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N4 graded Japanese story

運休になった海辺の電車

When the Coastal Train Is Suspended

20 sentences · about 8 minutes

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N4 · 20 sentences

Start reading · 8 min left

1 / 20 sentences5%

Reinforce the reading

Notice what the story just taught you

A chronological travel disruption with practical station language and N4 comparison, cause, possibility, and instruction patterns such as 〜ため, かもしれない, 〜方, and 〜ほうが.

Key words in context

運休うんきゅう
suspension of transport service
代行バスだいこうばす
replacement bus service
案内板あんないばん
information board; guide sign
漁船ぎょせん
fishing boat
景色けしき
scenery

What to notice

  1. Sentence 海辺電車-04

    〜ため gives a formal cause

    強い風のため means 'because of strong wind,' the kind of concise reason often used in transport announcements.

  2. Sentence 海辺電車-07

    方 politely means people

    海へ行く方 means 'people going to the sea'; 方 is a polite way to refer to passengers before the request 乗ってください.

  3. Sentence 海辺電車-16

    〜ほうが makes a comparison

    遅い道のほうが景色はよい compares the two routes and says the slower route has the better scenery.

Check your understanding

1. Why is the coastal train service suspended?
  • The station has lost power
  • Strong wind affects part of the route
  • There are not enough passengers

Answer: Strong wind affects part of the route — 海辺電車-04 states that strong wind causes the service to be suspended partway along the route.

2. Why do Haru and his sister choose the replacement bus?
  • It is faster than the train
  • It is safer than the long, windy walking route
  • It stops directly inside the aquarium

Answer: It is safer than the long, windy walking route — 海辺電車-09 and 海辺電車-10 describe the alternative walk as long and exposed to strong wind; 海辺電車-11 says they choose the safe bus.

3. What does Haru discover about the changed route?
  • The aquarium has already closed
  • The train would have had the same delay
  • The slower route offers good scenery and becomes part of the trip

Answer: The slower route offers good scenery and becomes part of the trip — 海辺電車-16 says the slower route has the better view, and 海辺電車-20 says the changed route became part of the trip.

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