Exits and gates (kanji as symbols)
Memorize these shapes — they're on every station.
Platforms and lines
Tickets and fares
Reading station names
Station names appear in kanji with the hiragana reading above and the romaji below — the perfect place to practice matching kana to romaji. Line names are often katakana (メトロ, the metro), which read just like loanwords. Once you can read the kana row, you can confirm any stop.
Read the next sign yourself
Learn the katakana line names, match station-name kana to romaji on the charts, or point the app at a sign and read it live — offline, even underground with no signal.
Ready when you are
Read the whole journey.
Kanapow turns any Japanese word into kana with tap-to-hear pronunciation, so station boards, menus, and konbini shelves all become readable. Free on iPhone, and the Japan Trip mode works fully offline.
Download on the App StoreTrain station signs FAQ
How do I read Japanese train station signs?
Most signs show kanji, kana, and romaji together, so you can lean on the romaji while learning. Memorize a few key kanji as symbols — 出口 (exit), 改札 (ticket gate), 乗換 (transfer) — and read the katakana line names like loanwords.
What does 出口 mean?
出口 (deguchi) means exit. Exits are usually labelled by direction: 北口 (north), 南口 (south), 東口 (east), 西口 (west), and often numbered too.
What is 乗換 (norikae)?
It means transfer — where you change to another train line. Follow the 乗換 signs and the next line's color or symbol to switch.
What does 精算 (seisan) mean?
Fare adjustment. If your ticket or IC card didn't cover the full fare, use a 精算機 (fare-adjustment machine) near the gate before you exit.