a peace of mind.
I also strongly recommend you to secure a seat if you travel in the peak seasons, such as late April to the first week of May (a.k.a. Golden Week), August 10 to 20 (It is called “Obon” which is a summer break.) and the year-end/New Years holiday (December 29th to the first week of January.)
I would like to explain you how to book a reserved seat in this post
Before you make a reservation
If you intend to use Japan Rail Pass (a.k.a. JR Pass), JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass, you MUST turn in your exchange order to the actual Pass before booking your seat. You have to show your pass when you make a reservation. Exchange order does not work to book a train seat. Once you turned in, you can go ahead to make a reservation at any reservation windows and anytime. But if you use JR Easts’ online reservation, you can book a seat in advance before exchanging an actual pass. I will explain about this online reservation site later in this post.
Explaination by movie
You can watch the movie below which explains you about the booking in the station:
If you buy the JR Pass on the official reservation site, you can book a seat online. I explain how to use this site in the movie below:
I explain how to use JR East online booking step by step in the movie below:
Where you can book
First of all, I would like to tell you how to book a seat at the station. I will explain you about online booking later in this post.
You can book a seat at the ticket reservation office that is called “Midori no Madoguchi (みどりの窓口)”. You can find “Midori no Madoguchi” very easily. You will find a big green sign easily like the images above and below.
“Midori no Madoguchi” is located at most of major JR stations. If you are in major cities, such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama, Fukuoka, Sapporo, you cannot miss “Midori no Madoguchi”. 99% of JR stations in these cities have “Midori no Madoguchi”. Some major stations have a few Midori no Madoguchi.
The signage is different in JR Central area.
If you travel in JR Central (JR東海) area, you cannot find Midori no Madoguchi. Because “Midori no Madoguchi” is JR East’s trademark and JR Central avoids to use it. In JR Central area, such as Nagoya, Mishima, Shizuoka, Gifu, Takayama, it is shown as “Shinkansen and JR Line Tickets (新幹線・JR線きっぷうりば)” like image below.
JR Central operates the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. JR Central has a ticket office outside JR Central operation area, such as Tokyo, Shin-Yokohama, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. In these stations, you can find two different kinds of the ticket office, “Midori no Madoguchi” and “Shinkansen and JR Line Tickets”. But you can use either ticket office to book any JR train tickets. This difference does not matter.
What kind of information you need
Please make sure the following information before you make a reservation:
- Date and time
- Train name and number
This is not required. But if you want to take the specific train, please tell the train name and number. It is much easier to make a reservation for the staff and you can save your time. All Shinkansen trains and most limited express trains have the combination of the name and number. e.g. “Hikari 246”. - Departure and Arrival Stations
- Smoking or Non Smoking
Smoking seat is still available on a few trains. If you really want to have a seat in the smoking car, you may ask a staff to look for. If you do not mention, usually you will be assigned a seat on non smoking car. If a seat is available on only smoking car, usually a staff let you know and make sure that you accept it or not. - Passport
If you use JR Pass or other JR passes, you always have to carry your passport. You may be asked to show it by a station officer or a conductor when they want to check it.
When you can start booking
You can make a reservation anytime within one month prior the departure date. The ticket is on sale one month prior to departure date at 10:00am
e.g.
Departure date — August 23 at 10:00 am. the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka
Ticket is on sale at 10:00 am on July 23.
e.g.
Departure date — August 24 at 00:34 am. Sunrise Seto from Osaka to Tokyo
Ticket is on sale at 10:00 am on July 23, not July 24. Because this train originally depart from Takamatsu at 21:26 on August 23. Overnight trains are very few in Japan currently. But if you book a seat on overnight booking, please check the departure date at the original departure station.
The reserve seat on most trains can be reserved at Midori no Madoguchi only. So you have to be in Japan when you book. Online booking is still very limited.
Online booking
Japan Rail Pass official site
If you buy the JR Pass at the official site, you can make a booking through this website.
Japan Rail Pass official reservation website
You can book a seat on most JR trains. However the price of JR pass is higher than the prices at the authorized dealers. If you buy the JR pass at the authorized dealer, you cannot book a seat on this site.
JR East Train Reservation
This online reservation system is operated by JR East. Unfortunately this JR East Shinkansen Reservation is only English online reservation for the traveler who use JR Pass, Hokkaido Rail pass and JR East Passes. If you intend to use a regular ticket, you can use this site too.
This site offers a seat reservation for the trains which run in JR East and JR Hokkaido areas. So you CANNOT make a reservation for the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (Tokyo-Kyoto or Osaka) and other limited express trains which does not run in JR East and JR Hokkaido area. And also there are some restrictions. The biggest restriction is the ticket pick up. You must pick up a ticket one day before the travel date. You cannot pick up a ticket on the day of travel. Please read Guide (FAQ) before you make a booking.
Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Reservation App “EX”
This app is available in a few countries only. And also this app is available for a regular ticket user only. You cannot use this app to book a seat for JR Pass or other rail passes. However any rail passes do not meet your trip plan and this app is available in your country, this is very convenient. You can book it in advance from your smartphone.
JR West Online Train Reservation
JR West has launched the online reservation site. However this online booking system does not cover any train pass user. You can use this online reservation as the regular ticket user only.
If you use a regular ticket, this online site may be a good choice. This online booking covers most of JR trains.
Eki-net (えきねっと)
I have received a comment from one of my readers, Tak. He mentioned me that we can use this Japanese online reservation system even for Japan Rail Pass or other travel passes users. This online reservation is in Japanese. So unfortunately this is not available for all of you. However some of my readers asked me that we can use a friend in Japan to make a reservation for Japan Rail Pass user in outside of Japan. You can do it with your friend in Japan and use this site.
This reservation system covers all over Japan. You can book for the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka which is not available on JR East Train Reservation.
How to reserve a ticket from outside Japan in advance
As you saw, online reservation does not cover all trains. I really wish Japan Railway have full online reservation system.
If you want to secure your seat before departure, the local travel agent may be able to help you. This is only way to reserve a ticket before you depart from your country.
One of my frequent visitors, James in Australia, left a comment. He did this way many years ago. But I would like to share this information:
*JTB actually charge MORE than $55 Australian dollar($56 US dollar March 2011 currency) per ticket, in fact JTB charge $75 Australian dollar(US$76) per ticket.
The $75 came from $55 service fee plus $20 courier fee to deliver your ticket to your hotel in Japan, $55+$20=$75 Funny my ticket for SL-Yamaguchi express is only $60 therefore altogether I need to pay $135 to get SL-Yamaguchi express ticket!
So, all I can say is, if you want to get a JR train ticket before you get to Japan, make sure you are ok with paying at least $75( $76 US dollar), it helps if you really need to get on a particular train that is very hard to book or if you are travelling during peak season. But if you are not in a hurry, travelling in leisure pace across Japan, perhaps think twice.
I hope is worthy many people told me SL-Yamaguchi express is the best steam train experience ever in Japan.
Unfortunately this is only way to do it. You can find Japan Rail Pass authorized agent at JR Pass official site. They may be able to reserve a ticket for you too. But some of the agent do not want to reserve your seat. They want to book whole things, like hotel, air ticket, attraction tickets. Because it is too small profit to make a reservation for only train ticket.
Comments
I’d like to ask about the NOBINOBI Seat Reservation.
If I buy JR Rail Pass though Agency in Thailand.
And I’d like to go Hokkaido by HAMANASU.
How can I reserve the NOBINOBI Seat in advance?
(I have plan to go on this December 26,2012)
Thank you.
Hi Paphattanan,
Please read carefully this post. Only JR Odekake net can handle it. But it is Japanese speaking only.
Otherwise try to ask travel agent. That is only way to do it. There is no English or other language than Japanese available to book online.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi san,
I will arrive in Tokyo on August 10 and here is my itinary:
Karuizawa 8/12-13
Kyoto 8/15-17
Other times will be touring around Tokyo.
I was planning to purchase a JR pass but am aware of the Bon Festival during the period. I am afraid that I would not be able to get a seat on the shinkasen to Kyoto due to the large of people travelling, if I reserve my tickets after I arrive in Tokyo.
I checked the JR reservation web, and they do not allow any online sear reservations for the Tokaido line. What should I do? Give up the JR pass and pay seperately for each trip so that I can guarantee a seat?
Thanks very much.
-Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
You don’t need to give up Japan Rail Pass. Even if you give up it, how do you book your ticket? You have to face same issue. Because JR group do not have any online reservation system for overseas travellers. Please see the post below to learn more about booking:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Only you choice is travel agent. But most of travel agents do not want to book ticket only. They want to sell whole package, like hotel and ticket.
As you mentioned, it is obon period. But to Kyoto on Aug 15 is not the busiest day. You will be able to get a ticket anyway. In worst case, you can stand up in non reserved car. In obon period, we see many passengers standing up in the train. So you can take a train anyway.
By the way, to Karuizawa on Aug 12 might be busier than to Kyoto on 15th. If you use Nagano Shinkansen to Karuizawa, it will be busy. But it has non reserved car too. You can stand up in worst case too.
If you don’t care about schedule (ex departure time), I think you can get a ticket somehow.
Things will be easier than what you expect. 🙂
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi
I just want to confirm, JTB-Sydney office they STILL able to purchase JR tickets, I purchased
*ジパング
*C61 “Go Go Gunma” parallel running with D51 on July 1st.
Each cost $27 AUSTD and extra $55 for process fee (ie courier to hotel I am staying in Shinagawa.
Regards
James
Hi James,
I’m wondering if you can use Eki net. They cannot take all JR trains. But there are many popular trains, such as SL Banetsu, SL Hitoyoshi, A Ressha, Ibutama on the list.
I don’t know how much you can understand Japanese. But I think you can read the following Japanese list:
http://eki-net.okweb3.jp/EokpControl?&tid=13731&event=FE0006
Eki net reservation system is under same system as JR East Shinkansen reservation for Japan Rail Pass. I know they cannot accept all of your request. But if you can use this, you still can save handling charge to JTB.
Do you think you can make an account by yourself?
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi James, Takeshi,
I had a similar experience with JTB Sydney. Once I got onto someone who was willing to take my request (the first person I contacted did not seem interested), I had a very good time dealing with them.
I was able to book Twilight Express and Seikan Tunnel Tour tickets during the Golden Week season, but both were awarded by lottery. The real kicker was, I did not have to pay the basic fare. They were kind enough to book only the limited express and sleeper charge for me.
Fortunately for me, I was able to book my SL Banetsu tickets the night before at Ikebukuro station with my JR Pass – the train was only about half full.
Best regards,
Jonathan Ayre
That’s very good service but I think it’s a bit over priced. This is a repeated topic, but I am wondering if I can help you with booking the tickets on behalf of you guys. I live in Australia too and I know If you go to Australia post, you can buy prepaid VISA card. If you give me the card number I can book tickets from JR West odekake net or JR east eki net online. Then, you can collect it when you arrive Japan. I wonder if that works.
Hi, I will arrive at Kansai at around 8.30 pm. I wish to get to Kyoto station.Am I still able to catch the train after the immigration ( provide that no flight delay ) ?
Can I buy both the Haruka express ticket ( kansai – kyoto , kyoto – kansai ) at the same time at the airport?
Does Haruka epress ticket consider as type of JR pass, which visitor can only buy once inside Japan? ( kansai – kyoto , kyoto – kansai ) my destination only in Kyoto
Hi Jenny,
The timetable of Haruka is the following:
http://www.jr-odekake.net/en/jwrp/pdf/timetable_haruka.pdf
I think you have a lot of time to get even last one to Kyoto.
You can buy a ticket on the spot. It is a sort of basic ticket. Anyone can buy it at the airport.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you for finding time to reply all the queries in the website. You have been very helpful.
I hope you can advise me on the following questions:
1) I would like to know if I need to get a JR pass if I am only taking the train from Kansai Airport to Kinosaki Onsen; Kinosaki Onsen to Kyoto; Kyoto to Osaka; and Osaka to Kansai Airport. Travel period: 13 July to 21 July 2012.
Most of the times, I plan to walk, cycle or take the bus in each city. I was advised that I do not need to get a JR pass for both Osaka and Kyoto for it’s convenient to take the bus or cycle around.
2) As a foreigner arriving in Japan in July, do I need to purchase the Kansai Airport to Kinosaki Onsen ticket before I arrive in Japan or I can easily purchase the ticket when I reach Kansai airport. I’m worried that if I don’t book online, I might not be able to get my ticket to Kinosaki Onsen.
Thank you. I look forward to your reply.
Hi Hanna,
1) No. It is not enough for Japan Rail Pass. You can use JR WEST Kansai area pass or Kansai Thru Pass for your stay in Kyoto and Osaka. Please read the following post:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
2) It should be fine. Most of public school have summer break from July 20 to the end of August. So especially weekday in mid July is still slow.
Takeshi / JP Rail
HI Takeshi san,
Thank you for the prompt reply. 🙂
No problem, Hanna.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I am arriving Tokyo at night after 10pm and I need to travel to Matsumoto the next day morning. I have checked the JR East reservation website which I need to pick up the ticket the night before by 9pm. I wonder if I do not make the reservation, would it possible to get 2 seats in the morning when I travel in mid May?
Hi Zee,
It should be fine. Mid May is not high season. You can try to book just before boarding the train.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi san,
I found JR hokkaido also has a phone reservation center. +81-11-221-1489
There are two ways to buy your ticket:
1. Reserve and pay by credit card at the same time on the phone. Pick up the ticket anytime before departure from a JR hokkaido station.
2. Reserve on the phone. Pick up the ticket from a JR hokkaido station within 8 days (or if a reservation is made within 9 days before departure, pick up 2 days before departure).
http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/network/tel/tel.html
http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/faq/qa/01/index.html#qa06
This is similar to JR West Odekake Net. I think this service is useful if you reserve overnight trains departing from Hokkaido. (Hokutosei, Cassiopeia, Twilight, Hamanasu etc. ) You can pick up the ticket
You will need to pick up the ticket from a JR Hokkaido station, but JR Hokkaido has branches in Tokyo, Osaka and Sendai. I found some people say you can even pick up at JR hokkaido plaza in Tokyo station. http://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1327646283
If that is correct, this service is also useful for Hokutosei or Cassiopeia departing from Ueno for the two reasons. a. You cannot reserve these trains by JR East Eki net. b. If you reserve by JR West Odekake Net, you cannot pick up from Tokyo area.
You can find the location of JR Hokkaido plaza in Tokyo station here.
http://w1.alpha-web.ne.jp/~jrhtyo/shop.html
Hi Takuji san,
I found this comment in spam folder. Sorry about it. And thank you for useful info again!
Takeshi / JP Rail
You are welcome! I learned a lot how to make reservations from outside Japan. It’s just confusing because each JR company does in their own way! Different company offer different service. I think it’s difficult to understand even for a Japanese people in Japan. Ironically, the easiest way is to just go to a station even if we have the Internet and iphone.
I recently noticed that you can actually pick up JR West odekake net ticket from JR Kyushu and Shikoku as well. I’d like to make a correction to what I wrote before.
Hi Takuji san,
I agree with you. Six different companies have different ideas. That is one of reason why JR Group do not have any online reservation systems for JR Pass users.
Don’t worry regarding pick up ticket. JR Odekake net tell us details about pick up and payment. I think they need to tell this mandatory.
Thanks anyway.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi san,
I’ve posted a message about JR hokkaido reservation about a week ago. I was wondering if it was successfully sent to you because I don’t see the message here. Thanks,
Hi Takuji san,
I’m afraid your comment went into a spam folder. I’m sorry but I cannot check every spam comments. Because I receive more than 500 spam comments everyday.
But you are the authorized reader. It must not be happened.
The last time I received your comment was about Twilight on Feb 22.
https://jprail.com/destinations/overnight-express-train-twilight-express.html/comment-page-2#comments
Would you please re-post it?
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takesahi san,
Message is posted, but it is not displayed. Please check spam folder.
Hi Jonathan
Why don’t you contact Sydney office? thats where I make booking from. So far I bought many popular train tickets off them.
*指宿の玉手箱/Ibutama
*山口/SL Yamaguchi during the double head C57+C58 period in October
*あけぼの/Akebono during winter peak
*A Train , the 2nd day after starting of the service!
*SL Hitoyoshi/ SL人吉号 during winter peak
Their contact:
http://www.japantravel.com.au/Contact-Us.asp
And yes you do pay for full fare, but honestly nowadays Aussie dollar are quite good, even overnight train fare in Japan looks cheap. Especially when you compare with other overnight trains around the world and even within Australia.
YOu do have to prebook hotel, but the Sydney office was ok with I make my own hotel booking through Toyoko Inn.
By the way, Sydney office WON’T make booking for Twilight Express/Cassiopeia/Hokutosei during peak period. Akebono maybe but not these three!
I hope they won’t change rule ! 🙂
Cheers
James
Hi Takeshi,
I contacted the JTB in Australia. They have closed their Gold Coast Office since I booked through them last year, meaning I had to go through their Melbourne Office. I asked them about the booking of rail tickets. They said they won’t book rail tickets on their own for people, unless purchasing accommodation or tour packages through them. To be honest, their response was disappointing.
Even if you book a Japan Rail Pass with them or have an exchange order, when you book accommodation or a tour package, you still have to pay full fare for booked trains also. They will not book Seat and Ltd Exp surcharges only for people.
This is a big blow for anyone who was looking for a bit of English language booking assistance for popular trains before they go to Japan, myself included. I was hoping to book tickets for Twilight Express during Golden Week, as I am taking a short trip to Japan in May with my wife. Do you have any advice?
Best regards,
– Jonathan Ayre –
Hi Jonathan,
How about JTB Sydney? James uses JTB Sydney to book a train.
I talked to several travel agent here in Vancouver. They are not interested in only reservation. They said same thing. They want to sell a package product too. It is too bad!
Takeshi / JP Rail