Practice real Japanese for Trains & Buses — 10 lessons × 110 sentences with native audio, romaji, English translations and culture notes.
Sample conversation: Trains & Buses in Japanese
A free preview of Lesson 1 — Japanese, romaji and English for every line. 10 lessons (110 sentences) with native audio inside.
Tell the station attendant where you want to go and ask the fare.
こんにちは。何かお手伝いしましょうか？
Konnichiwa. Nanika otetsudai shimashō ka?
Hello! Can I help you with something?
Ekiin-san — your best ally — Station staff (ekiin-san) in Japan are famously helpful. If you look lost near a ticket machine, they will often come over to you first. Don't hesitate to ask — helping passengers is exactly what they are there for.
Thank him and ask how to buy the ticket.
桜駅までは180円ですよ。ここから三つ目の駅です。
Sakura-eki made wa hyaku-hachijū-en desu yo. Koko kara mittsu-me no eki desu.
It's 180 yen to Sakura Station. It's the third stop from here.
You only have bills — ask if you can use them.
きっぷはこちらの券売機で買えますよ。まず、お金を入れてください。
Kippu wa kochira no kenbaiki de kaemasu yo. Mazu, okane o irete kudasai.
You can buy tickets at this machine. First, put your money in.
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Trains & Buses in Japanese — FAQ
What do you say for trains & buses in Japanese?
Japanese Talk's Trains & Buses (駅・電車・バス) scene walks you through it line by line. For example, you'll learn: こんにちは。何かお手伝いしましょうか？ (Konnichiwa. Nanika otetsudai shimashō ka?) — "Hello! Can I help you with something?"; 桜駅までは180円ですよ。ここから三つ目の駅です。 (Sakura-eki made wa hyaku-hachijū-en desu yo. Koko kara mittsu-me no eki desu.) — "It's 180 yen to Sakura Station. It's the third stop from here."; きっぷはこちらの券売機で買えますよ。まず、お金を入れてください。 (Kippu wa kochira no kenbaiki de kaemasu yo. Mazu, okane o irete kudasai.) — "You can buy tickets at this machine. First, put your money in.". Every line comes with romaji, an English translation and native audio.
Which Japanese phrases will I learn in the trains & buses scene?
Key phrases include こんにちは。何かお手伝いしましょうか？ (Konnichiwa. Nanika otetsudai shimashō ka?) — "Hello! Can I help you with something?". The full scene is 10 lessons of 110 sentences covering the whole situation from start to finish.
Is there any etiquette I should know for trains & buses in Japan?
Yes — Ekiin-san — your best ally. Station staff (ekiin-san) in Japan are famously helpful. If you look lost near a ticket machine, they will often come over to you first. Don't hesitate to ask — helping passengers is exactly what they are there for. Japanese Talk adds a short culture note like this on the lines that need one.
Is the trains & buses scene free?
Lesson 1 is free with a free account (no credit card), and the Greeting scene is completely free with no sign-up. Full Access (US$5/month) opens all 10 lessons of every scene.