Seat available in train

Hi there,

May i check with you, if we buy a normal 7 days JR Pass, and if we don't reserve any seat while we depart to go to some places, will i be seated separately with my wife? for example travel from Tokyo to Kyoto this long distance.

If you don't reserve seats on the bullet train (eg from Tokyo-Kyoto), you will need to use the non-reserved seating where there can be no gurantees about seat availability or seating order. In most non-rush hour times you'll be able to find a pair of seats to sit together, however in busy times you may have to sit separately.

Are pre-booked seated separate from those normal seated?

Yes. Pre-booked, or reserved seats are in different cars to the non-reserved seating. This information is clearly marked next to the bullet train doors on a digital sign so there can be no mistake when you are boarding the train.

If we hold normal 7 days JR Pass, can we reserve the seat in order sit together? by how and when should i do so?

Yes. For JR Pass holders, seat reservations are totally free, and can be made anytime once you are in Japan and have activated your rail pass. Simply show your rail pass at the JR ticket counter and specify a train you would like to use to receive your free JR seat coupon. You can reserve seats well in advance of travel provided you are there in person, so if you are concerned about trips later in your holiday, you can book them all at once on arrival. If you choose to book many seats, I recommend you print an itinerary with your intended trains/times to help the JR clerk make the bookings.

There are some more tips on reserving seats on our blog.

Hope this helps!