After living here almost 27 years, I still almost start to cry when I see the Green Car (premium seat car) go by and go down to the other side of the platform when I thought I was standing in the right place to find it. when it arrives… Even when I stand on the little sticker that has the green car logo on it, I still seem to mess things up and end up running to get in the car which is actually supposed to EASY my mind not give me any more STRESS!

So here are some tips for you as you travel to Yokohama, Odawara, Chiba, or anywhere within an hour or so of Tokyo because instead of standing on a train full of sleeping business people, you can get good service, eat some peanuts grab a cold drink and watch the scenery go by in the Green Sha (or premium Green Car seats).

It might sound a bit expensive to pay an extra 550-1500 yen to spend an hour or two in the green sha, but trust me when you see how cold it is and how there are so many snacks to choose from the basket. Hanging from the green wizard’s arm, you’ll be hooked! Then you can enjoy all the arrangement of the little green lights above your head to show you’ve paid and the way the attendant can hold about six different little machines to count exactly how much you owe. He or she can cleverly pull out 3,926 yen or some crazy change like that when you order your bottled water, chocolate sticks, and the green ticket for your friend who didn’t have the required 1000 yen bill to “cash in” and then pay for the green ticket with her suica back on the platform (her little light above her head will be red until she turns it green after making the payment).

Well, anyway, once you figure out the intricacies, this is definitely the best way to travel long distances in Japan. Just look to see if there is a “Green Sha” or “Green Car” on your train and if you will be on that train for an hour or more, I say splurge!

Points for the Green Car

– Buy a popular drink before boarding and then another while you’re on the train. The two photos here show two drinks that all Japanese businessmen like.

One is the middle energy drink called Oronamin C and the other is Emerald Mountain Coffee from Georgia. You have to try these. Popular since who knows when, it would be similar to Ovaltine and Twinkies (the nostalgia I feel for those as an American).

– Do not try to decipher the platform markings. Look for the Green Car sign that is ON as it will tell you where the green car stops. It is different depending on the length of the train and in Shibuya, Shinjuku, etc., you will be surprised how far the platform can be.

– When you get in, let the person behind you know that you will tilt the seat back. Just point to the back of the seat and say “Daijoubu?” which is a very short but polite way of letting them know you want to recline. They will think you are super polite and they will love you for doing this.

– You can snack and eat but not standing.

– Do not paint your nails (in fact I did this) or talk on the phone. If she does, the green wizard will suddenly appear like lightning and ask her to refrain. Even in the hallway by the door, talking on the phone is frowned upon.

– Make friends! Particularly at night, the business people at the Green Car can be chatty. It is a good opportunity to start a conversation.

– Try to stay awake. Warm, cozy and fun, it’s easy to fall asleep and miss your stop. In fact, you can ask the green assistant to wake you up when you arrive at your stop. He or she will do everything possible to accommodate him or her, but don’t be upset if he or she can’t come for some reason.

– Keep your instruments silent (everything should be in “manners mode” or silent setting.

– If the green car is stopped by itself when you get in, it is very likely that someone will get out at some point. My trick is to stand in the middle of the car and get a seat when someone stands up. There is no etiquette that dictates standing at either extreme, so be brave and go in the middle.

You may also want to try the green car on the bullet train. Truly first class and once you go green, in a normal car… you will rarely be seen.