Visiting Japan · Lesson 5

Getting around

Trains, buses and taxis in Japan are clean, punctual and easy once you know a few phrases. Here's how to ask the way, check you're on the right train and tell a taxi driver where to go. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.

14 phrases for getting around

Each card shows the phrase, how to say it in English letters, and a short line using it. Tap "Show English" for the meaning and a note on when to say it, and tap the speaker to hear it.

G01

トイレはどこですかToire wa doko des ka?everywhere

すみません、トイレはどこですか？
Sumimasen, toire wa doko des ka?

where's the toilet? · Excuse me, where's the toilet?
Stations, shops and convenience stores usually have toilets. Some are labelled お手洗てあらい.
G02

駅えきはどこですかEki wa doko des ka?street

すみません、一番いちばん近ちかい駅えきはどこですか？
Sumimasen, ichiban chikai eki wa doko des ka?

where's the station? · Excuse me, where's the nearest station?
Shop staff and police boxes are good people to ask.
G03

コインロッカーはどこですかKoin rokkā wa doko des ka?station

コインロッカーはどこにありますか？
Koin rokkā wa doko ni arimas ka?

where are the coin lockers? · Where are the coin lockers?
Big stations have lockers for luggage. Many take IC cards.
G04

〜に行いきたいです… ni ikitai des.everywhere

浅草あさくさに行いきたいです。
Asakusa ni ikitai des.

I want to go to … · I want to go to Asakusa.
Show the place on your phone as you say it.
G05

切符きっぷはどこで買かえますかKippu wa doko de kaemas ka?station

すみません、切符きっぷはどこで買かえますか？
Sumimasen, kippu wa doko de kaemas ka?

where can I buy a ticket? · Excuse me, where can I buy a ticket?
Ticket machines usually have an English button.
G06

何番線なんばんせんですかNanbansen des ka?station

新宿しんじゅくに行いく電車でんしゃは何番線なんばんせんですか？
Shinjuku ni iku densha wa nanbansen des ka?

which platform? · Which platform is the train to Shinjuku?
Ask station staff at the gate.
G07

この電車でんしゃは〜に止とまりますかKono densha wa … ni tomarimas ka?station

この電車でんしゃは渋谷しぶやに止とまりますか？
Kono densha wa Shibuya ni tomarimas ka?

does this train stop at …? · Does this train stop at Shibuya?
Express trains skip stations, so it's worth checking.
G08

〜まで行いきますか… made ikimas ka?bus

このバスは京都駅きょうとえきまで行いきますか？
Kono basu wa Kyōto eki made ikimas ka?

does this go to …? (bus) · Does this bus go to Kyoto Station?
Ask the driver as you get on.
G09

〜までお願ねがいします… made onegai shimas.taxi

東京駅とうきょうえきまでお願ねがいします。
Tōkyō eki made onegai shimas.

to …, please (taxi) · To Tokyo Station, please.
Say it to the driver, or show the address on your phone. The rear door opens and closes by itself: don't touch it.
G10

次つぎの角かどで止とめてくださいTsugi no kado de tomete kudasai.taxi

すみません、次つぎの角かどで止とめてください。
Sumimasen, tsugi no kado de tomete kudasai.

please stop at the next corner (taxi) · Excuse me, please stop at the next corner.
To tell a taxi driver where to stop. ここで止とめてください is “stop here”.
G11

どのくらいかかりますかDono kurai kakarimas ka?everywhere

空港くうこうまでどのくらいかかりますか？
Kūkō made dono kurai kakarimas ka?

how long does it take? · How long does it take to the airport?
For time only. To ask what something will cost, say おいくらぐらいになりますか (Oikura gurai ni narimas ka?).
G12

歩あるいて行いけますかAruite ikemas ka?street

ここから歩あるいて行いけますか？
Koko kara aruite ikemas ka?

can I walk there? · Can I walk there from here?
Useful when someone gives you directions.
G13

道みちに迷まよいましたMichi ni mayoimashta.street

すみません、道みちに迷まよいました。
Sumimasen, michi ni mayoimashta.

I'm lost · Excuse me, I'm lost.
People are usually happy to help. A police box (交番こうばん) will help too.
G14

地図ちずで教おしえていただけますかChizu de oshiete itadakemas ka?street

この地図ちずで教おしえていただけますか？
Kono chizu de oshiete itadakemas ka?

could you show me on the map? · Could you show me on this map?
Hold out your phone or a map. Easier than following spoken directions.

Signs at the station

Words you'll see on signs and departure boards.

You'll see	Pronunciation	It means
出口でぐち	deguchi	exit
入口いりぐち	iriguchi	entrance
改札かいさつ	kaisatsu	ticket gates
〜番線ばんせん	… bansen	platform …
乗のり換かえ	norikae	change trains here
各駅停車かくえきていしゃ / 普通ふつう	kakueki teisha / futsū	local train, stops everywhere
快速かいそく / 急行きゅうこう	kaisoku / kyūkō	rapid / express, skips stations
優先席ゆうせんせき	yūsenseki	priority seats

Get an IC card. A Suica or PASMO card (or the version on your phone) works on trains and buses in most cities and in convenience stores. Touch it on the reader at the gate.
Quiet on trains. Keep your voice low, put your phone on silent and don't take calls on the train. Take your backpack off in busy carriages.
Taxi doors are automatic. The rear left door (the kerb side) opens and closes by itself: don't touch it, and get in on that side.

Three patterns to use today

〜はどこですか

Swap in the place you're looking for.

出口でぐちはどこですか？

Deguchi wa doko des ka?

Where's the exit?

タクシー乗のり場ばはどこですか？

Takushī noriba wa doko des ka?

Where's the taxi rank?

〜に行いきたいです

Swap in where you want to go.

明治神宮めいじじんぐうに行いきたいです。

Meiji Jingū ni ikitai des.

I want to go to Meiji Shrine.

このホテルに行いきたいです。

Kono hoteru ni ikitai des.

I want to go to this hotel.

〜までお願ねがいします

Tell a taxi driver where to go.

成田空港なりたくうこうまでお願ねがいします。

Narita kūkō made onegai shimas.

To Narita Airport, please.

この住所じゅうしょまでお願ねがいします。

Kono jūsho made onegai shimas.

To this address, please.

Say it in Japanese

Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.

1. Where's the toilet?
2. Where are the coin lockers?
3. I want to go to Kyoto.
4. Where can I buy a ticket?
5. Does this train stop at Ueno?
6. Does this bus go to the station?
7. To the airport, please. (taxi)
8. Please stop here. (taxi)
9. I'm lost.
10. Could you show me on the map?