Riding the Train -
The Basics
In this article
1. Purchase a ticket at the station
For a lot of trains you will need only a basic fare ticket based on the distance between the stations.
An additional ticket with a reserved or non-reserved seat is required when boarding HARUKA, other limited express trains, or the Shinkansen.
For tickets purchased through the online store or through an online travel agency, please follow the instructions provided at the time of purchase.
Special Rapid / Rapid / Local trains
Regular tickets
Tickets are available in vending machines at almost every JR-West station.
For most machine types, you don't have to know the exact fare! You can search for specific stations on most ticket machines before purchasing a ticket, but some stations will only let you search by price.
In case you are not sure about the ticket type or cannot find the machine, our local staff will assist you with your purchase.
Step-by-step guide
Purchasing from ticket vending machines
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.
Step-by-step guide
Set up an ICOCA card on your iPhone or Apple Watch.
Purchase an ICOCA card
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 a ticket every time you board a train.
These cards can be used all across Japan for railways, buses, and participating shops in the station and around town displaying the IC or ICOCA marks. They're also valid for 10 years, so you will be able to use them on your future trips as well!
Step-by-step guide
Purchasing an ICOCA Card from ticket vending machines
Shinkansen / Limited
Express trains
Reserved seat and non-reserved seat tickets
You can easily purchase those tickets from JR-West Ticket Office or ticket vending machines marked as "Shinkansen / Limited Express Tickets" which you can find right next to the regular ones.
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.
Step-by-step guide
Purchasing limited express train or Shinkansen tickets from ticket vending machines
2. Enter through the ticket gates
Tickets with black backs
Not all gates have a slot for tickets, but there is always at least one at each entrance/exit at most JR-West stations. Please look for the ones with the slot and insert tickets into the automated ticket gate.
If there is no automatic ticket gate at the station, our local staff will directly check your tickets.
First, insert all tickets together, keeping the black side down and enter through the gate. All tickets will be returned through the slot on the other side of the gate.
QR tickets
In case of traveling with a QR ticket, you can use a dedicated automatic ticket gate to enter by scanning the code straight from your smartphone.
IC cards (including ICOCA card on Apple Pay)
ICOCA cards are electronic cards that will save you time at every step of your journey. Touch the panel marked with an IC symbol and enter through the gate.
When using ICOCA through Apple Pay, simply touch your smartphone to the panel.
Tickets for use at staffed ticket gates
In case of physical tickets, only those with black backs can be used at the automated ticket gates. (With the exception of the QR tickets.)
Any other paper tickets must be shown to the station personnel, who you can find at the counter right next to the gates.
If you are at an unmanned ticket gate, please press the intercom button to speak to a staff member who can help you.
3. Board the train
Electric boards with detailed train information can be found at most JR-West stations behind the ticket gates, as well as at the platforms.
You can use them to navigate your way around the station and to board the desired train.
Find the desired platform on the information board
In the example below, the Special Rapid train to Himeji and Rapid train to Aboshi depart from platform 5 and the Local train to Suma departs at 11:23 from platform 6.
Check the train type and destination before boarding
Remember that the rapid trains don't stop at as many stations as the local ones, so if your desired station is not the last stop, please double check the train's type and its route.
4. Get off at the desired station
On every platform there are multiple boards with the station's name, but you do not have to look for them! On the train there are both announcements regarding the next station, as well as the displays with detailed information of the train's route.
5. Exit through the
ticket gates
Exit in the same way as you entered - by using a ticket or an electronic card.
Tickets with black backs
Find the gate with the ticket slot and once again insert all your tickets.
This time the automated gate will keep the tickets so you are free to go through and exit the station.
QR tickets
Scan the QR code straight from your smartphone using the dedicated automatic ticket gate and exit the station.
IC cards (including ICOCA card on Apple Pay)
Touch the panel marked with an IC symbol and exit through the gate.
The fee will be collected automatically.
Tickets for use at staffed ticket gates
Find the counter right next to the automated gates and show your tickets to the personnel. After checking the information on your ticket, the staff will let you through. If you are at an unmanned ticket gate, please press the intercom button to speak to a staff member who can help you.
Let JR-WEST help make your trip a pleasant one.
6. Multilingual digital brochures
