Basically the current JR train timetable won't change until next March. Therefore in case hyperdia doesn't show future schedules, just check the current ones.

You can make an advance seat reservation online as long as you travel in the JR East service area, e.g. Shinkansen to Nagano from Tokyo.

…eki-net.com/pc/english/common/menu/menu.aspx

Reservation tickets go on sale from one month in advance. So you can make a seat booking for New Year's Day from 1st December.

Thanks folks! I wanted to go to Yudanaka for 2 nights and on 3rd Jan go from there to Kyoto. Guess that part I should book as early as possible? Or is Kyoto less busy route. Thanks!

Yes, book it when you activate your pass. Nagano to Tokyo on the 3rd will be very crowded with skiers who are going back to Tokyo.

As I stated on my last reply, you can book the Tokyo-Nagano leg online based on the JR Pass from one month in advance. However the Nagano-Nagoya-Kyoto leg is operated by JR Central, another company, so you can't avail of the online reservation service provided by JR East. You need to book seats for the latter leg once you arrive in Japan.

You can postdate the starting date of the JR Pass up to one month ahead and make seat reservations on the pass at that time. Do that as soon as you arrive in Japan, as your itinerary seems to have already been fixed. I think you can secure seats for the Nagano-Kyoto at that time.

Thx optimistk! Really appreciate it. Well, I just booked at Yudanaka for 1st and 2nd and awaiting their response, keeping my fingers crossed as it is the Japanese New Year and ski around there for 2 days and then off to Kyoto for a relaxing holiday.I can stop somewhere for a night like Nagano I guess, but it's packing and unpacking. I was assuming I can use the JR pass for all these routes.

We are travelling from o/s and I was wondering if the trains would have luggage space for 2 big bags?? Or one and we could send the other through ki? luggage service. Does 8 tatami mats fit 3 persons and 2 +1 luggage bags?

Correction to my previous post (second paragraph):

=> You can postdate the starting date of the JR Pass up to one month ahead when you activate it, and...

>>I was assuming I can use the JR pass for all these routes.<<

The Nagano-Yudanaka segment is run by a private railway company, so the JR Pass is inapplicable to it.

>>I was wondering if the trains would have luggage space for 2 big bags??<<

There is space to put your luggage between the last row seats and the bulkhead in a Shinkansen and limited express train carriage.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2274.html

Yet because you're travelling in one of the busiest periods in a year, you may find it difficult to secure that space on the train, so it might be a good idea to use a luggage forwarding service (Takuhaibin) to treat yourselves.

kuronekoyamato.co.jp/english/…takkyu.html

I suppose an eight-tatami-mat room can accommodate three people with three pieces of luggage.

Happy travels :-)

Thanks again.