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Apr 4, 2026

How to use train ticket machines to empty your pocket change and reminisce

How often do you use cash for purchases these days? On an average day, I swipe my IC card at train ticket gates and bus fare boxes, and shop using cashless payments on my mobile device. In a pinch, I'll pull out my credit card. I rarely have to break a 1000 yen note for a purchase. And when I do, that 小銭 kozeni, or spare change, jangles around in my wallet. So, I'm making the most of the ticket machines on my nearest train line. 

How to use train ticket machines to empty your pocket change and reminisce photo

Tobu line ticket machine eats my old Suica card, no questions asked


No spare change


When my wallet gets heavy, I top up my IC card at the train ticket machine. Tap その他の金額, sonota no kingaku, or other amounts. Dump your spare change, 10 yen coins or more, to top up your card.


Where was I?


The ticket machines also display and print the history of your trips. This is useful for you and your employer's accounting. Tap 履歴表示 rireki hyoji, history display, and you'll see your recent trips. The machines can print your history, too.


I'm on Tobu train lines for most of my trips. Do you find the same features on your train lines? Do you got some tips about the features of your line's ticket machines?

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

Living between the Tone and Edo Rivers in Higashi Katsushika area of Chiba Prefecture.


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