If you are looking for purchasing train tickets in Japan for short distance trip,
then vending machines are best options for you. You can buy your
train tickets in Japan at self service vending machines, but for a
long distance trip ticket and seat reservations you should go to the
ticket counters in Japanese train stations . Purchasing
train tickets at a vending machine
in Japan is very simple. You can search for your destination and the matching fare on the map which is placed for your convenience above the vending machine. The map follows the train network and stations of the region as well as the ticket prices of trains on these routes.
The different train ticket prices are mentioned beside each station name,on the map above the vending machine. After selecting your destination you can insert the requisite fare into the vending machine. Most vending machines in Japan accept coins of 10, 50, 100 and 500 Yen and bills of 1000 Yen for train tickets . Some special vending machines also accept larger currency bills for purchasing train tickets .
Now, if you are traveling in a large group, you have to select the number of passengers for whom you need to buy tickets. After choosing the numbers, press the button that displays the amount payable for your train tickets in Japan. After suitable payment, collect the train tickets and have a great journey.
In order to purchase a ticket from the ticket counters located in train stations, you need to equip yourself with some useful informations, such as, the number of travelers in your group, the specific date of journey, your nearest departure station and the selected destination station of your journey. If you want to reserve a seat, you need to provide the following additional information at the train ticket counters in the Japanese train stations , such as, the name, number and departure time of the train in which you want to travel, and your preference of smoking or non-smoking seats on the Japanese trains.
In case, you are inept or unfamiliar in speaking Japanese, then in order to make the train ticket purchasing process smoother, it is suggested that you write the data on a piece of paper and present it to the salesperson present in the train
ticket counter, Japan.
