Hello,
I have a few questions regarding the reservation using the JRP:
1. When reserving, do you reserve a seat on a specific train? If yes, what happens if you miss that train? Do you have to reserve seat again for the next train?
2. Do people travel standing on the bullet trains? Does it get too crowded?
Thank you
Saurabh
Comments
If you would like to reserve a seat on a specific train you will need to go to the ticket office with your Japan Rail Pass and they will make the reservation for you.
If you miss your train then there are two options, you can wait for the next train you are able to use with your pass and sit on the unreserved carriages, or make a new reservation at the ticket office.
People sometime do stand in the unreserved carriages. When are travelling using the unreserved carriages, you need to queue up before boarding the train and when on you can sit on any available seat. If there are no available seats in the unreserved carriages then you can stand in the aisles or just outside the seated areas in the carriages. If you would like a seat it is best to reserve in advance.
The trains can be busy during certain times of the year, busy times include May, August and September.
Hope that helps.
Best regards
Japan Experience