Train ticket reservation

Hello

I'm planning a second trip to Japan. We will be arriving at Narita and connect to Sapporo. Our flight arrives on Monday, February 8th @ 3:20pm (terminal 1) and leave for Sapporo at 6pm (Jetstar Terminal 3). I need help figuring out how to reserve these Shinkansen tickets. Do i have enough time to clear the arrival procedures, exchange the rail pass and reserve or pickup (reserve in advance) these ticket at Terminal 1? I'm not sure how long does it take to clear all of the arrival procedures, I�fm Visa Free to Japan. It will be great If I can do all these at terminal 1 and catch a shuttle bus to Terminal 3.

Please let me know how availability of these tickets is? How far in advance people make a reservation for train tickets. Can I get all these tickets at Sapporo Station? Sapporo station is not on the list for the pickup ticket windows when I try to make a reservation online. Please Advice

Saturday 2/13 travel from Hakodate to Aomori

Sunday 2/14 Visiting Nyuto Hot Spring

- HAYABUYA 18 @ SHIN-AOMORI (11:52) TO MORIOKA (12:45)
- KOMACHI 17 @ MORIOKA (13:35) TO TAZAWAKO (14:07)

Monday 2/15 Visiting Yokote

- KOMACHI 9 @ TAZAWAKO (11:58) TO OMAGARI (12:27)

Tuesday 2/16 Visiting Matsushima on the way to Tokyo

- KOMACHI 14 @ OMAGARI (9:49) TO SENDAI (11:51)
- KOMICHI 32 @ SENDAI (19:30) TO UENO (20:58)

I need help figuring out how to reserve these Shinkansen tickets. Do i have enough time to clear the arrival procedures, exchange the rail pass and reserve or pickup (reserve in advance) these ticket at Terminal 1?

Unfortunately, the JR ticket offices at Narita Airport haven been overcrowded recently with long waiting times. Considering that you visit during Chinese New Year, the waiting times may be bad. You can give it a try. You have a lot of time.

Please let me know how availability of these tickets is?

I don't think you will run into troubles getting seat reservations for your train rides. Many of the trains can also be ridden without a seat reservations.

How far in advance people make a reservation for train tickets.

It is possible to make reservations starting one month ahead of travel dates. But most people reserve just a few days, hours or minutes before departure. The exception are busy travel seasons when a lot of people make them far in advance. But I don't think that your travel dates fall into that type of season despite the fact that the snow festival has just ended and it is Chinese New Year.

Can I get all these tickets at Sapporo Station?

Yes.

Sapporo station is not on the list for the pickup ticket windows when I try to make a reservation online.

The online reservation website is just for JR East. Sapporo is in the service area of JR Hokkaido. Indeed, you cannot pick up tickets there (nor reserve trains departing from there).

Many of the trains can also be ridden without a seat reservations.

Not in this case since it's mostly Hayabusa and Komachi. ;)

No need to get all Shinkansen's reserved seat ticket in advance at NRT.
Why no use online resevation?
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/ticket/reservation.html
Last Sendai to Ueno is "Hayabusa" better than "Komachi".
This Hayabusa 32 is same train Komachi 32 with as one train like this.
https://youtu.be/dkfBJ3abqF8
Geen one is Hayabusa (3+2 seat ABC+DE/wide body).
Red one is Komachi (2+2 seat AB+CD).

At "CTS" JR ticket office also accept exchange Japan rail Pass(?)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Chitose_Airport
but Pass exchange service hour until 19:00 already exchange service overed.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html (JR Sapporo stn,too)
http://www.new-chitose-airport.jp/en/access/jr/timejr/
If Hokkaido Rail Pass(or,) exchange at NRT possible.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/rail02.html
Anyway, if use the Pass in next day morning from Sapporo(?) before exchange service hour
you must get reserved seat ticket in advance at NRT T1 underground.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/customer_support/service_center.html
(note : No JR ticket office and train station in T3)

T1 to T2/T3 free shuttle is a lot. (no good at T2)
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/shuttlebus/
T2 to T3 need by walk thru a long passage about 10min on blue line.
https://youtu.be/Pz2HzeZrY-Q
This is NRT to CTS by Jetstar without check in counter/machine work.
https://youtu.be/qtR68nyXvEU

Thank you all for information,

Uji, I've been reading your answers since my first research for Japan back in 2011. Thank you for continue helping us. So, I guess i'll try to get everything done at Narita if my flight is not delay or i don't have any issue with baggage or immigration otherwise, I'll just do it at Sapporo Station after eating ramen at the station :) I didn't realized that there is a midori no madoguchi at Sapporo, thank you for letting me know.

Can you please suggest interesting thing to do or see to kill time at Morioka Station while i wait for train connection (30-40 mins)

So, I guess i'll try to get everything done at Narita

Considering the delays they experience there these days, I would not be surprised if they limited the number of seat reservations you can make.

Can you please suggest interesting thing to do or see to kill time at Morioka Station while i wait for train connection (30-40 mins)

Morioka is famous for three types of noodles. I recommend to try one of them:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5050.html