Motto Shiritai Nihongo
Types of Train Seats and Cars
・普通列車グリーン車(Green Cars of Local Trains)
・女性専用車(Women-Only Cars)
・優先席(Priority Seats)
There are various types of train cars and seats. If you know how to choose a train, it will be more convenient.
普通列車グリーン車
(Green Cars of Local Trains)
Green cars of local trains are special cars attached to local trains. Local trains' green cars have wider seats and tables. You can study or work on those trains. Some green cars have power outlets and free wi-fi. Green cars are double-deckers, and all seats are unreserved. You can sit on either the first or second floor if seats are available. If there are no empty seats, you cannot be seated.
To use the green car, you must purchase a green car ticket in addition to a normal train ticket or commuter pass. Green car tickets can be purchased at JR ticket counters, JR applications, and ticket vending machines on station platforms. You can buy a green car ticket with cash or an IC card after boarding the green car, but it is more expensive than buying one before boarding.
女性専用車 (Women-Only Cars)
Women-only cars are carriages that only women are allowed to board. These cars are also available for boys of elementary school age and younger, as well as people with physical disabilities and their male attendants. Women-only cars are scheduled in the mornings, when trains are crowded, from around 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. Each train company has different operating hours for women-only cars. Women-only cars are often located at the front or the rear of a train.
優先席 (Priority Seats)
Buses and trains have priority seating. Priority seats are for people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, people with children, and injured people. Priority seats are marked. When the train is not crowded, anyone can sit in the priority seats, but if someone with a physical disability gets on a train, you should give up your seat to them (say “Dōzo(please)” and leave your seat).