Originally Posted by
RichardInSF
This reservation system has been available for quite some time. But it's not usable by the OP because it only covers shinkansen operated by JR East -- the shinkansen line south from Tokyo is run by JR Central and is not covered by this scheme, yet that's the one most folks want to reserve on.
Also, you are required to pick up reserved tickets no later than 9pm on the day BEFORE travel so it can't be used for your arrival day and (depending on your arrival time) maybe even the next day.
So the main reason it's been under the radar is that it isn't too useful.
Hmmm - Somehow it escaped my attention. Perhaps because I wasn't eligible to use a JR Pass until recently.
With regard to the usefulness of the system - OP stated that "My main concern was getting back to NRT from Tazawako" - and this system perfectly answers that concern. So I'd say it's pretty gosh darn useful.