So You Want to Ride a Train in Japan

Japan's train system is famously punctual, efficient, and slightly scary when you first turn up and don't know what anything means. This article will go over the key phrases you'll see when you're squinting at signs while trying to fast-travel across Tokyo.

1) Train Types (a.k.a. Why Is My "Express" Stopping Everywhere?)

Japanese trains often come in different "speeds". Up to a point they don't cost more; they just skip stops. The kanji will tell you what kind of ride you’re in for:

  • 普通 (ふつう / futsū) - "Local." Stops at every station. You’ll have time to learn everyone’s name.

    普 = "universal." 通 = "to go through." Together = the "every station" train.

  • 快速 (かいそく / kaisoku) - "Rapid." Skips a few stops. Still polite.

    快 = "pleasant." 速 = "quick." 快速 = "pleasantly quick."

  • 準急 (じゅんきゅう / junkyū) - "Semi-express." Half-fast, half-slow; skips a few more stops.

    準 = "semi-" 急 = "hurry." Self-explanatory?

  • 急行 (きゅうこう / kyūkō) - "Express." Skips even more stops! The 急 (hurry) should clue you in.

    急 = "hurry." 行 = "go." Together = "hurry-go!"

  • 特急 (とっきゅう / tokkyū) - "Limited Express." The fancy one; usually needs a special ticket (look for 特急券 (とっきゅうけん / tokkyūken) alongside your basic 切符 (きっぷ / kippu)).

    特 = "special." 急 = "hurry." = "special hurry."

  • 新幹線 (しんかんせん / shinkansen) - The famous bullet train. Goes "whoosh". Definitely needs its own ticket.

    新 = "new." 幹 = "main." 線 = "line." Literally "new main line."

Pro tip: Sometimes two trains with the same label stop at different sets of stations depending on the line. Check the board on the platform or chance a scenic mystery tour.

2) I Made It to the Station!

Some words that will help you survive the signage onslaught:

  • 入口 (いりぐち / iriguchi) - Entrance. If you find this one, you're doing well. Unless you're trying to leave.

    入 = "to go in." 口 = "mouth." = "mouth you go in."

  • 出口 (でぐち / deguchi) - Exit. Your way out of the labyrinth.

    出 = "to go out." 口 = "mouth." = "mouth you go out of."

  • 改札口 (かいさつぐち / kaisatsuguchi) - Ticket gate. Where you beep your IC card.

    改 = "inspect." 札 = "ticket." 口 = "mouth." = "ticket-inspection-mouth."

  • 方面 (ほうめん / hōmen) - "Direction (towards…)."

    Example: 渋谷方面 (しぶやほうめん / Shibuya hōmen) = "towards Shibuya."

  • 行き (ゆき / yuki) - "Bound for." This one is everywhere.

    Example: 東京行き (とうきょうゆき / Tōkyō-yuki) = "bound for Tokyo." 行 = "to go." ゆき comes from 行く (いく / iku) = "to go."

  • 番線 (ばんせん / bansen) - Track number.

    Example: 3番線 (さんばんせん / san-bansen) = "Track 3."

Once you can pick these out, navigating stations feels way less like deciphering moon runes.

3) What Are They Saying?

There are two types of Japanese train announcements: life-saving clarity and long paragraphs where you only catch one word. Survival phrases:

  • 次は［駅名］です (つぎは［えきめい］です / tsugi wa [ekimei] desu) - "Next stop: [station name]."

    次 = "next." MVP phrase.

  • ドアが閉まります (ドアがしまります / doa ga shimarimasu) - "The doors are closing." Translation: stop sprinting.

  • ご注意ください (ごちゅういください / go-chūi kudasai) - "Please be careful."

  • 乗り換え (のりかえ / norikae) - "Transfer." Listen for this to know when to change lines.

    乗 = "ride." 換 = "interchange." = "swap your ride for another one."

  • 終点 (しゅうてん / shūten) - "Last stop." If you hear this and you’re still onboard, congrats - you live here now.

    終 = "end." 点 = "point."

  • 右側のドアが開きます (みぎがわのドアがあきます / migi-gawa no doa ga akimasu) - "Doors will open on the right." (Left = 左側 (ひだりがわ / hidari-gawa).)

Sometimes you’ll get a rapid-fire list of transfers, door sides, delays, apologies, and slam poetry (probably). The English bit often arrives after five other things you didn’t understand.

4) Tips & Tricks for Surviving the Rails

  • Shinkansen + suitcases: If your bag is check-in sized, book an oversized baggage seat 特大荷物スペースつき座席 (とくだいにもつスペースつきざせき / tokudai nimotsu supēsu-tsuki zaseki).

    Otherwise risk dirty looks and/or standing with your bag in the aisle like a chump.

  • Delays = refunds: If a shinkansen is 2+ hours late, you’re entitled to a full refund. It almost never happens, but when it does you will be refunded automatically and it is glorious.

  • Stand on the left... except in Osaka: In Tokyo, stand left/walk right. In Osaka, stand right. Pick the wrong side and you’ll be "that person".

  • Priority seats: Known as 優先席 (ゆうせんせき / yūsenseki). If you see a granny (おばあさん / obāsan) looking at you, don’t even think about sitting here.

  • Station jingles: (発車メロディー / はっしゃメロディー / hassha merodī) are different at every station, and some are unironically bangers.

    発 = "departure." 車 = "car." Means the train is departing.

Happy training!