In this workshop you will practice asking for directions in Japanese and checking that you understood the answer. You will use polite phrases that work with strangers and staff. First you will learn what each phrase means and when to use it. Then you will try three short speaking tasks: a guided exchange, a reply comprehension task, and a recall task where you play both roles. You can do all of this alone with audio. There is no automatic scoring, so use the answer keys and self-checks to judge your own speaking.
Opening the conversation politely
A polite request starts with a soft attention word. The line «すみません、道を教えてもらえますか。» means 'Excuse me, could you tell me the way?' The first word softens the request, and the ending makes it a polite question rather than a command. Use this line with strangers or staff when you need help. After the person looks at you, you can name your destination. The line «博物館へはどう行けばいいですか。» means 'How do I get to the museum?' The destination comes first, then the question pattern asks for the best route. You can replace the destination word with another place name, but keep the rest of the pattern the same. If you only need a landmark, the line «この近くに駅はありますか。» means 'Is there a station near here?' This asks about something close by instead of a full route. These three lines give you a polite way to start, name a place, and ask about a nearby landmark.
Checking the answer and the time
After someone gives you directions, repeat the key point to show you understood. In the source dialogue, the listener says the line «左ですね。歩いてどのくらいかかりますか。», which means 'Left, right? About how long does it take on foot?' The short repeat confirms the direction, and the question asks for walking time. The reply in the source dialogue is the line «そうですね、十分くらいです。», which means 'Let's see, about ten minutes.' This kind of answer gives you a rough time, not an exact one. If you want to ask the time question yourself, the line «歩いてどのくらいかかりますか。» means 'How long does it take on foot?' Use it after you hear a route so you can plan your walk. When you hear a direction such as 'turn left at the second corner,' that is an instruction to turn, not a description of something on your left. Listen for the turning verb to tell the difference.
Playing both roles with audio
You can practice alone by playing both roles. First, play the speaker who asks. Pause the audio and answer as the person giving directions. Then switch: play the person giving directions and answer as the traveler. In the source dialogue, the traveler asks the line «すみません、博物館へはどう行けばいいですか。», which means 'Excuse me, how do I get to the museum?' The helper answers with the line «博物館ですか。この道をまっすぐ行って、二つ目の角を左に曲がってください。», which means 'The museum? Go straight down this street, and turn left at the second corner.' Notice that the helper repeats the destination first, then gives two steps: go straight, then turn left. When you play the helper, keep those two steps in the same order. When you play the traveler, follow with the time question. This back-and-forth builds the rhythm of a real exchange without needing a partner.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
すみません、道を教えてもらえますか。
Excuse me, could you tell me the way?
Sumimasen, michi o oshiete moraemasu ka.
博物館へはどう行けばいいですか。
How do I get to the museum?
Hakubutsukan e wa dō ikeba ii desu ka.
この近くに駅はありますか。
Is there a station near here?
Kono chikaku ni eki wa arimasu ka.
歩いてどのくらいかかりますか。
How long does it take on foot?
Aruite dono kurai kakarimasu ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、博物館へはどう行けばいいですか。
Excuse me, how do I get to the museum?博物館ですか。この道をまっすぐ行って、二つ目の角を左に曲がってください。
The museum? Go straight down this street, and turn left at the second corner.左ですね。歩いてどのくらいかかりますか。
Left, right. About how long does it take on foot?そうですね、十分くらいです。
Let's see, about ten minutes.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and answer
You are a traveler near a station. You want to find a museum. Play the audio for the traveler's opening line, then pause and speak the helper's reply. Then switch roles.
Your task: Step 1: Play the line «すみません、博物館へはどう行けばいいですか。» and repeat it aloud. Step 2: Pause and use the recorded helper line «博物館ですか。この道をまっすぐ行って、二つ目の角を左に曲がってください。» as your model, then say it aloud as the helper. Step 3: Play the line «左ですね。歩いてどのくらいかかりますか。» and answer with the recorded rough walking time «そうですね、十分くらいです。». Step 4: Switch roles and do the whole exchange again.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct meaning
You will hear a helper's reply. Read the three choices and pick the one that matches. This checks whether you can catch a direction and a time.
Your task: Play the line «博物館ですか。この道をまっすぐ行って、二つ目の角を左に曲がってください。» and the line «そうですね、十分くらいです。» together. Choice A: Go straight, turn left at the second corner, about ten minutes on foot. Choice B: Turn right at the first corner, about ten minutes by bus. Choice C: Go straight, turn right at the second corner, about ten minutes on foot. Say your answer aloud, then say the recorded direction word you heard to justify it.
Recall and role switch
Cover the text. You will rebuild the exchange from memory, first as the traveler, then as the helper. Use only phrases you have practiced.
Your task: Step 1: As the traveler, say the polite opening and ask how to get to the museum. Step 2: As the helper, repeat the destination and give the two-step route. Step 3: As the traveler, confirm the direction and ask about walking time. Step 4: As the helper, give a rough time. Do not read the lines while you speak.
Common questions
Can I practice this workshop without a speaking partner?
Yes. Play each recorded line, pause, and answer aloud as the other person. Then switch roles and do it again. Recording yourself helps you hear your rhythm and check your polite endings. There is no automatic scoring, so use the answer keys and self-checks to judge your own speaking.
How do I know if a direction means a place on the right or a turn to the right?
Listen for the turning verb. A phrase like 'turn left at the second corner' is an instruction to change direction. A phrase that only names a side, such as 'the station is on the right,' describes a location. In the source dialogue the helper uses a turning verb, so the traveler should turn, not just look to the side.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for directionsChecked September 2026
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