Fare Adjustment Machine

[Throwback Article] ※This article was published at April 2015.※

Hi, Navio here!

Being a tourist in Japan is not always easy, some things, are new for you. 
And for some things, you have no idea how they work and how to get things done right on the first try. 

People also make mistakes, but don’t you worry!

In today’s article, I am going to share with you guys how to fix this common problem, usually happens to people that are using tickets for the train services.

When you visit Japan, you will notice that most of Japanese people has that kind of IC Card, which they tap on the ticket gate. 
But as a foreigner who stays in Japan in a short period, there’s no such necessity to apply for the card, and instead, simply commute to places by using the tickets. 

Before entering the ticket gate, you should purchase a ticket with specific amount of money, which is shown on the station’s name (on the upper part of it). 
But what if you guys make a mistake by purchasing a ticket that doesn’t have the correct amount of money, and do not realize it until you arrived at your destination? 

The ticket gate will reject your ticket because you don’t have enough amount of money to leave the station. 

Do not panic, here in Japan, we have this machine called “Fare Adjustment Machine” / のりこし計算機 (norikoshi keisanki)

I will make it easier to understand, so let me give one simple example:
I am going to go back to Shinjuku station after strolling in Shibuya. 
It will cost me ￥150 to go to Shinjuku from Shibuya, but I bought the ￥130 ticket by mistake.
Of course the ticket gate in Shibuya will accept my ticket and let me in. 
But the one in Shinjuku, won’t let me out of the gate. 
Because I don’t have the correct amount of money to leave the gate.
So yeah, I need to add ￥20 into my ticket amount. 
Should I buy a new one? 
The answer is no.

 
Just simply find the “Fare Adjustment Machine” and put your ticket into it. 
The machine will told you how much do you need to add in order to get the correct amount. 
In my case, the machine will show me ￥20.
 


Put the coins into that hole on the right, and the machine will give you a new ticket. 
With the new ticket, now you can leave the station!

Pretty easy, right? 

I hope this article is useful!