番線

What it means

The number of the track beside a platform, written like 3番線. English guides call it the platform number. Signs at the gates and stairs show each number with the train's destination.

Watch for

A platform with a track on each side can carry two numbers, so a sign may list both. Do not mix it up with 号車, a car number.

On operators’ English pages

Platform

See also

• 号車 car number
• 方面 direction, area

Sources

• 「番線」の意味や使い方 わかりやすく解説 Weblio辞書 · Weblio (Digital Daijisen, Shogakukan)
• 第1回 誘導案内表示に関する検討ワーキンググループ (meeting materials, 2025-12-18) · MLIT
• Riding the Train - The Basics | West Japan Railway Company · JR West

Checked against operator and official sources · 2026-11-08