Norikae Guide

Search Japan train routes and look up station timetables using Yahoo! 乗換案内. Supports English, Chinese, and Japanese input — always convert station names to Japanese before querying (e.g. Shibuya → 渋谷, 涩谷 → 渋谷).

Route Search

python3 scripts/fetch_norikae_routes.py --from <出発駅> --to <到着駅> --show-url [options]

--show-url must always be included.

Options:

• --via <駅> (repeatable, max 3)
• --year/--month/--day/--hour/--minute — resolve relative dates to absolute values; defaults to now
• --time-type: departure (default), arrival, first_train, last_train, unspecified
• --sort-by: time (default), fare, transfer
• --ticket: ic (default), cash
• --seat-preference: non_reserved (default), reserved, green
• --walk-speed: slightly_slow (default), fast, slightly_fast, slow
• --no-use-shinkansen, --no-use-express, --no-use-airline, --no-use-highway-bus, --no-use-local-bus, --no-use-ferry

You can also fetch from an existing URL:

python3 scripts/fetch_norikae_routes.py --url '<full-yahoo-url>' --show-url

Intent Mapping

| User intent | CLI flags | | --- | --- | | cheapest / 最便宜 | --sort-by fare | | fastest / 最快 | --sort-by time | | fewest transfers / 换乘最少 | --sort-by transfer | | no shinkansen / 不要新干线 | --no-use-shinkansen | | local trains only / 在来线 | --no-use-shinkansen --no-use-express | | no buses / 不要巴士 | --no-use-highway-bus --no-use-local-bus | | cash fare / 现金票价 | --ticket cash | | reserved seat / 指定席 | --seat-preference reserved | | Green Car / 绿车 | --seat-preference green | | arrive by / XX点前到 | --time-type arrival | | first train / 始発 | --time-type first_train | | last train / 終電 | --time-type last_train |

Timetable Lookup

Follow these steps in order:

1. Search for the station code:

   python3 scripts/fetch_timetable.py search <station-name-in-japanese> --station-only
   

   Use --station-only to exclude bus stops. Pick the matching station code from the results.

2. List lines and directions at the station:

   python3 scripts/fetch_timetable.py lines <station-code>
   

   This returns available lines with their gid (group ID). If the user specified a line, match it; otherwise ask which line/direction they want. If there is only one line, skip asking and proceed.

3. Show the departure timetable:

   python3 scripts/fetch_timetable.py timetable <station-code> <gid> [--kind 1|2|4]
   

   --kind: 1 = weekday, 2 = saturday, 4 = holiday. Defaults to today's schedule.

Clarification Rules

Ask one concise clarification when:

• Station name is ambiguous (multiple matches)
• Departure station is missing and cannot be inferred
• User gives conflicting priorities (e.g. "fastest" and "cheapest") without tie-break
• Station has multiple lines and user didn't specify which one