In this workshop you will practice a very common travel situation: asking about opening hours and last entry, and understanding a short answer. You will hear short recorded lines and use them in guided speaking tasks. The goal is not to memorize a long script, but to become comfortable asking one clear question, listening for key times, and checking whether you can still enter. You can play both roles: the visitor asking and the staff member answering. Speak out loud, pause the audio when you need to, and repeat each line until it feels natural. Pay attention to the difference between asking about general opening hours and asking about the last entry time. These are useful patterns you can reuse in many places.
Asking the Basic Question
Start with a polite opening question. A simple way to ask about opening hours is «開館時間は何時ですか。». If you want to be more specific and ask from what time until what time, you can say «何時から何時までですか。». When you add a polite opener, you can say «すみません、開館時間は何時ですか。». Practice saying each line slowly, then at a natural speed. Notice that these are questions, so your intonation should rise slightly at the end. After you feel comfortable, imagine you are standing at a ticket counter or information desk. Say the question out loud as if you are speaking to a staff member. You do not need to add extra words yet. Focus on clear pronunciation and a polite tone.
Understanding the Answer
When you ask about hours, the answer often includes a start time, an end time, and sometimes a last entry time. A short answer can sound like «9時から5時までです。最終入場は4時半です。». Listen for the numbers and the word for last entry. In many situations, the last entry is earlier than the closing time, so it is useful to ask about it separately. You can ask «最終入場は何時ですか。» to check the last entry time. If you are not sure whether you can still go in, you can ask «今からでも入れますか。». These questions help you avoid arriving too late. Practice listening to the answer and repeating the times you hear. Then say the answer yourself as if you are the staff member. This helps you get used to both roles.
Checking If You Can Still Enter
Sometimes you arrive close to the last entry time and need to check quickly. You can state the current time and ask if you can still enter by saying «今、3時ですが、まだ入れますか。». A staff member might reply with a simple yes and then ask a follow-up question, such as «はい、入れます。大人一枚ですね。». Notice that the reply confirms you can enter and then moves to a practical detail. When you practice, try saying «今、3時ですが、まだ入れますか。» with a slightly worried tone, as if you are not sure. Then practice the answer «はい、入れます。大人一枚ですね。» in a helpful, calm tone. This contrast helps you sound natural in both roles. You can also combine this with the earlier questions: first ask about hours, then check last entry, then confirm if you can still enter.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
開館時間は何時ですか。
What are the opening hours?
kaikan jikan wa nanji desu ka
何時から何時までですか。
From what time until what time is it?
nanji kara nanji made desu ka
最終入場は何時ですか。
What time is the last entry?
saishū nyūjō wa nanji desu ka
今からでも入れますか。
Can I still go in now?
ima kara demo hairemasu ka
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、開館時間は何時ですか。
Excuse me, what are the opening hours?9時から5時までです。最終入場は4時半です。
It is from 9 to 5. Last entry is 4:30.今、3時ですが、まだ入れますか。
It is 3 o'clock now; can I still enter?はい、入れます。大人一枚ですね。
Yes, you can. One adult ticket, right?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer
You are at a ticket counter. You want to know the opening hours. The staff member will answer with a short line.
Your task: Say the polite question «すみません、開館時間は何時ですか。» out loud. Then play or imagine the answer «9時から5時までです。最終入場は4時半です。». After hearing the answer, repeat the times you heard. Next, switch roles: say «9時から5時までです。最終入場は4時半です。» as the staff member while your partner or the audio asks «すみません、開館時間は何時ですか。».
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Response
You hear a visitor ask a question. You need to choose the best reply from two options. The visitor says «今、3時ですが、まだ入れますか。».
Your task: Listen to «今、3時ですが、まだ入れますか。» and decide which reply fits: «はい、入れます。大人一枚ですね。» or a reply that says the place is closed. Say your chosen reply out loud. Then explain in English why it fits. After that, say «今、3時ですが、まだ入れますか。» yourself and answer with «はい、入れます。大人一枚ですね。».
Recall and Role-Play: Visitor and Staff
You will now recall the lines without looking. Imagine a small museum or shop. You are the visitor first, then the staff member.
Your task: As the visitor, ask about opening hours using «開館時間は何時ですか。». Then ask about last entry using «最終入場は何時ですか。». As the staff member, answer with «9時から5時までです。最終入場は4時半です。». Finally, as the visitor, check if you can still enter by saying «今、3時ですが、まだ入れますか。», and as the staff member reply with «はい、入れます。大人一枚ですね。». Do the whole exchange once without reading, then check the lines.
Common questions
What is the difference between asking about opening hours and asking about last entry?
Opening hours tell you when the place is open, such as from morning to evening. Last entry is the final time you can go in, which is often earlier than the closing time. You can ask about hours with «開館時間は何時ですか。» and ask about last entry with «最終入場は何時ですか。». Checking both helps you plan your visit.
Can I use these lines in different places, like a shop or a museum?
Yes. These are general questions about times and entry. You can use «開館時間は何時ですか。» or «何時から何時までですか。» at many counters or information desks. If you are not sure whether you can still enter, «今からでも入れますか。» or «今、3時ですが、まだ入れますか。» can help you check. The answer may change, but the question patterns stay useful.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about opening hoursChecked September 2026
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