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Landing in Japan with a Japan Rail Pass in hand, most travellers have one question before anything else: Where do I activate this thing? The answer is the Midori no Madoguchi, JR's staffed "green window" ticket office found in stations across the country. This is where you exchange or activate a rail pass, make free seat reservations, buy tickets, and get route help when an itinerary feels confusing. It is the human counter behind Japan's automated rail network, and for most pass holders, it is the first stop after landing.
Special update: You can now buy single rail tickets for Japan’s Golden Route on JRPass.com - single fares, one-way, fully digital, including the Shinkansen 'bullet' train. 
Quick Answer — What is the Midori no Madoguchi?
The Midori no Madoguchi is JR's staffed ticket office, literally the "green window," found inside major train stations throughout Japan. Staff there exchange and activate Japan Rail Passes, make free seat reservations for pass holders, sell standard tickets, and answer route questions. It is the place for anything a ticket machine cannot handle. For first-time visitors, it is usually the natural starting point for a JR Pass trip.
What You Can Do There
The green window covers the entire pass-holder workflow in one visit, so it helps to know everything staff can do before you get in line. Japan's official tourism organisation also confirms that pass activation and seat reservations happen at this same ticket counter.
- Exchange your voucher for a physical or digital JR Pass and activate it against your passport.
- Make free seat reservations on Shinkansen and limited express trains, including reserved cars during busy periods.
- Buy standard one-way or round-trip tickets for routes the pass does not cover.
- Get help with transfers or a route that looks more complicated than it needs to be.
If you are still deciding between a nationwide pass and something more limited, it helps to weigh a regional rail pass against the nationwide JR Pass before your first visit to the counter, since the choice affects what staff can activate for you.
How to Recognise It
A few visual cues make the green window easy to spot once you know what to look for:
- Green signage, usually with white lettering, positioned near the main ticket gates or concourse
- A dedicated JR Travel Service Center at larger stations, aimed at overseas visitors and typically staffed with English speakers, similar to the pickup counters JR East lists in its own ticket window guidance
- A single small window at smaller stations, so it helps to scan the area near the gates rather than assume it sits somewhere obvious
- Signage that rarely changes in style from station to station, easy to recognise once you have seen it
What to Say
A short, friendly line is usually enough: "I have a Japan Rail Pass. I would like to activate it and reserve a seat to [destination] on [date]." Staff at these counters deal with foreign visitors constantly, so there is no need to overthink the phrasing. Having a few details ready speeds things up considerably.
- Your destination and any stops along the way
- Your preferred date and a rough departure time
- A printed itinerary or phone screen to point at if the language barrier feels intimidating
- Whether you want a window or aisle seat, the staff can usually accommodate simple preferences
Reservations here are free for pass holders, so there is no cost pressure while you sort out details.
Busy Times and Alternatives
Queues build quickly at major terminals during peak windows like Golden Week, Obon, and the New Year holidays. A few alternatives save time when the counter line looks long.
- Reserved-seat machines, which are often faster than the counter and now support English and other languages
- Machines that scan a pass and print a reservation without staff help, often faster than the counter at busy terminals
- Eki-Net online booking, available on some routes, though pass holders should confirm compatibility before relying on it entirely
- A quieter station along the same line, if your schedule allows a short detour to avoid a crowded terminal
Fewer Windows These Days
JR has reduced the number of Midori no Madoguchi locations in recent years, though public pressure over crowding at the remaining counters has since led JR East to pause further closures at many stations. A few practical steps help you avoid relying on a window that may no longer be there.
- Do not assume a small or rural station has a staffed window at all, even if it once did.
- Verify availability ahead of time, especially for stations outside a major city center.
- Have a backup plan, such as a nearby larger station or a ticket machine, in case the counter is closed or unstaffed.
- Know how the rail network varies by region before you rely on any one station.
For First-Time Pass Holders
The green window is typically the first stop after landing, before any sightseeing begins. A short checklist makes that first visit smoother.
- Bring your passport and exchange voucher if you purchased one in advance, and time the activation itself carefully, since pass validity starts counting down the moment the staff processes it.
- Arrange Pocket Wi-Fi ahead of arrival so you can check schedules the moment you land.
- Consider a Meet & Greet service if you want extra support at the airport, since it pairs well with a first visit to the counter.
- Broader trip planning is worth doing around the same time, well before you land.
Once the pass is active, the rest of the trip runs on it.
FAQs
Learn more about JR ticket offices and the services they provide.
Q: Where do I activate my JR Pass?
A: At a Midori no Madoguchi, JR's staffed "green window" ticket office, where staff exchange and activate your pass. It is also where you make free seat reservations.
Q: Is the green window free for reservations?
A: Yes, seat reservations are free for JR Pass holders at the Midori no Madoguchi. You can also use reserved-seat machines for the same purpose.
Q: Are there fewer ticket offices now?
A: Yes, JR has reduced some Midori no Madoguchi offices, so smaller stations may not have one. Verify availability and plan ahead rather than assuming every station has a window.
Q: What is the Midori no Madoguchi?
A: It is JR's staffed ticket office, the "green window," where you exchange or activate passes, reserve seats, and buy tickets. Green signage marks it in major stations.
Q: Where do I make seat reservations in Japan?
A: At a Midori no Madoguchi or a reserved-seat machine, and for some services online via Eki-Net. Reservations are free for JR Pass holders.
Q: Do I need my passport at the green window?
A: Yes, staff typically ask to see your passport when activating a pass, since the pass is tied to your visitor status.
Q: Can anyone use the Midori no Madoguchi, or only JR Pass holders?
A: Anyone can use it. Pass holders go there for activation and free reservations, but the counter also sells standard tickets to any traveller.
Q: Is English spoken at the Midori no Madoguchi?
A: Major stations usually have English-speaking staff or a dedicated overseas visitor counter. Smaller stations may have more limited English, so a written itinerary helps.
Q: Can I use the green window for regional passes, too?
A: Many regional passes can be exchanged or reserved at a Midori no Madoguchi, though rules vary by pass, so check your specific pass terms.
Q: Do I still need the green window if I use Eki-Net?
A: Eki-Net can handle some reservations online, but pass activation and certain reservation types still require a visit to the counter or a ticket machine in person.
