JR Central and JR West will operate all “Nozomi” trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines during the summer vacation and Obon periods with all seats reserved. The applicable period for this fiscal year is August 7–16.
During major holiday periods when ridership is particularly high (Golden Week, Obon, Summer Week, the year-end and New Year holidays, and three-day weekends from October through March), these trains will operate with “all reserved seating” by eliminating the unreserved seating typically available in Cars 1 and 2 of the Nozomi trains, thereby enabling more travelers to make reservations and secure seats. This applies to all Nozomi trains operating on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines (between Tokyo and Hakata), and passengers must reserve and purchase tickets for reserved seats when boarding.
Please note that during this period, even if you hold a ticket that allows travel only in unreserved seats—such as the Shinkansen commuter passes “FREX” and “FREX Pal” or an unreserved-seat limited-express ticket—you will not be able to secure a seat on the Nozomi. However, if you hold an unreserved-seat limited-express ticket, you may board the Nozomi only if you use the deck or aisle of a standard-class car.
In addition, while non-Nozomi trains—such as the Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, and Sakura—will have unreserved seating available as usual, the company states that if these unreserved seats become crowded, passengers holding unreserved limited-express tickets may be directed to the Nozomi’s deck or aisles.
© Source travel watch