Originally Posted by
markle
Has anyone travelled on the Hokkaido shinkansen since it opened?
I am planning a journey up to Sapporo on it on a Friday in September. I was planning on booking seats when I arrived in Japan (~3 days before the journey), but a look on
Eki-Net suggests very poor availability on Friday mornings, even up to a month in advance.
Does availability free up at all, or is it really that tough to get a seat?
JR starts ticket sales one month prior of travel. On Eki Net seat availability will be visible form 5 week prior to travel. When is your travel date in September? It is possible that you are still too far in advance.
Shin Aomori – Shin Hakodate Hokuto portion (which is Hokkaido Shinkansen) should be no problem finding availability, it is averaging less than 30% occupancy. It is usually ride up to Shin Aomori (which is Tohoku Shinkansen) can be busy.
Even before Shinkansen, regular express train running between Hachinohe – Hakodate had decent occupancy till Aomori. At Aomori often more than half of passengers got off and Aomori – Hakodate portion was less busy.