Hamanasu non-reserved car

I am planning to take the Hamanasu from Hakodate to Aomori on September 24, 3am. However, as I will only be arriving in Japan on September 19, I have read online that it's impossible to get reserved seats less than a week before my intended ride.

In that case, I am planning on just taking an unreserved seat. Is there a big chance that this will be full as well? How many minutes should I queue up at the station (we are a party of 4). Will lining up 1 hour before the ride suffice?

Thanks!

I am planning to take the Hamanasu from Hakodate to Aomori on September 24, 3am. However, as I will only be arriving in Japan on September 19, I have read online that it's impossible to get reserved seats less than a week before my intended ride.

You are probably referring to the nobi-nobi seats which could be fully booked by the time you arrive in Japan.
I doubt the Dream Car as well as the non reserved seats will be fully booked. My advice is to make reservation as soon as you can upon your arrival. You never know, you might still be able to get the nobi-nobi seats, or at least the dream car ( both are free with JR Pass) . However, the non reserve seats are not that comfortable. But , as you'd be in the train only 3 hours, it probably won't matter.

I was unlucky last year, only to learn upon arrival that the Hamanasu train was cancelled on the date we were travelling.

Additional information you might want to know :

http://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/suspens...

http://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/hamanasu.html

Thanks for the links, I'll be sure to take a look at them!

Yeah I was planning on making reservations the moment I step into Japan, and the lining up for unreserved seats was going to be my last resort in case seats are fully booked.

Would you happen to know of an online site for me to check the current status of seats in the Hamanasu train?

Thanks!

Try this link : http://www.jr.cyberstation.ne.jp/vacancy/Vacancy.html

■ 乗車月日: 月 month 日day
■ 乗車時刻 : 時 hour 分 minute
■ お乗りになる列車 : Select : 在來線列車
■ 乗車駅・ : Enter : 函館 Hakodate 降車駅 : 青森 Aomori
■ Click : 検索 search





http://www1.jr.cyberstation.ne.jp/csws/Vacancy.do

Thanks again!

I have checked the seats, and it seems there are still vacancies available for my date, but the icon with the seat reclining only has limited seats left. What's the difference with the reclining seat icon the the "B" icon? Also, why do the other icons like the green X and letter A have no seat availability?

If ever I'm not able to get a reserved seat, how many hours before the train arrives do I have to be at the station in order to get an unreserved seat? Do I just pass through the ticket gate with my JR Pass or I have to get a ticket somewhere?

Also, why do the other icons like the green X and letter A have no seat availability?
how many hours before the train arrives do I have to be at the station in order to get an unreserved seat? Do I just pass through the ticket gate with my JR Pass or

Hamanasu has no green car. Not sure what A means.
I would not be too concerned at this stage. You are not travelling in high season, also at the wee hours of 03:00, how many would be waiting for the train in Hakodate station? 30 mins before the train due to arrive is ample.
You need to show your pass at the gate, and if you have to go for the non reserved seat, just go to the correct compartment. As there are 4 of you, you may not be seated together ; again it would not really matter , it is only about 2 hour ride. I bet my money that you would not have any problem getting the seats.

Haha! That is a relief to hear from you. Someone told me it was a high peak season because it's Silver Week or something of the sort, but upon looking at different sites they say the only peak season to worry about is only Obon, Golden Week, and the Christmas Holidays so September isn't a problem. I sure hope that's the case!

A and B are Sleeper car class need sleeper fee.
No A class sleeper car.

About Sleeper car's fee as extra already mentioned.
http://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/hamanasu.html

And that travel date maybe 3 cars plus 7 to 10 as high-season.
1 sleeper 1 reaseeved 1 un-reserved cars maybe.
But not exactly already full or not except carpet car "Nobi-nobi".
https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/train/tr015_03.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamanasu_(train)
Carpet car "Nobi-nobi" no needs sleeper fee bc not a bed just soft floor
so Nobi-nobi seat ticket already sold out usual within sales start date usual.

B sleeper
http://edoky3069.fc2web.com/00811108.jpg
Nobi-nobi
http://edoky3069.fc2web.com/00811111.jpg
http://white.ap.teacup.com/dt200a/timg/middle_1327146164.jpg

Other reaserved seat maybe still left but if group travel impossible as same section.