Peak Season

Hi there!

The key to beating the crowds is to make seat reservations 2-3 days beforehand. Most of the time this won't be needed but trains get to get very packed around the new years period 30dec - Jan 2. What I would recommend doing is getting your seat reserved on these days when you are in Japan. You can do so by going to any JR station and ask the staff to make the reservations for you.

If trains sell out you can still board them but you will have to stand. This is not very comfortable but you will never get stranded!

Hope this helps and good luck!
Daniel