Erika_Alexander

Myself and a friend are traveling to Japan during Golden Week from America. I am having a very hard time finding where we can reserve seats from home before we get to Japan in case they are sold out by then. Any suggestions??

We would need the following:
Narita Airport to Tokyo (RT)
Tokyo to Kyoto
Kyoto to either Nara and/or Osaka
Kyoto to Hakone
Hakone to Tokyo

Please help!!!

Thanks
Erika

Marko

Have you bought a rail pass yet ?

Mara

I don't think it's possible to reserve tickets outside of Japan except for JR East train - see below:
http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation...menu/menu.aspx

You can make all your long distance reservations when you arrive at NRT - there are plenty of trains to the places where you are going....enjoy!

Erika_Alexander

I did get my rail pass already... I wouldnt worry but everything I read says Golden Week will be booked

Mara

Why don't you ask the vendor from whom you purchased your rail pass voucher? You don't get the pass til you convert it in Japan.....

Marko

When you pick up your pass at Narita, you can reserve seats, some trains don't have reserved seats though. The capacity of the system is such that it is doubtfull you will have a problem. But check with the issuer of your pass.

KimJapan

Reserved seats may sell out but non-reserved cars can be boarded and seats used on a first come first served basis. If all seats are occupied passengers stand. Therefore there is no risk of you being unable to travel, just risk of no reserved seat. You are allowed to make seat reservations after you have exchanged your voucher for the pass.

Erika_Alexander

Thank you everyone!

emd3

Here is a tip:
Call the U.S. JR office closest to you (I use the one in NYC) and ask them to send you a copy of the paper JR train schedule for the time period you will be there. That way, on your flight you can look at it and decide what trains/times you want to take, and you will have a list of your choices (and 2nd choices) ready when you get to the JR office in Narita. This will make your time at the JR office in Narita much more efficient and fast.

emd3

P.S. There used to be an online service for reserving the trains (called eki-something) and perhaps you have seen reference to it, but it is not in service anymore.

hawaiiantraveler

Eki wren was the name of the sight IIRC.....

Kim's explanation says it all.

I have been in Japan during Golden Week and don't worry you will get your reservations. There are so many trains on the schedules that if you don't get the first train you want just try for the next one several minutes later in most cases. Use this site to figure out your train schedules and times

www.hyperdia.com

you can also look here to see all your train options

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/timetables/index.html

http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info...ble/index.html

click on the line you will be traveling on then click on the line schedules

Aloha!