[Bullet Train Pointers]
1) The Bullet Train leaves on the Dot, so do arrive at the platform about 15 mins before departure!
2) Seat Reservations can be made for the Shinkansen (non-smoking/smoking cabins) at the JR counter at the various stations. If you happen to miss your train or you want to board an earlier train, but have no time to reserve seats. You can hop onto an earlier/later train, but you are only allowed to seat in the un-reserved carriages. If the train is too packed(which is often during rush hour), getting a seat maybe difficult and you have to stand all the way. So do try and reserve your train seats in advance.
3) Do not ever lose your JR Pass!
4) Food & Drinks can be consume on board. Similar to a flight, the train stewardess will come round with her push cart filled with light snacks and drinks for sale! Bento Boxes and Drinks can be purchase from the station itself.
5) Maximising your JR Pass: 1) use it for the stretch between the Airport to the city (Eg: Narita to Tokyo station and if possible from Tokyo Station to Narita) 2) It can be used for the Loop Line in Osaka and Tokyo, however it is only limited to JR trains and JR stops. I feel that the JR Pass is more useful for the loop line in Tokyo than in Osaka. However if given an option I would rather buy a one/two day pass to use on the subway and to use the JR Pass for travelling 3) Long Distances - especially on the Shinkansen!
