How to take trains

Reading the Electronic Display

After checking your ➊Train Number, ➋Departure Time, ➌Destination, and ➍Platform, pass through the ➎Ticket Gate.

【Rail Pass】

Please insert only your rail pass into the automatic ticket gate. Please make sure to pick up your rail pass after passing through the gate. The rail pass cannot be reissued or repurchased even if it is lost (or stolen).
*Reserved seat tickets cannot be used to go through the gate.

【Tickets other than rail passes】

Please insert all tickets together into the automatic ticket gate and don’t forget to pick them up. If you lose your ticket, you need to pay the basic fare and charge again for the section you took a train.

There is a magnet on the back of the ticket. Please be careful not to put your ticket and items using magnets (smartphone etc.) close to each other. Also, please do not bend your ticket.

Wait for Your Train on the Platform

Boarding door plates hang over the platforms at major stations indicating boarding locations for Local and Rapid trains.
For Limited Express trains, the name and car number are displayed. Please confirm your train and line up double file in front of the plate to wait.

Information Monitor for Boarding Positions

There is an “information monitor for boarding positions” at some stations. Please wait near the guide plate after checking the car number mentioned on the ticket and the boarding position (alphabets) on the monitor.

Board Your Train

• When using a reserved seat, please use a seat mentioned on the ticket.
• ★All seats are reserved on all JR Hokkaido’s limited express trains. There are no non-reserved seats.

If You Miss the Train You Reserved

Reserved seat limited express tickets and the first-class car (green car) tickets will be invalid once the train you reserved has departed, and refunds cannot be made. If you miss your train, you will be required to stand in the ordinary car of a later limited express train on the same day. If there are vacant seats, you may use them temporarily. However, if a passenger with a reserved seat ticket comes, you will need to move to another seat. If you wish to use a reserved seat, you need to pay the reserved seat limited express charge again.

How to open and close the train doors of the Series 737 and H100 series car

The train doors of the Series 737 and H100 series car don't open automatically.
Please push the button next to the very front door by yourself to open the door when you get on or off the train. (All door buttons can be available for use at some stations and on some trains.)

When you get on

Push the button when you get on the train.

When you get off

Push the button when you get off the train.

Available when lights are on. Please be aware of other passengers when you open or close the doors.

*Different cars may have different shaped buttons.

*The light turns off when the train is about to move. Do not touch the button when lights are off.

How to Ride a One-man-operated Train (Train without a conductor)

Please purchase your ticket
before boarding.

①Boarding
Please board the train through the front door.

【Passengers without a ticket】
Please take a numbered ticket.

②Getting off

You can get off the train only through the door at the very front, located behind the driver. Please move to the front car as early as possible. (Except for some stations)

【Passengers without a ticket】

• Check the fare by matching your ticket number with the fare chart, and prepare the exact amount in cash.
  *No change is given. IC cards and credit cards cannot be used. Money exchange is available for 1,000 yen bills and coins only.
• Put your numbered ticket and cash into the fare box.

Luggage Allowed on Board

You may bring up to two pieces of carry-on baggage, provided that each item meets the following conditions: the total of length, width, and height does not exceed 250 cm, the length does not exceed 2 meters, the weight does not exceed 30 kg (Some items are not permitted.)

For a more comfortable journey, consider using a luggage delivery service and travel light by train!

When bringing bicycles, skis, or similar items into stations or trains

To prevent unexpected injuries to yourself or other passengers, please follow the rules below.

Bicycles used for cycling or sports events must be disassembled and stored in your own bag.
Folding bicycles must be folded and stored in your own bag.

Bicycles that are not stored in your own bag may not be brought on board.

Bicycles with exposed parts such as the saddle or handlebars may not be brought on board.

Bicycles with exposed wheels may not be brought on board by pushing them.

Bringing skis or snowboards on board without proper covering may cause unexpected injuries due to sharp parts. They may not be brought on board unless they are stored in your own bag.