Welcome to
FlyerTalk, taijiboy!
Originally Posted by
taijiboy
I plan on buying a JR pass, but unfortunately I don't think I can reserve any seats on the trains until I get to Japan, right?
Correct. You need to go to the "Green Window" (Midori-no-madoguchi) reservation office once in Japan. The first one you will encounter is across from the ticket gates at JR's KIX station. It's kinda hard to miss.
Originally Posted by
taijiboy
Dec 28th - I arrive at KIX, plan to take train to Kyoto (I can get exchange for the JR Pass at the airport, correct?
Yes. There is a JR information desk opposite of the tourist information center and a little to the right when you face the exits out (It's to the left of the Softbank Mobile rental counter). You can also exchange at the midori-no-madoguchi mentioned above.
Originally Posted by
taijiboy
Dec 31st - I plan to take a shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo via JR pass (hopefully I can reserve a seat when I arrive on the 28th)
You can try, but I doubt you will be able to. December 31st is the Friday before the start of the official holiday, so it is prime traveling day for those who need to at least work that day, then rush to where they're going for the holidays. You may get lucky if it's just you traveling and you go on the early morning trains. Otherwise, you're probably going to stand the entire way, and might not even get on some of the evening trains because they're packed.
Originally Posted by
taijiboy
Jan 1st - travel from Tokyo to Tazawako (near Akita) via shinkansen
Same as December 31st, prime traveling day. Basically everyone is fleeing Tokyo for their hometowns in all directions. Plan on standing the entire way, if you manage to find space on a train.
Originally Posted by
taijiboy
Jan 7th - Travel from Tazawako to NRT for the trip home.
This shouldn't be a problem. The holidays are already over and most people have already traveled back home and to work. Even if all the reserved spots are taken, there should be plenty of room in the non-reserved cars.