Green Car, Free of Charge

185 series repainted like a train in the early-60s.

In Japan, some JR trains have first class coaches called Green Car(s). The reason why first class is called as such is because the coaches had a pale green stripe to distinguish themselves from standard class coaches together with a clover mark that is still in use. Japanese National Railways adopted such a livery in 1960, and first class tickets were also green. Since 1969, first class coach has been called Green Car, and JNR removed the pale stripe in 1978.

211 series Green Cars in 2012

In the Greater Tokyo Area, JR East provides Green Car services on its suburban trains. To be specific, Takasaki, Tokaido Main and Utsunomiya Lines (also known as Shonan-Shinjuku or Ueno Tokyo Lines), Sobu Rapid and Yokosuka Lines (including services towards Narita Airport and other relevant lines in Chiba Prefecture) and Joban Line. Green Cars of suburban trains on these lines are now all double-decker.

Needless to say, you have to purchase a Green Car ticket in addition to an ordinary fare ticket. As of 2022, a Green Car ticket for suburban trains in the Greater Tokyo Area costs 580-1,260 yen. The price is cheaper when you purchase at the weekend and before getting on a train.

However, you can take a seat on a Green Car without paying extra in very limited cases, as described below.

Coaches nos. 4 and 5 of E531 series are Green Cars as well

In rare instances, a very few Joban Line trains between Tsuchiura and Iwaki provide de facto free Green Car service. Such a service is never announced in advance. It is said that not a few local residents attempt to be on a "precious" seat, though no light refreshments are available and seats are often set backwards.

E501 series has standard class seating only

Why is there such a case? The reason is simple: because the train is not supposed to have Green Car coaches. Stopping services in this area are provided mainly by E531 series, but some of them are E501 series. Each 10-car E531 series unit has two Green Cars, but no E501 series unit does. When there is a lack of the E501 series, an E531 series train is used instead. Hence, there are free Green Cars.

E231 series on Shonan-Shinjuku Line

There were a few other cases in the past. Some E231 series on Takasaki and Utsunomiya Lines had free Green Cars from 1 Jul to 16 Oct 2004. Furthermore, several E531 series trains on Joban Line had ones as well from 6 Jan to 17 Mar 2007. They were temporary as Green Cars were gradually inserted to all units at that time. Presumably, staffs of JR East considered it would be wise to make them free for a while as they would attract potential passengers paying extra after Green Car service was duly launched.

E233 series on Chuo Line

A similar temporary scheme will possibly be adopted again in Tokyo soon. JR East is preparing for Green Car service on Chuo Line (Rapid), which is scheduled to be launched in March 2025. Since it will take at least several months for all units to have first class coaches, they could be treated as de facto free Green Cars for a while. There is no relevant official announcement from the company so far, but based on precedents, the temporary measure is likely to be adopted in January 2025 – unless JR East is mean enough to shut all doors.