As previously reported, during this year’s year-end and New Year holidays (December 28 to January 4, 2024), there will be no more non-reserved seats on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen “Nozomi” trains, and all seats will be reserved.
Related Articles
By eliminating the non-reserved seats (250 seats per train) normally provided in Nozomi cars 1-3, the number of reserved seats will increase by approximately 1.3 times, making it easier for more passengers to reserve and be seated. As a result, it is now mandatory to purchase a reservation for a reserved seat when boarding the Nozomi.
However, during the year-end and New Year holidays, when families with small children and crowds around stations are expected, unexpected happenings are bound to occur, such as “missing the bullet train,” “missing the train,” or “not being able to buy tickets because the next train is full,” even though reserved seats have been reserved.
According to JR Tokai, if you miss your assigned Nozomi, you can use your reserved-seat express ticket to take a standing seat on a subsequent Nozomi ordinary car deck, etc., or you can take any available unreserved seat on the “Hikari” or “Kodama” train on the same day.
For example, if you miss your reserved Nozomi but want to take the next Nozomi even if you have to stand up, your reserved seat express ticket is valid.
On the other hand, if you have a free seat express ticket for Hikari or Kodama (or a reserved seat express ticket for Nozomi) but want to take a Nozomi one train ahead even if you have to stand, you can also ride standing if your express ticket is valid on the same day.
If you wish to be seated in a reserved seat on each train, you will need to purchase another reserved-seat express ticket. For details, please check the special page.
© Source travel watch