If you purchased a JAPAN RAIL PASS on the dedicated website (JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation), you can also book a reserved seat on the same website.Do not forget to pick up the reserved seat ticket at the reserved seat ticket machine or “Midori-no-madoguchi” (ticket office) located at JR stations.
After exchanging for or picking up your JAPAN RAIL PASS, book a reserved seat and issue the ticket on your own.
When booking a reserved seat and issuing a ticket at the ticket office
How to book and issue a reserved seat ticket at a reserved seat ticket machine
1.What is a reserved seat ticket machine?
Example of reserved seat ticket vending machine
By using a reserved seat ticket machine located at JR stations, you can book and issue a reserved seat ticket for the JAPAN RAIL PASS without waiting in line at the "Midori-no-madoguchi" (ticket office).Some JR stations do not have a reserved seat ticket machine.
2.Reserve and issue a reserved seat ticket
Top screenQR Code reading screenPassport number input screenTrain search screen
(1) Scan the QR code on your JAPAN RAIL PASS with the reader on the reserved seat ticket machine (or input the reservation number written on the PASS), and input your passport number. (2) Input the travel section, date and time, etc., and select the train and facilities.(If you have already booked reserved seats online, select the itinerary for which the ticket should be issued.) (3) Check the inputs, and if everything is correct, issue the ticket.
Reserved seat tickets can be booked and issued for most of the trains that can be used with a JAPAN RAIL PASS. However, reserved seats may not be booked when they cannot actually be used, such as booking reserved seats for the same time on different trains.
Please reserve a seat after deciding which train you will use. If you would like to change or cancel a reservation after a reserved-seat ticket is issued, please come to the ticket window at the station.
Book and pick up a reserved seat ticket at a “Midori-no-madoguchi” (ticket office), etc.
Book and pick up a reserved seat ticket at a “Midori-no-madoguchi” (ticket office),etc.
■Other than a reserved seat ticket machine, you can also obtain your reserved seat ticket by showing your JAPAN RAIL PASS at any Travel Service Center or “Midori-no-madoguchi” (ticket office) at a JR station, or at the sales office of a JR-associated travel agency.
●Business hours of the ticket office 4:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (Japan local time UTC+9:00)
●Operating hours of the reserved seat ticket machine 4:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (Japan local time UTC+9:00)
*The above hours are the longest possible available hours. The actual business hours vary at each location.
It may take time to make a seat reservation if the service counter is busy.Seat reservations cannot be made at unmanned stations or stations without reservation capability.
■Shinkansen, limited express trains, and express trains have reserved Green car seats, reserved standard car seats, and non-reserved seats. Some trains do not have non-reserved seats (all seats are reserved).There are no Green Cars on most “HIKARI” and “KODAMA” trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line (Shin-Osaka—Hakata), or on Series 800 trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line.
■A non-reserved seat (except for “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen) can be used with just your JAPAN RAIL PASS.
■With a JAPAN RAIL PASS, it is not possible to use any seats, either reserved (including Green Car) or non-reserved, on "NOZOMI" and "MIZUHO" trains of the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen Lines. Check the scope of available trains for details, such as available trains, cars, facilities and additional charges.
■Pease confirm here if you intend to bring oversized baggage (the total dimensions must be 160 cm to 250 cm ) onto the Tokaido, Sanyo, or Kyushu Shinkansen.
Caution
Please note that during crowded periods you cannot be guaranteed a seat on a specific train. The periods when seat reservations are particularly difficult to secure are as follows:
April 27 to May 6 On consecutive holidays during common travel seasons, some trains are crowded.
August 10 to 18 During the Obon season, some trains are crowded with people returning to their hometowns.
December 28 to January 5 The year end/New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returns to hometown areas.
How to book a reserved seat
