Train Station

Train stations are places we often use in daily life or when traveling.

At a station, you may need to have various conversations such as buying tickets, checking train times, or asking about transfers.

Station conversations often involve unique expressions, which can be confusing for first-time visitors or foreign travelers.

This page introduces example conversations with station staff for different situations – from how to buy a ticket to how to recharge an IC card – so you can learn practical Japanese for real life use.

Asking for the Ticket Machine Location

When you don’t know where to buy a ticket for the train, you can ask a station staff.

Nowadays, you can ride trains without buying a paper ticket by using an IC card or a smartphone apps.

Asking About the Fare

You can ask this question when you want to know the fare for a train.

You can also check fares on the ticket machine or the signboard above it.

Asking about Train Departure Time

You can ask this question when you want to check what time a train to your destination will depart.

You can also check train times on the station timetable, smartphone apps, or websites without asking station staff.

Asking Which Platform the Train Departs from

You can ask this question when you want to know which platform your train will depart from.

Platform information is available on the station’s electronic display boards or smartphone apps, but if there are last-minute changes, asking station staff is the safest option.

Asking How Long It Takes to the Destination

You can ask this question when you want to know how long it will take to reach your destination.

You can also check this on smartphone apps.

If the train is crowded, it may take longer than usual.

Asking If the Train Stops at Your Destination

This is conversation you use when you want to confirm whether the next train will stop at your desired station.

You can also check upcoming stops on electronic display boards, station timetables, smartphone apps, or websites, but asking directly is reassuring.

Asking Which Stations the Express Stops at

Express trains are faster but stop at fewer stations, so it’s better to confirm in advance.

You can also check this on station timetables, smartphone apps, or websites.

Asking about Transfers

You can ask this question when you want to know at which station to transfer to reach your destination.

Transfer information can be checked on smartphone apps or websites, but if there are multiple transfer routes or the situation is complex, asking station staff is smoother.

Asking about Delays

This is conversation you use when you want to know the status of train delays.

Delay information is displayed on the station’s electronic display boards or smartphone apps, but if announcements are unclear or you want precise details, it is better to ask station staff directly.

Asking about the Last Train

When riding a train late at night, it’s important to confirm the last train time.

Last train times may differ on weekdays and weekends/holidays, so checking in advance is recommended.

Even though you can check on smartphone apps or websites, last-minute changes may occur, so asking station staff is reliable.

Asking about Lost Items

If you lose something at a station, you should speak to station staff immediately.

If you know where the ticket counter is, go there directly.

Lost items may be handled at the station where they were dropped or by the entire railway company, in which case you might need to go to another station.

Asking Where the Restroom Is

When you need to find a restroom quickly, you can ask a station staff.

Large stations often have restrooms both inside and outside the ticket gates.

Asking about a Wrongly Purchased Ticket

You can ask this question when you’ve bought the wrong ticket and want to know what to do.

Usually, you can get a refund or pay the fare difference at the ticket counter or fare adjustment machine.

Asking for the Location of the Ticket Gate

When you want to confirm which ticket gate to use, you can use this question.

Large stations may have multiple gates, and some may not be convenient for nearby facilities.

Asking for the Station Map

When using a station for the first time and you want to check the locations of facilities, you can ask a station staff.

You can also check station maps on the railway company’s websites or smartphone apps.

Asking for the Location of the Elevator/Escalator

You can use this conversation to ask where the elevators or escalators are when using a stroller or wheelchair.

Some stations have limited accessibility facilities, so confirming in advance is reassuring.

Buying Shinkansen or Express Tickets

When buying a reserved or non-reserved seat ticket for the Shinkansen or a express train.

These tickets can usually be bought at the ticket counter, ticket machines, or via smartphone apps.

Asking How to Recharge an IC Card

You can ask this question when you want to recharge an IC card such as Suica or PASMO.

You can recharge at not only stations, but convenience stores, and some vending machines.