buying shinkansen tickets in advance

greetings,
when in tokyo, we are planning to have a shinkansen ride from tokyo to osaka and back to tokyo late in the evening the same day. can we purchase the shinkansen tickets thru the vending machines a day before the trip? can we buy a round trip ticket tokyo-osaka, osaka-tokyo in tokyo also a day before the trip?
thankyou

can we purchase the shinkansen tickets thru the vending machines a day before the trip?

Yes, you can buy them up to one month in advance at selected vending machines and manned ticket counters. If you use a Japan Rail Pass, seat reservations can be made at manned ticket counters only.

can we buy a round trip ticket tokyo-osaka, osaka-tokyo in tokyo also a day before the trip?

Yes. Although note that a round trip ticket does not provide any discounts over two one way tickets.

greetings,

as part of our visit to japan, a shinkansen ride from tokyo to osaka will be an experience then will be back to tokyo by shinkansen on the same day late in the afternoon. but while in osaka, where will we go from the train station to spend the whole day?

thankyou

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html

greetings,

as a diecast toy collector, what and where is the biggest toy stores in tokyo selling aoshima diecast toys such as gerry andersons ufo interceptor and saucer etc.

thankyou

At the hobby floor of Yodobashi store in Akihabara & other shops in Akihabara
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3003.html

greetings,

as part of our visa application an iterinary will be provided as required by the japanese embassy here in manila.

what specific tourist attractions in tokyo are closed on weekends and holidays like shopping malls, temples etc. our schedule to visit tokyo will be on nov 25 to dec 1. a side trip in osaka also as part of our shinkansen ride. are shops in akihabara closed on weekends and holidays or on the given dates (nov 25-dec 1, 2010)?

are shinkansen ticket vending and stalls open 24 hours 7 days a week?

thankyou

Most things are open on weekends as well.
The itinerary is just a sample, you are not required by law to follow the submitted itinerary exactly.

The ticket reservation offices are open during station hours, stations do not stay open 24hours because trains do not operate 24 hours.

I would recommend you get a Japan Rail Pass (you must purchase outside of Japan at a travel agency). Seat reservations are "free" with the Japan Rail Pass (though you cannot use Nozomi shinkansen).

Also, if you are going to ride the Shinkansen, I recommend getting off at Kyoto (one stop before ShinOsaka) instead if you want to experience part of Japan. Though one day trip to Kyoto does not do it justice, it is still worth visiting in your limited amount of time.

Hi IPMSBAC,
From what i gather, yr trip to Osaka is just to experience a ride on a Shinkansen. But the return shinkansen journey to & from Osaka is going to cost around 28,000yen. Note the shinkansen train stops at Shin-Osaka station and then u change a train to Osaka itself.

For such price, it would then be wise to get a 7day JR Rail pass at 28300yen. Most travellers would make full use of this rail pass to make trips within the 7day duration and not just for a trip to Osaka.

Please understand tickets for shinkansen have to be purchased over a ticket counter. Only local train tickets can be purchase via vending machines on same day of travel.