As previously reported, during the year-end and New Year holidays (December 26 through January 4, 2026), the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen “Nozomi” trains will no longer have non-reserved seats, and all seats will be reserved seats. The non-reserved seats, which are usually provided in Cars 1 and 2, will be eliminated during major holidays so that more passengers can make reservations, be seated, and travel without having to wait for a long time at the platform. This will make it necessary for passengers to reserve and purchase reserved seats when boarding the Nozomi.
According to JR Tokai, if you miss your reserved Nozomi train, you can use your reserved seat express ticket to board the next Nozomi train on the standing room only. If you miss your reserved Nozomi train, you can use your reserved seat express ticket to get a standing seat on the next Nozomi ordinary car deck, or you can board an unreserved seat on a “Hikari” or “Kodama” train if it is available on the same day.
If the unreserved seats are full, passengers will basically be asked to board standing up on the regular car deck, but depending on how crowded it is, they may be directed to the aisle in the passenger compartment.
For example, if you miss the Nozomi for which you bought a reserved seat, but want to take the next Nozomi even if you have to stand, the reserved seat express ticket you have on hand 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 re-purchase a reserved-seat express ticket. For details, please check the special page.
© Source travel watch