📖 Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How do you ask where the train station is in Japanese?
Say 「駅はどこですか？」(Eki wa doko desu ka?) which means 'Where is the station?' For a more polite
request for guidance, try 「〇〇まで行きたいのですが、どう行けばいいですか？」(〇〇 made ikitain desu ga, dou ikeba ii desu ka?) meaning
'I want to go to 〇〇, how should I get there?' Most Japanese people are happy to help tourists.
❓ What are the key direction words in Japanese?
The essential direction vocabulary includes: 右(みぎ・Migi) = Right, 左(ひだり・Hidari) = Left, まっすぐ
(Massugu) = Straight ahead, 角(かど・Kado) = Corner, 信号(しんごう・Shingou) = Traffic light, and 近く(ちかく・Chikaku) =
Nearby. These are all JLPT N5 level words and appear frequently in everyday situations.
❓ What should I say if I don't understand the directions given?
Say 「もう一度、ゆっくり言ってもらえますか？」(Mou ichido, yukkuri itte moraemasu ka?) meaning 'Could you say that
again slowly?' You can also ask them to write it down with 「書いてもらえますか？」(Kaite moraemasu ka?). Showing a map on
your phone and pointing also works well—Japanese people are generally patient and willing to help.