Travel Information
Beginner's Guide
4. How to Use the Trains
Reading the Electronic Display
After checking your ➊Train Number, ➋Departure Time, ➌Destination, and ➍Platform, pass through the ➎Ticket Gate.
Using the Automatic Ticket Gate
When entering the ticket gate, please insert your ticket into the automatic ticket gate and take it from the other end. When exiting the ticket gate, your single ticket will be collected by the automatic ticket gate. Tickets that have a white or grey surface on the reverse side cannot be used for the automatic ticket gate. Please show them to the station staff at the ticket gate.
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.
- When using a non-reserved seat, you can use a seat only in non-reserved seating cars.
- All seats on the Ltd. Exp. Hokuto, Ltd. Exp. Suzuran, Ltd. Exp. Ozora, and Ltd. Exp. Tokachi are reserved. Passengers without a seat number may need to move to another seat.
| When taking Ltd. Exp. Hokuto, Ltd. Exp. Suzuran, Ltd. Exp. Ozora, Ltd. Exp. Tokachi | Ticket(s) Required | |
|---|---|---|
| With a seat number | A reserved seat as mentioned on the ticket can be used to your destination. |
・Rail pass + Reserved seat ticket ・Basic fare ticket + Reserved seat limited express ticket |
| Without a seat number | Any vacant seats in ordinary cars can be used. (Except the Green Car) However, if a passenger with a reserved seat ticket for that seat comes, please move to another seat. You need to stand if seats are full. |
・Rail pass only ・Basic fare ticket + Vacant seat only ticket |
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.