Tips & Advice

JR Station Names:

Every Japan Rail, or JR, station name is displayed in both Romanized English and Japanese on the platform. So, when you look at a station sign – you will see the current station’s name at the top and middle of the sign in big letters. On the other hand, the preceding station and the future station are listed in smaller letters near the lower portion of the sign.

Power and Connectivity:

Most Shinkansen and many limited express trains now have power sockets at every seat, and free onboard wifi is standard on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu lines. Public telephones were removed from Shinkansen services in June 2021, so a charged phone and a travel eSIM or pocket wifi are the practical essentials.

Words you should know:

Coin Lockers:

Throughout the country of Japan you’ll notice that traditional checkrooms are a thing of the past; replacing them are coin-operated lockers or “coin-lockers” as they are known in Japan. Coin lockers at most stations run from around ¥300 for a small locker up to ¥800 or more for a large one, and the majority now accept IC cards as well as coins.

Infoline for JR East:

Japan Rail offers a telephone information system that informs customers of vital information. Such telephone services are offered in languages like Chinese, English, and Korean. You will learn information such as train schedules, reservation office locations, the fastest routes from JR locale to locale, and much more. If you would like to use this service, simply phone 050-2016-1603 during the hours of 10AM and 6PM; with the exception of new year/year-end holidays. Just keep in mind that this service is not intended for those looking to reserve seats.

Drink and Food Sales on Trains and at Stations:

On certain trains such as the limited express, Shinkansen, and select others you’ll find mobile vendors who sell what are called “Ekiben”. An Ekiben is a boxed lunch that contains snacks, drinks, and other Japanese-style specialty foods. The most common places to find these are at kiosks located in stations, where you will also find a wide array of vending machines and other restaurants.

Avoid Evening and Morning Rush-Hour Times:

When dealing with major cities, make sure to avoid travel times in the morning such as 7:30 to 9:30, and other evening hours such as 17:00 until 20:00.

Riders with Wheelchairs:

If you are travelling in a wheelchair, keep these things in mind:

Seats that are wheelchair-accessible can be obtained on the majority of the limited express trains and Shinkansen. If you require a seat like this to travel, it’s a good idea to contact your local station no later two days before you plan to board; if you know you’ll be travelling in advance make sure you don’t contact them sooner than 10:00 am exactly one month to your travel date.
All wheelchairs must meet size and other conditions specified by the train carrier. Generally, they do not permit wheelchairs that are power and feature a steering wheel. Yet on the other hand, if this kind of chair meets the guidelines, then it may be permitted.
If you are unsure or to obtain more information about this, simply contact the station staff with questions.