Tips on riding the local trains operating from Ichinoseki Station
Besides being a Tohoku Shinkansen stop, Ichinoseki Station is home to two local train lines. They have a few quirks that may catch you off-guard if you are not used to one man operated train lines and unmanned stations.
Here are some tips and guides to get you to and from your destination.
How to ride the JR Ofunato Line
Ichinoseki Station 一ノ関駅 to Kesennuma Station 気仙沼駅
Purchasing Tickets at manned stations (Ichinoseki Station and Kesennuma Station)
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Standard purchase of tickets at ticketing machine with cash.
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If you are making a round trip to an unmanned station within two days, you can purchase your return ticket in advance.
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*Note: The use of Suica cards is not available on this line
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Unlimited ride passes like the Japan Rail Pass are accepted, so please use as per usual (except for the Pokémon with YOU Train).
Purchasing your fare at an unmanned Station
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Stations Mataki to Niitsuki are all unmanned, including Geibikei Station.
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If you are without a ticket or an unlimited ride pass when boarding a train from an unmanned station, take a numbered ticket (seiriken) found inside the train at the entrance.
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When getting off the train please put the correct fare according to the numbered ticket in the fare box.
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To check your fare, utilize the fare table at the front of the first carriage.
*Please be sure to organize small change for your fare. The money exchange machine can take 1000yen notes to make smaller change.
How do I get on the train?
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The rear door of the first carriage is the entrance, and the front door (behind the driver) is the exit.
Please note that the doors of the other carriages will not open. -
If the door is not open, press the button found next to the door.
★When getting off the train train★ -
Please be aware that the doors will not automatically open when you arrive at your stop.
-If you have an unlimited ride pass, show it to the driver
-If you have a ticket, please put it in the fare box.
-If you do not have a ticket/pass, please put the numbered ticket and the correct fare in the fare box.
Other things to note:
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Depending on the weather, the train may not run. Announcements will be made in Japanese at each station, but if you are uncertain of the train's status, try the call center or JR website listed below.
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The POKÉMON with YOU, which runs along the Ofunato Line, is a fully reserved train.
In addition to a boarding ticket, you will need a seat ticket. Please refer to the Official Guide.
How to ride the Tohoku Honsen (mainline)
Ichinoseki to Morioka (going North)
If you do not have an unlimited ride pass, please buy a ticket from the ticketing machine.
Suica can only be used between Ichinoseki and Hiraizumi as major northern hubs such as Kitakami, Hanamaki and Morioka are outside the same Suica domain.
Ichinoseki to Sendai (going South)
If you do not have an unlimited ride picket, please buy a ticket from the ticketing machine.
Suica can be used at Ichinoseki Station and stations between Kogota to Sendai.
Purchasing fares from unmanned stations:
・Please pick up a numbered ticket (seiriken) when you board the train.
・If you lose your ticket or cannot locate where the numbered tickets are, please inquire with staff.
Getting on, off the train
To get on and off the train, please press the button found next to the doors.
If you need assistance
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JR East Call Center: 050-2016-1603 (10:00-18:00)
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English, Chinese and Korean assistance is available.
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JR East website for updates (English available): https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/
Lastly, if you want to walk through Ichinoseki station, you will need to purchase a ticket (150yen). Although it’s quite a detour, for those who wish to walk around, there are pedestrian bridges and roads. Oh, and again, Ichinoseki in Japanese characters is written 一関 in most instances except for when it comes to the station, it's written 一ノ関.
*Information as of September 2024 and is subject to change. Please use as a reference.