benderbabe

Hi again.

We're arriving in Tokyo the night before the Emperor's Birthday this year, and taking a train the next day, on The Emperor's Birthday, to Osaka.

Just wondering how much of a holiday it is, and if there is a chance less trains will run on this day, or perhaps more, if people travel a lot.

Also, can you pre-book? From the JR website it doesn't appear that you can.

Any help appreciated.

KimJapan

Trains run on a holiday/Sunday schedule. Banks, government offices, schools, and most companies are closed. Tourist sites, shops and restaurants are open as usual. More people than usual travel at this time as it is a weekend as well as a holiday. You will find a lot of foreigners who live in Japan will be leaving on this day for Christmas holidays.

You cannot prebook trains from outside of Japan unless you use an agent, and even then I'm not sure it's possible. Seat reservations and tickets cannot be purchased more than 30 days in advance anyway (or is it 60, I'm have a broken brain right now I think). You will be able to get seat reservations when you arrive, or even if they are all sold out, you will still be able to ride in the non-reserved cars.

You can check the train schedule on www.hyperdia.com.

benderbabe

Thanks for the info, and for the link. We had one timetable link, but it only had times posted to 30-Sep. This one is much better.

And that was going to be my other question: Will shops be open that day? As we want to go to Kuromon Market and Den Den Town.

Sounds like they probably will be.

Thanks again!

KimJapan

Shops will be open.

Alec

and be packed!