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 services, chikatetsu (subway) and densha (train) are the most common travel options.
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 risk 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, many 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 for help!
Check out our full Japanese vocabulary cheat sheet here.
Train Travel in Japan
There are six major train categories in Japan. Japan’s trains are well-developed, clean, efficient, and punctual, and their extensive rail network covers almost every part of the country. However, train stops are less frequent if you’re at a smaller train station.
- 普通列車 – Local (futsuu). Local trains 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 for the train to move, a conductor usually checks the tickets to ensure they use 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.
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Japanese Train Announcements
The usual announcements are also frequently made across its speakers to alert passengers to stay safe, the next stop, and which door will open. Here are some common and uncommon announcements you might hear when traveling by train in Japan.
First of all, look at these useful Japanese terms that you may hear in train platforms in Japan.
| ～行き | ~ yuki | Bound for ~ (place) |
| ～方面 | ~ houmen | For ~ (direction) |
| ～線 | ~ sen | ~ Line |
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.
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: Please set it to silent mode (manner mode) and refrain from talking on the phone in other areas. 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 stop at (Station A), (Station B),…., and (Station C). After leaving (Station C), it will stop 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 the 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 the 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 ◯◯.
The line name may be omitted when transferring to a branch line with only one station.
(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
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 電車 | densha | Train |
| 地下鉄 | chikatetsu | Underground Train |
| 鉄道 | tetsudou | Railway |
| 鉄道の駅 | tetsudou no eki | Train Station |
| 入口 | iriguchi | Entrance |
| 出口 | deguchi | Exit |
| 車掌 | shashou | Train Conductor |
| 窓口 | mado guchi | Ticket Window |
| 切符 | kippu | Ticket |
| 片道乗車券 | katamichi jousha ken | One-way Ticket |
| 往復乗車券 | oufuku jousha ken | Round Trip Ticket |
| 指定券 | shitei ken | Reserved Seat Ticket |
| 特急券 | tokkyuu ken | Limited Express Ticket |
| 改札 | kaisatsu | Ticket Gate |
| 乗り場 | noriba | Railway Platform |
| 時刻表 | jikoku hyou | Train Schedule |
| 料金 | ryoukin | Fare |
| 往復料金 | oufuku ryoukin | Fare for Round Trip |
| 子供料金 | kodomo ryoukin | Fare for Children |
| 割引料金 | waribiki ryoukin | Discounted Fare |
| 座席 | zaseki | Seat |
| 座席番号 | zaseki bangou | Seat Number |
| 普通座席 | futsuu zaseki | Standard Seat |
| 指定席 | shitei seki | Reserved Seat |
| 優先席 | yuusen seki | Priority Seat |
| 窓側の席 | mado gawa no seki | Window Seat |
| 通路側の席 | tsuro gawa no seki | Aisle Seat |
| 禁煙車 | kinen sha | Non-Smoking Car |
| 喫煙車 | kitsuen sha | Smoking Car |
| 終点 | shuuten | Last stop |
| 出発時間 | shuppatsu jikan | Departure Time |
| 到着時間 | touchaku jikan | Arrival Time |
| 乗り換え | norikae | Transfer/Change |
Useful Phrases
| Japanese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 最寄りの鉄道駅はどこですか？ | Moyori no tetsudou-eki wa dokodesu ka? | Where is the nearest train station? |
| 〇〇 を往復する旅行をしたいです。 | 〇〇 o oufuku suru ryokō o shitaidesu. | I want a round (back and forth) trip to 〇〇 . |
| 〇〇 に行きたいです。どうしたらいいですか？ | 〇〇 ni ikitai desu. Doushitara ii desuka? | I want to go to 〇〇. What should I do? |
| 〇〇 行きの電車はどれですか？ | 〇〇 yuki no densha wa dore desuka? | Which is the train heading to 〇〇 |
| 〇〇行きの次の電車は何時ですか？ | 〇〇 yuki no tsugi no densha wa nanji desuka? | When is the next train heading to 〇〇? |
| 〇〇まであと何駅ですか？ | 〇〇 made ato nan eki desuka? | How many stations until we get to 〇〇? |
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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