As a 4-time traveller in Japan, I have come to appreciate the efficiency and reliability of the railway system. However, navigating the Japan Railways (JR) ticketing system and station layouts can be challenging for foreign travellers like me.
Recalling the first time I travelled to Japan. We got overwhelmed in Shinjuku Station, the busiest railway station in the world. Its complex floor plan, multiple levels, and numerous lines and companies operating on each level can feel like navigating a maze. Finding the right exit can be challenging, with over 200 exits leading to different parts of the surrounding area. We stood in the indoor space. The GPS systems of our mobile phones weren’t available. After a few minutes, we realised that the JR system works differently from the Hong Kong railway system – passengers are not charged for exiting at the same station they entered. Approaching a particular location can be as simple as passing the paid area.
Shin Osaka Station is one of the stations that I find particularly complex, serving the JR West network, the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Osaka Metro. The paid area is large and built with lots of restaurants and bookstores. Such complexity makes us feel difficult to identify whether we are inside or outside the paid area when transferring between different lines. Last week we discussed whether we should pass the gate to change from JR HARUKA to Osaka Metro.
Foreign travellers may also face language barriers as not all station staff speak English. Some ticketing machines and counters have menus and instructions in English and Chinese. But often times poor translation could cause much more misunderstanding.
Moreover, specific restrictions and limitations within the JR ticketing system can further complicate the process for travellers. For example, travellers who purchase a JR HARUKA ticket to travel from Kansai International Airport can only exchange the return ticket at a JR ticketing centre. Furthermore, the queues at the centre can be long and slow-moving. Last time, we spared 20 minutes exchanging the JR HARUKA tickets. But in reality, we wasted more than 40 minutes waiting in the queue. After we received the ticket, our original train had already departed.
JR Takayama Station – a JR station that doesn't support IC card payment
Being frustrated in navigating the JR system, I have found that planning ahead, allowing extra time, and studying the station map can be helpful. Ask station staff for help immediately when you feel you get lost. Don’t waste time hoping you can find the solution sole. Even with limited English, the station staff would try their best to offer help.
While navigating the Japan JR ticketing system and station layouts can be challenging for foreign travellers, with some preparation and patience, riding on Japan’s world-class railway network can still be fun.