The Violent Vegan: Booking Train Tickets in Japan

While I wish there was a website online where you could book train tickets in Japan, unfortunately no such place exists. But it's actually not an intimidating process, especially if you plan to use pocket wifi on your trip. If not, it's definitely still doable, but just requires a little more planning beforehand!

Step #1: Have an idea where you'll be, and where you'll want to go.

This can be as simple as going from Tokyo to Kyoto, or as specific as your exact hotel in Tokyo to a landmark in Kyoto.

Step #2: Google Map it!

Set up directions from your Point A to your Point B. Within the directions, there should be several options for routes, but depending on your time zone, you may see results that won't apply to your particular date and time.

Step #3: Hyperdia!

Using HyperDia, you can use the locations from the Google Map results to pinpoint the exact train numbers and departure/arrival times for your journey.

For JR Pass holders: IF you are going to be using a JR Pass, keep in mind that some of these trains/routes will be free with the JR Pass, but others will not be! When inputting your search parameters, make sure to expand "More options" and un-tick NOZOMI / MIZUHO / HAYABUSA (SHINKANSEN). And while you're at it, un-tick some of those other options to narrow down your search to only what you can get by on with the JR Pass.

Hit "Search", and see the search results!

Step #4: Print!

If you're a normal, sane person, you would just print out your chosen route information and hold onto it for when you arrive in Japan (because you won't be able to book anything without setting foot in a train station)! But what I did at this point (just in case) was write each of these station names: "Tokyo", "Omiya (Saitama)", and "Ikebukuro", in Japanese and put those in my travel notebook, just in case something happened to my route printouts. And just to be considerate to the train station staff. But the staff at train stations can read English perfectly, so it's actually not necessary!

Step #5: Arrive in Japan and make your way to a train station

If you will be booking Shinkansen tickets under the JR Pass umbrella (i.e. not paying extra for tickets on JR routes), you'll need to purchase those tickets at a JR Office. BUT, not all of your routes will be Shinkansen! Local trains can be taken over short distances, and in those cases, you will just have to head over to those platforms, show your JR Pass, and you will be granted access through the turnstiles.

Step #6: Find your departure platform at the station

For people who take public transpo everywhere, this is self-explanatory. But the general steps toward finding your way to the right train consist of:

A) Braving your way through Robot Planet from Futurama to your destination by referencing signage above each set of turnstiles. This may involve walking around a lot if you only do drive-by glances like I do.

*Note: Google Maps can also help with this step! They tend to be very exact when it comes to which wing of the station you should head toward. But if you don't use pocket wifi or data, you'll need to wing it.

B) Showing your JR Pass to the people at the turnstile.

So much easier to have that pass.

If you end up needing to buy a ticket for a non-JR station, you can use one of the kiosks to the side, and in that case you'll just feed the little ticket stub into the turnstile before you go in. Remember to pick it up once you've walked through! You'll need it to get out at the arrival station.

C) Waiting behind the platform line until your train arrives.

What I loved about Japan was how orderly it was, even during rush hour. Lines were to be respected!!! Even now, I'm still ultra paranoid after Korea, a no man's land when it came to lining up for public transportation. Almost everyone has a story of a fierce 아줌마/할머니/grandmother who exerted massive physical force to push her way in front of them in line.