It's Tam’s first day to go to her university. She’s at the station, but she’s not sure the train she’s about to board is the right one.
To ask where public transportation is going, say "Kono [vehicle] wa [place] ni ikimasu ka." "Kono" means "this" and goes before a noun. It shows you're asking about the vehicle in front of you. The particle "ni" indicates the destination. "Ikimasu" is the verb "iku" or "to go" in the MASU-form.
Japan's railway system spreads across the country. Big cities, in particular, are filled with lines, including subways. They’re also connected by Shinkansen bullet trains and express trains, making long-distance travel convenient.
To buy a ticket, first, check the price on the fare list. Then, insert the money in the ticket machine. If you get a prepaid IC card, you can just touch in and out at ticket gates. The fare is deducted automatically.
Remember that stations and trains are very crowded in rush hours.