JR East launching app that will allow for real-time tracking of train services

Kanji only, we presume.

and the app will be called...?

Kanji only, we presume

Hey, don't knock it just because you didn't learn the language of the country you live in.

Kanji only, we presume.

Probably, but you can use this as a motivation to learn the kanji in that app. There will only be a limited number of them, and learning them will benefit your life in other areas as well.

Back in the day when I first came here, the only schedules we had were paper schedules that each station would hand out. I read almost no Japanese at the time, but learned a lot by using these schedules.

What about allowing charging suica by credit card and booking intercity and all Shinkansen trains online?

Good, I bought the famous "Seishun 18 Kippu" . This will help me in my mini Japan adventure.

Guillaume.

You can already recharge your Suica from your CC for years.

Only one credit card though isn't it? Not any credit card.

I read almost no Japanese at the time, but learned a lot by using these schedules.

I learned pretty much the same way. The first Kanji I learned were all place names. Getting around and seeing the country was definitely my motivation for learning the language.

While this app will eventually be great for tracking commuter trains on the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) network in the Tokyo area, what about tracking private railways and subways in the same area? Remember, it's possible some commuters will ride a JR East train, then a private railway train and finally a subway train just to get to work from home.

There are other apps (I use Jourdan's app myself) that cover other train lines. This one is put out by JR, so it's not surprising it's JR only.

@Educator60

I am perfectly aware that online reservations are possible with some shinkansen trains and for express trains. However, Eki-net still requires physical collection of train tickets the day before traveling, which in my opinion makes it totally worthless. A proper online booking system lets you book your own ticket or transfer a paperless online ticket on your phone for travel.

Also, credit card recharge is only available if you register the co-branded View card. Ticket machines at stations only accept cash as a mode of payment for recharging Suica.

I just use the website for train delays. It's sufficient for me.

http://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/e/kanto.aspx

cdemakio

“JR East Japan App” こと「JR東日本アプリ」です。

"StrangerlandMAR. 08, 2014 - 10:00AM JST Kanji only, we presume.--Probably, but you can use this as a motivation to learn the kanji in that app."

Well, that's not much help for tourists coming for a couple days, eg. my 85 year old mother. It's a bit tough to learn a few thousand kanji for a three day visit.

Does someone on a three day visit really need to know the real-time location of the trains?

@educator60 There was a typo in my message too ;-) I meant, you should be able to print out your own ticket or download it to your phone and be able to travel with it.

It's nice to see JR is pushing out a helpful app for their passengers. This is the beginning so it might not be perfect from the get-go, but this is good progress for the future. Thanks JR.