Ekiben 駅弁

Transit 移動 · Stop T01

切符とICカード

Train tickets and IC cards in Japanese

You're at Yokohama Station, heading into Tokyo. Time to buy a ticket or top up your IC card. Buy a ticket, top up your Suica, and say one way or round trip.

  • 横浜駅 · Set in Yokohama Station
  • 6-minute lesson
  • Free in the app

Phrases

しんじゅくまでのきっぷをいちまいください

Shinjuku made no kippu o ichimai kudasai

One ticket to Shinjuku, please.

Swap in any station. Handy at a ticket window, or when the machine has you confused.

Pattern: 〜までの切符を一枚ください

新宿までのShinjuku made no · to Shinjuku切符をkippu o · ticket (object)一枚ichimai · one (sheet)くださいkudasai · please give

スイカにチャージしたいんですが

Suica ni chaaji shitai n desu ga

I'd like to top up my Suica.

チャージ = top up. Ending with が softens it, like "I'd like to…". Most machines also have an English button.

Pattern: 〜にチャージしたいんですが

SuicaにSuica ni · onto Suicaチャージchaaji · top-upしたいんですがshitai n desu ga · want to do (softener)

かたみちです

katamichi desu

One way.

Your answer when staff ask 片道ですか、往復ですか？ (one way or round trip?).

Literally: It's one way.

片道katamichi · one wayですdesu · it is

おうふくでおねがいします

oufuku de onegaishimasu

A round trip, please.

往復 = there and back. Useful for buses, ropeways and ferries too.

往復でoufuku de · round trip (as)お願いしますonegaishimasu · please

アイシーカードはどこでかえますか？

aishii kaado wa doko de kaemasu ka?

Where can I buy an IC card?

IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA…) are tap-and-go cards for trains, buses and konbini.

ICカードはaishii kaado wa · IC card (topic)どこでdoko de · where (at)買えますかkaemasu ka · can I buy?

What you’ll hear

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

katamichi desu ka, oufuku desu ka?

One way or round trip?

Ticket window staff checking what kind of ticket you want.

You

oufuku de onegaishimasu

A round trip, please.

kippu wa achira no kenbaiki de omotome kudasai.

Please buy tickets at the machines over there.

Station staff pointing you to the ticket machines.

You

wakarimashita. arigatou gozaimasu.

Got it. Thank you.

Culture tip

One Card for Every Ride

IC cards like Suica, PASMO and ICOCA work on trains, subways and buses in most big cities, and at konbini too. Buy one at major stations or add Suica to Apple Wallet on your iPhone. Tap in and out at the gates, and top up with cash at station ticket machines.

“A Suica card from Tokyo also works on trains in Osaka.”

Practice scene

A Ticket for a Friend

The ticket office at Yokohama Station. Your Suica is almost empty, and your friend needs a ticket to Shinjuku.

Mr. Mori · Ticket office

  1. tsugi no kata, douzo.

    Next, please.

  2. Your turn: Say you'd like to top up your Suica.

    Suica ni chaaji shitai n desu ga

    I'd like to top up my Suica.

  3. chaaji wa, achira no kenbaiki de dekimasu yo.

    You can top up at the ticket machines over there.

  4. Your turn: Now ask for one ticket to Shinjuku for your friend.

    Shinjuku made no kippu o ichimai kudasai

    One ticket to Shinjuku, please.

  5. Shinjuku made desu ne. katamichi desu ka, oufuku desu ka?

    To Shinjuku. One way or round trip?

  6. Your turn: Your friend is coming back another way. Ask for one way.

    katamichi desu

    One way.

  7. hai, kochira desu. douzo.

    Here you are.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3