It looks like the “Midori no Madoguchi” ticket office at the north exit of JR Koshienguchi Station will be closing.
(Information provided by Kagayaki 509-go @ Nishi2 sp and kuwabon)
Here it is↓
Quoted from Koshienguchi Station | Station Information: JR Odekake Net
The ticket sales counter “Midori no Madoguchi” will apparently end operations as of Friday, February 28.
In its place, starting Saturday, March 1, a new “Midori Ticket Machine Plus” will be installed😃
What is “Midori Ticket Machine Plus”?
“Midori Ticket Machine Plus” is a reserved-seat ticket machine installed inside stations. It’s a service that lets you purchase tickets and complete various procedures while communicating with a remote operator by voice and video. In Nishinomiya City, one has already been installed at “Nishinomiya Station.”
Compared with the traditional “Midori no Madoguchi,” it seems the machines are being introduced to ease congestion at staffed counters, expand service hours, and respond to labor shortages.
Main Features
- Buy tickets while speaking with an operator
Even if you’re unsure how to use the ticket machine, you can buy tickets while receiving support from an operator🎫 - Supports tickets that require certificates
Tickets such as student discounts and disability discounts can also be purchased while certificates are checked via camera📷 - Multilingual support
Support is available in English, Chinese, and other languages, making it easier for overseas visitors to Japan to use smoothly👨🦱 - Expanded service hours
It can be used even during times when “Midori no Madoguchi” is closed, such as early morning or nighttime🕙
For now, the service uses remote operators, but apparently they’re also moving toward automated assistance by AI virtual station staff someday〜!
What You Can Do with “Midori Ticket Machine Plus”
Ticket-related procedures
- Purchase reserved-seat and non-reserved-seat tickets (Shinkansen, limited express, and local lines)
- Purchase and renew commuter and student commuter passes
- Purchase student discount tickets (certificate checked by camera)
- Purchase disability discount tickets (certificate checked by camera)
- Purchase basic fare tickets and coupon tickets
- Purchase Green Car tickets and limited express tickets
Ticket changes and refunds
- Change or refund reserved-seat tickets, basic fare tickets, and limited express tickets
Basically, it seems many of the procedures that used to be handled at “Midori no Madoguchi” will now be possible at “Midori Ticket Machine Plus” with support from a remote operator🙌
For more details about “Midori Ticket Machine Plus” → click here
Finally
(The photo above shows the Midori no Madoguchi at JR Nishinomiya Station)
At “Midori no Madoguchi,” there was a sense of reassurance in being able to talk directly with staff, whether they were suggesting a good-value route or helping flexibly with sudden schedule changes. But with “Midori Ticket Machine Plus,” the service hours will be longer, so it may be convenient for today’s diverse lifestyles. Times are changing〜
※Kagayaki 509-go @ Nishi2 sp and kuwabon, thank you very much for the information!!
■■■We’re looking for your tips!■■■
