Shinkansen query

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Ben W Bell

先輩

13 Sep 2004

135

3

• 30 Sep 2006

• #1

So in November I will be getting the Shinkansen from Osaka to Fukuoka, and then back again three weeks later. Am I better off seeing about booking a ticket (and a seat) before I go, or just turning up and buying one?

 

Foxtrot Uniform

*censored*

30 May 2004

210

5

• 30 Sep 2006

• #2

I don't really remember, but I think the earlier you book a ticket the cheaper it is. Maybe that's just for bus rides and flights.

 

Mikawa Ossan

いかんわ！

Ten-year veteran Fifteen-year veteran Twenty-year veteran

17 Sep 2005

6,017

1,970

• 30 Sep 2006

• #3

I think you should be fine buying your tickets on the day of your trip. November isn't a busy travel period, so you should be able to find open seats quite easily. I can't think of any other benefits of reserving your shinkansen ticket in advance other than the peace of mind that you have secured a seat.

In the worst case scenario, you can always get a "jiyuu-seki" ticket and stand in the aisle if you absolutely have to. I've done that a number of times between Osaka and Yamaguchi. Not fun, but it gets the job done.

 

leonmarino

Back

19 May 2006

1,258

64

• 30 Sep 2006

• #4

I'd buy one in advance, that way you have a higher chance of being able to buy a reserved seat instead of having to hunt for un-reserved seats or having to stand the whole journey if it's really crowded. Good luck!!

 

Mikawa Ossan

いかんわ！

Ten-year veteran Fifteen-year veteran Twenty-year veteran

17 Sep 2005

6,017

1,970

• 30 Sep 2006

• #5

leonmarino! Great minds think....at the same time!

You can certainly get your shinkansen tickets in advance; there's nothing wrong with that at all. I personally don't like to hassle with buying shinkansen tickets in advance, but to elaborate on my previous post, it's only been a problem so far when I tried to take the last shinkansen for that particular Sunday (it was always a Sunday night) from Osaka that would get all the way to Fukuoka. Other than that, I've never had a problem obtaining a reserved ticket.

And in all fairness, at that time, I was too cheap to ante up the extra 500 yen required for a reserved seat, so I didn't even try.

 

leonmarino

Back

19 May 2006

1,258

64

• 30 Sep 2006

• #6

Hey Mikawa!! You here!?
Anyway, I prefer buying tickets in advance.. And try to get a seat in the middle of the wagon; last time I had a seat near the door, and a few guys without tickets for the reserved seats were standing there, talking and whatever, because they apparently didn't want to stand in the crowded wagons.. Very annoying.

 

Hiroyuki Nagashima

TAN

Twenty-year veteran

18 Jan 2005

11,682

3,641

• 30 Sep 2006

• #7

Travel Planner
http://train.sppd.ne.jp/train/sche/index_e.php
Shin-Osaka => Hakata
Hikari 14590 yen
Nozomi 14890 yen

Shinkansen Internet reservation
http://www.jr-odekake.net/goyoyaku/info/area_01.html

 

Hiroyuki Nagashima

TAN

Twenty-year veteran

18 Jan 2005

11,682

3,641

• 30 Sep 2006

• #8

A discount ticket of the Sinkansen
A coming and going discount ticket is effective for seven days.
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/tabi/ticket/osaka.jsp
Fukuoka, Osaka Sinkansen discount ticket are effective for 12 days.
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/tabi/ticket/sanyou_shinkansen.jsp

 

ArmandV

Eight Times To Japan

Contributor

18 Oct 2004

2,497

110

• 30 Sep 2006

• #9

Only once have I ever bought a Shinkansen ticket within an hour or two of the departure time. It was no problem. I usually buy them the day before.

 

Hiroyuki Nagashima

TAN

Twenty-year veteran

18 Jan 2005

11,682

3,641

• 1 Oct 2006

• #10

A Japanese businessman uses it frequently.
Ticket Shops (Discount Ticket Stores)
URLが見つかりません | 大阪府国際交流財団(OFIX)
Smart Traveling in Osaka Japan
URLが見つかりません | 大阪府国際交流財団(OFIX)

 

B

Ben W Bell

先輩

13 Sep 2004

135

3

• 1 Oct 2006

• Thread starter
• #11

Thank you all for your help. I think I'll see about booking a ticket.

 

shiroma

先輩

1 Mar 2004

481

18

• 6 Oct 2006

• #12

ひかりレールスター

Ben W Bell said:

Am I better off seeing about booking a ticket (and a seat) before I go, or just turning up and buying one?

Click to expand...

An unreserved coach seat in Hikari Railstar is recommended, since Shin'osaka station is the origin and Hakata is the final destination: means that seating guranteed by standing on the platform a little earlier than others to be on top of the line, empty cars without passengers from Tokyo or Nagoya.

Train leaves every hour (every half hour during peak periods) anyway.
Regional rail pass available too.

link