Japanese
Korean
Subway
❃ Subway
-
銀座線に乗り換えたいです。
[ Ginzasen ni norikaetai desu. ] -
I want to transfer to the Ginza line.
-
乗り換えはどこですか。
[ Norikae wa doko desu ka. ] -
Where is the transfer?
-
オレンジ色の案内に沿って進んでください。
[ Orenjiiro no annai ni sotte susunde kudasai. ] -
Follow the orange signs.
-
何分くらい歩きますか。
[ Nanpun kurai arukimasu ka. ] -
How many minutes' walk is it?
-
反対方向の電車に乗ってしまいました。
[ Hantai houkou no densha ni notte shimaimashita. ] -
I took the train in the opposite direction.
-
浅草へ行くには、これで合っていますか。
[ Asakusa e iku ni wa, kore de atte imasu ka. ] -
Is this the right train for Asakusa?
-
優先席では携帯電話の電源をお切りください。
[ Yuusenseki de wa keitai denwa no dengen o okiri kudasai. ] -
Please turn off phones near priority seats.
-
ベビーカーを置くスペースはありますか。
[ Bebiikaa o oku supeesu wa arimasu ka. ] -
Is there space for a stroller?
-
女性専用車両です。
[ Josei senyou sharyou desu. ] -
This is a women-only car.
-
次の駅で乗り換えてください。
[ Tsugi no eki de norikaete kudasai. ] -
Please transfer at the next station.
-
ホームドアにご注意ください。
[ Hoomudoa ni gochuui kudasai. ] -
Please mind the platform doors.
-
地下鉄のフリーパスはありますか。
[ Chikatetsu no furiipasu wa arimasu ka. ] -
Is there a subway day pass?
-
エレベーターはどの車両が近いですか。
[ Erebeetaa wa dono sharyou ga chikai desu ka. ] -
Which car is closest to the elevator?
-
車内ではお静かにお願いします。
[ Shanai de wa oshizuka ni onegaishimasu. ] -
Please be quiet inside the train.
-
渋谷まで何駅ですか。
[ Shibuya made nan'eki desu ka. ] -
How many stops to Shibuya?
Tokyo's subway system can seem like an overwhelming underground labyrinth to first-time visitors, operated primarily by Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. Navigating it requires understanding the color-coded lines and the concept of transferring, known as "Norikae" (乗り換え). When switching lines, you must carefully follow the strategically placed colored signs on the ceiling or the painted lines on the floor. But beyond simple navigation, the Japanese subway has very strict behavioral rules. A unique and vital aspect of Japanese transit culture is the presence of "Josei senyou sharyou" (女性専用車両), which translates to women-only passenger cars. These are typically the first or last cars of the train, active during morning and evening rush hours to provide a safe space for women, children, and people with disabilities against extreme crowding and potential harassment. As a male traveler, accidentally stepping into one will result in polite but firm stares, so always check for the pink signs on the platform doors. Additionally, when you are near the "Yuusenseki" (優先席), or priority seats, strict social etiquette dictates that you must yield these seats to the elderly, pregnant women, or those with physical disabilities. Furthermore, passengers are explicitly instructed via announcements to turn off their mobile phones completely when standing near these priority seats, primarily to prevent potential interference with medical pacemakers. Throughout the rest of the train, you must switch your phone to silent mode, universally known in Japan as "Manaa moodo" (マナーモード), and refrain from making voice calls. Grasping these intricate social rules turns a chaotic urban commute into a seamless, respectful journey through the arteries of the city.
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