Your new workplace asks you to submit a 通勤経路 before your first payday. Which station names, fare and pass period should you enter? Start with the route you will actually use, confirm your employer’s reimbursement rules, and submit the form before its deadline. A commuter pass and a commuting allowance are related, but buying a pass does not by itself guarantee reimbursement.
Japanese labels on a commuting allowance form
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 通勤手当 | tsūkin teate | Commuting allowance |
| 交通費 | kōtsūhi | Transport costs; check whether this means commuting or a business trip |
| 通勤経路 | tsūkin keiro | Commuting route |
| 最寄り駅 | moyori eki | Nearest station |
| 乗車駅／降車駅 | jōsha eki / kōsha eki | Boarding / exit station |
| 乗換駅 | norikae eki | Transfer station |
| 片道運賃／往復運賃 | katamichi unchin / ōfuku unchin | One-way / round-trip fare |
| 定期券／定期代 | teikiken / teiki-dai | Commuter pass / pass cost |
| 有効期間 | yūkō kikan | Pass validity period |
| 支給上限 | shikyū jōgen | Employer’s payment cap |
| 申請日／変更届 | shinsei-bi / henkō todoke | Application date / change notice |
Fill in the route, one section at a time
- Confirm the start and end points. Enter your home area’s boarding station and your actual worksite’s exit station, including train or bus operators if the form requests them. A form may also ask for the walk from home to the station.
- List transfers in order. For example, “A駅 → B駅（乗換）→ C駅.” Check the specific train line or bus route when stations share a name.
- Check the cost basis. Does the company want a one-way fare, a monthly estimate, actual days traveled, or a one-, three- or six-month commuter pass price? A full-time schedule and a hybrid schedule can lead to different company calculations.
- Confirm approval before purchasing a long pass. Some employers select an approved route or pay by actual attendance. Save the fare search or pass price you used, and keep receipts if requested.
- Submit changes promptly. If you move, change worksites, change your commute, or begin working from home more often, ask HR for the 変更届 process and effective date.
For rail travel, the price depends on the stations, route and pass validity period. JR East’s commuter pass guide describes one-, three- and six-month periods and how to check fares. Other operators have their own fare tools and rules; use the operator for your route.
Two example entries
Daily train commute: “乗車駅：A駅／乗換駅：B駅／降車駅：C駅／交通手段：電車／定期券：1か月.” Replace the sample stations and period with your real route and your employer’s requested format.
Hybrid schedule: “週2日出社予定です。定期券代と実費精算のどちらで申請すればよいでしょうか。” Shū futsuka shussha yotei desu. Teikiken-dai to jippi seisan no dochira de shinsei sureba yoi deshō ka. “I expect to come to the office two days a week. Should I apply using the commuter pass price or actual fares?” Do not assume the cheapest personal option is the company’s approved method.
Questions worth asking HR
- 承認される通勤経路を確認したいです。
Shōnin sareru tsūkin keiro o kakunin shitai desu.
I’d like to confirm the approved commuting route. - 定期券は購入前に申請が必要ですか。
Teikiken wa kōnyū mae ni shinsei ga hitsuyō desu ka.
Do I need to apply before buying a commuter pass? - 引っ越した場合、いつまでに変更届を出せばよいですか。
Hikkoshita baai, itsu made ni henkō todoke o daseba yoi desu ka.
If I move, when must I submit a route change?
What the allowance does and does not tell you
Japanese law does not require every employer to pay commuting expenses; check the job offer, work rules and your notice of working conditions for your employer’s terms. The MHLW’s worker guidance explains this distinction. A job listing may mention 通勤手当 or 交通費支給, but the cap and method need checking before you plan your budget; see our job listing guide.
Tax treatment is a separate question from what your employer agrees to pay. Non-taxable commuting allowance limits can change and differ by transport method. Consult the National Tax Agency’s current commuting allowance guidance or payroll staff for your circumstances. Once the allowance appears in payroll, use our Japanese payslip guide to find the line item.
