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Reservation/Seats on Tokyo/Kyoto train

Lisa P.
Lisa P.
about 1 year ago
1 answer

Hello Daniel,

I have looked at your prior responses, but can’t find one on my particular issue.

If I purchase the JRPass in advance and receive the exchange voucher, it seems I cannot reserve a seat on a train until I arrive in Tokyo and activate and exchange the voucher for the JRPass. I have hotel reservations for each night, dinner and tour reservations all set and a group of 5 so I really need to be sure that I can take specific trains. Is it possible with the voucher to reserve a space on a particular train (even if not a particular seat on that train) in advance of arriving in Tokyo?

If I cannot do this with a JR Pass, can I do it by purchasing the tickets individually on the website? If so, can I exchange/return those individual tickets once I see that I can get the reservations I need?

I am trying to assure that I can get my group on specific trains between Tokyo and Kyoto. What is the best and least expensive way to do so?

Thank you,

avatar
Daniel-san
18919 posts
about 1 year ago
Expert

Hi Lisa,

Trains can be reserved from the day that you are in Japan, you don't have to start using your pass yet at that date. Trains rarely sell out during normal week days, unless you are travelling during a period of high travel, such as a public holiday, seating won't be a problem.

If you arrive in Tokyo and only go to Kyoto a few days later, then I suggest getting the reservations done on the day of arrival. Also keep in mind that trains between Tokyo and Kyoto depart every 10 minutes on average and each train has around 1500 seats, so there is a lot of capacity.

We don't sell normal tickets through JRPass.com.

Kind regards,
Daniel

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