How to take a train
！Prerequisites
JR : Former Japanese National Railways. It is divided into seven companies.
Sitetsu(shi-te-tsu) : about fifty private rail road companies except JR.
(January 2026)
1. SUICA CARD
It’s a good way to use Suica when you take a train.
It’s a Prepaid card that can be charged at ticket machine. Tap this card on the ticket gate when you go through the gate to get on or get off a train.
Usually, you can only charge Suica with cash.
・Type of suica
card or on your smart phone.
When you buy card Suica, you can bring it back as a souvenir. Issue or charge the card at ticket machine.
You will need to pay a 500 yen deposit.
If you want to use your smart phone as Suica, install Suica app. However, your smart phone needs to be an iPhone or Android with osaifu-keitai(Japanese top pay system. usually it is smartphone sold in Japan) because The gate requires a high-speed wireless communication system called FeliCa. iPhone 8 and later are equipped with FeliCa.
no deposit
Double-click the power button to activate Suica app
When you set the Suica app to Express Mode, you don’t have to activate it to pass through the gate. Do this on Wallet of iPhone or setting of iPhone
The iPhone’s communication chip is located at the top of the phone, so hold that area up to the scanner.
Named suica
There are My suica (named) and normal suica (non-named)
Normal one is easier to issue. Everyone can use.
My suica can be reissued. You have to enter your phone number and your name on ticket machine or your smartphone when you issue the card.
Welcome suica
It’s suica for visitor from other countries. The color is red.
No deposit.
Non named card only.
The validity period is 28 days.
You can buy it at Haneda and Narita Airport or Service Center in main large stations.
Also, you can install Welcome Suica Mobile app everywhere. The validity period is 180 days.
Caution
Suica can be used almost all over the Japan. However, some area cannot be crossed.
example)
A B C D
・——-・ーーー・————-・
Toica area no suica suica Metropolitan area
Travel within prefectures such as Tokyo or Osaka is generally not a problem.
Problem-free example
travel within Tokyo and metropolitan area.
Move to Kyoto from Osaka.
trip within Hokkaido.
2. Local line
JR and other companies run train services like local, express, limited express and rapid services on local train.
when you use Local line, you need passenger ticket. Buy the ticket at ticket machine or use Suica to pass through the ticket gate.
Each companies have each gates. So, when you use JR, go to JR gate. When you want to get on Subway, use Subway gate. If you want to use Metro, find Metro gate. Like this.
Also, there are transfer gate. This is for transfer to other companies’ line.
This means that even if you find a ticket gate when you get off the train, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the exit.
This is not EXIT！
“出口ではありません” means Not exit.（deguchi de wa arima sen）
“乗り換え/のりかえ” is transfer. (no ri kae)
Yes, this is normal gate,exit.
Column
Passengers who get off are first. Then get on the train.
Do not stand in front of the door.
The colors on floor may represent the service like “express”, or the order like “This train”, “Next train” “The next”…
If yellow represents “Rapid” and when you want to take it, stand on yellow floor.
The fee is determined by distance. For example, Tokyo to Yokohama (about 30km 20min) is ￥490
The fee is on the map above ticket machines.
3. Express except Shinkansen
First, there are two kinds of “Express”
One is express service which you can ride just like local trains and limited express trains.
The other is Express train which you need express ticket.
Buy passenger ticket, and express ticket at Express ticket machine or on online reservation.
This is a express train which goes to Narita Airport. So, it’s called “NE’X” named after from “”Narita EXpress”
You need Passenger ticket and Express ticket.
This is a Ticket machine for Shinkansen and Express ticket.
You can usually choose to buy either just the express ticket or a set including the passenger ticket.
And this is for Passenger ticket and card charge.
Words on ticket machine
-新幹線 Shinkansen
-特急 Tokkyuu ‘Express’
-きっぷ Kippu ‘Ticket’
-指定席 Shiteiseki ‘Rerseved seat’
-…券 …Ken ‘… ticket’
-…乗車券 Jousha ken ‘Passenger ticket’
-チャージ Chaaji ‘Charge’
-クレジットカード専用 ku re zitto kaado sen you ‘Credit card only’
Be carefull
Express train which requires you Express ticket runs on the same line as local line.
Please do not mistakenly board them without an express ticket.
This is a normal train. You need only Passenger ticket.
In urban areas, It’s usually simple in appearance.
The way to take Express train except Shinkansen
If you get on a reserved seat car, you would select the seat when you buy Express ticket.
When you buy on online, the ticket maybe QR ticket or issue the ticket at the ticket machine with Purchase numbers or issuance QR code
Insert Express ticket and Passenger ticket into the ticket gate at the same time.
If you want to use Suica as Passenger ticket, tap suica on a scanner on the ticket gate first. then, insert Express ticket.
Show your ticket when asked by the conductor.
Words about train
-指定席車 Shi tei seki sha ‘reserved seat car’
-自由席車 Jiyuu seki sha ‘non reserved car’
-上り/のぼり Nobo ri ‘To Tokyo’
-下り/くだり Kuda ri ‘Opposite of Tokyo’
-ホーム foh-mu ‘Platform’
-線 sen ‘Line’
-…番線 …ban sen ‘Platform number…’
4. Green sha(Car)/Business class
Green sha is business class car run by JR. You need additional fee to get on this car.
This is Green sha sign. Don’t get on the car with this sign without Green ticket
Green sha of local line
It’s non-reservation car.
There’re three ways
1.Paper Green ticket
Buy it at the ticket machine.
Get on Green car.
Show the ticket when you are asked by the conductor.
2.Suica card
Go to a JR Platform.
There is a Green Suica Charge machine.
Set suica on the machine and select the section.
Get on Green car and tap Suica on a scanner on roof of the car.
-Look at a picture above. In the car, a scanner with red light sign on the roof.
It turns green when you tap Suica there.
3.Mobile Suica
Buy Green ticket on Suica app.
Get on Green car and tap Suica on a scanner on roof of the car.
Green sha of Express
You can select Express ticket with Green ticket or not when you buy Express ticket.
It is often a reserved seat.