Japanese Train Phrases: Tickets, IC Cards and the Last Train

Japan’s trains are punctual, frequent and easy to use, but stations can be huge and confusing. The key phrases are “Eki wa doko desu ka?” (Where is the station?), “Kippu o ichimai kudasai” (One ticket, please) and “Nanban-sen desu ka?” (Which platform?). This guide gives those and more, with audio, and explains how the system works.

• Where is the train station?

  駅はどこですか

  Eki wa doko desu ka
• One ticket, please

  切符を一枚ください

  Kippu o ichimai kudasai
• Which platform does this train leave from?

  この電車はどのホームから出発しますか？

  Kono densha wa dono hoomu kara shuppatsu shimasu ka?

  Ask staff or a person on the platform.
• Do I need to change trains?

  乗り換えは必要ですか？

  Norikae wa hitsuyou desu ka?

  Norikae means a transfer.
• What time is the last train?

  最終電車は何時ですか？

  Saishuu densha wa nanji desu ka?

  Important. Trains stop around midnight.

How Japanese trains work

• Ticket gates (kaisatsu). You tap a card or insert a ticket to enter, and again to leave. If your card does not have enough money, the gate will stop you. Use a fare adjustment machine (seisan-ki) before you exit.
• IC cards. A prepaid card such as Suica or Pasmo lets you tap through the gates, and also works on many buses and in shops.
• Platforms (-ban sen). Platforms are numbered, for example “3-ban sen”. Signs and displays show the next train, its destination and its type.
• Train types. Local trains stop everywhere. Rapid, express and limited express trains skip stops. The shinkansen (bullet train) needs its own ticket.
• Reserved or not. On many limited express and shinkansen trains, some cars are reserved (shitei-seki) and some are not (jiyuu-seki).
• Manners. Keep your voice low, do not talk on your phone, and queue on the platform where the lines are marked. Seats near the doors may be priority seats (yuusen-seki).
• Women-only cars. Some lines mark a car for women only (josei senyou sha) at certain hours, mostly in big cities.

Buying tickets and cards

Ticket machines have an English option. If you want to talk to staff, go to the ticket window or the information desk.

• How much is a ticket to...?

  ...までの切符はいくらですか

  ... made no kippu wa ikura desu ka

  Say the destination in place of the dots.
• Where can I buy a metro card?

  地下鉄カードはどこで買えますか？

  Chikatetsu kaado wa doko de kaemasu ka?

  For a travel IC card, ask for a "Suica" or "Pasmo".
• How do I top up my card?

  カードにチャージするにはどうすればいいですか？

  Kaado ni chaaji suru ni wa dou sureba ii desu ka?

  "Chaaji" means to add money.
• A reserved seat, please

  指定席をお願いします

  Shiteiseki o onegai shimasu
• A shinkansen ticket, please

  新幹線の切符をお願いします

  Shinkansen no kippu o onegai shimasu
• Is there an express train?

  特急列車はありますか？

  Tokkyuu ressha wa arimasu ka?

  Tokkyuu is a limited express.

Finding the right train

Check the display for the destination and the train type, and ask staff if you are not sure.

• Which platform?

  何番線ですか

  Nanban-sen desu ka
• Does this train go to (place)?

  この電車は〜に行きますか

  Kono densha wa ... ni ikimasu ka

  Say the station in place of the dots.
• Which line do I take?

  どの路線に乗ればいいですか？

  Dono rosen ni noreba ii desu ka?

  For choosing a line in a large station.
• Where do I transfer?

  どこで乗り換えればいいですか？

  Doko de norikaereba ii desu ka?

  Useful at a junction station.
• What's the next stop?

  次はどこに止まりますか？

  Tsugi wa doko ni tomarimasu ka?

  Useful on a local train.
• Where do I get off for...?

  どこで降りればいいですか？

  Doko de orireba ii desu ka?

  Say the station name in place of the dots.

Exits and gates

Big stations have many exits, and the wrong one can mean a long walk. Check the exit number or letter on your map and ask staff if you are not sure.

• Where is the exit?

  出口はどこですか？

  Deguchi wa doko desu ka?
• Which exit should I take?

  どの出口を出ればいいですか？

  Dono deguchi o dereba ii desu ka?

  Show the address on your phone as you ask.
• Where is the nearest metro station?

  最寄りの地下鉄駅はどこですか？

  Moyori no chikatetsu eki wa doko desu ka?
• Where is the fare adjustment machine?

  精算機はどこですか

  Seisan-ki wa doko desu ka

  If the gate will not open at your exit.
• Is there luggage storage?

  荷物預かり所はありますか？

  Nimotsu azukarisho wa arimasu ka?

  Look for coin lockers in the station.

The first and last train

Train times are exact, and trains stop at night. The last train is called shuuden and the first is shihatsu.

• What time is the last train?

  最終電車は何時ですか？

  Saishuu densha wa nanji desu ka?

  Also check the time on a route app.
• What time is the first train?

  始発列車は何時ですか？

  Shihatsu ressha wa nanji desu ka?
• Are there any delays today?

  本日、遅延はありますか？

  Honjitsu, chien wa arimasu ka?

  Useful when the board is full of red warnings.
• I would like a taxi

  タクシーをお願いします

  Takushii o onegai shimasu

  If you have missed the last train.
• Where can I find a taxi stand?

  タクシー乗り場はどこにありますか？

  Takushii noriba wa doko ni arimasu ka?

  Taxi stands are outside most big stations.

A short scene: checking the train

1. Youすみません。この電車は新宿に行きますか？Sumimasen. Kono densha wa Shinjuku ni ikimasu ka?Excuse me. Does this train go to Shinjuku?
2. Staffいいえ、次の電車です。Iie, tsugi no densha desu.No, it is the next train.
3. You何番線ですか？Nanban-sen desu ka?Which platform?
4. Staff三番線です。San-ban sen desu.Platform three.
5. Youありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.

Common mistakes

1. Boarding the wrong type of train. A local train and an express may leave from the same platform. Check the display.
2. Not enough money on the card. The gate stops you at the exit. Use the fare adjustment machine, or top up the card.
3. Missing the last train. It is earlier than visitors expect. Check it before you go out.
4. Talking loudly or on the phone. Keep calls for outside the train.
5. Standing in the wrong place. Wait behind the marked line and let people out first.

For the rest of the phrases you will need on a trip, see our Japanese phrases for travel and, if you are asking how much something costs, how much is it in Japanese.