Summer Vacation Notice: All “Nozomi” Shinkansen Trains Will Be Reserved Seating Only

JR Central and JR West have announced that from Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 18, 2024 (a 10-day period), all Nozomi trains running between Tokyo and Hakata will have only reserved seating during the Obon holiday season.The main objectives of this change are:

1. Reducing platform congestion
2. Improving passenger comfort
3. Ensuring on-time train operations

By converting the usual non-reserved cars to reserved seating, each Nozomi train will gain approximately 250 additional reserved seats. This is expected to eliminate the need for long waits on platforms and provide a more comfortable travel experience.Important points to note:

1. During this period, there will be no non-reserved seating on Nozomi trains.
2. Other shinkansen services such as “Hikari,” “Kodama,” “Mizuho,” and “Sakura” will continue to offer non-reserved seating as usual.
3. Non-reserved express tickets and shinkansen commuter passes cannot be used on Nozomi trains during this period.

Regarding reservations:

• Reserved seats can be booked up to one month in advance of the travel date.
• Using the SmartEX service, reservations can be made up to one year in advance.

This all-reserved seating measure for Nozomi trains is part of JR Central and JR West’s policy during the three peak travel periods: New Year’s, Golden Week, and Obon. Travelers are advised to book their seats early. It’s worth noting that this period coincides with Japan’s long holiday season, so not only trains but also accommodations are expected to be very crowded. Travelers should keep this in mind when making their plans.