How can I ask for directions to a specific place in Japanese
Mastering Essential Japanese Vocabulary at B1 Level: How can I ask for directions to a specific place in Japanese
To ask for directions to a specific place in Japanese, a polite and common way is to say:
すみません、（場所の名前）はどこですか？
Sumimasen, (basho no namae) wa doko desu ka?
Excuse me, where is (place name)?
If you want to ask more specifically how to get there, you can say:
すみません、（場所の名前）にはどうやって行きますか？
Sumimasen, (basho no namae) ni wa douyatte ikimasu ka?
Excuse me, how do I get to (place name)?
Other useful phrases when asking for directions:
- 道を教えてください。 (Michi o oshiete kudasai) — Please tell me the way.
- （場所の名前）に行きたいです。 ((Basho no namae) ni ikitai desu) — I want to go to (place name).
These expressions are polite and commonly used by travelers when asking for directions in Japan. Replace (場所の名前) with the name of the place you’re trying to find. Japanese people are often willing to help when you ask politely like this.