Photo/Illutration The Tokaido Shinkansen N700S (Provided by JR Tokai)

To meet growing demand for reserved seats, the Nozomi Shinkansen’s operators have decided to reduce the number of free-seating train cars from three to two next spring.

Beginning in March, 85 seats in the third car will be converted from free seating to reserved seating, according to Central Japan Railway Co. and West Japan Railway Co.

This change means that nearly 90 percent of all seats, including those in the first-class Green Cars, will require reservations.

The Nozomi connects Tokyo and Hakata in Fukuoka while stopping at fewer stations in between than other Shinkansen services.

Currently, the Nozomi operates with a total of 1,320 seats across 16 cars, with 250 seats in the first three cars being non-reserved.

A one-way ticket from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka in a free-seating car costs 13,870 yen ($91), which is 850 yen cheaper than a reserved seat.

According to the operators, the increasing popularity of online reservations, which allow greater flexibility for customers, has heightened demand for reserved seats.

“There is a growing demand for seated travel, especially on long-distance journeys,” said a JR official.

The Hayabusa bullet train in the Tohoku region and the Kagayaki Shinkansen in the Hokuriku region are already operating with all-reserved seats.

Starting last December, the Nozomi has also been operating with all-reserved seats during peak periods, such as the year-end and New Year holiday season, the Golden Week holidays from late April to early May, and the Bon holidays in August. 

The upcoming change will be the first permanent adjustment to the number of free-seating cars on the Nozomi since 2003.

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