Sunrise Izumo - nobinobi seat

Hello,
I plan to go from Tokyo to Okayama on the sunrise izumo night train. I will have the JRPass and plan to take the free nobinobi seat. As I understand, it is not possible to make a reservation until I exchange the voucher for the actual pass? If I reserve the seat only 3 days ahead (end of august), is it likely the train will be booked? How many people sleep together in such a compartement? Does it get cold/need something to cover?
Thanx, Ursa {can't wait:}

As I understand, it is not possible to make a reservation until I exchange the voucher for the actual pass?

A forum user, who resides in Japan, has reported that he was was able to make reservations for a Japan Rail Pass user in advance, and the pass user later picked up the tickets by showing the rail pass. So, if you have a friend in Japan yu could ask a favor, it could be possible.

Otherwise, I think it is not possible to make reservations until you arrive in Japan.

If I reserve the seat only 3 days ahead (end of august), is it likely the train will be booked?

It seems to be quite a popular train, especially the relatively cheap nobi nobi seats. End of August is end of the summer holidays, so I think there is a certain risk that the nobi nobi seats will be booked out three days before departure date.

How many people sleep together in such a compartement?

This is how it looks:
http://homepage1.nifty.com/hodo/burutore/s_izumo/seat/sisse_01.htm
http://homepage1.nifty.com/hodo/burutore/s_izumo/seat/sisse_02.htm
http://homepage1.nifty.com/hodo/burutore/s_izumo/seat/sisse_03.htm

There are 28 such nobi nobi "seats" per waggon.

Does it get cold/need something to cover?

Not sure. Blankets seem to be provided.

Uji,
Thankx a million for all the answers!

Hi,

We're going to Japan on Nov. 4 and there are 4 adults and 4 kids in our group. We plan to take the nobimobi train to Tokyo via the nobi nobi trains either on Nov 5 or 6 and from Tokyo to Kyoto on Nov. 9. We have already purchased our 7-day JR passes.
#1 What are our chances in getting seats on these dates?
We don't mind if we don't stay together.
#2 If not, can you suggest anything?

#3 Can I also confirm that JR West tickets can be purchased IN Japan? One travel agent here in Sydney advised that you can't purchase them while in Japan but I found so many topics in your forum suggesting otherwise.

Thanks!
-april

April,

#1 What are our chances in getting seats on these dates?

The Sunrise trains don't stop at Kyoto, so I'm afraid this is a non-starter.

#2 If not, can you suggest anything?

Take the shinkansen during the daytime. (About 2 hrs 40 mins by "Hikari" services)

#3 Can I also confirm that JR West tickets can be purchased IN Japan? One travel agent here in Sydney advised that you can't purchase them while in Japan but I found so many topics in your forum suggesting otherwise.

The JR West site says that it can be bought within Japan...
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/index.html

I was in Japan early oct and was able to book the nobinobi.
Since you are a group of 8, I suggest try Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto. 2 trains go to the same direct and split at Okayama. I also suggest when you book your tickets, try to book the whole trip from Tokyo to Isumo or from Toyko to Takayama. This make a difference. Regarding the train won't be stopping by Kyoto, you can get off at Hemiji and back track by hikari to osaka and kyoto. Very simple.