Lesson 13Asking How - Train Station -
Let's see
How to Take a Train
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Explanation through photos
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Tokyo Station
This is Tokyo Station. It has the highest number of train arrivals and departures in Japan. This red brick station building is designated as an important cultural property.
Trains
In Japan, trains are a very popular means of transportation. Let's see how to take the train.
Ticket gate
This is a ticket gate at Tokyo Station. Many people are passing through the gate.
Ticket sales area
This is a ticket sales area with vending machines. You will usually find one near the ticket gates.
Train fare table 1
This is the train fare table. You check this table to find how to get to your destination and the fare of the ticket.
Train fare table 2
The station where you are now is shown with a red arrow. Beside the names of other stations, the fare from your current station is displayed.
Train fare table 3
For example, the fare from Tokyo to Akihabara Station is 130 yen.
Ticket vending machines
These are ticket vending machines. You buy a ticket from these machines. You can also "charge" your IC card pass with money or buy a commuter pass at this machine. If a ticket machine says junbichu on its display it means out of service.
Inserting cash
First, put coins into the machine's coin slot. If you pay with bills, use the slot for bills. Many ticket machines accept all kinds of bills, including a 10,000-yen bill. If machines do not accept a 10,000-yen bill, change it at the change machine.
Press fare button for ticket
Buttons with the ticket fare are shown on the screen. Select and touch the fare for your ticket.
Take the ticket
Take the ticket dispensed from the machine. Don't forget to take the change if there is any.
Midori no Madoguchi 1
This is a ticket office called Midori no Madoguchi at JR stations.
Midori no Madoguchi 2
For a long-distance trip, you can buy the ticket at the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office. You can ask the office staff where to transfer, which train to take, and so on.
Midori no Madoguchi 3
Midori no Madoguchi is also convenient when you reserve seats for an express train in advance or if you'd like to reserve a particular seat location.
Ticket gate 1
Here, you pass through the ticket gate. Nowadays, automatic ticket gates have become common in most stations in Japan.
Ticket gate 2
Put the ticket into the ticket slot and pass through the gate. The sign 投入口 (tonyu-guchi) shows the slot where you insert the ticket.
Ticket gate 3
The machine examines the ticket and returns it from the 取出口 (toridashi-guchi) slot. Don't forget to pick up the ticket, as you need it when you pass through the gate at your destination station.
Suica 1
This is an IC card called Suica. You can use this card to board all trains in Tokyo. You charge this card with money before you use it. There are other IC card train passes in Japan. They have their own names, such as PASMO for Tokyo's private railways, ICOCA for Osaka's trains, and TOICA for Nagoya's trains.
Suica 2
When entering gate, touch the card to the scanning area with the Suica logo. You once again touch the card to the Suica logo on the machine as you leave the gate. At this time the ticket fare is automatically withdrawn from your card. You will also find ticket gates designed only for Suica cards.
Mobile Suica 1
A cell phone can also be used to pass through the gate. It is called Mobile Suica.
Mobile Suica 2
If the cell phone is designed for Mobile Suica, you can register for the service to use your cell phone as an electronic train pass. You touch your cell phone to the gate scanner and pass through. Even if you are talking on the phone, you can pass through the gate by touching it to the sensor.
Closed gate
If your ticket does not cover the fare or the balance on your IC card is insufficient, an electronic sound warns that you are not allowed to pass through, and the gate closes.
Exit fare machine 1
If your ticket does not cover the fare, you can pay the additional charge at the exit fare machine. It is usually placed beside the exit ticket gate.
Exit fare machine 2
First, insert the ticket you have into the ticket slot.
Exit fare machine 3
The additional charge will be displayed on the screen.
Exit fare machine 4
Put money into the slot.
Exit fare machine 5
Take the receipt ticket that comes out of the slot. Don't forget to take the change if there is any.
Ticket gate 4
Insert the receipt ticket into the ticket slot of the gate to pass through.
