Hello.
My wife and I mistakenly booked a trip to Japan during Golden Week and have been unsuccessful in obtaining some train tickets. I am interested in getting a local perspective on the best strategy for ensuring we can get on these trains.
Any additional recommendations are welcome.
* **Tokyo to Hakone: April 25th**
Booked a ticket for the Odakyu from Shinjuku Station to Hakone.
* **Hakone to Kyoto: April 26th**
We plan to take the Shinkansen bullet train from Kyoto Station to Odawara Station. No tickets are available on this date, so I intend to purchase a Japan Rail Pass (JRP) and try to get a seat in a non-reserved seat car. I’ve heard this can prove difficult, and seats may not be available, or you may need to stand in the unreserved seat cars.
* **Kyoto to Naoshima: April 29th**
We plan to take the Shinkansen bullet train (with JRP) to Osaka, and from Shin-Osaka, take Sakura or Hikari trains (with JRP) to Okayama. From Okayama, take the JR Uno to Uno Station, and take a ferry to Naoshima.
* **Naoshima to Kanzawa: May 1st**
Planning to fairy from Honmura, Naoshima to UnoTamano → Transfer to bus at Uno Station → Bus to Okayama Station → transfer to train from Okayama Station (Ideally Hikari or Sakura trains to be covered by Japan rail pass) → stop in Kyoto→ continue train to Kanazawa.
**Or**
Fairy from Honmura, Naoshima to UnoTamano → Transfer to bus at Uno Station → Bus to Okayama Station → transfer to train from Okayama Station (Ideally Hikari or Sakura trains to be covered by Japan rail pass) → stop in Osaka → take Thunderbird train from Shin-Osaka Station to Kanazawa.
* **Kanazawa to Tokyo: May 3rd**
Planning to take the Japan Rail from Kanazawa to Tokyo Station
Thanks in advance.
by Less_Ad_7397