[kelnos]

Heh, I was in Japan a few weeks ago, and had left my bag in a locker at a station (inside the fare gates). I went back to get it later in the day (when I could check into my hotel), and the station attendant charged me 150 yen just to go in to get it and come right back out!

I get that they want to charge people who ride the trains for... fun?... and then get off at the same station, but it felt really silly.

[landedgentry]

I think those tickets are for people who train watch on the platform or see off friends/family from the platform.

[Symbiote]

If it was good enough in 1980, Japan might computerise it but they won't change it.