Things You'll Need:
- cash
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Step 1
First, make sure that you have Japanese Yen. Only major train stations take credit card. The best exchange rate is by ATM, but you need to look for an ATM machine that takes international ATM card. If you are not so, go to the post office, and their ATM machine will work.
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Step 2
Find the train schedule. The best web site is http://www.hyperdia.com/ (click the English button). After find your route, you should also use Google map to check out the surrounding of the arrival train station. Just cope the name of the train station from hyperdia website and add the word "Japan" in Google map search box.
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Step 3
For local train, just go to the train station, find a ticketing machine, and press the English button. The instruction will lead you. If you do not know what to do, just buy the lowest rate ticket (130 Yen), and take your train. When you arrive, there is always a fare-adjust machine available, or you can always ask the worker at the wicket gate to help you.
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Step 4
For long distance train (such as Shinkansen bullet train), there are usually 3 classes
(1) Green Car -- which is first class train. It has shake-resistance system, so it is most comfortable. If you have motion sickness, you should select this. It is roughly 10% more expensive than reserved seat.
(2) Reserved seat -- during rush hour, make sure to book reserved seat so you can get a seat.
(3) non-reserved seat -- which is the cheapest (up to 50%), but you are not guaranteed a seat. If you book those, make sure only take the non-reserved car. When you board and find a seat, take it.
There are usually have smoking and non-smoking car for each of the class above. I suggest you book the non-smoking car, since you can always walk to smoking car and take your smoking break.
