You have just arrived in Japan for a longer stay, and you need to use trains and buses to get to your accommodation, register at the city office, or explore neighbourhoods. In this session you will practise the ticket-counter phrases from the Yapr lessons on buying a single ticket, a return ticket, and asking the price. You will speak aloud in three realistic relocation scenarios, using the exact phrases you have learned, and check whether you communicated your destination, ticket type, and quantity clearly.
Prepare your destination and ticket details before you speak
Before you approach a ticket counter or machine, decide three things: your destination, whether you need a one-way or round-trip ticket, and how many tickets you need. Write your destination in Japanese if you can, or have it ready on your phone. For a one-way ticket, the lesson phrase is ワンウェイでお願いします (wan wei de onegaishimasu). Note that 片道 (katamichi) is the more standard Japanese term for 'one-way' and is widely understood; ワンウェイ is a loanword that also works. For a round-trip ticket, use 往復でお願いします (ōfuku de onegaishimasu). If you need to specify the destination, add it before まで: for example, 市の中心まで、一枚お願いします (shi no chūshin made, ichimai onegaishimasu) means 'One ticket to the city center, please.' Note that 市の中心 sounds slightly formal; 中心街 (chūshingai) or a specific station name is more common in everyday speech. For two tickets, change 一枚 to 二枚 (nimai). If you are buying for an adult and a child, you can say 大人一枚と子供一枚です (otona ichimai to kodomo ichimai desu). Rehearse these once or twice aloud so the rhythm feels familiar. It also helps to know how to ask where to buy a ticket: どこで切符を買えますか (doko de kippu o kaemasu ka). Keep your phrase card or phone note visible until you feel comfortable.
Handling the harder turn: when the clerk asks a follow-up question
The real challenge at a ticket counter is not your first sentence but the clerk's reply. They may confirm your ticket type: ワンウェイですね (wan wei desu ne) or 往復ですね (ōfuku desu ne). They may ask how many adults: 大人一枚でよろしいですか (otona ichimai de yoroshii desu ka). Or they may ask for your return date: お帰りはいつですか (okaeri wa itsu desu ka). If you understand, answer with はい (hai) and repeat the key detail. If you do not catch the question, use すみません、もう一度お願いします (sumimasen, mō ichido onegai shimasu). If you need to give a return time, use the pattern 帰りは[time]です (kaeri wa [time] desu), for example 帰りは明日の午後六時です (kaeri wa ashita no gogo roku-ji desu). If you want a reserved seat, add 指定席をお願いします (shiteiseki o onegaishimasu). For a non-reserved seat, say 自由席をお願いします (jiyūseki o onegaishimasu). Practise saying these follow-ups aloud so you can respond without freezing. Remember that a short はい or お願いします is often enough to keep the conversation moving.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
ワンウェイでお願いします。
One-way, please.
wan wei de onegaishimasu
市の中心まで、一枚お願いします。
One ticket to the city center, please.
shi no chūshin made, ichimai onegaishimasu
切符を一枚ください。
One ticket, please.
kippu o ichimai kudasai
どこで切符を買えますか。
Where can I buy a ticket?
doko de kippu o kaemasu ka
空港まで、往復でお願いします。
A round-trip ticket to the airport, please.
Kūkō made, ōfuku de onegaishimasu.
往復切符を一枚ください。
One round-trip ticket, please.
Ōfuku kippu o ichi-mai kudasai.
行きは今日で、帰りは明日です。
Going today, returning tomorrow.
Iki wa kyō de, kaeri wa ashita desu.
帰りの電車は何時ですか。
What time is the return train?
Kaeri no densha wa nanji desu ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、市の中心まで、ワンウェイで一枚お願いします。
Excuse me, one ticket to the city center, one-way, please.はい、ワンウェイですね。大人一枚でよろしいですか。
Yes, one-way, right? One adult ticket, is that correct?はい、大人一枚です。いくらですか。
Yes, one adult ticket. How much is it?二百円です。ありがとうございました。
It's 200 yen. Thank you very much.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Buying a one-way ticket to the city center
You are at a train station ticket counter in your new city. You need to get to the city center to register your address. You want one adult one-way ticket. The clerk is waiting.
Your task: Say aloud: すみません、市の中心まで、ワンウェイで一枚お願いします。Then be ready to answer if the clerk asks 大人一枚でよろしいですか。
Buying a round-trip ticket to the airport
You need to go to the airport later today to pick up a friend, and you will return the same day. You are at a ticket office and want a round-trip ticket with a reserved seat.
Your task: Say aloud: 空港まで、往復でお願いします。Then add 指定席をお願いします。Be ready to give your return time if asked.
Asking the fare and buying two tickets
You are at a bus information desk with a friend. You both need to go to the station. You want to know the price first, then buy two adult tickets.
Your task: Say aloud: すみません、駅までいくらですか。After hearing the price, say 大人二枚お願いします。
Common questions
What if I need to buy a ticket but I don't know the Japanese word for my destination?
You can show the destination on your phone map or write it down. You can also ask ここまでいくらですか (koko made ikura desu ka) while pointing, or use the station name in romaji if necessary. The key is to communicate the destination, even if you use a mix of Japanese and gestures.
How do I ask for a child ticket?
Use 子供一枚 (kodomo ichimai) for one child ticket. For example, 大人一枚と子供一枚です (otona ichimai to kodomo ichimai desu) means 'One adult and one child, please.' Tickets are flat objects, so the counter 枚 (mai) is used: 一枚 (ichimai), 二枚 (nimai). For counting people, use 人 (nin): 大人一人 (otona hitori), 子供一人 (kodomo hitori).
Sources and further reading
- japanese: buy a single ticketChecked September 2026
- japanese: buy a return ticketChecked September 2026
- japanese: ask for the price of a ticketChecked September 2026
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