In this workshop you will practice a short station conversation in Japanese. You will learn how to ask for a round-trip ticket, say when you are coming back, and understand the clerk's questions. You can play both roles: first as the customer, then as the station staff member. Listen to each recorded line, read the English meaning, and repeat it aloud before you try the tasks.
Asking for a round-trip ticket
Start with the simplest request. When you want to buy a ticket that covers both directions, you can say «空港まで、往復でお願いします。». This means you are asking for a round-trip ticket to the airport. A shorter version is «往復切符を一枚ください。», which also asks for one round-trip ticket. If you want to be polite before speaking, you can begin with «すみません、空港まで、往復でお願いします。». This line adds an opening word like 'excuse me' before the same request. Practice saying each line slowly, then a little faster. Keep your voice calm and clear, as if you are speaking to a station clerk.
Giving your travel dates and return time
After you ask for a round-trip ticket, the clerk may want to know your plans. You can explain that you are leaving and returning on different days with «行きは今日で、帰りは明日です。». This means you are going today and coming back tomorrow. If you already know the exact time, you can ask about the return train with «帰りの電車は何時ですか。». This question means 'What time is the return train?' When you are ready to give your own return time, use «帰りは明日の午後六時です。指定席をお願いします。». This line says the return is tomorrow at 6 p.m. and also asks for a reserved seat. Notice how the date, the time, and the seat request come together in one polite sentence.
Understanding the clerk's reply
The station staff may check your request before selling the ticket. One common reply is «はい、往復ですね。お帰りはいつですか。», which confirms 'Yes, round trip' and then asks when your return is. Another reply is «かしこまりました。往復切符を一枚ですね。», which says 'Certainly' and checks 'One round-trip ticket, right?' These lines show that the clerk is making sure the ticket type is correct. When you hear a question like this, you do not need to add new information. You can simply answer with your return time, as in «帰りは明日の午後六時です。指定席をお願いします。». Listen for the words for 'round trip' and 'return' so you can follow the conversation.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
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、空港まで、往復でお願いします。
Excuse me, a round-trip ticket to the airport, please.はい、往復ですね。お帰りはいつですか。
Yes, round trip. When is your return?帰りは明日の午後六時です。指定席をお願いします。
The return is tomorrow at 6 p.m. A reserved seat, please.かしこまりました。往復切符を一枚ですね。
Certainly. One round-trip 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: customer at the ticket window
Imagine you are at a station ticket window. You want to buy a round-trip ticket to the airport. The clerk is ready to help you.
Your task: Say your request aloud using «すみません、空港まで、往復でお願いします。». Then add your travel plan with «行きは今日で、帰りは明日です。». Finally, give your return time and seat request with «帰りは明日の午後六時です。指定席をお願いします。». Speak each line clearly, one after the other, as if you are talking to the clerk.
Reply comprehension: what is the clerk asking?
You have just asked for a round-trip ticket. The clerk answers you. You need to understand what the clerk wants to know.
Your task: Read «はい、往復ですね。お帰りはいつですか。» and «かしこまりました。往復切符を一枚ですね。». For each line, decide whether the clerk is asking about your return time or checking the ticket type. Then choose the best answer from your practiced lines: «帰りは明日の午後六時です。指定席をお願いします。» for the return-time question, or «往復切符を一枚ください。» for the ticket-type confirmation. Say your chosen answer aloud.
Recall with correct roles: customer and clerk
Now you will play both roles. First be the customer, then be the clerk. Use only the lines you have practiced.
Your task: As the customer, say «すみません、空港まで、往復でお願いします。», then «行きは今日で、帰りは明日です。», then «帰りは明日の午後六時です。指定席をお願いします。». As the clerk, respond with «かしこまりました。往復切符を一枚ですね。» and then «はい、往復ですね。お帰りはいつですか。». After you finish, switch roles and repeat the whole exchange. Try to do it without looking at the lines.
Common questions
Do I need to say the exact return time before the clerk asks?
No. You can first ask for the ticket with «空港まで、往復でお願いします。» or «すみません、空港まで、往復でお願いします。». The clerk may then ask about your return with «はい、往復ですね。お帰りはいつですか。». After that, you can give your return time with «帰りは明日の午後六時です。指定席をお願いします。». If you already know your plan, you can also say «行きは今日で、帰りは明日です。» early to explain that you are going today and returning tomorrow.
What if I only want to ask about the return train time?
You can use «帰りの電車は何時ですか。», which asks what time the return train is. This is useful when you are still deciding and want information before you buy. After you hear the time, you can decide whether to ask for a round-trip ticket with «往復切符を一枚ください。» or give your own return time with «帰りは明日の午後六時です。指定席をお願いします。».
Sources and further reading
- japanese: buy a return ticketChecked September 2026
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