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where you are:SSG Home/the guide/transportation/using the trains
Using the Trains
regular trains | using the train | bullet trains | buses | ferries
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The train timetable is found near the ticket machines and the wicket. The following is a general outline of the average timetable:
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| CAN YOU HELP ME...? USEFUL EXPRESSIONS |
| Excuse me, how much does a ticket to ... cost? |
Sumimasen, ... made wa ikura desu ka. |
| On what platform is the train bound for ... ? |
... made no densha wa, nanbansen desu ka. |
| What time is the next train for ... ? |
... made no tsugi no densha wa, nanji desu ka. |
| Does this train stop at ... ? |
Kono densha wa, ... ni tomarimasu ka. |
| A ticket from ... to ..., please. |
... kara ... made no chiketto kudasai. |
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| TRAIN SCHEDULES |
| Train schedules (jikoku-hyou) can be found at main train stations. These are convenient, wallet-sized tables which contain departure times from that station. A pocket-sized schedule which contains all trains running in Shiga Prefecture can be obtained at Shiga Bank, but, as these are very popular, they tend to disappear quickly. A more comprhensive, national schedule can be purchased at bookstores. These will be written in kanji only, however, if you know the kanji for your destination, you should have no trouble using the maps in the front to plan your trip. |
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| BUYING TICKETS |
Most stations have automated ticket machines found near the wicket in the center of the station.
AUTOMATED TICKET MACHINES
At most stations, to determine the price of your ticket, use the large map located above the ticket machines. Your current station will be written in red letters or some kind of outstanding mark. If the station names are not written in Roman letters below the kanji, and you are unsure of the kanji for your destination, ask a train employee:
How much is it to (Destination)?
(Destination) made wa, ikura desu ka.
There may also be a list written in hiragana next to the map. You can use this to look up your destination and price.
If there is no one in sight, you can always purchase the lowest priced ticket and have it adjusted when you arrive at your destination. In this case, at most stations, you can find a machine to adjust your fare. This is done by inserting your ticket in the machine and paying the price indicated (English instructions are often available if you need them). A new ticket will be issued to you, which you can put in the automated wicket. If an adjustment machine is not available, give your ticket to the person at the wicket and pay the price they tell you.
NO TICKET MACHINES IN SIGHT!
At smaller stations there may be no ticket machines. You can purchase your ticket from a person at the counter, or, if it is an unmaned station, you can purchase upon boarding the train from the conductor. If, by chance, no one comes to sell tickets on the train, when you arrive at your destination, tell the ticket checker where you boarded and pay your fare at the wicket.
At many of the Omi Tetsudo Stations or other smaller stops, there will be no one to sell you a ticket. When you board the train, take a ticket from a small machine near the door and pay according to the number when you reach your destination. Have change ready, as they cannot usually change large bills. |
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| PLATFORMS |
After purchasing your ticket, run it through the automated wicket, or have the ticket taker check it. Often, behind the wicket, you will find an automated sign that displays the times and destinations of the current trains. Check the final destination, time and track, and proceed to the appropriate platform. Most large stations have bilingual signs to point you to the correct platform.
On the platform, you may find numbers and markings on the ground in front of the train stop. These are to mark where the doors will stop for each type of train. Generally, line up for the futsu trains at the yellow marks, and the shinkaisoku at the white. |
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| WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? |
Here are some prices between various stops in Shiga, just to give you an idea of how much train fare will cost you:
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| Otsu to Kyoto 190 yen (9 min.) |
Yamashina to Keihan-sanjo 230 yen (12 min.) |
| Otsu to Osaka 930 yen (39 min. by shinkaisoku) |
Yamashina to Omi Imazu 930 yen (45 min. by shinkaisoku) |
| Otsu to Nagahama 1090 yen (56 min. by shinkaisoku) |
Omihachiman to Yokaichi 380 yen (16 min.) |
| Otsu to Kibukawa 560 yen (36 min.) |
Kibukawa to Yokaichi 710 yen (36 min.) |
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| MONEY SAVING TIPS |
If you will be traveling daily between two stops, you can purchase a commuter's pass (tsukin teikiken  ), which will allow unlimited travel between two stops (including all the stops in between) for the period of its validity. They can be purchased at major train stations.
If you are traveling frequently, but not daily, between two stops, it may be economical to purchase multiple tickets (kaisuken  ). You will receive eleven tickets for the price of ten. These tickets can be purchased at machines and counters of most JR stations and major stations of other lines.
For longer distance traveling during vacation times, the Seishun Juhachi Kippu can be purchased. This ticket can be used five times by an individual (or if you are traveling in a group, by up to five people) and costs 11,500 yen. This is how this ticket works:
Each time the ticket is used, it allows one full day of travel on all JR futsu and shinkaisoku trains. At the start of each day of travel the ticket is stamped one time for each traveler (one stamp = one full day of travel). The ticket allows a maximum of five stamps. Therefore, if you are traveling alone, the ticket would be stamped once for each full day of travel, and you could do this five times. However, if you were traveling with five people, the ticket would be stamped five times, and could be used only for that one day of travel. Of course any combination between is also possible, as long as the number of stamps does not exceed five stamps total.
Though certainly more exhausting then air, bullet train, or ferry travel, it is a very economical way to travel in Japan. The tickets can be used anywhere in Japan during the student holidays. The summer tickets are valid until mid-september.
If friends or family visit Japan, they can purchase a Japan Rail Pass. They should contact a travel agent in their home country about these passes, as they can only be purchased outside of Japan (and for some reason can only be used by non-residents of Japan, which means JETs are not eligible to use these passes). They allow unlimited travel on all Japan Rail trains (including all bullet trains, ferries, etc.) for a one or two week period. They are very economical for people planning on taking several long trips on the bullet train. These tickets can only be used by people traveling in Japan on a tourist visa.
While it will not save you money, an Orange Card is a convenient way to purchase JR Tickets. The Orange Cards are debit cards of 3000 and 1000 yen, and can be purchased from the teller at the window and used to purchase JR tickets from the machines. |
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omi tetsudo line
bullet trains