How to Ask Where a Bank Is in Japanese: 銀行はどこですか and ATM Locations
Learn to ask 'Is there a bank near here?' in Japanese, understand ATM locations, and use polite phrases like 銀行はどこですか and この近くに銀行はありますか.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to ask where a bank is in Japanese and how to find an ATM. You will practice the key question 銀行はどこですか (Ginkō wa doko desu ka) and the pattern この近くに銀行はありますか (Kono chikaku ni ginkō wa arimasu ka), which means 'Is there a bank near here?' You will also learn useful vocabulary for banking services, such as ATM (ATM, ē-tī-emu) and cash card (キャッシュカード, kyasshu kādo). By the end, you will be able to ask for a bank or ATM politely and understand simple directions. No prior knowledge of Japanese is required, but basic greetings will help.
By the end, you can…
- ask 'Where is a bank?' using 銀行はどこですか。
- ask 'Is there a bank near here?' using この近くに銀行はありますか。
- ask where an ATM is using ATMはどこですか。
- understand simple replies like あそこです or 右側です。
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
すみません、銀行はどこですか。
Excuse me, where is a bank?
Sumimasen, ginkō wa doko desu ka.
Use this polite question when you need to find any bank. すみません gets attention; 銀行はどこですか is the core question. The particle は is pronounced 'wa' here.
この近くに銀行はありますか。
Is there a bank near here?
Kono chikaku ni ginkō wa arimasu ka.
Use this when you want to know if a bank exists in the immediate area. この近くに means 'near here'.
ATMはどこですか。
Where is an ATM?
Ē-tī-emu wa doko desu ka.
Use this to ask specifically for an ATM. In Japan, ATMs are often inside convenience stores, post offices, and train stations.
ATMはありますか。
Is there an ATM?
Ē-tī-emu wa arimasu ka.
Use this when you are already in a place like a convenience store and want to check if an ATM is available.
銀行は何時から何時までですか。
What hours is the bank open?
Ginkō wa nanji kara nanji made desu ka.
Use this to ask about banking hours. 何時から何時まで literally means 'from what time until what time'. Typical Japanese bank counters are open 9:00 to 15:00 on weekdays.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern [place] はどこですか (… wa doko desu ka) means 'Where is [place]?' For example, 銀行はどこですか (Ginkō wa doko desu ka) means 'Where is a bank?' To ask if something exists in a location, use [location] に [thing] はありますか (… ni … wa arimasu ka). For example, この近くに銀行はありますか (Kono chikaku ni ginkō wa arimasu ka) means 'Is there a bank near here?' The particle に marks the location where something exists, and あります means 'exists' for inanimate things like banks and ATMs. Note that あります is used for non-living things; for people or animals, use います (imasu).
When to use it
Use 銀行はどこですか when you simply want to know the location of a bank. Use この近くに銀行はありますか when you want to know if there is a bank nearby, perhaps before walking around. For ATMs, use ATMはどこですか or ATMはありますか. In Japan, ATMs are commonly found in convenience stores (コンビニ, konbini), post offices (郵便局, yūbin-kyoku), and train stations. If you need to ask about international cards, you can say 外国のカードは使えますか (Gaikoku no kādo wa tsukaemasu ka) meaning 'Can I use a foreign card?' This is useful because not all ATMs accept foreign cards.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この近くに銀行はありますか。
Excuse me, is there a bank near here?Sumimasen, kono chikaku ni ginkō wa arimasu ka.はい、あそこにありますよ。
Yes, there is one over there.Hai, asoko ni arimasu yo.ATMはどこですか。
Where is the ATM?Ē-tī-emu wa doko desu ka.銀行の中にあります。
It's inside the bank.Ginkō no naka ni arimasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, bank counters are generally open on weekdays from 9:00 to 15:00, and ATMs may have shorter hours or charge fees outside these times. Convenience store ATMs often operate 24 hours and may accept foreign cards, but it is polite to ask 外国のカードは使えますか before using one. When asking for directions, start with すみません to get attention politely.
One thing to watch for
Using います instead of あります for a bank, as in 銀行はいますか.
Try this instead: Use あります for inanimate things like banks and ATMs. For example, say 銀行はありますか (Ginkō wa arimasu ka) meaning 'Is there a bank?' います is only for people and animals, such as 犬がいます (Inu ga imasu) meaning 'There is a dog.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Where is a bank?' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
銀行はどこですか。
This uses the pattern [place] はどこですか. You could also say 銀行はどこにありますか (Ginkō wa doko ni arimasu ka), which is slightly more formal.
2How do you ask 'Is there an ATM near here?'
Show a sample answer
この近くにATMはありますか。
This uses この近くに (near here) + ATM + はありますか. You can replace ATM with 銀行 for a bank.
3What does 銀行は何時から何時までですか mean?
Show a sample answer
It means 'What hours is the bank open?'
This asks about opening hours. You can use the same pattern for other places, like 店は何時から何時までですか (Mise wa nanji kara nanji made desu ka) meaning 'What hours is the shop open?'
To ask for a bank, say 銀行はどこですか. To ask if one is near, say この近くに銀行はありますか. For ATMs, use ATMはどこですか or ATMはありますか. Remember to use あります for banks and ATMs, and start with すみません to be polite.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Japanese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr