Automation is causing many casualties. Technology marches on, but there’s a yearning for moments of precious connection, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
In the Tokyo area (with JR East) many major stations will have a みどりの窓口 (Green window booth) for assistance with buying tickets and special ticket packages, often in a room that’s fully separate from the ticket vending machines, and usually only one when the ticket vending machines could be in multiple areas. Most stations have a person on duty (or stationmaster for smaller stations) by the ticket gates, which you can purchase tickets from when it’s not crowded.
They need manned staff at the fare gates for now, because the 青春18 ticket still needs a station master to stamp the date and verify it for entry.
In the Tokyo area (with JR East) many major stations will have a みどりの窓口 (Green window booth) for assistance with buying tickets and special ticket packages, often in a room that’s fully separate from the ticket vending machines, and usually only one when the ticket vending machines could be in multiple areas. Most stations have a person on duty (or stationmaster for smaller stations) by the ticket gates, which you can purchase tickets from when it’s not crowded.
They need manned staff at the fare gates for now, because the 青春18 ticket still needs a station master to stamp the date and verify it for entry.