How to use a ticket vending machine

1. Purchasing tickets

Ticket vending machines are available at most JR-West stations and many of them are equipped with a multilingual interface to make your purchase even easier. See the detailed guide and learn how to easily buy the tickets you need.

Local service tickets (including Kansai-Airport Rapid Service)

Here are the instructions on how to purchase a basic fare ticket.
* To use limited express services, a separate limited express fare is required.

Step-by-step guide

Purchasing from ticket vending machines

1
Ticket vending machines are located near the gates inside most JR-West stations.
Normal ticket vending machines are blue.
2
The vending machines can be used to purchase basic fare tickets and some limited express tickets.
3
Start by switching the display language to make your purchase easier.
* The initial display is in Japanese
4
Press the "Purchase Ticket" button.
5
Please select the desired payment method.
* "QR Code" is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.
6
Press the "Search for a station name" button.
As an example, let's look at purchasing a basic fare ticket from Kansai-airport Station to Osaka Station.
7
Enter a station name to search.
8
Press the button for the desired station.
In this case the final stop will be stated as OSAKA.
9
After pressing the name of the desired station, insert the appropriate amount (using bills and/or coins) for the displayed fare to purchase a ticket.
10
Tickets can be purchased for any station displayed in the fare table on the ticket vending machine.

ICOCA cards

ICOCA cards are electronic cards that can be used for riding trains by touching the card to the automated ticket gate so you don't have to buy tickets every single time when you board a train.

Learn more about ICOCA

Step-by-step guide

Purchasing an ICOCA Card from ticket vending machines

1
Ticket vending machines with an ICOCA mark can be used to purchase ICOCA cards.
2
First, press the button to change the display language to English.
3
Press "Purchase ICOCA."
4
Next, press the purchase amount.
5
Your card will be issued after the required amount is inserted. Make sure to take both the card and any change dispensed. Proceed to the automated ticket gate.
6
To use the card for riding the train, simply touch the card to the card-recognition area on the automated ticket gate.
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For example, inserting 2,000 yen into the ticket vending machine when purchasing a card will charge the card with 1,500 yen to be used for train fare or shopping. Return the card to a JR-WEST Ticket Office after use to redeem the 500 yen deposit.
8
*Please note that credit cards cannot be used to purchase ICOCA cards.

ICOCA card on Apple Pay

This is a service that allows you to use an ICOCA electronic card on your iPhone or Apple Watch.

If you add ICOCA to the Wallet app, your iPhone/Apple Watch will become an ICOCA card, and you can ride or shop with just a touch. It's simple and fast. What's more, the device security function protects your ICOCA card.

Make your trip more convenient and safe with Apple Pay.

Learn more about ICOCA on Apple Pay

Shinkansen / limited express tickets (including HARUKA)

To use limited express services such as Kansai-Airport Express "HARUKA" and Shinkansen services, a limited express ticket (reserved seat or non-reserved seat) is required in addition to the basic fare ticket.

Those tickets (reserved and non-reserved seats) and basic fare tickets for Shinkansen and limited express trains can be easily purchased directly from ticket vending machines without having to line up in the ticket office.

Step-by-step guide

Purchasing limited express train or Shinkansen tickets from ticket vending machines

1
Look for the green ticket vending machines marked as "Shinkansen / Limited Express Tickets" which are located right next to the regular ones.
2
As an example, let's look at purchasing a basic fare ticket on the Kansai-Airport Express "HARUKA" and a limited express reserved seat ticket from Kansai-airport Station to Kyoto Station.
3
First, press the "English" button to change the display language.
4
Select the train you wish to ride.
To learn more about our trains please refer to the Our train fleet page.
5
Next, the Kansai-airport Station is pre-selected so it's enough to tap "Kyoto" for the destination under "Direction."
6
Select the boarding date.
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Next, select the appropriate number of passengers.
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Select the boarding time, and then select either "Ordinary Car" or "First Class (Green) Car."
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Feel free to select your desired seat from the seating chart or press the "any seat is OK" button.
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In this example, let's purchase a basic fare ticket.
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Lastly, a confirmation screen will be displayed. After reviewing the displayed details, press "Confirm."
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Tickets can be purchased with cash or credit card.
*Your personal identification number (PIN) is required when purchasing with a credit card. Some credit cards are not accepted.
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Your seat will be reserved and you will be issued a reserved seat ticket as well as a normal ticket. Make sure to take the tickets and your credit card or any change with you.
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Use the ticket to enter the automated ticket gate.
If the basic fare ticket and the limited express ticket (reserved seat or non-reserved seat) are separate, insert both into the automated ticket gate.

2. Receiving reserved seat tickets

For travelers with a JR-WEST RAIL PASS*1, a Discounted One-way Ticket, or equivalent, you can receive a reserved seating ticket from a ticket vending machine instead of from a ticket office.*2, 3

*1 Applicable only to passes valid for reserved seating. For more information, please visit the page for the specific ticket.
*2 Seats must be reserved at the ticket office from the 7th booking.
*3 Visit the JAPAN RAIL PASS website for more information on booking reserved seating tickets with the JAPAN RAIL PASS.

“Plus” green ticket vending machines, which include a feature that allows users to contact an operator, are available in select stations. Use this feature to contact an operator if you have any questions about how to operate the ticket vending machine.

(You may be required to wait before being connected to an operator. To check the current operator wait list, click here.)

Step-by-step guide

How to use the ticket vending machine to receive the reserved seat tickets

1
Select the language you wish to use.
* The initial display is in Japanese
2
Insert a ticket with no assigned reserved seat into the ticket slot marked "Ticket･Commuter Pass" on the ticket vending machine.
3
Touch the 'Reserved Seat' button at the top left of the screen that lights up.
4
On the next screen, touch the 'Seat reservation with coupon ticket' button.
5
If you are traveling as a group, you can make seat reservations for up to four people at a time.

Insert the tickets of your fellow travelers one by one, and then touch the 'All tickets inserted' button.
6
Search for a train where reserved seats are available.

The boarding date can only be the date printed on your ticket.

Refer to the instructions and examples displayed on the screen, and enter in turn the station you will depart from, the destination, and either the time you wish to depart or arrive.
61Enter the station of departure

Enter the station name.

A list of possible station names will come up.
Select the one you want.
62Enter date

Enter the time you want to travel.

Select whether the time you entered is for your departure or your arrival.
63

Once you have entered all the necessary information, check that it is correct and then touch the 'Search' button.
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Trains that match your search criteria will be displayed.
Select the train you wish to use.
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The meanings of the symbols are explained below:

Plenty of seats are still available.

There are only a few seats still available.

There are no seats available. Please select another train or use a non-reserved seat.
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Please check that the train you have selected meets your requirements.
If it does, touch the button.
7
Seats/cars available to you light up.
Please press the one(s) you require.
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Please select the seat(s) you would like.
You can also choose from the seat map.
72Select from the seat map

Touch the 'Select from the seat map' button.

Select the car you want to ride in.

Select seat(s) in the car you just selected.

Check the information and touch 'Confirm' if it is correct.
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The reservation process is now complete.
Check once more that the details of your reservation are correct.
If they are, touch the 'Confirm' button.
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The ticket vending machine issues a ticket(s) printed with your seat reservation.

3. Receiving / Exchanging tickets

Use a ticket vending machine to receive tickets purchased or reserved beforehand.

Receiving tickets reserved via JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION

Skip the ticket office lines by receiving tickets directly from a ticket vending machine! Reserved tickets can be received from ticket vending machines marked with 5489 service logo at stations throughout West Japan!

* The stations where a reserved ticket can be received will vary according to the ticket type. Passengers receiving Special Discounted Tickets from a ticket vending machine will need a passport with an IC chip.

List of stations where
tickets can be received

Receiving tickets reserved via JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION

Step-by-step guide

How to use a green ticket vending machine to get a ticket you have reserved via JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION (User Guide)

Go to the guide

Exchanging E-tickets (purchased at a travel agency)

Reserved tickets can be received from ticket vending machines marked with the passport symbol at stations throughout West Japan!

* Limited to E-tickets with the QR code design shown on the right.
The stations where a reserved ticket can be received will vary according to the ticket type.

**QR code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE Incorporated.

*** Passengers receiving Special Discounted Tickets from a ticket vending machine will need a passport with an IC chip.

Exchanging E-tickets (purchased at a travel agency)

Step-by-step guide

How to easily exchange your E-ticket by using the ticket vending machines

1
Select the language you wish to use.
* The initial display is in Japanese
2
Select "Receive reserved ticket(s)."

* The screen design may be different from the image photo.
3
Select "EXCHANGE ORDER (E-TICKET)".

* The screen design may be different from the image photo.
4
Scan the QR code you were issued when you made your reservation, or enter the Exchange Order No. included with your E-TICKET.
5
Enter the date you will start using the ticket.
* The usage start date cannot be changed after the ticket is issued.
6
Confirm the conditions of use (passport, entry visa, etc.).
7
Confirm that you accept the purpose for which your personal information will be used.
8
Scan the passport page with your photograph on it.

* If your passport does not have an IC chip, please go to the ticket office.
** Some passports with IC chips may not be readable. Please visit the ticket office if your passport cannot be read.
9
Your ticket will be issued. Please take it from the ticket vending machine.
10
Use the ticket to enter the automated ticket gate.

In this case GATE B.