Asking for directions to metro: Asking how far it is

💬 Super useful all-purpose phrase: use it to get attention, apologize lightly, or say “thanks for your trouble.” Softer than shouting “Hey!”

🇯🇵 In Japan, starting with [すみません] before a question is very normal and polite—especially when asking directions.

💬 Often used with a topic: [〜はどこ] (“As for ~, where?”). By itself it can sound abrupt, so add [ですか] to be polite.

🇯🇵 If you’re lost, pairing it with [すみません] makes it friendly: [すみません、〜はどこですか。]

💬 Polite question ending. Add it after a noun/adjective: [駅ですか。] “Is it the station?”

🇯🇵 Using [ですか] helps you sound courteous to strangers (and you’ll get nicer help!).

💬 Template phrase. Put the place in the blank: [地下鉄の駅はどこですか。]

🇯🇵 For stations, people may answer with landmarks rather than street names, since many small streets don’t have names.

💬 [地下] = underground + [鉄] (train/rail). You’ll also see [メトロ] in some cities/brands.

🇯🇵 Tokyo uses both “Tokyo Metro” and “Toei Subway,” but people often just say [地下鉄] casually.

💬 A key travel word. Combine with lines/places: [新宿駅] etc. Note: it can mean train/subway station.

🇯🇵 Stations in Japan can be huge “mini-cities” with many exits—asking which exit ([出口]) matters.

💬 [の] links nouns: [地下鉄] + [の] + [駅] = “station of the subway.”

🇯🇵 If you say this, locals may point you to a specific entrance rather than the whole station complex.

💬 Often used with movement verbs: [まっすぐ行く] (go straight). It’s also used metaphorically: [まっすぐな人] = “honest person.”

🇯🇵 People may gesture with a flat hand pointing forward—watch hands as much as words.

💬 [行く] → [行って] (te-form) + [ください] = polite request. Great for directions: “Please go…”

🇯🇵 Locals may give instructions in a chain using te-form: “Go straight, cross, then…”