Japanese for trains: IC cards, platforms, transfers and fares
Japanese stations are efficient right up until something goes wrong. These are the phrases for buying, boarding, transferring, and for the moment you realise your IC card is short at the gate.
Tickets and IC cards
チャージをお願いします。
Chaaji o onegaishimasu.
I would like to top up my IC card.
切符はどこで買えますか？
Kippu wa doko de kaemasu ka?
Where can I buy a ticket?
京都まで一枚お願いします。
Kyouto made ichimai onegaishimasu.
One ticket to Kyoto, please.
特急券は必要ですか？
Tokkyuuken wa hitsuyou desu ka?
Do I need a limited express ticket?
特急券 is a surcharge on top of the base fare.
指定席は空いていますか？
Shiteiseki wa aite imasu ka?
Are reserved seats available?
この路線でICカードは使えますか？
Kono rosen de aishii kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?
Can I use an IC card on this line?
Finding your train
渋谷は何番線ですか？
Shibuya wa nanbansen desu ka?
Which platform for Shibuya?
この電車は上野に止まりますか？
Kono densha wa Ueno ni tomarimasu ka?
Does this train stop at Ueno?
乗り換えは必要ですか？
Norikae wa hitsuyou desu ka?
Do I need to transfer?
これは各駅停車ですか、急行ですか？
Kore wa kakueki teisha desu ka, kyuukou desu ka?
Is this the local or the express?
終電は何時ですか？
Shuuden wa nanji desu ka?
What time is the last train?
北口はどこですか？
Kitaguchi wa doko desu ka?
Where is the north exit?
When it goes wrong
電車を間違えました。
Densha o machigaemashita.
I got on the wrong train.
残高が足りません。
Zandaka ga tarimasen.
My card does not have enough on it.
精算をお願いします。
Seisan o onegaishimasu.
I need a fare adjustment.
精算機 is the fare adjustment machine before the gates.
電車にかばんを忘れました。
Densha ni kaban o wasuremashita.
I left my bag on the train.
すみません、手伝ってもらえますか？
Sumimasen, tetsudatte moraemasu ka?
Excuse me, could you help me?
Wasei-eigo traps
ホーム (hoomu) looks like home, but means station platform
Shortened from プラットホーム. 三番ホーム is platform three, nothing to do with houses.
チャージ (chaaji) looks like a charge, as in a fee, but means topping up a card with money
チャージ is putting money onto your Suica. A fee is 料金 (ryoukin).
フリー (furii) looks like free of charge, but means unlimited, unrestricted
A フリーパス is an unlimited-travel pass that you still pay for. Free of charge is 無料 (muryou).
グリーン車 (guriinsha) looks like a green or eco carriage, but means first-class carriage
グリーン車 costs extra and needs its own ticket. Boarding one on a normal ticket gets you a surcharge.
ワンマン (wanman) looks like one-man, as in a solo effort, but means driver-only train, no conductor
On a ワンマン train you often board at one door and pay when leaving, like a bus.
FAQ
Common questions
Short answers to what people ask most about this situation.
Suica, Pasmo or ICOCA: does it matter which one I buy?
Not for travel. The major IC cards are mutually accepted across almost all of Japan, so whichever you get at your arrival airport will work in other cities. They also work in konbini and vending machines.
What happens if my card is short at the exit gate?
The gate closes and beeps. Go to the 精算機 (fare adjustment machine) next to the gates, insert the card, add cash, and go through. Staff at the manned gate will do it for you if the machine defeats you.
Do I need a seat reservation on the shinkansen?
Not always. Most trains have 自由席 (non-reserved) cars where you can sit anywhere. 指定席 guarantees a seat and costs a little more, which is worth it in holiday season.
Why do I need two tickets for some trains?
Long-distance travel splits into 乗車券 (the base fare for the distance) and 特急券 (the express surcharge). Both go into the gate together, and the machine returns them to you.