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Helpful Travel Tips

Indications of Station Names

All JR stations display station names in both Japanese and romanized English on their platforms. A given station’s name is in the top center of the signboard, in large letters; the names of the previous station and the next station are at the bottom of the signboard, in smaller letters.

Coin Lockers

Coin-operated lockers (called “Coin Lockers” in Japanese) are generally available. To travel light, prepare hundred-yen coins. These coin lockers are in different sizes. Most usual and common ones ideal for hand bag storage. There are bigger options with additional payment. Biggest coin lockers able to contain mid-size luggages. 

Public telephone inside trains

Shinkansen trains are equipped with public telephones that use prepaid telephone cards, which are available for purchase aboard trains and at station Kiosks.

Food and drink sales at stations and on trains

Mobile vendors on some Shinkansen, limited express, and other trains sell “Ekiben” boxed lunches (containing local specialty Japanese-style foods) as well as snacks and drinks. These items are also readily available at Kiosks and other stores at stations, many of which also have a variety of restaurants and vending machines.

Avoid rush hours in the morning and evening

In major cities, for your own convenience avoid traveling during the morning and evening rush hours (approx. 7:50-9:00 and 17:00-20:00).

Customers using wheelchairs

  • => Wheelchair-accessible seats are available on most of the Shinkansen and limited express trains. If you wish to make use of one of these seats, please contact the station where you plan to board at least two days in advance(but no earlier than 10:00 am on the day falling one month before travel). 
  • => Wheelchairs are required to meet certain conditions concerning size and other characteristics. Power wheelchairs equipped with steering wheels are not generally permitted, although they may be used when certain conditions are satisfied. 
  • => For more information, please contact station staff.

Useful words

Reservation = Yoyaku

Travel Service Center = Ryoko Center

Ticket office = Midori-no-madoguchi, Kippu-uriba

Super express =Shinkansen

Limited express = Tokkyu

Express = Kyuko

Rapid train = Kaisoku

Local train = Kakuekiteisha

Ordinary car = Futsusha

Green car (superior accommodations) = Green-sha

Reserved seat = Shiteiseki

Non-reserved seat = Jiyuseki