Page 44 - WDT Winter 2018 japan

It’s a good idea to do your homework before you arrive
in Japan regarding train times and station locations. The
JR website has good information and station location and
layouts. An invaluable resource is www.hyperdia.com/en/ --
the HyperDia-timetable on rail routes throughout the country.
Look for the big train status signs at the station to find your
platform. Look for the name of your train, rather than destina-
tion since it may not be listed unless it’s at the end of the line.
When you get to the JR entry turnstiles, go through the line
to the right or left of the turnstiles to show the official your
pass. Most personnel here know a bit of English, so this is a
good place to ask for help if you have questions about where
and what time your train leaves. Some trains require reserva-
tions; make them for no additional cost at the JR transporta-
tion offices located in each station with JR rail service. Your
reservation will be for a specific seat and car; look on the
platform for where that car will stop. The trains can get pretty
long, and stops can be brief, so it’s best to position yourself
close by your car’s entry point, where your fellow passengers
– this is Japan – will be in neat, polite queues.
One last point, unless you have a Green Pass which is for
first-class train travel, don’t try to sit in those cars with their
very comfy seats. A nice conductor will firmly escort you out,
and back to the section of the train where you belong. Once
you’re on the train, there are usually monitors in English and
Japanese that tell passengers upcoming stops. If you have
luggage, it’s a good idea to get your bag(s) a few minutes
before your stop and position yourself near the exit doors.
Speaking of luggage; carrying big bags on trains can be a
giant pain. Getting it to the platform is hard enough, but then
you have to find a place to store the suitcase. There is little
or no storage space on local trains. On long-distance trains

44 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018