Silver Week starts today: Nozomi 100% reserved seating 18–23 Sept, Kyushu Shinkansen fully restored

This week's news · Checked 2026-09-19

What happened. Two train items this week. First, from 18 to 23 September 2026 (Silver Week: Saturday 19 to Wednesday 23 are consecutive holidays), the Nozomi on the Tokaido/Sanyo line (Tokyo–Nagoya–Kyoto–Osaka–Hiroshima) runs with 100% reserved seating, no non-reserved cars (JR Central/JR West, reported by BluePlanet 16 September). Hikari and Kodama keep their non-reserved cars. Second, the Kyushu Shinkansen (Hakata–Kumamoto–Kagoshima) was fully restored on 18 September after the July 2026 Kumamoto earthquake; local trains between Uki and Higo Tanoura are expected back in mid-October (Japan Guide, 18 September).

What it means for you.

• If you're in Japan this week without a Nozomi reservation: don't queue for the non-reserved cars, there aren't any. Book at a station ticket machine or in the SmartEX app; if it's full, take the Hikari (Tokyo–Osaka ≈ 3 hours, 30 minutes longer) or Kodama. Busiest times: Saturday 19 morning (leaving Tokyo) and Wednesday 23 afternoon (returning).
• JR Pass holders: the Nozomi still needs a supplement (¥4,960 Tokyo–Kyoto/Osaka); with a JR Pass the Hikari is the usual choice and its non-reserved cars remain. Check the [JR Pass math before 1 October](/jr-pass-price-increase-october-2026/).
• Kyushu trips: Fukuoka → Kumamoto by Shinkansen is 33 minutes again; the [Fukuoka → Kumamoto → Aso self-drive plan](/kyushu-car-rental-kumamoto-aso-real-costs/) and the train both work now. The Aso crater remains closed ([status](/news-aso-crater-closed-2026/)).
• After 24 September things return to normal. Reserved Tokyo–Osaka seats can be bought online from Malaysia via Klook (Tokaido Shinkansen).

Affiliate links may be used; your price does not change. Sources: BluePlanet "Silver Week Japan 2026" (updated 16 September 2026, English, citing JR Central/JR West); Japan Guide, Travel Alerts (18 September 2026, English). Checked 19 September 2026.