こんにちは！(Konnichiwa!)
Today we’ll learn about one of the most important parts of life in Japan – 電車（でんしゃ）= train.
In Japanese, “densha” (電車) translates to “train,” specifically referring to electric trains. It’s a common and widely used word for train in everyday Japanese. While “densha” is the most common term, “ressha” (列車) also means train, but it can refer to any type of train, including steam locomotives
If you’ve ever been stuck on a crowded train or confused by which one to take, you’re not alone! But don’t worry – we’ll also learn how to talk about trains in simple Japanese, so even if you’re stuck, you can speak up (or at least understand what’s going on).
History of the word “densha”
On February 1, 1895 (Meiji 28), Japan’s first electric railway started operating in Kyoto. The Kyoto Electric Railway Co. Ltd. (京都電気鉄道, Kyoto Denki Tetsudo or Kyoden) started with a 6 kilometer stretch between the Higashinotoin-Shiokoji intersection and Aburagake, Fushimi in Kyoto. Later other lines were added. Over time, people began calling it more casually 電車 (densha).
Related words / Variants
- 汽車 (kisha) – steam locomotive (old-fashioned trains)
- 列車 (ressha) – train (more general term)
- 新幹線 (shinkansen) – bullet train / high-speed rail
- 地下鉄 (chikatetsu) – subway / underground train
That is 130 years ago 🤥, I’m still in some where
1. How Many Types of Train and the Cost ?
In Japan, there are many types of trains. Here’s a simple breakdown:
| 種類 (Type) | 日本語 (Japanese) | 特徴 (Features) | 料金 (Cost) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local train | 普通（ふつう）(futsuu) | Stops at every station | ~150円〜200円 |
| Rapid train | 快速（かいそく）(kaisoku) | Skips some stations | ~200円〜300円 |
| Express train | 急行（きゅうこう）(kyūkō) | Fewer stops, faster | ~300円〜500円 |
| Limited Express | 特急（とっきゅう）(tokkyū) | Reserved seats, faster | ~500円〜2000円 |
| Shinkansen | 新幹線（しんかんせん）(shinkansen) | Bullet train | 〜数千円 (suusen en) |
Tip: You can use ICカード (IC kādo) like Suica or Pasmo to pay easily! I’m using ICOCA but stuck in top up using Apple Pay, you can’t top up if you don’t owner any Japan Bank 🤮. So don’t add it into Apply wallet
In Japan, there are over 100 railway companies operating trains, but the main companies are grouped into a few major categories:
JR Group (Japan Railways) – 7 main companies
JR East – East Japan (Tokyo, Tohoku, etc.)
JR Central – Central Japan (Nagoya, Shizuoka)
JR West – Western Japan (Osaka, Kyoto)
JR Hokkaido – Hokkaido
JR Shikoku – Shikoku
JR Kyushu – Kyushu
JR Freight – Cargo and shipping
Major Private Railway Companies (大手私鉄 / Ōte Shitetsu) – 16 companies
Local / Regional Railways – 90+ small companies
2. Example Easy Conversation (N5 Level)
A: すみません、この電車は新宿に行きますか？
Sumimasen, kono densha wa Kyoto ni ikimasu ka?
Excuse me, does this train go to Shinjuku?
B: はい、行きますよ。
Hai, ikimasu yo.
Yes, it does.
A: ありがとうござcいます！
Arigatou gozaimasu!
Thank you!
3. Grammar Point – Verb「行きます」(ikimasu)
Past negative: 行きませんでした（いきませんでした）(ikimasen deshita)
Basic verb: 行く（いく）(iku) = to go
Polite form: 行きます（いきます）(ikimasu)
Negative: 行きません（いきません）(ikimasen)
Past: 行きました（いきました）(ikimashita)
How I remember : use desu in moment and shita in past 🫡, so easy right ?
4. 文型（ぶんけい） – Sentence Structures
| 文型 (Bunkei) | 意味 (Imi / Meaning) | 例文 (Example Sentence) |
|---|---|---|
| N + は + Place + に + 行きます | Go to a place | わたしは 駅に 行きます。Watashi wa eki ni ikimasu. |
| この電車は + Place + に 行きますか？ | Does this train go to…? | この電車は 大阪に 行きますか？Kono densha wa Ōsaka ni ikimasu ka? |
| N + は + あります／います | There is / exists | 駅に トイレが あります。Eki ni toire ga arimasu. |
| Place + で + Action | Do something at a place | 電車で 本を 読みます。Densha de hon o yomimasu. |
Enjoy study nihongo !
