Travel in Japan over New Year

Hi Shaun,

Here's some answers to your questions. I don't think there is a 100% correct answer to some of them, but i'll do my best!

What is the best thing to do with reserving seats over the new years? Because I am not to sure on the rail time tables, and I am wishing to travel back and in around Tokyo for new years eve, would it be best to travel to Tokyo around the 30th (i.e. from sendai) and then stay the few days in and around Tokyo, and then travel out down the coast to Osaka around the 2nd or 3rd?

At this time of year it's best to reserve seats as soon as you know your travel days. You can always get a non-reserved seat if it turns out you miss your train.

I think the idea of travelling on the 30th and then on again on the 2nd or 3rd is the best plan. That said, as long as you don't mind standing for parts of your journey, you should be able to travel.

Can I also book my travel times at an office in Sendai? And can I also book for a couple of friends with me on the trip who will be coming into Japan a few days later? Or do they need to book themselves!

You can book your travel at any JR office as long as you show your JR Pass. You normally wouldn't be able to book for your friends unless you can present their JR passes. That said, you may be able to ask the ticket office to book multiple seats when you are there - you may be lucky!

Wanting to know the cost of an adult trip from sendai to Tokyo >(narita) airport. I am going for four weeks so the 21 day pass just misses out my return date (if I use it from the 30th Dec), so I was thinking should I spend the $720 on a 21 day pass or spend $900 on two shorter passes (a 7 day and a 14 day pass).

The price of a single trip from Sendai to Tokyo is ¥13,300 (approx. $170 USD). There's only around $10 USD to be saved from buying 2 shorter passes and this single trip compared to a full 21 day JR Pass. Given the length of your stay, you may be better to just pay the extra $10 and retain the flexibility to change train, and move around during your extra week.

Hope this helps!

Thankyou very much for your advice. Mostly appreciated! :)