How far in advance should you book a bullet train?

How far in advance can you book the bullet train?

Ugh, bullet trains. 180 days, isn’t it? Before departure? Book ’em quick.

• Six months? Kinda feels too soon.

  • Thinking about my Kyoto trip with Hana. Booked it way later. Or did I?

• JR Pass might change things?

  • Hana mentioned something.

  • She’s better at planning than I am.

• Check Japan Railways. Obvious, right?

  • Or those agents online…

  • Better safe than sorry.

• Different trains = different rules. Annoying.

  • Like the Nozomi? Is that even a thing?

  • Wonder if seats matter. Window seat always a must.

• Always confirm booking rules.

  • Especially with passes.

  • Don’t want a ticket problem at Tokyo Station. Stressful!

I need to look up flexible travel dates.

Do bullet trains need to be booked in advance?

Booking a bullet train? You can snag a seat right before departure, which is neat.

• Holidays like Golden Week (around late April/early May), Obon (mid-August), or New Year’s? Plan to book 3-4 days in advance. It’s just common sense, right?

Large group travel? I get it, sitting together is the goal. Reserve early, like at the trip’s start. It’s less stressful.

• Think of it, the possibility to sit together!

Honestly, the Japanese rail system is a marvel; it’s punctual. It is a source of national pride. It makes you think about efficient infrastructure, doesn’t it? I like that.

Does Bullet Train sell out?

Okay, so last month, July 2024, my wife and I really wanted to see Bullet Train. We live near LA, so we looked at showtimes at the TCL Chinese Theatre. Man, that place is massive. Finding tickets online was a headache.

Initially, we couldn’t find anything for a Friday or Saturday night, which sucked. We had this whole romantic dinner planned afterwards, the works. It was seriously disappointing. Then, finally, I found two seats, way up in the nosebleed section, for a Tuesday night. Ugh.

It wasn’t ideal, but we grabbed them. They weren’t cheap, either, a hundred bucks each, ouch. Tuesday worked. The movie was great, though honestly those seats were awful. The screen looked tiny.

Sell-out situation? It depends. Popular showtimes, especially weekends in major cities, sell out fast. Less desirable showtimes, like a Tuesday night showing (our experience), have a better chance of having tickets available. You have to check directly with the venue or ticket sellers. Don’t rely on third party sites completely, sometimes they are just re-sellers at inflated prices!

• Key takeaway: Check frequently and book early, especially for desirable showtimes.
• Major cities like LA, New York, etc. will be tougher to get tickets for.
• Weekday matinees are easier to get tickets for.
• Always check directly with the venue’s website or official ticket seller.

I know this because I tried and I failed, then I succeeded. Then I suffered through neck cramps.

How crowded is the Shinkansen?

Shinkansen, crowded? Oh honey, sometimes it’s like Tokyo sardine special. 7-8:30 am & 5:30-7 pm? Prepare for intimacy.

Evening’s worse? Yep. Think rush hour in NYC… but polite. Maybe? Book ahead, unless you love being a human stress ball. My grandma once said it’s like being a packaged egg—but faster! Seat secured? Priceless.

• Peak Times: 7-8:30 am, 5:30-7 pm. Aka, when salarymen transform into ninjas trying to get home.
• Booking: Do it. Seriously. Future you will thank past you. I learned the hard way during Golden Week ’23. Ouch!
• Evening vs. Morning: Evenings get the “most-awkward-shuffle-award.”
• Alternatives: Consider off-peak travel, maybe? Or just teleport. (Still working on that invention).
• Car Types: Green Cars? Comfier. But $$$. Still not teleporting.

Did you know, the Shinkansen runs with average delays of under a minute? Wild, right? Unlike my trains…always late…because, uh, reasons.

What is the best month to visit Japan not crowded?

Winter, huh.

Least crowded? That’s what I’m chasing. Always.

It’s gotta be after the New Year rush. Mid-January to mid-March. That’s what whispers to me.

• It’s cold, though. Freezing maybe.
• Remember that one trip to Kyoto? My gloves were useless.
• Damn, I miss Kyoto.

Japan’s winter, okay. It chills you. Really chills.

• Late December to mid-March. That’s winter there.
• Temperatures hover. 0 to 8 degrees.
• Think I packed my warmest scarf. Probably.

Winter saves money, that’s true. Cheap flights! Before the cherry blossoms.

• Always about saving. Always.
• That trip to the onsen was the best.
• Was that during winter? maybe…

January feels right. It’s quieter.

• Less…noise. I like that.
• Fewer people means fewer lines.
• Peace, mostly, that’s all I really want.

After the holiday madness. Yes, that’s when.