Guide to riding trains in Japan: how to buy train ticket, train etiquette and common Japanese phrases

Trains are the main means of transportation for people living in Japan. However, for foreigners when they first arrive in Japan, it will be difficult for them to immediately get used to traveling by this means of transport because of the complicated way of buy train ticket, the underground rules when riding the subway or the language barriers make it difficult for them to handle the situation. In this article, we will guide you through all of the above problems so that you can confidently travel wherever you want by train in Japan.

How to buy train tickets

In Japan, there are two ways for you to take the train: one is to buy train ticket to your destination, the other is to use an IC card. First, let’s find out specifically how to buy train ticket.

1. Find the ticket vending machine near the ticket gate

You can buy tickets at ticket vending machines near the station’s ticket gates. Note: Buy tickets at the ticket vending machine (red frame) with the word 「きっぷ」 on the right side of the photo above. The machine on the left says「チャージ専用」means the IC card recharge machine.

2. Press the “Ticket” button (きっぷ)

On the touch panel of the ticket machine, first press the「きっぷ」(ticket) button. Some transportation companies have a language selector button like the one in the upper right in the image. If you are not confident in your Japanese ability, choose another language.

3. Select the fare

When you press the “ticket” button (きっぷ), there will be fare prices displayed as shown in the photo above. Check the fare on the route map above the ticket machine and choose the amount you want to buy.

4. Pay

After choosing a fare, insert money into the slot and the machine will pay the ticket to the slot to receive the ticket. If you have change, remember to wait for the machine to return! Depending on the transport company, you may or may not transact by credit card. In addition, in the event that you cannot pay with a credit card at the ticket machine, you can still buy a ticket with a credit card at the counter. If you want to pay by credit card instead of cash, ask the station staff.

How to use traffic IC card

Traffic IC cards are widely used throughout Japan. In the Tokyo area the cards commonly used are “PASMO” and “Suica”, while in Kansai people usually use the “ICOCA” card. When you recharge your card, you can save time each time you buy a ticket, as well as save a small amount of money compared to buying separate tickets. In addition, these traffic IC cards also have an electronic payment function, used to pay at convenience stores, supermarkets and vending machines. Traffic IC cards can be purchased at kiosks and vending machines. A deposit of 500 yen will be required at the time of card purchase.

1. Charging at the ticket vending machine

You can top up the traffic IC card at the ticket machine, just like when buying a ticket. You can top up at one of the two ticket machines pictured above.

2. Place or insert the card in the specified position

Depending on the type of ticket vending machine, there are those that put the card in the specified place as shown in the picture above and the type that insert the card. You pay attention not to move the card placed in the specified place until the top-up process is completed.

3. Select the amount to deposit

When inserting the card into the machine, the screen will display the options for the amount to be loaded. You can also check your balance in advance to calculate the amount to deposit. There are vending machines that charge in units of 10 yen. After selecting the amount, you put the money into the machine to complete the top up.

How to get through the ticket gate?

After you have purchased your ticket or have prepared your IC card, go to the ticket gate leading to the platform of the train you need to board.
As shown in the image above, there are two types of ticket gates in Japan: those that accept both tickets and traffic IC cards, and those that only accept IC cards.
At the ticket gates that accept both tickets and IC cards, you touch the card on the red circled position or insert the ticket into the blue circled slot in the photo above. (*We will describe it in detail in the following section).

How to pass through the ticket gate with train tickets

When you put the ticket near the ticket gate, the ticket will automatically be sucked in and the ticket gate will open. At this time, if the ticket is bent or scratched, it may be returned. If this is the case, go to the station staff at the counter. If not, use a nearby intercom and call the station staff for assistance.

When you insert your ticket into the slot, the ticket will be returned at the other end of the ticket gate. Don’t forget to get your ticket back after going through the door. At the destination station, you will have to reuse that ticket to get through the ticket gate, so you must keep the ticket very carefully. At this time, because it is the last station, the ticket will be sucked in and not released anymore.

How to pass through the ticket gate with an IC card

When using an IC card, touch the card to the sensor until you hear a “beep” sound and the ticket gate will open for you to pass. When you reach the destination station, you just need to do the same to get out. If the balance on the card is not enough to cover the journey you just traveled or the contact is poor, an error sound will sound and the ticket gate will not open.

If there is not enough balance in your IC card or the value of the ticket you bought is not enough to pay for due to your sudden change of destination, you can top up more money at the payment/recharge machine near the ticket gate. Once done, you can go through the ticket gates as usual.

Some Japanese phrases often used at the station and on the train

• Where can I buy a ticket? (Kippu wa dokode kaemasuka?)
• Please show me how to buy tickets. (Kippu no kaikata wo oshiete kudasai)
• How should I go to X station? (〇〇eki ni ikitainodesuga douyatte ikeba iidesuka?)
• What platform number is the train arriving at X? (〇〇iki no densha wa nanban ho-mu desuka?)
• Does this train go to X station? (kono densha wa 〇〇eki e ikimasuka?)
• How many more stations to X station? (〇〇eki made wa ato nan eki desuka?)
• Where is Gate X located? (〇〇guchi wa doko desuka?)

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