Asking for Directions in Japanese: 70+ Words and Phrases
Learning the simple act of asking for directions might seem like something you can skip, but take it from me, it can spell disaster, especially if you’re visiting Japan.
You can’t rely on people speaking your native tongue, especially in Japan. But you can expect a higher willingness to help you. In fact, a kind stranger on the bus once walked for two hours with me to my hotel, to make sure I got there safely.
Even if your Japanese is very basic, Japanese speakers will usually listen, and if you do get lost, you can use the opportunity to ask a stranger on the street or a convenience store cashier for directions. Read on to learn how to ask for directions in Japanese, all with audio, so you know you’re pronouncing everything correctly.
Contents
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Basic Japanese Directions
Here are some essential Japanese words you need to know when asking for directions!
| Japanese Word | English Word |
|---|---|
| 左 (ひだり) | left |
| 右 (みぎ) | right |
| 北 (きた) | North |
| 南 (みなみ) | South |
| 東 (ひがし) | East |
| 西 (にし) | West |
Japanese Direction Verbs
| Japanese Word | English Word |
|---|---|
| 行く (いく) | to go |
| 止まる (とまる) | to stop |
| 尋ねる (たずねる) | to ask |
| 教える (おしえる) | to tell/inform |
| 案内する (あんないする) | to guide |
| 曲がる (まがる) | to turn |
| 直進する (ちょくしんする) | to go straight |
| 左折する (させつする) | to turn left |
| 右折する (うせつする) | to turn right |
| 交差点で左に曲がる (こうさてんでひだりにまがる) | to turn left at the intersection |
| 交差点で右に曲がる (こうさてんでみぎにまがる) | to turn right at the intersection |
| 真っ直ぐ行く (まっすぐいく) | to go straight |
| 前に進む (まえにすすむ) | to move forward |
| 後ろに下がる (うしろにさがる) | to move backward |
| 目的地に到着する (もくてきちにとうちゃくする) | to arrive at the destination |
| 迷う (まよう) | to get lost |
Japanese Landmarks and Locations
| Japanese Word | English Word |
|---|---|
| 交差点 (こうさてん) | intersection |
| 道 (みち) | road |
| 看板 (かんばん) | sign |
| バス | bus |
| 地下鉄 (ちかてつ) | subway |
| 電車 (でんしゃ) | train |
| トイレ | bathroom |
| ホテル | hotel |
| コンビニ | convenience store |
| 郵便局 (ゆうびんきょく) | post office |
| 図書館 (としょかん) | library |
| 市役所 (しやくしょ) | City Hall |
| 観光案内所 (かんこうあんないじょ) | Tourist Information Center |
| デパート | department store |
| スーパー | supermarket |
| 駅 (えき) | station |
| バス停 (ばすてい) | bus stop |
| 地下鉄駅 (ちかてつえき) | subway station |
| 信号 (しんごう) | traffic light |
| 橋 (はし) | bridge |
| 公園 (こうえん) | park |
| 病院 (びょういん) | hospital |
| レストラン (れすとらん) | restaurant |
| カフェ (かふぇ) | cafe |
| ホテル (ほてる) | hotel |
| 団地 (だんち) | apartment complex |
| 家 (いえ) | house/home |
| 公共施設 (こうきょうしせつ) | public facility |
| 場所 (ばしょ) | place |
Japanese Prepositions for Getting and Giving Directions
| Japanese Word | English Word |
|---|---|
| 真っ直ぐ (まっすぐ) | straight |
| 曲がる (まがる) | turn |
| 隣に (となりに) | next to |
| 後ろに (うしろに) | behind |
| 前に (まえに) | in front of |
| 向こう側に (むこうがわに) | across from |
| その近くに (そのちかくに) | nearby |
| 遠い (とおい) | far |
| ～まで | until this point |
Common Direction Phrases in Japanese
And now for some basic phrases that’ll help you apply the above vocabulary to actual conversations.
- 「すみません。もう一度お願いします 。」
(もういちどおねがいします)
“Excuse me. Would you repeat that for me?” - 「Xはどこにありますか？」
“Where is…?” - 「Xまで行くと、どのぐらい時間 (じかん) がかかりますか？」
“How far is…?” - 「～右・左側 にあります。」
(みぎ・ひだりがわ)
“It’ll be on your right/left…” - 「道の突き当り (つきあたり)。」
“End of the street.” - 「右・左 にXがあります。」
(みぎ・ひだり)
“[Place] will be on your right/left.”
Example Dialogues
Here are a few examples of asking for directions in Japanese. The original Japanese has been written first, followed by the hiragana (when applicable) and English translation.
Learners can practice these dialogues by reading them out loud, either by yourself or with a partner. Beginner learners could also ask a native speaker(s) to read them and see how many words you can pick out. This is a great way to practice listening for the main terms in a conversation! And finally, you can use resources like FluentU to hear actual conversations spoken by native Japanese speakers through expert-subtitled videos.
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Dialogue #1: Basic Template for Asking for Directions in Japanese
For the purpose of this dialogue, you’re looking for the post office because you need to withdraw some money at the ATM.
You see an older man sitting on a bench. You make eye contact and he smiles at you, so you approach him.
You: すみません。郵便局 はどこにありますか？
(すみません。ゆうびんきょくはどこにありますか？)
Excuse me. Do you know where the post office is?
Him: 郵便局ですね。あの～あっ、そこの交差点がみえますか？
(ゆうびんきょくですね。あの～あっ、そこのこうさてんがみえますか？)
The post office, huh? Let me see. Oh, can you see that intersection over there?
You: はい。
Yes.
(じゃあ、そこのこうさてんでみぎにまがってください。)
Okay, take a right at that light.
You: はい。
Okay.
Him: そして、その道の突き当りまで行ったら、右側に郵便局があります。
(そして、そのみちのつきあたりまでいったら、みぎがわにゆうびんきょくがあります。)
After that, go straight to the end of that street and you’ll see the post office on your right.
You: ありがとうございます！
Thank you!
Dialogue #2: Understanding Japanese Directions in Real-world Contexts
As you turn to walk away to head to the post office, you hear the following:
Him: ちょっと待って！今、思い出したんですけど、こんな時間になったからもう閉まっていると思うよ。
(ちょっとまって！いま、おもいだしたんですけど、こんなじかんになったからもうしまっているとおもうよ。)
Hold on! I just remembered that the post office isn’t open this late.
You: 本当ですか？！
(ほんとうですか？！)
Really?!
Him: はい。ごめんなさいね。なんか、手紙とか送るんですか？
(はい。ごめんなさいね。なんか、てがみとかおくるんですか？)
Yes. Sorry about that. Did you want to send a letter or something?
You: いいえ。ATMを使いたいんです。
(いいえ。ATMをつかいたいんです。)
No, I’m looking for an ATM.
(ああ、もっとはやくいってくれればよかったのに～)
Ohh, if you had only told me that earlier!
You: ああ、はい。
Well…
Him: じゃあ、郵便局じゃなくてもいいですよね？ATMがある所でもいいでしょう？
(じゃあ、ゆうびんきょくじゃなくてもいいですよね？ATMがあるところでもいいでしょう？)
So it doesn’t have to be a post office, right? Anywhere with an ATM is okay?
(まあ、こくさいカードがつかえるATMならだいじょうぶです。)
As long as it takes international cards, I’m okay.
Him: わかった。じゃあ、さっきと同じの交差点で、今度は左に曲がってください。
(わかった。じゃあ、さっきとおなじのこうさてんで、こんどはひだりにまがってください。)
Got it. Okay, so walk to that same intersection, and this time, take a left.
You: はい。
Okay.
Him: そしたら、次の交差点まで行って、右に曲がってください。
(そしたら、つぎのこうさてんまでいって、みぎにまがってください。)
Once you get there, go to the next light and take a right.
You: はい。
Okay.
(ちょっといったら、コンビニがひだりがわにあります。)
Go along that road for a bit and you’ll see a convenience store on your left.
You: 本当にありがとうございました！
(ほんとうにありがとうございました！)
Thank you so much!
Him: いえいえ～気を付けてね。
(いえいえ～きをつけてね。)
No problem. Take care.
You: さようなら。
Goodbye.
Dialogue #3: Being Polite While Asking for Directions in Japanese
Even when asking for directions, you may have to make some occasional small talk. For example, as you head out to the convenience store, the man might call you back again, asking:
Him: お姉さんはどこの国から来ましたか？
おねえさんはどこのくにからきましたか？
What country did you come from?
You: カナダから来ました。
カナダからきました。
I’m Canadian.
Him: ああ、カナダはいい国ですね。メープルシロップでしょう？
ああ、カナダはいいくにですね。メープルシロップでしょう？
I see. Canada is a great country. Maple syrup, right?
You: はい。メープルシロップが有名です。それでは、失礼します。
はい。メープルシロップがゆうめいです。それでは、しつれいします。
Yes, maple syrup is famous indeed. Thank you again, I’ll be heading out now.
おお、むずかしいにほんごをしっていますね！さようなら～
Wow, you know difficult Japanese! Goodbye.
You: さようなら～
Goodbye.
If you’d like to practice additional dialogues, check out this video from Japanese Ammo with Misa, which includes some great phrases for asking directions:
If you like this video, Japanese Ammo has many more in which Misa explains Japanese vocabulary and grammar for learners.
Now that you have these tips and phrases under your belt, you can go out and ask for directions in Japanese without fail!
And One More Thing...
If you love learning Japanese with authentic materials, then I should also tell you more about FluentU.
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FluentU has a broad range of contemporary videos as you'll see below:
FluentU makes these native Japanese videos approachable through interactive transcripts. Tap on any word to look it up instantly.
All definitions have multiple examples, and they're written for Japanese learners like you. Tap to add words you'd like to review to a vocab list.
And FluentU has a learn mode which turns every video into a language learning lesson. You can always swipe left or right to see more examples.
The best part? FluentU keeps track of your vocabulary, and gives you extra practice with difficult words. It'll even remind you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You'll have a 100% personalized experience.
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