For this summer, JR Central and West estimated that the peak of crowding will be on August 12 for westbound trains and on August 15 for eastbound.

The charts shown below indicate seat availability of around the peak days by this site Shinkansen Timetable's independent survey. They maybe of some help to find remained seats. On the graphs, horizontal axes mean hours of 6 to 24 of each day and vertical the number of trains. The bar of blue shows underoccupied trains, yellow near capacity and red full occupancy. So it may easy to book trains at the hours with stretching blue bar.

The survey was performed at the evening of August 8, 2010. Visit the site of JR Cyber Station and get up-to-the-minute details.

westbound: from Tokyo to Hakata

eastbound: from Hakata to Tokyo

westbound: from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka

eastbound: from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo

westbound: from Shin-Osaka to Hakata

eastbound: from Hakata to Shin-Osaka

JR companies reported the availability of reserved seats on Shinkansen trains from August 11, 2010 to 18, as of July 29.

According to JR Central, 890,000 of available 2,750,000 seats on Tokaido Shinkansen trains have been reserved already. JR West said 510,000 of 1,460,000 seats on Sanyo Shinkansen trains have been taken. In shortly, about 32% and 35% of available seats are now occupied. And they said the peak of crowding will be on August 12 for westbound trains and on August 15 for eastbound.

The charts shown below indicate seat availability of around the peak days by this site Shinkansen Timetable's independent survey. They maybe of some help to find remained seats. On the graphs, horizontal axes mean hours of 6 to 24 of each day and vertical the number of trains. The bar of blue shows underoccupied trains, yellow near capacity and red full occupancy. So it may easy to book trains at the hours with stretching blue bar.

The survey was performed at the evening of August 1, 2010. Visit JR Cyber Station and get up-to-the-minute details.

westbound: from Tokyo to Hakata

eastbound: from Hakata to Tokyo

westbound: from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka

eastbound: from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo

westbound: from Shin-Osaka to Hakata

eastbound: from Hakata to Shin-Osaka

JR West said that they accept advanced application of tickets for travel in the summer holidays. If the travel dates are in the holiday period, both ticket for outward and return are purchasable at one time.

Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe Area

• Travel Dates: August 11, 2010 through August 18
• Period of Acceptance: July 3, 2010 through July 7
• Handling at:
  • special number of 06-4960-9864 (9:00 - 15:00)
  • JR tickets office (みどりの窓口) in 64 major stations within the area
• For details: the press release for Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area

Okayama Area

• Travel Dates: August 11, 2010 through August 18
• Period of Acceptance: June 12, 2010 through July 17
• Handling at: JR tickets office (みどりの窓口) in 32 major stations within the area
• For details: Okayama Branch's press release

Hiroshima Area

• Travel Dates: August 11, 2010 through August 18
• Period of Acceptance: June 12, 2010 through July 7
• Handling at:
  • special counter in Hiroshima Station
  • special number of 082-261-1985 (10:00 - 18:00)
  • JR tickets office (みどりの窓口) in 76 major stations within the area
  • FAX machine in 17 stations
• For details: Hiroshima Branch's press release

Fukuoka Area

• Travel Dates: August 11, 2010 through August 18
• Period of Acceptance: July 3, 2010 through July 9
• Handling at:
  • JR tickets office (みどりの窓口) in Kokura Station or the number of 093-551-7209 (10:00-16:00)
  • JR tickets office (みどりの窓口) in Hakata Station or the number of 092-472-8426 (10:00-16:00)
• For details: Fukuoka Branch's press release

JR West said that they will accept advanced application of tickets for travel in the winter holidays. If the travel dates are in the holiday period, both tickets for outward and return are purchasable at one time.

Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe Area

• Travel Dates: December 25, 2009 through January 5, 2010
• Period of Acceptance: November 14, 2009 through November 21
• Handling at:
  • special number of 06-4960-9864 (9:00 - 15:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in 65 major stations within the area
• for Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20091023_jizen.pdf

Okayama Area

• Travel Dates: December 25, 2009 through January 5, 2010
• Period of Acceptance: October 31, 2009 through December 4
• Handling at:
• JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in 32 major stations within the area
• for Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20091023_jizen_okayama.pdf

Hiroshima Area

• Travel Dates: December 25, 2009 through January 5, 2010
• Period of Acceptance: October 31, 2009 through November 21
• Handling at:
  • special counter in Hiroshima Station
  • special number of 082-261-1985 (10:00 - 18:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in 76 major stations within the area
  • FAX machine in 17 statinos
• for Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20091023_jizen_hiroshima.pdf

Fukuoka Area

• Travel Dates: December 25, 2009 through January 5, 2010
• Period of Acceptance: November 14, 2009 through November 21
• Handling at:
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in Kokura Station or the number of 093-551-7209 (10:00 - 16:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in Hakata Station or the number of 092-472-8426 (10:00 - 16:00)
• for Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20091023_jizen_fukuoka.pdf

JR Central announced that an average of 380 trains a day in the bon period from August 07 to 18 will run for Tokaido Shinkansen. And recently they released that they scheduled additional 9 Nozomi trains to increase available seats for reservation.

Additional Westbound Nozomi Trains (Tokyo → Shin-Osaka)

• August 08 [Sat]
  • Nozomi 329 (Tokyo 10:47 → Shin-Osaka 13:23)
  • Nozomi 339 (Tokyo 11:47 → Shin-Osaka 14:23)
• August 16 [Sun]
  • Nozomi 357 (Tokyo 13:40 → Shin-Osaka 16:16)
  • Nozomi 399 (Tokyo 19:47 → Shin-Osaka 22:23)
  • Nozomi 401 (Tokyo 20:13 → Shin-Osaka 22:50)

Additional Eastbound Nozomi Trains (Shin-Osaka → Tokyo)

• August 15 [Sat]
  • Nozomi 374 (Shin-Osaka 16:20 → Tokyo 18:56)
  • Nozomi 376 (Shin-Osaka 16:43 → Tokyo 19:20)
• August 16 [Sun]
  • Nozomi 376 (Shin-Osaka 16:43 → Tokyo 19:20)
  • Nozomi 406 (Shin-Osaka 20:27 → Tokyo 23:03)

JR West said that they will accept advanced application for tickets during the 5-day holiday from September 19 to 23 in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka areas.

Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe Area

• Travel Dates: September 18, 2009 through September 27, 2009
• Period of Acceptance: August 01, 2009 through August 04, 2009
• Handling at:
  • special number of 06-6377-1035 (9:00 - 15:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in 63 major stations within the area
• For Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20090724_jizen.pdf

Hiroshima Area

• Travel Dates: September 18, 2009 through September 27, 2009
• Period of Acceptance: August 01, 2009 through August 09, 2009
• Handling at:
  • special counter in Hiroshima Station
  • special number of 082-261-1985 (10:00 - 18:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in 76 major stations within the area
  • FAX machine in 17 stations
• For Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20090724_jizen_hiroshima.pdf

Hiroshima Area

• Travel Dates: September 18, 2009 through September 27, 2009
• Period of Acceptance: August 01, 2009 through August 09, 2009
• Handling at:
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in Kokura Station or the number of 093-551-7209 (10:00 - 16:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in Hakata Station or the number of 092-472-8426 (10:00 - 16:00)
• For Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20090724_jizen_fukuoka.pdf

JR West said that they will accept advanced application for tickets during the bon period from August 07 to 18 in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe, Okayama, and Hiroshima area.

Kyoto-Osaka-kobe Area

• Travel Dates: August 07, 2009 through August 18, 2009
• Period of Acceptance: June 28, 2009 through July 04, 2009
• Handling at:
  • special number of 06-6401-2455 (9:00 - 15:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in major stations within the area
  • telephone receptionists of some station (10:00 - 18:00)
• For Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20090529_jizen.pdf

Okayama Area

• Travel Dates: August 07, 2009 through August 18, 2009
• Period of Acceptance: June 06, 2009 through July 17, 2009
• Handling at:
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in major 32 stations within district boundary of Okayama Branch of JR West
  • telephone receptionists of the above 32 stations (10:00 - 16:00)
• For Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20090601_jizen_okayama.pdf

Hiroshima Area

• Travel Dates: August 07, 2009 through August 18, 2009
• Period of Acceptance: June 06, 2009 through July 04, 2009
• Handling at:
  • special counter in Hiroshima Station
  • special number of 082-261-1985 (10:00 - 18:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in major 76 stations within district boundary of Hiroshima Branch of JR West
  • FAX machine in some station
• For Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20090529_jizen_hiroshima.pdf

JR companies announced the availability of reserved seats on Shinkansen trains during the period of Golden Week from April 24 to May 06, as of April 16.

According to JR Central, 1,120,000 of available 4,050,000 seats on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen trains have been reserved already. And JR West said 570,000 of 2,190,000 seats on Sanyo Shinkansen trains have been reserved. In shortly, about 27% of available seats are now occupied and 73% still remain vacant. And they said the peak of crowding will be on May 02 for westbound trains and on May 05 and 06 for eastbound.

At the same time, JR Central released additional 6 Nozomi services between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka running on May 03, 05 and 06. The seat reservation on these trains has been available since April 18. Of course this site Shinkansen Timetable provide travel plans to you including these additional trains. The 6 trains are shown below.

Westbound

• Nozomi 325 on May 03, from Tokyo (dept. at 10:23) to Shin-Osaka (arrv. at 13:00)
• Nozomi 363 on May 06, from Tokyo (14:20) to Shin-Osaka (16:56)

Eastbound

• Nozomi 318 on May 03, from Shin-Osaka (dept. at 09:43) to Tokyo (arrv. at 12:20)
• Nozomi 354 on May 05, from Shin-Osaka (13:27) to Tokyo (16:03)
• Nozomi 408 on May 05, from Shin-Osaka (20:47) to Tokyo (23:19)
• Nozomi 402 on May 06, from Shin-Osaka (20:07) to Tokyo (22:43)

About the acceptance of advanced application for tickets during the Golden Week period, on the previous article (「広島支社がGWのきっぷを事前受付」posted on 2008/02/21) I reported "only Hiroshima Branch announced such acceptance at the date of 21 February". I am sorry that I passed over the release from Okayama Branch of JR West.

Okayama Branch announced that they would accept advance application for the Golden Week period's tickets.

• Period of acceptance: March 01, 2009 through April 05, 2009
• Travel Dates: April 24, 2009 through May 06, 2009
• Handling at: 32 stations with JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) within district boundary of Okayama Branch of JR West
• How To Subscribe:
  • Go to the JR trains booking counter in one of 32 stations noted above
  • Place a cell to the counter described above

I am going to report you the similar handling announcement in other districts.

Hiroshima Branch of JR West announced that they would accept advanced application for tickets during the Golden Week period from 24 April to 06 May. If you travel in this period, you may be free from making queu at the windows to book seats.

• Period of acceptance: March 01, 2009 through March 21, 2009
• Travel Dates: April 24, 2009 through May 06, 2009
• Handling At: 76 stations with JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) within district boundary of Hiroshima Branch of JR West
• How To Subscribe:
  • Go to the JR trains booking counter in one of 76 stations noted above.
  • Go to the special counter at JR trains booking counter in Hiroshima station.
  • Place a call to the special counter at JR trains booking counter in Hiroshima station.
  • Fax an order to one of major 17 stations like Mihara, Shin Yamaguchi, etc.

Though only Hiroshima Branch [CORRECTION on 2009/02/26: also Okayama Branch released similar announcement on February 20] announced such acceptance at the date of February 21, I am expecting similar handling will be done in other districts.

JR Central and JR West announced the availability of reserved seats on Shinkansen trains from 26 December to 4 January, as of 11 December.

On Tokaido Shinkansen trains, 1,330,000 of available 3,180,000 seats have been reserved already. On Sanyo Shinkansen trains, 726,000 of 1,750,000 seats have been reserved. In shortly, 41% of available seats are now occupied and 59% still remain vacant except certain hours and particular trains.

They estimated the peak of crowding on trains would be on 30 December for west bound and 4 January for east bound.

JR West announced that they would accept advanced application for tickets during the year change period from 26 December to 04 January. If you will travel in the period, you can be free from making queue at the windows to book seats.

• around Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe
  accepting from 15 to 23 November

  JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) at 63 stations

  during regular business hours after 8:00 of 15 November

  Exclusive phone for advanced application at 16 stations

  from 10:00 to 18:00

  Exclusive phone for advanced application (06-6401-2455)

  from 9:00 to 15:00

• around Okayama and Fukuyama
  accepting from 01 November to 03 December

  JR trains booking counters at 32 stations

  during regular business hours after 10:00 of 01 November

  phone service at 32 stations

  from 10:00 to 16:00

• around Hiroshima and Yamaguchi
  accepting from 01 to 23 November

  JR trains booking counters at 76 stations

  during regular business hours

  FAX service at 17 stations

  Special counter at JR trains booking counter in Hiroshima station

  from 10:00 to 18:00

  Exclusive phone at the special counter indicated above (082-261-1985)

  from 10:00 to 18:00

• around Fukuoka and Kokura
  accepting from 15 to 23 November

  JR trains booking counters in Hakata and Kokura station Shinkansen ambits

  during regular business hours

  phone service at Hakata station (092-472-8426)

  from 10:00 to 16:00

  phone service at Kokura station (092-472-8426)

  from 10:00 to 16:00

Please be noted that seat availability is limited and your application will be uncertain until ticketing.

JR West announced that they would accept booking for series 0 cars farewell operation from the members of Express Reservation Service and online members of J-WEST in advance of the others.

• For Express Reservation Service members holding J-WEST Card "Express" issued by JR West or Express Card issued by JR Central:
  Booking for 50 seats in each trains (totally 200 seats) will be accepted during 2008/10/10 Fri. 10:00 - 10/15 Wed. 17:00.
• For J-WEST online members:
  Booking for 25 seats in each trains (totally 100 seats) will be accepted during 2008/10/17 Fri. 10:00 - 10/22 Wed. 17:00.

For that operation, series 0 cars will run as below:

• 12/06 Sat. Hikari 347, departing Shin-Osaka at around 14:56 and arriving at Hakata around 18:01 stopping at Okayama, Hiroshima, and Kokura.
• 12/13 Sat. Hikari 347, departing Shin-Osaka at around 14:56 and arriving at Hakata around 18:01 stopping at Kokura, Tokuyama, Hiroshima, Mihara, Okayama, and Himeji.
• 12/14 Sun. Hikari 340, departing Hakata at around 08:06 and arriving at Shin-Osaka around 12:05 stopping at Okayama, Hiroshima, and Kokura.
• 12/14 Sun. Hikari 347, departing Shin-Osaka at around 14:56 and arriving at Hakata around 18:01 stopping at Okayama, Hiroshima, and Kokura.

If they have too many applying, winners will be selected in a drawing. To take applicatons for priority booking campaign, access the special web page of JR-West [written in Japanese]. And for nonmembers, usual reservation procedures can be taken after 10:00 of the day of 1 month prior to the traveling date.

JR Central and JR West reported the availability of Shinkansen trains during the Bon from Aug. 8 to 17 as of Jul. 31. The report said the westbound rush would build towards a peak on Aug. 9 and 13 and the eastbound rush on Aug. 16 and 17. They said they still had enough seats except specific times and trains, because more than 30% of the seats remained available on even these peak days.

On the same day, they released that some additional Nozomi and Hikari trains would run on such peak days. Ofcourse this site Shinkansen Timetable provide you travel plan including these additional trains. Though enough seats still remain, you should book trains soon if you have your schedule already!

For more information, please check the page of news releases shown below [written in Japanese].

JR West said they would accept advanced requests for seat reservation tickets on trains running during 08 - 17 August. Though the tickets are selled since 1 month prior to the travel date usually, the tickets for those peek season will get into requestable since 28 June.

For more information, please check the page of the news release of JR West [written in Japanese].