Type and hit ENTER
  • HOME
  • CATEGORY
    • Japanese Apartment Life
    • Moving Tips
    • Interior Design
    • Local Area Guides
  • COMPANY
  • PRIVACY POLICY
GET CONNECTED
Facebook
Instagram
  • HOME
  • Japanese Apartment Life
  • Moving Tips
  • Interior Design
  • Local Area Guides
  • Village House

ENG

  • 日本語
  • ENG
  • PT
  • VI
Local Area Guides, Japanese Apartment Life

How to Navigate Trains in Japan

2019-11-06

One of the most used, and famous, modes of transportation in Japan are its trains. Known for their punctuality and efficiency, they are the most reliable source of travel in the country. The train systems connect the entire country and make it easy to go long distances in a short. Of course, distance and number of transfers will determine the cost. The main problem that comes with the train system is figuring out how to read the schedules and finding your train.

2 18

Station Attendants

Every station, no matter the size, will have station attendants that are more than happy to help you find your way. They can usually tell which immediate train you will need to take and the times it arrives and leaves. They can help with some transfers, but for long trips, they may not get you everywhere you will need. There are information kiosks and counters that will have knowledgeable workers and maps to help travelers. Most will have both English and Japanese brochures. The attendants will most likely have very little English, but in some cases, they will be able to speak very well. If you find some workers that don’t have a high enough level, speak slowly and use gestures when trying to talk with them. One easy way to get their help is to show your ticket if you have one. Your destination will be in kanji, and they will be able to quickly show you to your train.

3 17

Use Station Maps

At each station there will be train line maps that detail where each train will go. They are color-coded and usually have English as well as Japanese on them. Finding your line can still be troublesome as the maps can look cluttered and be generally hard to read. Use the legend that will be on the map to try and keep track of your specific line. On each platform the will have smaller maps that detail each station the trains generally stop at. They will have English under the kanji, so use it to see how many stops, and check your travel time.

4 3
768x300 EN

Cellphone/Computer

Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone device in their pockets. There are plenty of apps on the market that can help you find your way around the Japanese railways. They are extremely helpful and can get you to where you want to go in the fastest time possible. The apps have been updated now to where they can tell what times heavy traffic is, and what cars to ride in that will give you the fastest exit. The apps will give you multiple options as well, with each one having various prices and times. If you do not have a Japanese phone or didn’t purchase a pocket Wi-Fi, each station usually has free Wi-Fi that you can use. Even though it is there it is also being used by everyone else and can usually be slow or sometimes unusable. It can still be useful in a pinch, so you can rely on some internet access at least. If you can’t get a decent Wi-Fi signal, or you can’t use data, you can use a translation app to try and read the maps. These will not be able to do a perfect translation, but they can help you get a loose understanding of where you would need to go. In most cases, your phone will be your go-to option, and it will most likely be the fastest and easiest. There may be some hiccups every now and then, but you can try other options if you feel you need them. Make sure to give yourself enough extra time in case things don’t go according to plan.

5 2

Friends/Tour Guides/Ask Japanese People

If you have any friends living in the country who are familiar with Japan, or is a native, you can have them help you out. It’s always nice to have someone you know to show you how to get around. If you don’t know anyone, you can a person at the station for help. Most people are friendly and will try to help you even if they can’t speak your language. Some may even take you to where you need to go or show you where you can find the information you need. There are plenty of foreigners living in Japan, and you may find one who can help you as well. You should never be afraid to ask anyone in the area. If you decided to go on a guided tour you will have someone to show you around the city. Usually, they are on buses where you are shown many of the famous sightseeing spots in Japan. Some tours will take you on trains as well. These are usually booked in advance and could be a little strict on where to go, but they can be helpful when learning to get around the country. You may even make some new friends by asking people for help.

6 2

It seems almost impossible at first with all of the new information being given. The new language, signs, and maybe a new mode of transportation can be overwhelming. Take it slow and know that you have options before you. You can find some groups outside of large stations that act as free guides for foreigners. If you are really concerned about being able to find your way around train stations, you can buy some Japanese phrasebooks, or some survival Japanese books to help make the experience a little easier. Try using some of those options and you will learn how to use the train system in no time.

2019-11-06
Email
PREVIOUS POST
Little Details That Spruce up an Apartment
NEXT POST
Cleaning Your Apartment so it Stays Pristine
Image Not Found On Media Library

RANKING
SEARCH
CATEGORY
  • Japanese Apartment Life

    Japanese Apartment Life

  • Moving Tips

    Moving Tips

  • Interior Design

    Interior Design

  • Local Area Guides

    Local Area Guides

Image Not Found On Media Library

INSTAGRAM

villagehousejp

🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 岐阜にある 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
岐阜にある「名もなき池」は、モネの名画「睡蓮」を彷彿させます。もともと無名の灌漑用貯水池でしたが、SNSで話題になった事がきっかけで、「モネの池」として注目されるようになりました。

🇬🇧 Monet Pond in Gifu looks just like a Monet painting brought to life! Originally an unknown irrigation reservoir, the pond gained nationwide attention when it went viral on social media a few years ago.

🇧🇷 A Lagoa Monet, em Gifu, até parece uma pintura de Monet trazida à vida! Originalmente um reservatório para irrigação desconhecido, a lagoa ganhou atenção nacional quando viralizou na mídia social alguns anos atrás.

📸 @sakixx1027
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ ホウホウ! 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
ホウホウ!素敵なお部屋を見つけたよ!ビレッジハウス駒ヶ根(長野県駒ヶ根市)🔎 フルリノベーションされたお部屋 🔎 公園に近接したロケーション 🔎 2DK、3DK、2LDKのお部屋

🇬🇧 Hoot hoot! I've found a great room! Village House Komagane in Komagane-shi, Nagano Prefecture. 🔎 Renovated 🔎 Nearby Parks 🔎 2DK, 3DK, 2LDK available

🇧🇷 Queente Queente! Eu acabo de encontrar um apartamento! O Village House Komagane, em Komagane-shi, na província de Nagano. 🔎 Reformado 🔎 Parques nas proximidades 🔎 Apartamentos de 2DK, 3DK e 2LDK disponíveis
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 福岡に属す 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
福岡に属する小さな壱岐島には、エメラルドグリーンの海と豊かな緑が広がっています。冒険心が掻き立てられますね!

🇬🇧 Lush greenery combined with the emerald green sea gives the scent of adventure at little Iki Island in Fukuoka!

🇧🇷 A vegetação exuberante combinada com um mar de verde esmeralda fornece o sabor de aventura na pequena ilha de Iki em Fukuoka!

📸 @reninthedream
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 沖縄の石垣 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
沖縄の石垣島には、透き通るような青い海が広がっています。シュノーケリングやダイビングを楽しむには絶好のスポットです!
ビレッジハウスでは、沖縄にも住まいをご用意しています。あなたも沖縄で暮らしてみませんか。いつでも好きな時に、ビーチへ行く事ができますよ!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Ishigaki Island in Okinawa is perfect for snorkeling and diving with its wonderful clear blue waters! Live at a Village House in Okinawa to enjoy the beaches all year long! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 I ilha de Ishigaki, em Okinawa, é perfeita para snorkeling e mergulho, com suas impressionantes águas límpidas a azuladas! More na Village House em Okinawa para aproveitar suas praias o ano inteiro!

📸 @uchikawa19mina
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 私たちの手 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
私たちの手にかかれば、住まい探しはお手の物! 💨 ビレッジハウスでは、三重県伊勢市にも住まい(「ビレッジハウス伊勢南部」)をご用意しています。市内にお住まいの方は、ぜひご覧下さいね!

✅ バス停(三交バス)までは徒歩1分 ✅ ペット可 ✅ フルリノベーションされたお部屋👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Finding an apartment with us is a breeze! 💨 If you're in Ise-shi, Mie Prefecture, check out Village House Ise Nanbu!
✅ 1-minute walk Sanko Bus Stop ✅ Pet Friendly ✅ Renovated 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Encontrar um apartamento com a gente é uma brisa! 💨 Se você estiver em Ise-shi, em Mie-ken, confira o apartamento Ise Nanbu da Village House!
✅ A 1 minutos de caminhada do ponto de ônibus de Sanko ✅ Animais de estimação permitidos ✅ Reformado 👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 夏といえば 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
夏といえば、海水浴ですよね!🏖
沖縄の阿波連ビーチでは、透き通った青い海が目の前に広がります。機会があれば、ぜひ訪れてみてくださいね!
ビレッジハウスでは、沖縄にも住まいをご用意しています。
ビーチが好きな方は、ぜひご検討下さい!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Summer = beach season! 🏖 Aharen Beach in Okinawa with its clear blue waters is a must-see! If you love the beach, be sure to stay at a Village House in Okinawa! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Verão = temporada de praia! 🏖 A praia Aharen em Okinawa, com suas águas límpidas e azuis é uma coisa imperdível! Se você ama praia, certifique-se de morar em um dos apartamentos da Village House em Okinawa!
👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!

📸 @tokashikijima.gram
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 雨の日は、 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
雨の日は、綺麗な夕焼けと色鮮やかな紫陽花のコラボが楽しめますよ!

🇬🇧 A beautiful sunset and hydrangeas can brighten up any rainy day~

🇧🇷 Um lindo por do sol e hortênsias podem alegrar qualquer dia chuvoso~

📸  @princess.nao
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ ホウホウ! 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
ホウホウ!
神奈川県平塚市で、素敵なお部屋を見つけましたよ!
ビレッジハウス下島第二
🔎 四ツ谷入口(バス停)まで徒歩8分
🔎 フルリノベーションされたお部屋
🔎 エアコン有

どうです?素敵でしょう?
👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Hoot hoot! I've found a great room! Village House Shimojima Dai 2!
It's in Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Why is it so great?
🔎 8-minute walk to Yotsuya Entrance Bus
🔎 Renovated
🔎 AC included
👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Queente queente! Eu encontrei um ótimo apartamento! O Village House Shimojima Dai 2!
Fica em Hiratsuka-shi, em Kanagawa-ken.
Por que é tão bom?
🔎 A 8 minutos de caminhada do ponto de ônibus da entrada de Yotsuya 
🔎 Reformado 
🔎 Ar-condicionado incluso 
👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
Follow on Instagram
GET CONNECTED
Facebook
Instagram
  • COMPANY
  • PRIVACY POLICY

©VILLAGE HOUSE. All rights reserved

How to Navigate Trains in Japan