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How to ask for directions and transportation in Japanese visualisation

How to ask for directions and transportation in Japanese

Essential Japanese Phrases for Navigating Japan: How to ask for directions and transportation in Japanese
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To ask for directions and transportation in Japanese, use polite and simple phrases starting with “Sumimasen” (Excuse me). Here are key phrases for asking directions:

  • すみません、（場所）はどこですか？
    Sumimasen, (bashō) wa doko desu ka?
    Excuse me, where is (place)?

  • （場所）に行きたいです。
    (Bashō) ni ikitai desu.
    I want to go to (place).

  • どうやって（場所）に行けますか？
    Dōyatte (bashō) ni ikemasu ka?
    How can I get to (place)?

  • 道を教えてください。
    Michi o oshiete kudasai.
    Please tell me the way.

For transportation-related questions:

  • 駅はどこですか？
    Eki wa doko desu ka?
    Where is the station?

  • どこで乗り換えますか？
    Doko de norikaemasu ka?
    Where do I transfer?

  • 電車でどのくらいかかりますか？
    Densha de dono kurai kakarimasu ka?
    How long does it take by train?

Basic directional words to understand answers:

  • まっすぐ (massugu) - straight
  • 右 (みぎ, migi) - right
  • 左 (ひだり, hidari) - left

Example conversation:

A: すみません。東京駅に行きたいです。どうやって行けますか？
(Sumimasen. Tōkyō eki ni ikitai desu. Dōyatte ikemasu ka?)
Excuse me. I want to go to Tokyo Station. How can I get there?

B: 電車で行けますよ。
(Densha de ikemasu yo.)
You can go by train.

A: どのくらいかかりますか？
(Dono kurai kakarimasu ka?)
How long does it take?

B: 一時間くらいです。
(Ichi-jikan kurai desu.)
About one hour.

A: ありがとうございます。
(Arigatō gozaimasu.)
Thank you.

These phrases will help with asking for directions and transportation in Japan politely and clearly.

References

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