N5 · 5 min
The Station 駅
8am. You have an interview across town in Shibuya. The station is a river of suits, and the fare chart above the machines is a wall of kanji. One wrong train and you're late. Today, you find your platform — in Japanese.
The gates click and beep. Thousands of people flow through without slowing down. You freeze for a second.
You could stare at the map for ten minutes — or just ask. You spot an attendant by the gates.
But your IC card is almost empty — it beeps red at the gate. You need to top it up first.
Card topped up. ピッ! — the gate opens and you flow through with everyone else. Now, which platform?
Platform 3. A train slides in and the doors hiss open. But is it the right one? The speakers crackle to life.
You step on just as the doors close. Next stop: the interview. You read the whole station in Japanese — you've got this. 🎉
Phrases you take home
〜までいくらですか
you say it~ made ikura desu ka
How much is it to ~?
〜は何番線ですか
you say it~ wa nanbansen desu ka
Which platform is for ~?
どこでチャージできますか
you say itdoko de chaaji dekimasu ka
Where can I top up (my card)?
ありがとうございます
you say itarigatou gozaimasu
Thank you
〜行きです
you hear it~ yuki desu
It is bound for ~ (listen for this)
まもなく発車します
you hear itmamonaku hassha shimasu
Departing shortly (listen for this)
Words in this scene
🏮 Culture note
Two words survive any station
Japanese stations look terrifying but run on two survival words. First, get an IC card (Suica or Pasmo): tap in, tap out, never fumble with paper tickets — just top it up (チャージ) at any machine. Second, learn to hear 〜行き (yuki), "bound for". Every train, sign, and announcement ends with its destination + 行き, so 渋谷行き = "for Shibuya". Match the 行き to where you're headed and you'll never board the wrong train. Still unsure? A station attendant (駅員) by the gates will always point you to the right platform.
Did you survive?
🎉
Scene complete! 🎉