Station names
All JR stations display station names in both Japanese and Roman letters in their platforms. A given station's name in the top center of the signboard, in large letters; the names of the previous station and next staion are at the bottom of the signboard, in smalller letters.

Public telephones
Shinkansen and some limited express trains are equipped with public telephone,which allow use of a“Telephone Card.”Telephone card can be purchased aboard trains or at a station kiosk.

Useful Translations
Reservation= Yoyaku;
Travel Service Center=Ryoko Center;
Reservation office=Midori-no-madoguchi;
Super express=Shinkansen;
Limited express=Tokkyu;
Express=Kyuko;
Rapid train=Kaisoku;
Local train=Kakuekiteisha;
Ordinary car=Futsusha;
Green car=(superior accommodations)=Green-sha;
Reserved seat=Shiteiseki;
Non-reserved seat=Jiyuseki

Coin-lockers
Traditional cloakrooms have almost disappeared throughout the country. Instead, coin-operated lockers (called "coin-locker" in Japanese) are popular in major stations. These take one hundred-yen coins.

Sales at stations and in trains
Mobile vendors on Shinkansen and other long-distance trains sell "Ekiben" box lunches (these contain local specialty Japanese-style foods), as well as snacks and drinks. These items are also readily available at station kiosks, and many stations also have a variety of restaurants as well as many vending machines.

Avoid rush hours in the morning and evening
In major cities,avoid traveling during the morning and evening rush hours(7:30-9:30 and 17:00-20:00)