How to use Trains in Japan

Japan is a beautiful country full of surprises for you. Discovering this 'land of the rising sun' will be a fascinating experience. And, what better means than trains to reach to its captivating corners! However, using trains in Japan will be a lot more convenient for you if you know the essentials of using the trains. So, here are a few tips which you might find useful while traveling.

To start with, Japanese trains can be classified into categories, like, Local, Rapid, Express, Limited Express and Super Express Trains.

Seat Categories
The Japan Railways offers the choice between two types of Seat Categories or Classes on shinkansen, limited express trains and a small number of slower trains # Ordinary and Green or first class. Most local trains feature only ordinary cars. The first class cars are more comfortable with fewer crowds and more spacious seats. Most shinkansen and limited express trains carry both non-reserved and reserved seats while a few carry reserved seats only. Seat reservations cost roughly 300 to 500 Yen, but if you are carrying the Japan Rail Pass, it's free for you. Smoking cars are provided on most shinkansen and limited express trains, while smoking is prohibited on local trains.

Buying Tickets
It's better to purchase tickets for short distance trips at the vending machines. Tickets and seat reservations for long distance trips can be purchased at ticket counters at train stations.

- Purchasing at Vending Machine
Find your destination and the fare on the map above the vending machine.
Enter the money into the vending machine.
Select the number of tickets that you wish to buy. If you are traveling alone, you can skip this step.
Press the button that shows the amount for your ticket.
Collect the tickets and the change.

If you find the station names on the maps written in Japanese and unable to locate, you can buy a ticket for the lowest possible price and pay the extra amount at the destination station.

- Purchasing at Ticket Counter
Provide the information regarding the Number of travelers, Date of travel, Departure station, Destination station, Ordinary or green car, Preference of reserved or non-reserved seat. The common problem faced by the travelers, is the language problem. You can write the data on paper and present it to the salesperson. Special forms for that purpose are actually available at some stations.

Entering the Paid Fare Zone
In order to pass through the ticket gates, enter the ticket into the slot, walk through the gate and collect the ticket at the other side. In case of invalid ticket, the gate will close with an alarm will sound. People, having Japan rail passes, must pass through a manned gate, showing the pass to the station staff. In order to access shinkansen platforms, you need to pass through a second or separate set of ticket gates.

Station Platforms
Most of the important signs locating platform, train line and direction, are written in Japanese and English. Signs in Chinese and Korean are also existing or coming up at other stations. On most of the platforms, marks on the floor indicate where the doors of the arriving train will be located. Waiting passengers should line up behind those marks. In case of long distance trains, additional marks will indicate car numbers and the nature of the car, i.e. ordinary or green car and whether it carries reserved or non-reserved and smoking or non-smoking seats. Some platforms are served by trains of different train categories. The next arriving train's category is indicated by the displays.

Riding the Train
Passengers should wait before entering the train for the exiting passengers to get down. Blocking the door at stations, should be avoided. The bags should be kept on the floor or onto the baggage shelves. Talking on mobile phones inside the trains is not allowed, except at the entrance sections of shinkansen and limited express trains. The announcements regarding the upcoming stations and connecting lines are done in Japanese. On shinkansen and some other lines, frequently used by foreign visitors, the announcements are also made in English. Shinkansen and other newer trains feature displays in each car showing the next station.

At the Destination Station
The station names on platforms are written in Kanji, Hiragana and Romaji (Roman letters). Also, station signs show the previous and next station. At your destination, leave the paid fare zone through the ticket gates in the same way as you entered. In case of single tickets, you won't get your ticket back. If the correct fare was not paid for the destination station, it must be paid at a 'Fare Adjustment' machine before leaving through the gates. In case of absence of such machines, the difference can be paid at the manned gate.

Accommodation in Japan
Accommodation in Hiroshima	Accommodation in Osaka
Accommodation in Nagasaki	Accommodation in Tokyo
Accommodation in Kochi	Accommodation in Mito