Hi all. I know Japan-Guide is good about posting things like this,
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2276.html, but my question relates to 2019/20 holiday period, which is not posted yet.
I know that the shinkansen can get very busy over the year end holidays, and there is usually a particular weekend or weekends, that get very busy. I have had to stand at the end of a car for 3 hours Tokyo to Osaka before, for making this mistake!
We will be in Japan from 29-Dec-2019 to 13-Jan-2020 this year, and are planning to travel from Tokyo to Nikko on 1/3, Nikko to Karuizawa on 1/5, and back from Karuizawa to Tokyo on 1/7.
I am planning to pre-reserve seats the morning after we get into town on 30-Dec, but wanted to check here to see if anyone has any further insight on the busy times this year, and how busy those particular routes are.
I'm thinking that, being the weekend after a big holiday, Nikko is likely to be very crowded with local tourists at that time, but I've already got our whole itinerary planned, so am not planning to change it. Just need to know how diligent I need to be about pre-reserving.
FYI, we are not getting a JR pass because it doesn't seem to be good value for the little we are doing.
We will take Tobu from Tokyo up to Kinugawa Onsen Station, and will probably book Green Class on the part of the journey that is JR, going Nikko to Karuizawa, and Gran Class on the way back from Karuizawa back to Tokyo.
Look forward to your thoughts and experiences.