I was taking a solo trip from Kyoto down to Nara to see the famous deer on Sunday, September 10. I was at Kyoto Station and wanted to take the Kintetsu Limited Express sightseeing train down. I entered the Kintetsu line platforms with my IC card and then was trying to buy a seat reservation ticket on the platform. It said a single adult ticket was ¥730, but just as I was about to insert my cash, a platform attendant approached me and pushed the 1 child button so that I would be purchasing 1 adult and 1 child ticket for ¥1100, even though I was traveling alone. I was confused but I didn’t speak Japanese and he didn’t speak English. He left and a minute or two later a different worker approached me who spoke English and he told me that solo travelers were not allowed on the train. I’d never encountered this policy before and asked why, and he said something along the lines of “this train is for Japanese sightseers only.” I was extremely taken aback and wasn’t even sure if I was understanding him correctly but his English was quite good and I’m certain he said this. He guided me to a different train that was just a normal subway style train, not the fancy sightseeing train that I wanted to take.
Can anyone explain what just happened? I’m very confused, and am a little shocked that I was blatantly told I was not allowed on a train because of my race. Please, tell me I am misunderstanding the whole situation.
Edit: I’m currently on the Limited Express train back to Kyoto, so it is possible to ride solo. I went to the desk and was sold the basic fare ticket for ¥760, an adult reserved seat for ¥730, and a child reserved seat for ¥370.
The first attendant was correct in trying to get me to purchase an extra child reserved seat, but because we could not communicate with each other I was unable to understand the situation. The second attendant was incorrect when he told me solo travelers were not allowed. I believe he just didn’t want to go through the whole explanation and decided it would be easier to just tell me I was not allowed on the train. The “Japanese only” comment I’m going to charitably chalk up to an inelegant excuse as to why I was not allowed on the train. I don’t hold the actions of one man against the entire Japanese people.
by bergamasq