JR West released Shinkansen and Haruka Oufuku Waribiki Kippu (新幹線＆はるか往復割引きっぷ, meaning Return Trip Discount Ticket for Shinkansen and Haruka). This ticket allows round trip from Okayama, Kurashiki or Fukuyama to Kansai Airport (KIX; Kansai International Airport) by Shinkansen trains and Airport Express Haruka, changing at Shin-Osaka. The price of this ticket is 19 to 23 % off the usual fare. Because the valid period is 14 days, many passengers going abroad can use this ticket. But no tickets are available traveling from KIX.

Overview of Shinkansen and Haruka Oufuku Waribiki Kippu

• Name of the ticket: Shinkansen and Haruka Oufuku Waribiki Kippu (新幹線＆はるか往復割引きっぷ, meaning Round Trip Discount Ticket for Shinkansen and Haruka)
• Travel dates: April 24, 2010 through April 13, 2011
• Period of selling: April 21, 2010 through March 31, 2011
• Maximum period of travel: 14 days
• Effects of the ticket: round trip to Kansai Airport by Shinkansen trains (from departing station to Shin-Osaka, on second class non reservation seat) and Airport Express Haruka (from Shin-Osaka to Kansai Airport, on second class reserved seat)
• Available sectors and prices:
  • from Okayama to Kansai Airport (RT): JPY 11,500
  • from Kurashiki to Kansai Airport (RT): JPY 12,000
  • from Fukuyama to Kansai Airport (RT): JPY 15,000
• Purchasable at: major stations and travel vendors in Okayama and Fukuyama area
• Remarks:
  • Receive 5 to 20 % discount with showing ticket for return trip at shops and restaurants in Kansai International Airport.
  • One JPY 200 discount coupon for baggage home-delivery service is included.

JR Central and JR West reported the availability of bookable seats on Shinkansen trains during the Golden Week holidays from April 28, 2010 through May 5. As of April 15, 2010, about 30% of bookable seats were occupied and enough seats were still available except only a fraction of trains. They said that the estimated peak date would be May 1 for westbound trains and May 5 for eastbound.

For the seat availability of-the-moment, watch JR Cyber Station (JRサイバーステーション).

JR West said they will put a baggage room and Kid's Space in Hiroshima Station during the Golden Week holidays.

The cloakroom will be placed at the approach for conventional train's tracks on the second floor. Passengers, changing trains at this station, can lightly enjoy short visit in Hiroshima with checking their baggages.

And the Kid's Space, usually set up during the busy season , will once again be available free of charge at the back of Shinkansen Concourse.

Overview of cloakroom

• Imprementation period: 10:00 - 18:00 of May 1, 2010 through May 5
• Located at: the approach for conventional train's tracks on the second floor of Hiroshima Station
• Fee: JPY 400 or 600 according to baggage size

Overview of Kid's Space

• Implementation period: 10:00 - 18:00 of April 29, 2010 through May 5
• Located at: Shinkansen Concourse of Hiroshima Station
• Fee: free of charge
• Intended for: children of elementary-age or younger

Verbal and data communications on mobile phones in Shinkansen tunnels is available between Tokyo and Himeji now. JR West said the service between Shin-Osaka and Himeji was released on March 30, 2010. This was due to completion of antenna installation work.

Beyond Himeji station, the work is undergoing to the east end of Okayama Pref. and the service extension will be taken in March, 2011. And the internet access service through in-vehicle wireless LAN in N700 series cars is restrected within Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, because its communication method and required equipments are different from the antennas for the mobile communication.