I have read many Shinkansen reservation posts and each of them you will find the comment:
"Don't bother reserving, just buy it at the booth day of, unless it's Golden Week or New Years"
My situation has me landing on 1/1 and am looking to make a reservation on the shinkansen on 1/3 and cannot find a lot of info on how to do it properly. (FYI The Fare Calculator had my anticipated routes at a similar price to the JR Pass so I could go either way, depending on what is preferred).
How early can you book the ticket? Most sources say tickets go on sale 30 days in advance, but I also see 90 days in advance sometimes and I am not sure where that is coming from and if it is true.
Once the tickets are on sale, what is the best way to make the early reservation? Is SmartEx 30 days in advance the best option?
Are there issues taking the Narita Express on 1/1?
If I were to go the JR Pass route, my understanding is that you can purchase it 90 days in advance, but at that point you only receive a voucher to be exchanged in person upon arrival. Assuming that is correct (correct me if it is not), are you able to make any ticket reservations in the voucher-stage ahead of arrival?
Thank you in advance. I know there are thousands of Shinkansen ticket posts, and I think I've read all of them, and this information has not been clear.
by chibar