Question
I’m planning to visit Japan for the first time and I’m not sure how to conveniently ask for directions in a city. What’s a useful phrase I can use to ask someone, “Excuse me, how can I get to [destination]?” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
すみません、[destination] までどうやって行（い）けばいいですか。
Sumimasen, [destination] made doo yatte ikeba ii desuka?
Excuse me, how can I get to [destination]?
This phrase is very practical for asking directions in Japanese. “Sumimasen” is a polite way to get someone’s attention, similar to saying “excuse me” in English. “[destination] made” means “to [destination]”, where you can replace [destination] with any location you wish to visit, such as “ekimae” (駅前, in front of the station) or “toukyou eiga” (東京駅, Tokyo Station).
“Doo yatte ikeba ii desuka?” means “how can I get there?” or “how should I go?”, making it a versatile phrase for seeking guidance. Remember to couple this question with a smile, and you’ll likely receive helpful directions from the locals!
