#jrtrain

If you're in Shinjyuku station where NEX train comes, you can buy NEX ticket from a vending machine outside of a gate easily .

This video below shows how to buy ticket

When the locker doesn’t accept your 1000-yen note in train station around Tokyo

Whether you’re paying in cash to use a locker for the first time or paying extra because you’re extending your stay, you’ll likely need a 1,000-yen note.

Then sometimes you’ll find that the locker rejects your note.

The main reason is that many machines haven’t been updated to accept the new Japanese banknotes, so they only accept the old ones.

Old notes

New notes

In that case, there are two ways to solve the problem:

1. Use a coin-exchange machine.

There is usually a machine nearby, especially in larger stations or facilities.

If you want to ask a shop to exchange money, unfortunately most shops no longer do that. However, you can buy something and get coins or change from your purchase.

2. Buy something at any shop and get coins or small notes as change.

As mentioned in point 1, this is because of the reason explained above.

If you want to change old notes, you need to ask the shop staff before you make your purchase.

How to avoid trouble when using lockers in train stations

My Spanish friend left his baggage in a locker and then asked me to help him open it at Tokyo Station. This is already the third time I’ve helped foreign friends with some problems about locker

Every time, I end up calling the locker company. Apparently, a lot of people make the same mistakes. It takes some time and a bit of hassle to get a locker opened, so here are some important tips to avoid trouble when using station lockers around Tokyo.

⸻

☆ If you pay in cash

My Spanish friend paid in cash but lost the receipt with the passcode needed to open the locker. He also didn’t remember the passcode that appears on the screen.

So:

DO NOT LOSE YOUR RECEIPT!

⸻

☆ If you pay by IC card (Suica, Pasmo, etc.)

A Thai girl also once asked me for help.

She paid with an IC card but didn’t realize that the same IC card is the “key” to open the locker (it’s actually written, but easy to miss).

She had given the IC card to her friend, who had already left and couldn’t come back to Tokyo Station soon. Luckily, she still had the receipt, so the locker company was able to open it.

So:

KEEP YOUR IC CARD — THIS IS YOUR KEY!

AND DON’T LOSE YOUR RECEIPT!

Many travelers who arrive at Tokyo Station from the countryside use Narita Express (NEX) to go to Narita Airport.

The Narita Express, operated by JR East, is one of the most popular ways to reach NRT because it is convenient, comfortable, and time-efficient (it takes about one hour and runs every 30 minutes).

However, I’m not sure it’s really the best option. These days, cancellations and delays of more than an hour happen frequently due to accidents involving people—an unfortunate issue in Japanese society. Sadly, this occurs quite often on JR East lines in particular.

To be honest, from the start I recommend using the Airport Bus (TYO–NRT) or Keisei Skyliner, which operates from Nippori Station on the Keisei Line — but of course, it’s up to you.

If you’ve already bought a NEX ticket and are at Tokyo Station, it’s best to follow the announcements and instructions. Still, many travelers aren’t sure what to do, and depending on the situation, you may need to switch to another transportation option.

Here are some tips if you decide to switch to another transportation option from Tokyo Station.

Airport bus (TYO-NRT)

It takes about 1 hours 20min to NRT if traffic is normal. The bus comes every 15min

(Around 6am-7pm)

The bus terminal is in Yaesu South Exit, after you go out the gate, turn right, you'll see the bus ticket office and terminal (Normally bus leaves from track no. 7)

If you have Suica card , Pasmo card or other IC card and the balance is over 1500 yen you don't need to buy ticket, you can wait in the line at track no. 7 directly

Leaving large luggage in the under space is available for one per a person. If you have some large laggages I don't recomend to use the bus.

Keisei Sky Liner (Nippori Station)

It takes about 40min to NRT, train comes every 25min around

If you're in JR Tokyo station 1st floor, take track no.4 called Yamanote Line, get off at Nippori Station, (takes 12min)

Then go to Keisei Line transfer gate and buy ticket there

Suica or Welcome Suica

Suica card...JR East railway company product, it's very convenient for taking transport. You can use it in most of local train station in Japan even if the station belongs to different railway company.

Suica card has 2 kinds...Regular Suica (Green) and Welcome Suica (Red)

＊Basically you can't use Suica card for Shinkansen except some exceptions

Many tourists from overseas visiting Japan choose to buy Welcome Suica because it's easier to get for tourists than Regular Suica. No need ID except kids and it's sold in JR East tourist office where many English speakers work.

Only one thing you should keep your mind for Welcome Suica is.... it's no refundable

If you choose Regular Suica and put too much money on your card then couldn't use all balance by the end of trip...you can get a refund, by showing Pass Port in the office in JR East area station such as Tokyo, Narita Airport station, Chiba, Sendai, Karuizawa.. (no Osaka, no Kyoto) But Welcome Suica cannot be refunded.

So be careful to top up too much, if you still have a lot of balance and won’t take train anymore, you should use for shopping in convenience store, cafe, restaurant etc (many shops accept suica card nowadays) not to waste money

Even though Welcome Suica is no refundable, I strongly recomend to choose Welcome Suica. I'll write the reasons later.

And will put tip below about what’s difference between Regular Suica and Welcome Suica

⭐️Deposit

Regular Suica...500yen Welcome Suica...free

⭐️ Validity

Regular Suica...10years Welcome Suica...28 days

⭐️Refunds

Regular Suica...Yes Welcome Suica...No

(500 yen deposit will be fully returned If there's money left, a handling fee of 220 yen will be deducted from the remaining balance )

You can pick up your reserved ticket by a machine instead of going to busy counter if you have Pick up code

＊Condition＊

•You don't have any JR Area Pass and Japan Railway

PASS

•You booked your ticket via onlie such as...

JR-EAST TRAIN RESERVATION

Klook

JR WEST ONLINE

EX SERVICE etc...

• You're supposed to have Pick up code

(If you have QR code, go to this page→ https://www.tumblr.com/sunny-japan-australia/781708297412673536/how-to-pick-up-your-reserved-train-ticket-by-a)

• You will take...

Shinkansen (BulletTrain), Narita Express, Odoriko, etc

1. Press Pick up Ticket

＊Some machines shows a bit different layout though, no probrem

2. Select the website where you booked your ticket

If you booked by Klook, etc, it should be "JR EAST Train Reservation ". If it doesn't work, try to selet other one

3. Select "Use a QR or Pick up code "

4. Select " Enter pick up code" and Put the code

That's it!

Notice:

＊If you are going to pick up the ticket for not same day as your travel day (Not today ), you can pick up tickets by a machine outside of station gate only

＊Condition＊

•You don't have any JR Area Pass and Japan Railway

PASS

•You booked ticket via onlie such as...

JR-EAST TRAIN RESERVATION

Klook

JR WEST ONLINE

EX SERVICE etc...

・You're supposed to have QR code

(if you don't have QR code, go to this page → https://www.tumblr.com/sunny-japan-australia/786872248883609600/how-to-pick-up-your-reserved-train-ticket-by-a)

• You will take...

Shinkansen (BulletTrain), Narita Express, Odoriko, etc

There's 2 types of screens that shows as first ,

I'll explain those 2 cases each

◎In the case the machine starts from this screen...

＊Some machines shows a bit different layout though, no probrem

Press "Read QR code" and scan your QR code to the machine

That's it!

Notice:

☆If you are going to pick up the ticket for not same day as your travel day (Not today ), you can pick up tickets by a machine outside of station gate only

☆Depending on some conditions, it might not work this way. If it's, you should go to counter

◎In the case the machine starts from this screen...

Go to this page→ https://www.tumblr.com/sunny-japan-australia/781708297412673536/how-to-pick-up-your-reserved-train-ticket-by-a

You can make a reservation yourself by a vending machine for free instead of going to busy counter!

＊Condition＊

☆You have free pass except Japan Rail Pass

such as…

JR East Pass, JR Wide Pass,

Round Trip Narita Pass etc

☆You want to get on…

Bullet train(Shinkansen)

Narita Express

Odoriko, Azusa, Hitachi etc…

There are 3 types of screens that shows as first page, I'll explain those 3 cases each

◎In the case the machine starts from this screen...

＊Some machines shows a bit different layout though, no probrem

1 Press "Select seat for use with multiple-trip ticket, etc."

2 Insert your ticket (Maximum 4tickets one each at same time) then, Press " Confirm"

3 Select train you want to get on and select time

That’s it!

Notice:

☆If you are going to pick up the ticket for not same day as your travel day (Not today ), you can pick up tickets by a machine outside of station gate only

☆Depending on some conditions of ticket, the vending machine might not accept your ticket, if it's, please go to counter

◎In the case the machine starts from this screen...

Go to this page→ https://www.tumblr.com/sunny-japan-australia/786240776377106432/how-to-reserve-jr-express-train-seats-by-free-pass