Train busy from 19 Dec to 29 Dec?

I know this is the wrong time to travel but unfortunately this is the only time we can travel to Japan. Will we have problem travelling between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka 'before' the New Year period?

We are flying in to Haneda on 19 Dec, 5 night in Tokyo, then to Kyoto for 3 nights then to Osaka for 2 nights, then flying out from Kansai on 29 Dec. Will we most likely be caught in long queue and booked out seat?

Since this is only a one way trip from Tokyo to Kyoto we plan not to get the JR Pass or is it best to get JR Pass so we can book seats in advance to avoid the problem?

We will have one young child travelling with us so need to plan everything carefully.

Any help will be great! Thanks in advance.

The New Year travel rush does not start until the evening of December 28. Before that you should not encounter excessive travel activity.

Wow lucky us we have booked air ticket flying out on 29/12/12. The only trip we will be doing on 29/12/12 is from Namba to Osaka Aquarium in the morning and back then to Kansai Airport in the afternoon. Don�ft think the train from Namba to Kansai will be �epacked�f in the afternoon?