Learn Japan in 30-second reels
Real phrases for the konbini, the restaurant, the train — each with romaji and English, ready to use the second you land.
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Survival
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Silver Week Starts Saturday. Those Empty Shinkansen Seats Will Still Leave Without You.
zensha shitei-seki · all cars reserved seating
Survival
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The Cart Lady Said One Sentence. You Have Eight Seconds.
shanai hanbai desu · onboard sales, the snack cart is here
Survival
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You Missed Your Reserved Shinkansen. Do Not Buy Another Ticket.
noriokuremashita. · I missed my train.
Survival
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Two of Your Four Shinkansen Seats Face Backwards. Nobody Tells You What to Do About It.
seki o mawashite mo ii desu ka? · Is it okay if we turn the seats around?
Survival
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Everyone Says You Must Ask Before Reclining on the Shinkansen. The Railway Says There Is No Such Rule.
seki, taoshite mo ii desu ka? · Can I recline my seat?
Beginner
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Two Seats on the Same Shinkansen Cost the Same. Only One of Them Sees Mount Fuji.
madogawa de onegai shimasu · A window seat, please.
Beginner
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You Booked Two Shinkansen Tickets. Japan Gave You Two Seats in Different Rows.
sumimasen, seki, kawatte moraemasen ka? · Excuse me, could we swap seats?
Survival
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For Ten Days in August, Japan Deletes Every Unreserved Seat on the Bullet Train.
kisei rasshu · the going-home travel rush
Survival
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A Stranger Stops in the Shinkansen Aisle, Checks His Ticket, Then Looks at You.
machigaemashita · I got it wrong. My mistake.
Survival
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Your Shinkansen Ticket Is Actually Two Tickets. The Gate Wants Both.
tokkyūken · limited express ticket (the second ticket)
Survival
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You Found Platform 14. You Found Seat 12A. You Are Still About to Miss the Shinkansen.
gōsha · car number
Beginner
▶
Sitting in the Wrong Shinkansen Seat? This One Question Fixes It
jiyūseki desu ka, shiteiseki desu ka? · Is it unreserved or reserved seating?
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