The reserved-only Nozomi period
JR Central's all-reserved Nozomi page (Japanese) lists the New Year period for 2026–27 as 25 December 2026 to 5 January 2027. During those 12 days every Tokyo–Hakata Nozomi runs with reserved seats only, with no non-reserved cars. The page lists two more short periods soon after: 9 to 11 January 2027 for the Coming of Age Day weekend, and 21 to 23 November 2026.
Non-reserved tickets still work on the Nozomi in that period, but only for standing. JR Central says you stand in the ordinary-car decks, staff may guide passengers into the aisles of reserved cars when it is crowded, and you may not be able to board the train you want. The Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, Sakura and Tsubame keep their non-reserved cars.
If you are booking a Kyoto or Osaka trip that crosses this window, there are three choices:
| Choice | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Reserved Nozomi | A guaranteed seat on the fastest train | Fixed dates, luggage, families |
| Non-reserved Hikari or Kodama | A chance of a seat, slower journey | Flexible, light travellers |
| Non-reserved ticket on a Nozomi | Standing room in the deck only | Last resort when everything is sold out |
For normal-season fares, journey times and the oversized-luggage seat rule, read our Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen guide. This page deals only with the holiday peak.
When seats go on sale
The sale times on JR Central's page decide how early you need to act:
- Stations, ticket machines, other JR online services and travel agents: from 10:00 Japan time on the same date one month before travel. For a 30 December departure, that is 10:00 on 30 November.
- smartEX and Express Reservation: from 5:30 on the same date one year before travel. If you book more than a month ahead, the train number, times and seat numbers are confirmed by email from 8:00 one month before travel.
- Seats held back: JR Central notes that some seats can be booked on smartEX and Express Reservation only from the one-month 10:00 release, like at the station.
The practical result for New Year: a year-ahead smartEX request is the safest way to secure a seat, but if the train you want shows full, try again at 10:00 exactly one month before, when the held-back seats become bookable at the same moment station sales open. smartEX membership is free but needs a credit card to register.
Peak-season prices
JR Central's seasonal charge rules adjust the ordinary-car reserved-seat limited express charge by season: ¥400 more in the top season (saihanbouki), ¥200 more in the busy season and ¥200 less off-peak. On a trip that crosses from the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen onto the Kyushu Shinkansen, the adjustment applies to each section, doubling it.
For a Tokyo–Kyoto or Tokyo–Osaka trip the difference is small: two adults pay ¥800 more one way in top season than in the regular season. The page shows the dates of each season only as a calendar image, which we could not read as text, so check it, or simply look at the price at booking, before deciding whether a date change is worth it.
If you miss your train or plans change
JR Central says that if you miss a reserved Nozomi during the all-reserved period, your ticket is still valid the same day for standing in a Nozomi deck, or for a non-reserved car on a later Hikari or Kodama. A seat on another Nozomi needs a new reserved ticket. Holders of some non-reserved tickets can upgrade to a reserved seat at a ticket office or certain machines, depending on the ticket type.
Getting to Tokyo or Shinagawa station first? Our guide to Suica, PASMO and card payments covers the city leg. Staying in Tokyo for the New Year instead? See Meiji Jingu at New Year.
