One of the trickiest parts about train travel in Japan is the fact that nothing is clearly labeled in a language you understand. On top of that, add the fact that the system itself isn’t straightforward, and you are bound to either make mistakes or miss your train. I tried to Google articles that would clearly explain how trains work in Japan, but none unraveled the complexities of Japan train travel. The articles were either lengthy and complicated, and therefore didn’t make sense to me…or too broad for me to understand. After spending 2 weeks hopping around Japan, I am pleased to say I can report back with clear instructions to help guide you on how to use trains in Japan.
The Difference Between Train Tickets and Subway Tickets in Japan
The key to understanding the difference between using train and subways in Japan are the tickets required for each. Upon arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport, the first thing we did was buy a PASMO card. This is a rechargeable card that can be used for anything including subways, trains, buses, taxis, and even vending machines! It is accepted throughout most of Japan. Patrick and I primarily used it for subways.
The trains, on the other hand require, physical train tickets. Images below of both for reference. This distinction is IMPORTANT because you need to utilize each ticket differently. Please read below.
How to Use a Subway Ticket
Tap the PASMO card when entering a subway station. Now, the most important thing is to always remember to TAP OUT when you arrive at another subway station. The fare will be deducted as you leave. The screen on the turn style will show you how much money you have left on your PASMO card. Now, the tapping out is extremely important. Why? Because if you don’t, you will not be able to use your PASMO card again.
Pat and I made this mistake when in Tokyo. We took the subway from Gotanda to Shibuya Station. When in Shibuya Station, instead of tapping out of the subway station, we stayed in and walked directly to the Shinkansen line. Feels quite natural right? Why would we leave when the Shinkansen is in the same train station. That was a MISTAKE. We should’ve tapped out with the PASMO card. Then punched our Shinkansen TRAIN tickets to get back into the station. By not tapping out, next time we tried to use the PASMO cards in Osaka, we were told “our card is still in Gotanda, Tokyo.” Well it wasn’t…we were physically holding it in Osaka haha. The only way to unblock the card was to visit a JR Train point of sale…Mamma mia…
Keep In Mind When Booking Train Tickets
After doing some math, the JR Rail Pass was not the most cost efficient option for Pat and I. What the website doesn’t clearly disclose is that some times the Shinkansen trains are not covered in the JR Rail Pass (such as the Nizomo), so your cost ends up being astronomical. Therefore, I booked the trains individually. Some things to keep in mind when booking the trains:
How to Use a Train Ticket
Once you purchase your tickets online (more on that below) you pick up your train tickets from a JR point of sale once in Japan, remember to pick them up from the correct location. Do not pick up JR West tickets from a JR East location and vice versa. Read your confirmation email for more directions on where to pick them up. Once you pick them up, you will be given 2 tickets for each ride. See below. Now what’s the difference between the two and how do you use them?
One is a fare ticket and the other is a seat ticket. In order to get in and out of the train station you need to have both. You will need to insert the tickets into the turn style when you enter and leave the train station. When inserting the tickets you need to insert them together, one on top of the other. The fare ticket should always be on top otherwise the machine will yell at you and you’ll have to go to a ticket officer next to the gate.
How to Book Train on Japan Railway Website
Go the appropriate JR website, depending if you’re heading East, West, North or South. In my case, I was heading West. Once on the website, find the section that says Regular Tickets. You have two options, select the “Reserve Ticket by Selecting Stations.”
You may not find your final destination on the website. Like I said, not all trains can be purchased in advance. If you don’t see your final destination on the site, look at a website like Rome2Rio or Google Maps to understand where you need to layover and what station you should be plugging into the JR website. In my case, the layover was in Otsuki. I then looked up the timetable from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko online.
Once you click continue, you will now have the chance to book your car. I always opt for the Green Car. More on why in the next section below. Additionally, this is where if you have oversized luggage, I recommend you select the option. When you select it you will have 3 options – to place it behind your seat, place it in a carrier/holder, or be seated next to a smoking room. We liked the option of placing it directly behind the seat. That means your seat selection will only be available at the back of every car, but it’s super comfortable, trust me!
After selecting your seat, you will be asked what tickets you want to buy. Remember, this is the point where you want to buy BOTH tickets – limited express and basic fare. You will not be able to enter the train stations without both.
After plugging in some details and information, you can now select the number of passengers and the seats you want. Choose “Select on Seating Table” to pick your own seat. The other two options will choose for you. Remember to also select either one way or roundtrip basic fare ticket (depending on which you’re doing). Remember, do not select no basic fare ticket, it’s required always.
Lastly, select your seats. As you can see, oversized baggage is always at the back on the car, but there is so much room, it may be even better than the other seats in the car.
Lastly, confirm everything and pay by credit card.
Green Car or Ordinary Car on Train?
For those still not certain about whether to spend a little extra on the green car vs the regular car. Here are some videos and photos from my travels of each for reference. The following is the green car. Extra legroom, reclining seats, if you book the seats with “oversized baggage” you get a whole reserved compartment for your luggage…etc.
And here is the regular car. Sometimes seats get booked so quickly, you have to stand because there are no seats available. Just like Pat and I had to do when going from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko.
