Where is the station?
駅はどこですか。
Eki wa doko desu ka.
Where is the station?
Useful before you even reach the train system.
Life Japanese
Train Japanese: stations, tickets, platforms, exits, transfers, and delays.
Japanese train stations are amazing, but they can overwhelm beginners. Learn the words for exits, platforms, tickets, IC cards, transfers, delays, last trains, lost items, and announcements before panic starts.
Train routes, fares, rules, and service conditions vary by railway company and station. Always confirm with official station staff, signs, announcements, and railway information.
Station rule: When lost, ask for the platform number, exit number, or transfer line. Specific questions get useful answers.
Start here
The safest train phrases
These phrases help at ticket gates, platforms, information counters, stations, and crowded transfer points.
Which platform?
何番線ですか。
Nanbansen desu ka.
Which platform is it?
One of the most useful station questions.
Where is the exit?
出口はどこですか。
Deguchi wa doko desu ka.
Where is the exit?
Use when stations feel like underground cities.
Where do I transfer?
どこで乗り換えますか。
Doko de norikaemasu ka.
Where do I transfer?
Use when your route has multiple lines.
Is this train going to Tokyo?
この電車は東京に行きますか。
Kono densha wa Toukyou ni ikimasu ka.
Does this train go to Tokyo?
Replace Tokyo with your destination.
Please say that again
もう一度お願いします。
Mou ichido onegai shimasu.
One more time, please.
Use when staff answers too quickly.
Train flow
A safe station routine
Train survival becomes easier when you break the station into steps: ticket/IC card, gate, line, platform, destination, transfer, exit.
01
Tickets & IC cards
Ticket machines, fare adjustment, IC cards, charging money, and gates.
02
Platforms & lines
Platform numbers, train lines, destinations, local/express, and last train.
03
Transfers & exits
Transfer points, exits, maps, directions, and station staff questions.
04
Delays & trouble
Delays, cancellations, lost items, missed trains, and emergency phrases.
Tickets and IC cards
Getting through the gate
IC cards make train travel easier, but you still need ticket, fare, charge, and gate language.
Ticket
切符を買いたいです。
Kippu o kaitai desu.
I would like to buy a ticket.
How much to Shinjuku?
新宿までいくらですか。
Shinjuku made ikura desu ka.
How much is it to Shinjuku?
IC card
ICカードは使えますか。
IC kādo wa tsukaemasu ka.
Can I use an IC card?
Charge the card
チャージしたいです。
Chāji shitai desu.
I would like to charge/top up the card.
Fare adjustment
精算はどこですか。
Seisan wa doko desu ka.
Where is fare adjustment?
Gate problem
改札を通れません。
Kaisatsu o tooremasen.
I cannot pass through the ticket gate.
Platforms and lines
Find the right train before boarding.
Platform, line, destination, train type, and direction matter. Ask before boarding if you are unsure.
Platform
何番線ですか。
Nanbansen desu ka.
Which platform is it?
Line
山手線はどこですか。
Yamanote-sen wa doko desu ka.
Where is the Yamanote Line?
Destination
この電車は渋谷に行きますか。
Kono densha wa Shibuya ni ikimasu ka.
Does this train go to Shibuya?
Local train
これは各駅停車ですか。
Kore wa kakueki teisha desu ka.
Is this a local train?
Express train
これは急行ですか。
Kore wa kyuukou desu ka.
Is this an express train?
Last train
終電は何時ですか。
Shuuden wa nanji desu ka.
What time is the last train?
Transfers and exits
Japanese stations are cities inside buildings.
Large stations can be confusing even for native speakers. Ask for the transfer line, exit number, or landmark. Specific questions work best.
銀座線に乗り換えたいです。どこに行けばいいですか。
Ginza-sen ni norikaetai desu. Doko ni ikeba ii desu ka.
I want to transfer to the Ginza Line. Where should I go?
This phrase is practical because it names the line and asks for the next action.
Delays and trouble
When the train plan breaks
Delays, cancellations, missed trains, and lost items are stressful. Learn these before you need them.
Is it delayed?
電車は遅れていますか。
Densha wa okurete imasu ka.
Is the train delayed?
How many minutes late?
何分遅れていますか。
Nanpun okurete imasu ka.
How many minutes is it delayed?
Cancelled?
運休ですか。
Unkyuu desu ka.
Is it suspended/cancelled?
Alternative route
別の行き方はありますか。
Betsu no ikikata wa arimasu ka.
Is there another way to get there?
I missed the train
電車に乗り遅れました。
Densha ni noriokuremashita.
I missed the train.
Lost item
忘れ物をしました。
Wasuremono o shimashita.
I left something behind.
Announcements
Train announcement words to recognize
You do not need to understand every announcement. Start with the words that matter.
Next station
次は東京です。
Tsugi wa Toukyou desu.
Next is Tokyo.
Arriving soon
まもなく到着します。
Mamonaku touchaku shimasu.
We will arrive shortly.
Doors closing
ドアが閉まります。
Doa ga shimarimasu.
The doors are closing.
Transfer
お乗り換えです。
Onorikae desu.
Transfer here.
Delay
遅れが出ています。
Okure ga dete imasu.
There is a delay.
Platform change
発車番線が変更になりました。
Hassha bansen ga henkou ni narimashita.
The departure platform has changed.
Lost items
What to say if you leave something on the train
I left something
電車に忘れ物をしました。
Densha ni wasuremono o shimashita.
I left something on the train.
Wallet
財布をなくしました。
Saifu o nakushimashita.
I lost my wallet.
Bag
かばんを忘れました。
Kaban o wasuremashita.
I forgot my bag.
Where is lost and found?
忘れ物センターはどこですか。
Wasuremono sentā wa doko desu ka.
Where is the lost and found center?
Model conversation
Ask about a transfer
すみません。新宿に行きたいです。
どこで乗り換えますか。
何番線ですか。
もう一度お願いします。
念のため、確認させてください。
どこで乗り換えますか。
何番線ですか。
もう一度お願いします。
念のため、確認させてください。
Sumimasen. Shinjuku ni ikitai desu.
Doko de norikaemasu ka.
Nanbansen desu ka.
Mou ichido onegai shimasu.
Nen no tame, kakunin sasete kudasai.
Doko de norikaemasu ka.
Nanbansen desu ka.
Mou ichido onegai shimasu.
Nen no tame, kakunin sasete kudasai.
Excuse me. I want to go to Shinjuku.
Where do I transfer?
Which platform is it?
One more time, please.
Please let me confirm, just to be safe.
Where do I transfer?
Which platform is it?
One more time, please.
Please let me confirm, just to be safe.
Station philosophy
Train Japanese is movement language.
A station is not a classroom. It is noisy, fast, crowded, and full of signs. The learner does not need perfect Japanese. The learner needs platform, exit, transfer, delay, ticket, and destination language.
That is why train Japanese should be practical and direct. Ask the right question, confirm the answer, and move before the train leaves.
Practice path
What to practice next
01
Train Station Panic
Practice exits, tickets, platforms, transfers, and station survival.
02
Numbers & Time
Practice train times, platform numbers, prices, and last train questions.
03
Listening Practice
Train your ear for station announcements and short phrases.
04
Life Japanese
Return to the main daily-life Japanese hub.
Remember this
Ask the platform. Ask the transfer. Ask the exit.
Train Japanese is not about long conversation. It is about getting the right answer before the train leaves.