Essential Japanese Phrases for Transportation | Train, Bus, Taxi & Air Trave
Getting around in Japan is easy with trains, buses, taxis, and airplanes. However, understanding how to buy tickets, make transfers, and confirm your destination in Japanese can make your travel even smoother. This page provides essential Japanese phrases categorized by different modes of transportation, helping you navigate Japan with confidence.
Key takeaways
Japan’s transportation system is convenient but can be overwhelming if you are not familiar with ticket purchases, route confirmations, and in-transit announcements. This page covers essential Japanese phrases for trains, buses, taxis, and air travel, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.
- Useful Japanese phrases for public transportation (buying tickets, transfers, confirming stops, etc.)
- Tips for easy communication (common words and helpful expressions)
- Emergency phrases for unexpected situations (getting lost, missing a stop, etc.)
Basic Phrases
| すみません。 Sumimasen. |
Excuse me. / Sorry. |
| 駅へ行きたいです。 Eki e ikitai desu. |
I want to go to ○○. |
| コンビニはどこですか？ Convenience store wa doko desu ka? |
Where is the convenience store? |
| いくらですか？ Ikura desu ka? |
How much is it? |
“すみません (sumimasen)” is useful for asking questions at stations and bus stops.
Using the Train
| 切符はどこで買えますか？ Kippu wa doko de kaemasuka? |
Where can I buy a ticket? |
| 東京駅までの切符をください。 Tokyo eki made no kippu o kudasai. |
A ticket to Tokyo station, please. |
| どこで乗り換えますか？ Doko de norikaemasu ka? |
Where should I transfer? |
| 次の駅はどこですか？ Tsugi no eki wa doko desu ka? |
What is the next station? |
| どの電車に乗ればいいですか？ Dono densha ni noreba iidesuka? |
Which train should I take? |
| この電車は東京駅に行きますか？ Kono densha wa Tokyo eki ni ikimasuka? |
Does this train go to Tokyo Station? |
Ask “この電車は○○に行きますか？” (Does this train go to ○○?) before boarding to avoid mistakes.
Using the Bus
| 東京駅行きのバスはどこですか？ Tokyo eki iki no basu wa doko desuka? |
Where is the bus to the Tokyo train staion? |
| いつ降りればいいですか？ Itsu orireba ii desuka? |
When should I get off? |
| どこで降りればいいですか？ Doko de orireba ii desuka? |
Where should I get off? |
| 降ります。 Orimasu. |
I’m getting off. |
| 運賃はいくらですか？ Unchin wa ikura desuka? |
How much is the fare? |
Saying “降ります (orimasu)” when exiting helps the driver notice you.
Using a Taxi
| グランドホテルまでお願いします。 Grand hotel made onegai shimasu. |
Please take me to the Grand hotel. |
| ここで止めてください。 Koko de tomete kudasai. |
Please stop here. |
| いくらかかりますか？ Ikura kakarimasu ka? |
How much will it cost? |
| 最寄りの駅で降ろしてもらえますか？ Moyori no eki de oroshite moraemasuka? |
Can you drop me off at the nearest station? |
| 駅へはどのくらいかかりますか？ Eki ewa donokurai kakarimasuka? |
How long does it take to get to the station? |
“○○までお願いします” is the most natural way to tell your destination to a taxi driver.
Using an Airplane
| 私の席はどこですか？ Watashi no seki wa doko desuka? |
Where is my seat? |
| 毛布と枕をもらえますか？ Moufu to makura wo moraemasuka? |
Can I have a blanket and pillow? |
| お水を一杯お願いします。 Omizu wo ippai onegai shimasu. |
I’d like a glass of water. |
| このフライトは定刻に着きますか？ Kono furaito wa teikoku ni tsukimasuka? |
Will this flight get there on time? |
| 飛行機酔いしたみたいです。 Hikouki yoi shita mitai desu. |
I think I might be getting airsick. |
| エチケット袋をもらえますか？ Echiketto bukuro wo moraemasuka? |
Can you please get me a barf bag? |
“○○をお願いします” (Please ~) is useful for making requests.
When You Are Lost
| すみません、道に迷いました。 Sumimasen, michi ni mayoimashita. |
Excuse me, I’m lost. |
| 道を教えてもらえますか？ Michi wo oshiete moraemasuka? |
Would you give me directions? |
| 駅はどこですか？ Eki wa doko desuka? |
Where is the station? |
| 駅へ行くにはどうすればいいですか？ Eki e iku ni wa dō sureba ii desu ka? |
How can I get to the station? |
| 駅への行き方を教えてもらえますか？ Eki eno ikikata wo oshiete moraemasuka? |
Can you tell me how to get to the station? |
| 近くにコンビニはありますか？ Chikaku ni conbini wa arimasuka? |
Is there a convenience store near here? |
| ATMはどこにありますか？ ATM wa doko ni arimasuka? |
Where can I find an ATM? |
If you’re lost, “道に迷いました (michi ni mayoimashita)” is a useful phrase to ask for help.
Useful Transportation Words
| 駅 Eki |
Train Station |
| バス停 Busu tei |
Bus stop |
| タクシー乗り場 Taxi noriba |
Taxi stand |
| 電車 Densha |
Train |
| 地下鉄 Chikatetsu |
Subway / Metro |
| 切符 Kippu |
Train ticket |
| 運賃 Unchin |
Fare |
This page introduced essential Japanese phrases for different transportation situations. Learning phrases like “○○へ行きたいです (I want to go to ○○)” and “この電車は○○へ行きますか？ (Does this train go to ○○?)” will make your travels in Japan much easier. Practice these expressions and enjoy a smooth and stress-free journey!
