Master Train Travel in Japan
Navigate Japan's amazing railway system with confidence. Learn essential phrases for buying tickets, finding platforms, and asking about train schedules.
Practice These PhrasesWhat You'll Learn
Navigate Japan's world-famous railway system with confidence. This lesson covers buying tickets at the counter or machine, finding your platform, asking about schedules, and understanding common announcements.
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 切符 | kippu | ticket |
| 駅 | eki | station |
| ホーム | hōmu | platform |
| 電車 | densha | train |
| 新幹線 | shinkansen | bullet train |
| 片道 | katamichi | one way |
| 往復 | ōfuku | round trip |
| 次 | tsugi | next |
| 何番線 | nan-bansen | what platform number |
| 出口 | deguchi | exit |
| 中央出口 | chūō deguchi | central exit |
Essential Phrases
Buying Tickets
切符売り場はどこですか？
Kippu uriba wa doko desu ka?
Where is the ticket counter?
京都までの切符をください。
Kyōto made no kippu o kudasai.
A ticket to Kyoto, please.
Replace 京都 (Kyoto) with any destination. The pattern is [destination]までの切符をください。
往復でお願いします。
Ōfuku de onegai shimasu.
Round trip, please.
片道でお願いします。
Katamichi de onegai shimasu.
One way, please.
Finding Your Platform
新幹線のホームはどこですか？
Shinkansen no hōmu wa doko desu ka?
Where is the Shinkansen platform?
大阪に行くには何番線ですか？
Ōsaka ni iku ni wa nan-bansen desu ka?
What platform number for Osaka?
Asking About Times
次の電車は何時ですか？
Tsugi no densha wa nanji desu ka?
What time is the next train?
次のは何時に出ますか？
Tsugi no wa nanji ni demasu ka?
What time does the next one leave?
Confirming Your Train
この電車は京都に止まりますか？
Kono densha wa Kyōto ni tomarimasu ka?
Does this train stop at Kyoto?
Crucial for express trains that skip many stations!
Getting Help
すみません、ちょっと教えてください。
Sumimasen, chotto oshiete kudasai.
Excuse me, please help me.
Common Announcements
電車が参ります。
Densha ga mairimasu.
The train is arriving.
黄色い線の内側でお待ちください。
Kiiroi sen no uchigawa de omachi kudasai.
Please wait inside the yellow line.
Cultural Tips
- Punctuality: Japanese trains are famously on time. If the schedule says 10:03, it means 10:03.
- Quiet cars: Many Shinkansen have designated quiet cars. Look for the マナーモード (manner mode) signs.
- Queue up: Platforms have marked lines showing where to queue for train doors.
- IC Cards: Get a Suica or PASMO card for easy tap-and-go travel.
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