Getting Around Japan

0 1 / T O K Y O S TAT I O N AUDIO · V02-S01A The big board can wait Yesterday, Mei helped Alex find his feet. Now he is alone at Tokyo Station, with his folded map and a plan: Kyoto. Mei has introduced him by message to her friend Ren, who will meet him near Shijō Station. First, Alex needs a ticket. shinkansen kippu uriba しんかんせん きっぷうりば ALEX すみません 。 新幹線 の きっぷ売り場 は どこ です か 。 achira STATION STAFF あちら です 。 ALEX ありがとうございます 。 Begin with the place you need. Alex does not have to explain his whole trip. Step out of the walking flow before checking a phone or map. FIRST MEETINGS / NEW WORDS & EXPRESSIONS 新幹線 しんかんせん きっぷ売り場 きっぷうりば Shinkansen; bullet train ticket sales area; ticket office J A PA N E S E , O N E S C E N E AT A T I M E 04

0 1 / T O K Y O S TAT I O N AUDIO · V02-S01B Three signs with different jobs Alex follows the ticket-office sign. Nearby signs name places he will need after buying the ticket. ENTER THE PAID AREA FIND THE BOARDING AREA kaisatsuguchi noriba 改札口 のりば かいさつぐち CHANGE TO ANOTHER TRAIN norikae 乗り換え のりかえ These are separate signs, not one route instruction. Platform signs may use different spellings or a track number. Match the line and destination as well as the number. FIRST MEETINGS / NEW WORDS & EXPRESSIONS 改札口 かいさつぐち のりば ticket gate; entrance to the paid area boarding area; platform 乗り換え のりかえ transfer; change trains J A PA N E S E , O N E S C E N E AT A T I M E 05

02 / BUY THE TICKET AUDIO · V02-S02A One adult, to Kyoto At the counter, Alex keeps his request short. He is traveling alone and wants to leave today. made otona ichimai きょうと おとな いちまい おねがいします ALEX 京都 まで 、 大人 一枚 お願いします 。 kyō きょう TICKET CLERK 今日 です か 。 kyō きょう ALEX はい 。 今日 です 。 The word for “up to / until” also marks a travel destination. Mai counts flat items such as tickets; ichimai means one ticket here. Otona identifies the adult ticket category. FIRST MEETINGS / NEW WORDS & EXPRESSIONS 大人 おとな 一枚 いちまい adult one flat item; one ticket here J A PA N E S E , O N E S C E N E AT A T I M E 06

02 / BUY THE TICKET AUDIO · V02-S02B A seat by the window The clerk asks which seating category Alex wants. A reserved seat sounds reassuring. He also asks for the window; he has been looking forward to this view. shiteiseki jiyūseki していせき じゆうせき TICKET CLERK 指定席 です か 。 自由席 です か 。 shiteiseki していせき おねがいします ALEX 指定席 を お願いします 。 madogawa まどがわ おねがいします ALEX 窓側 を お願いします 。 TICKET CLERK はい 。 A reserved-seat ticket assigns a particular train and seat. A window request depends on availability. Train services and busy-period seating rules vary; check your booking. FIRST MEETINGS / NEW WORDS & EXPRESSIONS 指定席 していせき 自由席 じゆうせき reserved seat unreserved seat 窓側 まどがわ window side; window seat J A PA N E S E , O N E S C E N E AT A T I M E 07