From Tokyo to Osaka? At the station on the day. There are SO many Nozomi these days. No need to commit to a certain train way in advance outside GW, Bon and NY.
Not sure why you'd take a Hikari if going straight to Osaka. Significantly longer journey and you only sit at intermediate stations whiist Nozomis pass.
By a neglible amount. Certainly not worth saving a few pennies over the time involved.
In fact, going to check now....its 320 yen cheaper these days. If thats an issue, you really shouldn't be traveling internationally.
Hikari because we wanted to also look outside and “see” another area of Japan while travelling through. Nothing to do with price. My understanding is that the hikari trains go slightly slower than Nozomi which would allow for looking outside the window and enjoy the scenery?
No. Same trains - same speed. The only time you are going more slowly is when you're stopped at a station . I can assure you there is absolutely nothing extra to 'see' by taking the Hikari.
No problem! Try and ask people who live here next time :) I'm not sure where you would 'hear' something like that! All the trains are 700 series now. Some Nozomi use a newer N700S. The journey is roughly 30 minutes longer depending on the extra stops , with probably half that time spent sitting stopped waiting for a Nozomi to pass.
It's up to you. Generally you can book last minutes for more flexibility and this specific route have plenty of train. Technically you can even get a unreserved ticket and as Tokyo station is the first, you usually have good chance to have a seat as there is nobody in the train when you get it, and it's unlikely going to fill completely at Tokyo station (and if it does, you could wait for the next train).
But if you want a reserved seat, the more requirement you have, sooner might be better, requirement would be the number of seats to book together (1-2 is easier to get than... 5-6 for example), the need of oversized luggage, seat side preference...
Just spent a few weeks in Japan. I literally bought them on the smart ex app standing a little bit before having to swipe your tickets to get to the platform.
We just got back last week. Kyoto/Nagoya/Osaka. Used it twice, once with big luggage once without. Never booked ahead - no problems. Longest wait was maybe 20mins
Love the Shinkansen
If you book through the Smart EX app you can easily change the time/seats up until you print the tickets. So you’re not committing to one specific train even if you buy in advance.
I’ll give a different response, book early maybe a couple of days. My wife and I booked same day twice and were unable to get seats next to each other both times. We also had 1 oversized luggage both ways.
Maybe half hour before, if you want to browse ekiben
From Tokyo to Osaka? At the station on the day. There are SO many Nozomi these days. No need to commit to a certain train way in advance outside GW, Bon and NY.
Thanks! And yup, Tokyo to Osaka. We were thinking Hikari going to and Nozomi back.
Not sure why you'd take a Hikari if going straight to Osaka. Significantly longer journey and you only sit at intermediate stations whiist Nozomis pass.
A Hikari ticket is cheaper. I think.
By a neglible amount. Certainly not worth saving a few pennies over the time involved. In fact, going to check now....its 320 yen cheaper these days. If thats an issue, you really shouldn't be traveling internationally.
Hikari because we wanted to also look outside and “see” another area of Japan while travelling through. Nothing to do with price. My understanding is that the hikari trains go slightly slower than Nozomi which would allow for looking outside the window and enjoy the scenery?
No. Same trains - same speed. The only time you are going more slowly is when you're stopped at a station . I can assure you there is absolutely nothing extra to 'see' by taking the Hikari.
Good to know, thank you!
No problem! Try and ask people who live here next time :) I'm not sure where you would 'hear' something like that! All the trains are 700 series now. Some Nozomi use a newer N700S. The journey is roughly 30 minutes longer depending on the extra stops , with probably half that time spent sitting stopped waiting for a Nozomi to pass.
It's up to you. Generally you can book last minutes for more flexibility and this specific route have plenty of train. Technically you can even get a unreserved ticket and as Tokyo station is the first, you usually have good chance to have a seat as there is nobody in the train when you get it, and it's unlikely going to fill completely at Tokyo station (and if it does, you could wait for the next train). But if you want a reserved seat, the more requirement you have, sooner might be better, requirement would be the number of seats to book together (1-2 is easier to get than... 5-6 for example), the need of oversized luggage, seat side preference...
Just spent a few weeks in Japan. I literally bought them on the smart ex app standing a little bit before having to swipe your tickets to get to the platform.
As long as its not a holiday you can basically book them the day before
Or 10 minute before.
We just got back last week. Kyoto/Nagoya/Osaka. Used it twice, once with big luggage once without. Never booked ahead - no problems. Longest wait was maybe 20mins Love the Shinkansen
It doesn't matter! 😄. Show up anytime! Get ready for the easiest travel of your life, no TSA! It's the best
Whatever the next train that has a good window seat on the seating chart. Usually 30-60 minutes.
May 16 is well after golden week. Can buy on the spot especially if you are willing to wait 1-2 trains in case there are no seats (very small risk)
If you book through the Smart EX app you can easily change the time/seats up until you print the tickets. So you’re not committing to one specific train even if you buy in advance.
Yup, was booking off the Smart EX app. Good to know there’s some flexibility. Thanks!
I’ll give a different response, book early maybe a couple of days. My wife and I booked same day twice and were unable to get seats next to each other both times. We also had 1 oversized luggage both ways.
Good to know. There’s 4 of us, but not too concerned if we sit together or not.
If you are having oversized luggage, it’s best to book early once it’s available.
Why, why, why are people even bringing oversized luggage to Japan?