In this post, we’ll guide you on how to politely ask for directions in Japanese. We’ll include sample conversations, important words, and useful phrases to make it easier for you.
When you’re in Japan, navigating through the various transportation options—walking, taking the train, or hopping on a bus—can be an adventure in itself. But what if you find yourself lost in an unfamiliar place, or your phone decides to call it quits? Considering that many signs and maps are exclusively in Japanese, especially in rural areas, things can get tricky.
That’s where knowing some basic Japanese vocabulary becomes incredibly useful, especially when seeking directions. Imagine having a language lifeline to bail you out when you need it most! Let’s say you’re exploring Kyoto, and you suddenly realize you’re off course. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to connect with a local or even a Japanese language tutor who can guide you back on track?
To make your journey smoother, we’ve compiled a list of essential Japanese words and phrases for asking directions. Whether you’re chatting with a friendly local or seeking the help of a Japanese language tutor, these phrases will come in handy. Let’s turn potential navigation hiccups into opportunities for cultural connection!
Helpful phrases when asking for directions
Japan’s stunning cities offer a plethora of places to explore, and getting around typically involves trains or buses. Tokyo, in particular, boasts almost 30 subway lines, necessitating transfers to reach your intended destination.
To navigate this bustling transport network, it’s handy to be familiar with some numbers in Japanese. This knowledge will come in especially useful when determining which subway stop to alight at. Additionally, learning a few convenient Japanese phrases can be a lifesaver when you find yourself lost or uncertain about your route. Take a look at these helpful expressions below:
| Where is the station? | 駅はどこですか? | Eki wa doko des ka? |
| Where do I transfer? | どこで乗り換えますか? | Doko de norikae mas ka? |
| How long does it take? | どのくらいかかりますか? | Eki wa doko des ka? |
| How far is it by car? | 車でどのくらい遠いですか? | Eki wa doko des ka? |
| Where is the restaurant? | レストランはどこですか? | Resutoran wa doko des ka? |
| Where is the restaurant? | トイレはどこですか? | Toire wa doko des ka? |
| I want to go to (name of place). | (場所の名前）に行きたいです。 | (Name of place) ni ikitai des. |
| How can I get to (name of place)? | どうやって(場所の名前）に行けますか? | Douyatte (name of place) ni ike mas ka? |
| Please tell me how to get there. | 道を教えてください。 | Michi wo oshiete kudasai. |
| Where am I? | ここはどこですか? | Koko wa doko des ka. |
Useful direction words
While big cities offer plenty of convenient transportation options, smaller towns might require some walking or biking to reach your destination. So, knowing a bit of Japanese directional vocabulary can really come in handy, helping you convey your message and find the assistance you need.
General direction words
| Right | 右 | Migi |
| Left | 左 | Hidari |
| Straight | 真っ直ぐ | Mattsugu |
| Front | 前 | Mae |
| Back | 後ろ | Ushiro |
| Next to | 隣 | Tonari |
| Near | 近い | Chikai |
| Far | 遠い | Tooi |
| Corner | 角 | Kado |
| Inside | 中 | Naka |
| Outside | 外 | Soto |
| North | 北 | Kita |
| East | 東 | Higashi |
| West | 西 | Nishi |
| South | 南 | Minami |
| Here | ここ | Koko |
| There | そこ | Soko |
| Over there | あそこ | Asoko |
Transportation words
| Train | 電車 | Densha |
| Subway | 地下鉄 | Chikatetsu |
| Bus | バス | Basu |
| Taxi | タクシー | Takushii |
| Car | 車 | Kuruma |
| Bullet train | 新幹線 | Shinkansen |
| Airplane | 飛行機 | Hikooki |
Direction verbs
| To turn | 曲がる | Magaru |
| To walk | 歩く | Aruku |
| To cross | 渡る | Wataru |
| To ride | 乗る | Noru |
| To drive | 運転する | Unten suru |
Location words
| Train station | 駅 | Eki |
| Bus stop | バス停 | Basu tei |
| Airport | 空港 | Kukoo |
| Parking | 駐車場 | Chuusyajoo |
| Bank | 銀行 | Ginkoo |
| Hospital | 病院 | Byooin |
| Park | 公園 | Kooen |
| Temple | お寺 | Otera |
| Hotel | ホテル | Hoteru |
| Police station | 交番 | Kooban |
| Intersection | 交差点 | Koosaten |
Building words
| Building | 建物 | Tatemono |
| Entrance | 入口 | Iriguchi |
| Exit | 出口 | Deguchi |
| Elevator | エレベーター | Elebeetaa |
| Escalator | エスカレーター | Esukareetaa |
| Stairs | 階段 | Kaidan |
| Room | 部屋 | Heya |
| Front desk | フロント | Huronto |
| Bathroom | トイレ | Toire |
| Restaurant | レストラン | Resutoran |
| Café | カフェ | Café |
Example conversations
Japanese folks are renowned for their friendliness and politeness. In return, it’s a good idea to approach them with humility and respect when seeking directions. This involves incorporating courteous Japanese greetings and farewells to kick off and conclude your conversations—think “Sumimasen” (“Excuse me”) and “Arigatoo gozaimas” (“Thank you”).
For a practical demonstration of these directional words and phrases, dive into the two example conversations provided below. Envision how you’d integrate the vocabulary mentioned during your journey in Japan, and feel free to start honing your language skills!
| Conversation #1 | |
| Person A | Sumimasen. Tokyo Eki ni ikitai des. Douyatte ike mas ka?(Excuse me, I want to go to Tokyo station. How can I get there?) |
| Person B | Densha de ike mas.(You can go by train.) |
| Person A | Densha de donokurai kakari mas ka?(How long does it take by train?) |
| Person B | Ichi jikan kakari mas.(It takes one hour.) |
| Person A | Arigato gozaimas.(Thank you.) |
Conclusion
Excited about your upcoming trip to Japan? No doubt, it’s a fantastic country with countless incredible places to explore. However, prepping by practicing some Japanese beforehand can take your trip to a whole new level. This way, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively with native speakers and navigate your way around seamlessly.