[Unit 5 Phrases] – Going Around in Japan

JR pass users

You need to exchange the voucher with an actual pass. Usually those offices are manned by someone who can speak other languages but just in case…

English	Japanese	Sound
(Show the voucher and say) A JR pass, please.	JR pasu o kudasai.
I’d like to use it from this date. (Write down the date in the format of MM/DD and point it.)*	kono hi kara tsukai_tai desu.

In Japanese they don’t distinguish singular from plural, so even if you want more than 1 JR pass, you can use the same expression.

If you want to say the name of the date in Japanese, this video explains how to say it but it is rather complicated. Writing it down and showing it is probably easier.

Reserving a seat on a JR train

If you bought a JR pass and if you are travelling on a suburban train and/or if you are happy to travel without reserving a seat for a long distance journey, you only have to show the pass to the station staff at the gate (you can’t go through the automated gates) but if you want to reserve a seat, seat reservation is included in the pass. You take the pass to “Tickets” office (please see the next page) and ask for seat reservation.

English	Japanese	Sound
I’d like to reserve seats.	Shitei_seki o tori_tai desu.
(Show the itinerary and say) Can I have these, please?	kore de onegai_shimasu.

Other useful phrases

The first 6 are for train travels, the last 4 are for buses.

English	Japanese	Sound	Note
On which platform can I catch a train to [Shinjuku]?	[Shinjuku]_iki no densha wa nanban hoomu desuka.		Please swap [xxx] with your destination.
Does this train go to [Shinjuku]?	kono densha wa [Shinjuku] ni ikimasuka.		Please swap [xxx] with your destination.
Does this train stop at [Shinjuku] Station?	kono densha wa [Shinjuku] ni tomarimasuka.		Please swap [xxx] with your destination.
I want to go to [Shinjuku]. Do I have to change trains?	[Shinjuku] ni iki_tai desu. Norikae ga hitsuyou desuka.		Please swap [xxx] with your destination.
Where do I change trains?	doko de norikae_masu_ka.
Which way is [Ghibli Museum]?	[Ghibli bijutsukan] wa docchi desuka.		Please swap [xxx] with your destination.
Which bus would I catch to go to [Kiyomizu Temple]?	[Kiyomizu_dera] niwa dono basu ni norimasu_ka.		Please swap [xxx] with your destination.
Where is the bus stop?	Basu_tei wa doko desu_ka.
Does this bus go to [Kiyomizu Temple]?	kono basu wa [Kiyomizu_dera] ni iki_masu_ka.		Please swap [xxx] with your destination.
Where shall I get off to go to [Kiyomizu Temple]?	[Kiyomizu_dera] ni wa doko de ori_masu_ka.		Please swap [xxx] with your destination.
I’m getting off.	orimasu!		When the bus is crowded and you can’t move towards the exit

If you are using a taxi

To [Tokyo Station], please.	[Toukyou_eki] made onegai_shimasu.		Please swap [xxx] with your destination.
Please let me get off here.	koko de oroshite kudasai		Taxi fare in Japan is usually based on both the distance travelled and the time taken. You may have to pay a lot if you encounter a traffic jam. In peak seasons, taxi drivers may insist you travel to the destination even if you say this.