News

Self-checkout kiosk replaces manned store at rail station

December 26, 2019

A snack and souvenir shop at a Japanese rail station that closed due to a lack of workers recently reopened with a self-checkout system that takes cashless payments, according to a report in The Mainichi. The unattended store has had security cameras installed to prevent theft and is believed to be the first such store in the Tohoku region in northeastern Japan.

The kiosk, located on the No. 11 and 12 bullet train platform at the station in the Iwate Prefecture capital of Morioka, is operated by the Morioka branch offices of the East Japan Railway Co. and the JR East Retail Net Co. The kiosk offers beverages, snacks and souvenirs, but does not carry rice balls, sandwiches, tobacco and alcohol.

Customers can use prepaid IC cards and credit cards, but not cash.