Getting Around Japan: Trains, Stations and Directions
Vocabulary and phrases for using Japan's trains, reading station signs and asking for directions, with IC cards and platform words.
Japan's rail network is famous for its punctuality and complexity. A few key words make it much easier to navigate.
Transport words
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 電車 (でんしゃ, densha) | train (electric) |
| 新幹線 (しんかんせん, shinkansen) | bullet train |
| 駅 (えき, eki) | station |
| 地下鉄 (ちかてつ, chikatetsu) | subway |
| バス | bus |
| タクシー | taxi |
| 切符 (きっぷ, kippu) | ticket |
| 改札 (かいさつ, kaisatsu) | ticket gate |
| ホーム | platform |
| 乗り換え (のりかえ) | transfer |
| 出口 (でぐち) | exit |
| 入口 (いりぐち) | entrance |
Tickets and IC cards
Many people use a rechargeable IC card (such as Suica or Pasmo) that you tap at the gate. You can also buy single tickets from machines. Fares depend on distance, and fare maps sit above the machines.
Useful phrases
- 東京駅はどこですか。 — Where is Tokyo Station?
- この電車は京都へ行きますか。 — Does this train go to Kyoto?
- 何番線ですか。 — Which platform?
- 次の電車は何時ですか。 — When is the next train?
- どこで乗り換えますか。 — Where do I transfer?
- 出口はどこですか。 — Where is the exit?
Directions
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 右 (みぎ) | right |
| 左 (ひだり) | left |
| まっすぐ | straight |
| 近い (ちかい) | near |
| 遠い (とおい) | far |
| 角 (かど) | corner |
| 信号 (しんごう) | traffic light |
| 道 (みち) | road |
- まっすぐ行ってください。 — Please go straight.
- 右に曲がってください。 — Please turn right.
- ここから遠いですか。 — Is it far from here?
- 歩いて十分です。 — It's ten minutes on foot.
Announcements
- まもなく〜に到着します。 — We will soon arrive at ...
- 次は〜です。 — The next stop is ...
- ドアが閉まります。 — The doors are closing.
Train etiquette
- Keep quiet and avoid phone calls.
- Queue on the marked spots on the platform.
- Offer seats to those who need them, and use priority seats only if you need them.
Tips
- Learn 駅, 出口 and 乗り換え.
- Get an IC card for convenience.
- Use the dictionary for station signs.
English Japanese Dictionary
Offline English–Japanese dictionary with kanji, hiragana and katakana support
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