Japanese Train Announcements (電車のアナウンス ): How to Understand The Meaning and Key Phrases

You can barely survive in Japan if you don’t know the language, but taking their train? It’s another war. Unfortunately, you can’t pick your battle when it comes to the Japanese public transportation system; with most cities having complex (but convenient) train service, chikatetsu (subway) and densha (train) is the most common travel option.

Have you heard of this phrase before?

急停車します。ご注意ください。急停車します。ご注意ください。
きゅうていしゃします。ごちゅういください。きゅうていしゃします。ごちゅういください。
Kyuuteisha shimasu. Gochuui kudasai. Kyuuteisha shimasu. Gochuui kudasai.

If you don’t know the meaning, you’re at risk of being jerked by the sudden train stop. The train announcement phrase above means: The train will stop suddenly. Please be careful.

While most central train lines provide English services, a lot of Japanese train and train stations don’t provide enough English translations for important information. The Tobu Tojo Line, for example, mostly use Japanese announcements inside the train.

This is why you still need to know all the essential Japanese train announcements or 電車内で耳にするアナウンス (denshanai de mimi suru annaunsu). Check out our guide below to help you!

Check out our full Japanese vocabulary cheat sheet here.

Jump to Japanese train announcements you’ll hear when:

• You’re on the train platform before boarding
• When you’re boarding the train
• When the train is making line transfers
• When the there’s an emergency
• Downloadable PDF for train announcements

What You Need to Know About Train Transportation System in Japan

Traveling by train in Japan is easy and efficient. If you are visiting Japan for the first time, you can consider buying a Japan national or regional rail pass. The JR pass is not only of great value, but will make your life much easier while in Japan. The JR pass is valid for use across multiple trains including Shinkansen bullet trains and Narita Express trains. Passengers can choose how long they want the pass for, from 7, 14 or 21 days. There is also an option of Standard Pass or a Green Pass (first class). The JR Pass can be easily ordered online. You will receive an Exchange Order which you can swap for a JR Pass when you arrive in Japan.

Train maps as well as also available for download online or can easily be found at all train stations and airports in Japan. Be it whether you are taking the local train or shinkansen, navigating is never a problem. However, you should familiarise yourself with the Japanese train announcements that you might hear to make your travel as easy as possible.

Train Travel in Japan

There are six major train categories In Japan. Trains in Japan are well developed, clean, efficient and punctual that their extensive rail network covers almost every part of Japan, but if you’re on a smaller train station, train stops are less frequent.

• 普通列車 – Local (futsuu). Local trains that stop at every station.
• 準急 – Semi-express (junkyuu). Skips a few particularly small stations within the train line.
• 快速 – Rapid (kaisoku). Skips a few stations compared to the semi-express train.
• 急行 – Express (kyuuko). Express trains stop at even fewer stations than rapid trains.
• 特急 – Limited Express (tokkyu). Limited express trains stop only at major stations.
• 新幹線 – Shinkansen . High-speed express train lines.

Some rapid trains require reserved seating, where you pay a slightly higher train fee. Inside the train, you’ll also find different seating types that you can choose from when purchasing your ticket. While waiting at the platform or waiting for the train to move, a conductor will usually check the tickets to ensure they are using the correct car.

• 自由席 (jiyuu seki) – Non-Reserved Seating. You need not make a prior reservation and are typically either the first three or last three cars of the train.
• 指定席 (shitei seki) – Reserved Seating. You would require to make a reservation at the ticket counter.
• 優先座席 (yuusen zaseki) – Priority Seating. Priority seating is reserved for people who are in need such as the elderly and pregnant women or people with physical disabilities.

Japanese Train Announcements

The usual announcements are also frequently made across its speakers to alert passengers to keep safe, what is the next stop and which door will open. Here are some common and uncommon announcements that you might hear when traveling by train in Japan.

First of all, take a look at these useful Japanese terms that you may hear in train platforms in Japan.

Japanese Train Announcements Before Boarding a Train in Japan

1. You usually hear this while waiting for the train that is approaching the platform

まもなく,電車が参ります。
まもなく, でんしゃがまいります。
Mamonaku, densha ga mairimasu

Meaning: The train is coming soon

2. You usually hear this just as the train is about to arrive at the platform

まもなく３番線に快速◯◯行きがまいります。黄色い線の内側に下がってお待ちください。
まもなくさんばんせんにかいそく◯◯ゆきがまいります。きいろいせんおうちがわにさがっておまちください。
Mamonaku sanban-sen-ni kaisoku ◯◯ yuki-ga mairimasu. Kiiroi sen no uchigawa ni sagatte omachi kudasai.

Meaning: Rapid train bound for ◯◯ will be arriving at platform 3 shortly. Please stand back behind the yellow line and wait.

3. Some train stations may repeat this sentence for the safety of their passengers

駆け込み乗車は、電車のドアに手などを挟まれ大変危険ですのでおやめください。
かけこみじょうしゃは、でんしゃのドアにてなどをはさまれたいへんきけんですのでおやめください。
Kakekomi josha wa densha no doa ni te nado o hasamare taihen kiken desu node oyame kudasai.

Meaning: Please stop making a dash for the train as it may result in your hand being stuck between train doors and it is dangerous for that reason.

Bonus: You typically hear this on JR trains in the Kansai area to inform you to stand in an orderly manner for boarding.

この列車は◯◯両で構成されます。乗車位置は白色三角、ならびに◯◯番から◯◯で示されます。◯◯列を形成して列車に乗車してください
このれっしゃは◯◯りょうでこうせいされます。じょうしゃいちははくしょくさんかく、ならびに◯◯ばんから◯◯ばんでしめされます。にれつをけいせいしてれっしゃにじょうしゃしてください。
Kono ressha wa ◯◯-ryou de kousei sa remasu. Jousha ichi wa hakushoku sankaku, narabini ◯◯-ban kara ◯◯-ban de shimesa remasu. ◯◯-retsu o keisei shite ressha ni jousha shite kudasai.

Meaning: This train consists of 12 cars. Boarding locations are indicated by white triangles and No.1 through 12. Please form two lines to board the train.”

Japanese Train Announcements You’ll Hear When You Get on The Train in Japan

1. You hear this when you enter the train

ご乗車ありがとうございます。
ごじょうしゃありがとうございます。
Gojosha arigatou gozaimasu.

Meaning:  Thank you for riding this train.

2. You hear this to know which direction the train is heading to

この電車は、◯◯名、◯◯ゆきです。
このでんしゃは、◯◯めい、◯◯ゆきです
Kono densha wa,◯◯ mei,◯◯ yukidesu.

Meaning: This is a (Line Name) Line train bound for fo (Destination).

この電車は、◯◯、◯◯、◯◯ゆきです。
このでんしゃは、◯◯、◯◯、◯◯ゆきです
Kono densha wa, ◯◯, ◯◯, ◯◯ yuki desu.

Meaning: This train is going to (Station A), (Station B), and (Station C).

3. You hear this in trains to remind yourself to be mindful of people in need and give up your seats if necessary

この電車には、優先席があります。お年寄りや、からだの不自由なお客様、妊娠中や、乳幼児をお連れのお客様がいらっしゃいましたら、席をお譲りください。
このでんしゃには、ゆうせんさきがあります。おとしよりや、からだのふじゆうなおきゃくさま、にんしんちゅうや、にゅうようじをおつれのおきゃくさまがいっらしゃいましたら、せきをおゆずりください。
Kono densha ni wa, yuusen seki ga arimasu. O toshiyori ya, karada no fujiyuuna okyakusama, ninshin-chuu ya, nyuuyouji o otsuure no okyakusama ga irasshaimashitara, seki o o yuzuri kudasai.
Meaning: There are priority seats reserved for elderly and handicapped passengers, expecting mothers, and passengers accompanying small children.

お客様のご協力をお願いします。
おきゃくさまのごきょうりょくをおねがいします。
Okyakusama no gokyouryoku o onegaishimasu.

Meaning: We thank you for your cooperation.

4. You hear this as a reminder to ride the train peacefully

お客様にお願いいたします。優先席付近では、携帯電話の電源をお切りください。
おきゃくさまにおねがいいたします。ゆうせんせきふきんでは、けいたいでんわのでんげんをおきりください。
Okyakusama ni onegai itashimasu. Yuusen seki fukin de wa, keitaidenwa no dengen o o kiri kudasai.

Meaning: Please switch off your mobile phone when you are near the priority seats.

それ以外の場所では、マナーモードに設定のうえ、通話はお控えください。ご協力をお願いいたします。
それいがいのばしょでは、マナーモードにせっていのうえ、つうわはおひかえください。ごきょうりょくをおねがいたします。
Sore igai no bashode wa, mana-mo-do ni settei no ue, tsuuwa wa o hikae kudasai. Go kyouryoku o onegai itashimasu.

Meaning: In other areas, please set it to silent mode (manner mode) and refrain from talking on the phone. Thank you for your cooperation.

Japanese Train Announcements You’ll Hear When A Train is Making Stops

1. This is to tell you that the train will be arriving at its stop soon

間も無く◯◯ 到着します
Mamonaku ◯◯ touchaku shimasu

Meaning: “We will be reaching (station) soon”

2. Announcement about the next stop for the train as well as which side the door will open.

まもなく、◯◯ 、◯◯ 。お出口は、右(左)側です。
Mamonaku, ◯◯ , ◯◯ 。O deguchi wa, migi (hidari)-gawadesu.

Meaning: The next station is (Station), (Station)*. The next station is ◯◯ . The doors on the right (left) side will open.

(Note: The announcer usually repeats the name of the station twice. For example, if the train is stopping at Ikebukuro, they will say, “Mamonaku, Ikebukuro. Ikebukuro.”)

2. You hear this typically on rapid trains that do not stop at all stations

この列車は◯◯、◯◯、…、◯◯に停まります。◯◯を出た後は、終点◯◯に到着するまですべての駅に停車します。

Kono ressha wa ◯◯, ◯◯,…, ◯◯ ni tomarimasu. ◯◯ o deta nochi wa, shuuten ◯◯ ni touchaku suru made subete no eki ni teisha shimasu.

Meaning: This train will be stopping at (Station A), (Station B),…., (Station C). After leaving (Station C), this train will be stopping at every station before arriving at (Final Station).

Japanese Train Announcements for Transfers

If your destination is on a different train line, you’ll have to transfer train somewhere in between. This is known as norikae (のりかえ・乗り換え).

湘南新宿ライン、埼京線、相鉄線への直通運転（の列車）、…は乗り換えです。
Shounan-shinjuku rain, Saikyou-sen, Soutetsu-sen e no chokutsuu unten (no ressha),… wa norikaedesu.

Meaning: Please change here for the Shonan-Shinjuku line, the Saikyo line, through service to Sotetsu line.

こちらで、埼京線と地下鉄日比谷線に乗り換えてください。
Kochira de, ◯◯-sen to chikatetsu ◯◯ ni norikaete kudasai.

Meaning: Please change to the (Train)-Line and the (Train) Subway Line here.”

◯◯線へ乗り換える乗客は、その駅で乗り換えてください。
◯◯ sen norikaeru joukyaku wa, sono Eki de norikaete kudasai.

Meaning: Passengers changing to the ◯◯ line, please transfer at this station.

名鉄線へ行く乗客は、こちら岐阜羽島で電車を乗り換えてください。
◯◯–sen e iku joukyaku wa, kochira ◯◯ de densha o norikaete kudasai.

Meaning: For passengers going to the ◯◯ Line, please change trains here at ◯◯.

When transferring to a branch line with only one station, the line name may be omitted.

(私達は）まもなく、◯◯ に到着します。
(Watashitachi wa) mamonaku, ◯◯ ni touchaku shimasu.

Meaning: (We) will soon arrive in ◯◯.

(私達は）まもなく、◯◯で短い停車を行います
(Watashitachi wa) mamonaku, ◯◯ de mijikai teisha o okonaimasu

Meaning: We will soon make a brief stop at◯◯.

Common Japanese Train Announcements For Emergencies

1. You will hear either to let you know that the train has to change tracks due to an emergency

The train driver will announce this to ask you to be careful while the train is changing tracks.

私達は別の線路へ移ります。もしあなたが立っていたら、つり革か手すりに掴まってください。
Watashitachi wa betsu no senro e utsurimasu. Moshi anata ga tatte itara, tsuri kawa ka tesuri ni tsukamatte kudasai.

Meaning: We will be changing to another track. If you are standing, please hold on to the hand strap or rail.

事故を防ぐために列車が急に止まる必要があるかもしれません。ですので、気をつけてください.
Jiko o fusegu tame ni ressha ga kyuu ni tomaru hitsuyou ga aru kamo shiremasen. Desunode, ki o tsukete kudasai

Meaning: It may be necessary for the train to stop suddenly to prevent an accident, so please be careful.

2. You don’t usually hear this unless in case of emergency so you are prepared.

ご注意ください。緊急ブレーキが用いられました。
Go chuui kudasai. Kinkyuu bure-ki ga mochii raremashita.

Meaning: Attention please, the emergency brake has been applied.

急停車します。ご注意ください。急停車します。ご注意ください。
Kyuuteisha shimasu. Gochuui kudasai. Kyuuteisha shimasu. Gochuui kudasai.

Meaning: The train will make a sudden stop. Please be careful. The train will make a sudden stop. Please be careful.

Useful Vocabulary

Useful Phrases

Click here to download our printable cheat sheet (in PDF!) for useful vocabulary you can use while on a train in Japan!

Bonus: Common Phrases From Train Staff

Usually, train station staff will approach you and say this when you look like you require help. You can respond to them with “Daijoubu desu, arigatou gozaimasu,” which means “I’m alright, thank you” if you do not require help. Japan staff are often very friendly and ready to help, so do not hesitate when requiring assistance!

何かお困りですか？
Nanika okomari desuka?

Meaning: “Do you need help?”

You seldom hear this in Japan but if there’s some kind of delay, they will announce it.

電車が遅れています
Densha ga okurete imasu

Meaning: The train is late.

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