Find the train02
I would like to go to this station.
この駅に行きたいです。
Kono eki ni ikitai desu.
How to say it
koh-noh eh-kee nee ee-kee-tah-ee deh-soo
Show the exact destination station on a ticket, map or itinerary.
← The Fumi Railway GuidesJapanese for your
Kyoto Station · Pause, look up, ask a little question.
A LITTLE JAPANESE. A LOT MORE CONFIDENCE.
Japanese for your
railway journey.
Find the platform. Check your ticket. Ask a small question with confidence.
Listen, try the words, or show the Japanese to station staff. A few useful phrases can make the next step feel much easier.
- 40 useful phrases
- Listen & practise
- Show staff cards
駅
A few words. Your next train.Eki · Station
YOUR POCKET STATION COMPANION
What would you like to ask?
Start with these six. Choose a situation for more phrases, or search for the help you need. There’s no need to say it perfectly.
Which station are you going to?
Add the exact station and railway company to your “Show staff” card. A map or ticket helps too.
Osaka and Shin-Osaka are different stations. Include the operator for Namba or Nara, and the terminal for an airport.
40 useful phrases
Listen · Try it · Show staff
40 useful railway phrases
Destination: No destination entered
FumiTours.com/railway-guides/japanese/ · Show the exact station and your ticket or route to staff.
Find the train03
Does this train stop at this station?
この電車はこの駅に止まりますか。
Kono densha wa kono eki ni tomarimasu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh den-shah wah koh-noh eh-kee nee toh-mah-ree-mah-soo kah
Show the destination station and identify the train you mean.
Find the train04
Which platform number is it?
何番ホームですか。
Nanban hōmu desu ka.
How to say it
nahn-bahn hoh-oh-moo deh-soo kah
Show your train or journey details so staff can check the right platform.
Tickets and gates05
Can I board with this ticket?
この切符で乗れますか。
Kono kippu de noremasu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh kee-[hold]-poo deh noh-reh-mah-soo kah
Show your actual ticket and identify the train you want to take.
Tickets and gates06
I cannot get through the ticket gate.
改札を通れません。
Kaisatsu o tōremasen.
How to say it
kah-ee-sah-tsoo oh toh-oh-reh-mah-sehn
Step aside and show the ticket, IC card or phone you used at the gate.
Exits and access26
Where is the lift?
エレベーターはどこですか。
Erebētā wa doko desu ka.
How to say it
eh-reh-beh-eh-tah-ah wah doh-koh deh-soo kah
Ask before entering the gates if you need a route with lifts.
First words01
Excuse me.
すみません。
Sumimasen.
How to say it
soo-mee-mah-sen
Start with this to get someone’s attention, then ask your question.
Find the train07
Where is the station?
駅はどこですか。
Eki wa doko desu ka.
How to say it
eh-kee wah doh-koh deh-soo kah
Outside the station, show the exact station name and railway company.
Find the train08
Where are the ticket gates?
改札はどこですか。
Kaisatsu wa doko desu ka.
How to say it
kah-ee-sah-tsoo wah doh-koh deh-soo kah
Show the railway company or line: a large station can have several sets of gates.
Find the train09
Does this train go to Kyoto?
この電車は京都に行きますか。
Kono densha wa Kyōto ni ikimasu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh den-shah wah kyoh-oh-toh nee ee-kee-mah-soo kah
This phrase specifically says Kyoto. Use it only when Kyoto is your destination.
Find the train10
Do I need to change trains?
乗り換えは必要ですか。
Norikae wa hitsuyō desu ka.
How to say it
noh-ree-kah-eh wah hee-tsoo-yoh-oh deh-soo kah
Show your destination and the route you are considering.
Find the train11
Where should I change trains?
どこで乗り換えればいいですか。
Doko de norikaereba ii desu ka.
How to say it
doh-koh deh noh-ree-kah-eh-reh-bah ee-ee deh-soo kah
Ask this after finding out that you need to change trains.
Find the train12
Which train should I take to this station?
この駅まで、どの電車に乗ればいいですか。
Kono eki made, dono densha ni noreba ii desu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh eh-kee mah-deh doh-noh den-shah nee noh-reh-bah ee-ee deh-soo kah
Show the exact destination station on your map or itinerary.
Tickets and gates13
A ticket to here, please.
ここまでの切符をお願いします。
Koko made no kippu o onegai shimasu.
How to say it
koh-koh mah-deh noh kee-[hold]-poo oh oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-soo
Point to your destination. Confirm the date, train, passengers, seats and price before paying.
Tickets and gates14
I would like to reserve a seat.
指定席を予約したいです。
Shiteiseki o yoyaku shitai desu.
How to say it
shee-teh-eh-seh-kee oh yoh-yah-koo shee-tah-ee deh-soo
Show the date, train, destination and number of passengers you want to book.
Tickets and gates15
Are there seats available on the next train?
次の列車に空席はありますか。
Tsugi no ressha ni kūseki wa arimasu ka.
How to say it
tsoo-gee noh reh-[hold]-shah nee koo-oo-seh-kee wah ah-ree-mah-soo kah
Make the destination and train clear. Ask to reserve after checking availability.
Tickets and gates16
Is an additional charge required?
追加料金は必要ですか。
Tsuika ryōkin wa hitsuyō desu ka.
How to say it
tsoo-ee-kah ryoh-oh-keen wah hee-tsoo-yoh-oh deh-soo kah
Show your ticket, card or pass and the train you intend to take.
Tickets and gates17
Can I use this IC card?
このICカードは使えますか。
Kono ai shī kādo wa tsukaemasu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh ah-ee shee-ee kah-ah-doh wah tsoo-kah-eh-mah-soo kah
Show your IC card and intended journey. Check separately about special trains or reservations.
Tickets and gates18
Where can I top up?
どこでチャージできますか。
Doko de chāji dekimasu ka.
How to say it
doh-koh deh chah-ah-jee deh-kee-mah-soo kah
Show your transport IC card or phone. Here, “charge” means adding money to the card.
Tickets and gates19
Where can I collect the ticket I reserved?
予約した切符はどこで受け取れますか。
Yoyaku shita kippu wa doko de uketoremasu ka.
How to say it
yoh-yah-koo shee-tah kee-[hold]-poo wah doh-koh deh oo-keh-toh-reh-mah-soo kah
Show the booking provider and confirmation for the ticket you need to collect.
Tickets and gates20
Which ticket should I insert?
どの切符を入れればいいですか。
Dono kippu o irereba ii desu ka.
How to say it
doh-noh kee-[hold]-poo oh ee-reh-reh-bah ee-ee deh-soo kah
At a staffed gate, show all your paper tickets and let staff identify the right ones.
Boarding and luggage21
Which carriage number is it?
何号車ですか。
Nangōsha desu ka.
How to say it
nahn-goh-oh-shah deh-soo kah
Show your reservation. The carriage number is different from the platform or seat number.
Boarding and luggage22
Is this the correct seat?
この席で合っていますか。
Kono seki de atte imasu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh seh-kee deh ah-[hold]-teh ee-mah-soo kah
Indicate the seat and show your reservation to check that they match.
Boarding and luggage23
Where should I put this luggage?
この荷物はどこに置けばいいですか。
Kono nimotsu wa doko ni okeba ii desu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh nee-moh-tsoo wah doh-koh nee oh-keh-bah ee-ee deh-soo kah
Point to your bag and ask before using a luggage space.
Boarding and luggage24
Do I need a reservation to bring this luggage on board?
この荷物を持ち込むには、予約が必要ですか。
Kono nimotsu o mochikomu ni wa, yoyaku ga hitsuyō desu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh nee-moh-tsoo oh moh-chee-koh-moo nee wah yoh-yah-koo gah hee-tsoo-yoh-oh deh-soo kah
Ask before boarding. Show the bag’s size and the train you plan to take.
Exits and access25
Where is the exit?
出口はどこですか。
Deguchi wa doko desu ka.
How to say it
deh-goo-chee wah doh-koh deh-soo kah
Show your destination address if you need a particular exit.
Exits and access27
Can I get there without using stairs?
階段を使わずに行けますか。
Kaidan o tsukawazu ni ikemasu ka.
How to say it
kah-ee-dahn oh tsoo-kah-wah-zoo nee ee-keh-mah-soo kah
Show where you are going and ask about the whole route, including transfers.
Exits and access28
Could you help me get on and off the train?
乗り降りの手伝いをお願いできますか。
Noriori no tetsudai o onegai dekimasu ka.
How to say it
noh-ree-oh-ree noh teh-tsoo-dah-ee oh oh-neh-gah-ee deh-kee-mah-soo kah
Explain the help you need to station staff before boarding and allow extra time.
When plans change29
I took the wrong train.
電車を間違えました。
Densha o machigaemashita.
How to say it
den-shah oh mah-chee-gah-eh-mah-shee-tah
Show where you boarded, where you want to go and your ticket. Ask staff what to do next.
When plans change30
I missed the train I reserved.
予約した列車に乗り遅れました。
Yoyaku shita ressha ni noriokuremashita.
How to say it
yoh-yah-koo shee-tah reh-[hold]-shah nee noh-ree-oh-koo-reh-mah-shee-tah
Show the actual reservation and ask staff which options your ticket allows.
When plans change31
Is there another way to get to this station?
この駅まで、ほかの行き方はありますか。
Kono eki made, hoka no ikikata wa arimasu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh eh-kee mah-deh hoh-kah noh ee-kee-kah-tah wah ah-ree-mah-soo kah
Show your exact destination. Check whether an alternative route needs another ticket.
When plans change32
I left my luggage on the train.
電車に荷物を忘れました。
Densha ni nimotsu o wasuremashita.
How to say it
den-shah nee nee-moh-tsoo oh wah-soo-reh-mah-shee-tah
Give the train, date, time, stations and carriage if known. Describe the missing bag.
Understand the reply33
Once more, please.
もう一度お願いします。
Mō ichido onegai shimasu.
How to say it
moh-oh ee-chee-doh oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-soo
Use this when you would like staff to repeat their answer.
Understand the reply34
Slowly, please.
ゆっくりお願いします。
Yukkuri onegai shimasu.
How to say it
yoo-[hold]-koo-ree oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mah-soo
Ask for a slower explanation. It is fine to ask again.
Understand the reply35
Could you write it here, please?
ここに書いていただけますか。
Koko ni kaite itadakemasu ka.
How to say it
koh-koh nee kah-ee-teh ee-tah-dah-keh-mah-soo kah
Offer a notepad or a clear place to write a station, platform number or time.
First words36
Thank you very much.
ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
How to say it
ah-ree-gah-toh-oh goh-zah-ee-mah-soo
A warm way to finish your conversation.
Tickets and gates37
How much is it to here?
ここまでいくらですか。
Koko made ikura desu ka.
How to say it
koh-koh mah-deh ee-koo-rah deh-soo kah
Show the destination and train or seat type. Check what the quoted price includes.
Find the train38
What time is departure?
出発は何時ですか。
Shuppatsu wa nanji desu ka.
How to say it
shoo-[hold]-pah-tsoo wah nahn-jee deh-soo kah
Identify the train or reservation whose departure time you need.
Find the train39
What time is the last train that can get me to this station?
この駅まで行ける最終電車は何時ですか。
Kono eki made ikeru saishū densha wa nanji desu ka.
How to say it
koh-noh eh-kee mah-deh ee-keh-roo sah-ee-shoo-oo den-shah wah nahn-jee deh-soo kah
Show both your starting station and destination. Ask staff to check the last usable transfers too.
When plans change40
Are the trains running now?
今、電車は動いていますか。
Ima, densha wa ugoite imasu ka.
How to say it
ee-mah den-shah wah oo-goh-ee-teh ee-mah-soo kah
Show the line or journey you mean and ask station staff for the current situation.
Let’s find the words.
Tap Hear it to practise, or Show staff to ask.
Saved in this browser only. Print your phrases before travelling; audio needs a connection.
A little help with pronunciation
The sound hints are English approximations. Listen to the Japanese as your guide. A bar over a vowel in romaji means hold that sound a little longer: hōmu, for example. In our hints, “oh-oh” is one held sound, and “[hold]” is a brief pause before a doubled consonant. The final “u” in desu or masu can be very light.
Start with “Excuse me” and finish with “Thank you.” You can ask someone to write the answer down, too.
A FEW WORDS TO RECOGNISE
The signs start
to make sense.
Match the station, railway company and line on your route to the signs around you. These are words to recognise, not directions for a particular journey.
Find your station guide ↗- 駅
- Stationeki
- 改札
- Ticket gateskaisatsu
- ホーム
- Platformhōmu
- 乗り換え
- Transfernorikae
- 出口
- Exitdeguchi
- 方面
- Direction / towardshōmen
- 指定席
- Reserved seatshiteiseki
- 自由席
- Non-reserved seatjiyūseki
- 号車
- Carriage numbergōsha
- 運休
- Service cancelledunkyū
- 遅延
- Delaychien
- 終電
- Last trainshūden
WHEN SOMEONE ANSWERS
You don’t need to catch every word.
Listen for the station name, number or direction. These are examples of replies you might hear. Always follow the current advice for your own train.
こちらです。
Kochira desu.
This way / here.
3番ホームです。
Sanban hōmu desu.
It’s platform 3.
少々お待ちください。
Shōshō omachi kudasai.
Please wait a moment.
Still unsure? Ask “Once more, please”, “Slowly, please”, or “Could you write it here?” A written station name or time can be much easier to follow.
About these phrases & useful sources
Original Fumi travel phrase cards, reviewed 26 October 2026. Questions help you ask staff about your own journey; the page does not provide live train status, bookings or route calculations. Your destination label and saved list stay in this browser.
For further learning and current travel arrangements: Japan Foundation · Asking how at a station, JR East · Tickets, JR East · Accessibility, JR Central · Luggage. .
LET THE CONVERSATION GO FURTHER
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These phrases get the conversation started. Our guides are designed to be used with Fumi: your companion for the journey, the places and the people you meet.