You have found a destination on a map, but you still need to decide whether to walk. Practise asking whether it is reachable on foot and following up about the walking time. This workshop moves from a guided exchange to choosing the right question and recalling both sides of a short dialogue. You can take both roles yourself. All places and walking estimates in the exercises are fictional.
The two questions you need
Use «ここから 歩いて 行けますか。» (Can I walk there from here?) when the other person already knows which destination you mean. For a polite opening, the dialogue supplies «すみません、ここから 歩いて 行けますか。» (Excuse me, can I walk there from here?). To request an estimate, ask «歩いて 何分 かかりますか。» (How many minutes does it take on foot?). The first question checks whether walking is possible; the second asks for a duration. Practise the difference by reading the two English meanings in either order and choosing the matching Japanese question.
Understanding the answer
«歩いて 行けます。» means You can walk there in this exchange. The dialogue uses «はい、歩いて 行けますよ。» (Yes, you can walk there). Neither reply gives the walking time. «ちょっと 遠いです。» means It is a little far: it describes the distance without giving a number of minutes. After the time question, «十五分 ぐらいです。» means It is about fifteen minutes. That is an approximate duration, not a departure or arrival clock time. Listen for whether the response gives permission or possibility, comments on distance, or supplies the estimate you asked for.
Make the destination clear before asking
In the practice scene, show the person a place on your map before using the question meaning Can I walk there from here? The question itself does not name the destination. This gives both speakers the same reference without requiring you to improvise an unfamiliar place name. After a positive answer, use the minutes question if you need an estimate. After hearing It is a little far, you can use that same minutes question to find out more. A distance comment alone does not tell you the exact walking time or decide which transport you should choose.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
ここから 歩いて 行けますか。
Can I walk there from here?
koko kara aruite ikemasu ka
歩いて 何分 かかりますか。
How many minutes does it take on foot?
aruite nanpun kakarimasu ka
歩いて 行けます。
You can walk there. / I can walk there.
aruite ikemasu
ちょっと 遠いです。
It is a little far.
chotto tooi desu
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、ここから 歩いて 行けますか。
Excuse me, can I walk there from here?はい、歩いて 行けますよ。
Yes, you can walk there.歩いて 何分 かかりますか。
How many minutes does it take on foot?十五分 ぐらいです。
It is about fifteen minutes.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Build the two-question exchange
At a fictional information desk, you show a destination on your map. Speaker A is the visitor; Speaker B is the person answering. Rehearse each turn slowly before joining the exchange.
Your task: As A, say «すみません、ここから 歩いて 行けますか。». As B, answer «はい、歩いて 行けますよ。». Return to A and ask «歩いて 何分 かかりますか。». Finish as B with «十五分 ぐらいです。».
Follow a distance comment with a precise question
A different fictional destination is being discussed. You ask whether it is walkable and hear a comment about distance rather than a number of minutes.
Your task: As visitor, ask «ここから 歩いて 行けますか。». Take the other role and reply «ちょっと 遠いです。». As visitor again, choose «歩いて 何分 かかりますか。» to ask for the missing walking-time estimate.
Recall a short exchange with roles
Rehearse the short roleplay after one listen, then look away from its Japanese lines. Speaker A is the visitor; Speaker B answers. Use the English meanings as recall cues.
Your task: As A, recall Excuse me, can I walk there from here? As B, recall Yes, you can walk there. As A, ask How many minutes does it take on foot? Finish as B with It is about fifteen minutes. Check the four Japanese lines in the short roleplay after your attempt.
Common questions
Can I practise this lesson without a real partner?
Yes. Say the visitor’s questions and the other speaker’s answers in separate turns. The audio cards and short roleplay provide models you can replay. Start by reading; on the next attempt, recall a line first and listen afterward to check it.
What is the difference between the two main questions?
The possibility question asks whether you can go on foot. The time question asks how many minutes the walk takes. You can use the time question when a positive answer or a general distance comment leaves you wanting a specific estimate.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about walking distanceChecked September 2026
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