At the ticket machine, buy a ticket by price…
Those numbers are the prices (in Yen) of available tickets. So you need to know how much it’s going to cost you to get to your destination.
LOOK UP… there’s usually a large diagram of the rail network on a poster above the machine. The little number next to each station is the cost in Yen to get to that station. (and see the “English” button top right – easy!)
RECOMMENDATION – Don’t keep buying tickets … get a train ‘smart card’ (branded SUICA or PASMO in Tokyo)…
Japan Tourist Tips 