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Transit 移動 · Stop T03

新幹線

Booking the shinkansen in Japanese

You're at the ticket office in Tokyo Station, about to book the bullet train to Kyoto. Book reserved seats, pick window or aisle, and find the non-reserved cars.

  • 東京駅 · Set in Tokyo Station
  • 6-minute lesson
  • With Ekiben Pass

Phrases

きょうとまでのしていせきをにまいおねがいします

Kyoto made no shiteiseki o nimai onegaishimasu

Two reserved seats to Kyoto, please.

指定席 = reserved seat. Swap in your city and count: 一枚 (one), 二枚 (two), 三枚 (three).

Pattern: 〜までの指定席を二枚お願いします

京都までのKyoto made no · to Kyoto指定席をshiteiseki o · reserved seat (object)二枚nimai · two (sheets)お願いしますonegaishimasu · please

まどがわのせきがいいです

madogawa no seki ga ii desu

I'd like a window seat.

For a chance to see Mt. Fuji between Tokyo and Kyoto, ask for seat E.

窓側のmadogawa no · window-side席がseki ga · seat (subject)いいですii desu · is good

つうろがわでおねがいします

tsuurogawa de onegaishimasu

An aisle seat, please.

通路 = aisle. Easier for bathroom breaks and trips to the snack cart.

通路側でtsuurogawa de · aisle side (as)お願いしますonegaishimasu · please

じゆうせきはどこですか？

jiyuuseki wa doko desu ka?

Where are the non-reserved cars?

自由席 = non-reserved, first come, first served. Look for 自由席 on the platform signs.

Literally: Where are the free seats?

自由席はjiyuuseki wa · unreserved seat (topic)どこdoko · whereですかdesu ka · is it?

おおきいスーツケースがあります

ookii suutsukeesu ga arimasu

I have a big suitcase.

Say this when booking. Very large bags need a special seat on the shinkansen (see the tip).

大きいookii · bigスーツケースがsuutsukeesu ga · suitcase (subject)ありますarimasu · (I) have

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

shiteiseki to jiyuuseki, dochira ni nasaimasu ka?

Reserved or non-reserved?

The ticket office clerk asking which kind of seat you want.

You

shiteiseki de onegaishimasu

Reserved, please.

nanji goro no shinkansen ga yoroshii desu ka?

Around what time would you like to leave?

The clerk asking which train you want.

You

ichiban hayai no de onegaishimasu

The earliest one, please.

Culture tip

Big Suitcase? Book Ahead

On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, bags over 160 cm (length + width + height) need a seat with an oversized baggage area. Reserve it free with your ticket. Board without one and you pay a ¥1,000 fee. Bags over 250 cm aren't allowed.

“You can bring a 200 cm (total) suitcase on the Tokyo–Kyoto shinkansen without booking anything.”

Practise scene

Two Seats to Kyoto

The JR ticket office at Tokyo Station. You and a friend are heading to Kyoto with one very big suitcase.

Mr. Ito · JR ticket office

  1. omatase itashimashita. douzo.

    Thank you for waiting. Go ahead.

  2. Your turn: Ask for two reserved seats to Kyoto.

    Kyoto made no shiteiseki o nimai onegaishimasu

    Two reserved seats to Kyoto, please.

  3. Kyoto made nimai desu ne. madogawa to tsuurogawa, dochira ga yoroshii desu ka?

    Two to Kyoto. Window or aisle?

  4. Your turn: Your friend wants to see Mt. Fuji. Ask for the window side.

    madogawa no seki ga ii desu

    I'd like a window seat.

  5. kashikomarimashita. ookii onimotsu wa gozaimasu ka?

    Certainly. Do you have any large luggage?

  6. Your turn: Your suitcase is huge. Tell him.

    ookii suutsukeesu ga arimasu

    I have a big suitcase.

  7. dewa, tokudai nimotsu supeesu tsuki no seki o otorishimasu.

    Then I'll book seats with an oversized luggage space.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3