When train lines in Japan unexpectedly stop for quite a while due to some untoward incidents, many foreigners unnecessarily buy new tickets upon transferring to alternative train lines.  They do not know that on such cases, train companies switch to Transfer Operation or Furikae Unten where transfer tickets called furikae jousyahyo are issued to passengers for free.  What is good about these Furikae tickets is that they can be used to ride alternative train lines,  even those of completely different companies.

So how do you get and use a furikae ticket?

1. First, you should listen carefully to announcements in the train or station and watch out for the magic words "furikae unten".  Go to the ticket gate manned by a staff and ask for a furikae jousyahyo.  You will be asked to show your original ticket or your teikiken (regular train pass).
    
2. Once you have your transfer ticket, rejoice and happily get out of the station.  You should get out through gates where tickets are manually inspected, not through automatic gates.
    
3. Go to the station of the alternative train line and show your furikae ticket to the train staff.  Get on the train, relax and enjoy your ride.  (It may take some time before you can ride the alternative line again.)
    
4. Once you reach your destination, show your furikae ticket to the train staff on your way out of the station. If the staff doesn't get the ticket back, then good for you.  You now have a souvenir from Japan.
    
5. Live happily ever after!