Learn Japanese Phrases for Getting Around Japan on the Train

By Emily Kato

If you are travelling to Japan and you are not on an organized tour, you will have to to decide the best way to get around. The top alternative is to utilize public transport and particularly trains ('densha' is the word for train in Japanese). Trains cross the entire nation and vary from the bullet trains 'Shinkansen' that journey between the most important cities to local trains that connect small country towns. Trains in Japan are acknowledged for their reliability, security and are always clean and air-conditioned.

Buses ('Basu' is the word for bus in Japanese) are an alternative for a short journey within the city or between towns that don't have a direct rail link. They can be less reliable though, as they have to compete with the road traffic. In the cities, a superior substitute is to make use of the subway ('chikatetsu' is the word for subway in Japanese). When you are going between cities, the 'Highway Bus' is a great inexpensive choice to the train. The highway buses don't always keep to the timetable if there is overcrowding on the highway.

Hiring a vehicle ('kuruma' is the word for car in Japanese) is a common choice in a lot of lands but may not be the best option in the land of the rising sun. It can be pricey to rent out the car, next there are numerous toll roads and then there is the minor problem of reading the directions. If you are travelling between the major islands of Japan, you could also go by plane, although once more this alternative is relatively pricey.

The Following are a few general expressions for getting around using the train in Japan:

1. While trying to navigate your way in a new country, you need to ask the about your destination "I would like to go to ____ (your destination)" and you can achieve this in Japanese by using the expression "____ ni ikitai desu".

2. If you need to find your way to the train station, you can inquire "Eki wa doko desu ka?" meaning "Where is the train station?"

3. If you are looking for the ticket machine and cannot locate it, you can inquire someone with the expression 'Kippu uriba wa doko desu ka?'

4. If you want to ask how much the ticket costs, use the phrase 'Kippu wa ikura desu ka?'

5. When you are not confident where the train goes, just inquire using 'Kono densha wa doko e ikimasu ka?'

6. If you would like to inquire a person where to get off, make use of the expression 'Doko de oritara ii desu ka?'

7. If you are not sure where you are and wish to confirm the name of the station that the train is at, make use of the phrase 'Kono eki wa doko desu ka?'

If you take the time to study even these basic phrases, you will find them a great help on your visit to Japan. - 30216

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