Ask for Directions in Japan
Never get lost in Japan again! Learn essential Japanese phrases for asking where the station is, understanding directions like right, left, and straight.
Practice These PhrasesWhat You'll Learn
Getting lost in Japan doesn't have to be scary! This lesson teaches you how to ask for directions, understand responses with direction words like right, left, and straight, and politely ask people to repeat themselves.
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 駅 | eki | station |
| コンビニ | konbini | convenience store |
| トイレ | toire | restroom |
| まっすぐ | massugu | straight ahead |
| 右 | migi | right |
| 左 | hidari | left |
| 角 | kado | corner |
| 近い | chikai | close/near |
| 遠い | tooi | far |
| あそこ | asoko | over there |
| 二つ目 | futatsu-me | second (ordinal) |
| タクシー乗り場 | takushī noriba | taxi stand |
Essential Phrases
Getting Attention
すみません。
Sumimasen.
Excuse me.
Essential for approaching anyone politely!
Asking "Where is...?"
駅はどこですか？
Eki wa doko desu ka?
Where is the station?
東京駅はどこですか？
Tōkyō eki wa doko desu ka?
Where is Tokyo Station?
渋谷駅はどこですか？
Shibuya eki wa doko desu ka?
Where is Shibuya Station?
コンビニはどこですか？
Konbini wa doko desu ka?
Where is a convenience store?
トイレはどこですか？
Toire wa doko desu ka?
Where is the restroom?
タクシー乗り場はどこですか？
Takushī noriba wa doko desu ka?
Where is the taxi stand?
Understanding Directions
まっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。
Massugu itte, migi ni magatte kudasai.
Go straight, then turn right.
まっすぐ行って、左に曲がってください。
Massugu itte, hidari ni magatte kudasai.
Go straight, then turn left.
角で右に曲がってください。
Kado de migi ni magatte kudasai.
Turn right at the corner.
二つ目の角で左に曲がってください。
Futatsu-me no kado de hidari ni magatte kudasai.
Turn left at the second corner.
Distance Responses
近いです。
Chikai desu.
It's close.
あそこです。
Asoko desu.
It's over there.
ちょっと遠いです。
Chotto tooi desu.
It's a little far.
Confirming & Asking for Help
左ですか？
Hidari desu ka?
Left?
Repeat the key word back as a question to confirm.
もう一度お願いします。
Mō ichido onegai shimasu.
One more time, please.
ゆっくりお願いします。
Yukkuri onegai shimasu.
Slowly, please.
Saying Thanks
ありがとうございます！
Arigatō gozaimasu!
Thank you very much!
Practice Conversation
You: すみません。駅はどこですか？
Local: まっすぐ行って、二つ目の角で左に曲がってください。
You: 左ですか？
Local: はい、左です。近いですよ。
You: ありがとうございます！
Cultural Tips
- Japanese people are helpful: Most people will go out of their way to help you find your destination.
- Point and confirm: If pronunciation is tricky, point in the direction and say "Kocchi?" (This way?)
- Use maps: Showing a map on your phone with the destination can help bridge any language gap.
- Koban (police boxes): Small police stations are everywhere and officers are happy to help with directions.
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