Essentials きほん · Stop E04
どこですか
Where is…? Asking for the toilet, the station and more
Shinjuku is the world's busiest station, with exits in every direction. One simple question will get you anywhere. Ask where the washroom, the station, or a shop is, and where you are.
Phrases
トイレはどこですか？
toire wa doko desu ka?
Where's the washroom?
Maybe the most useful question in Japan. Toire works everywhere.
お手洗いはどこですか？
おてあらいはどこですか？
otearai wa doko desu ka?
Where's the washroom?
A softer, more polite word for washroom. Nice in hotels and department stores.
駅はどこですか？
えきはどこですか？
eki wa doko desu ka?
Where's the station?
Lost? Find the station and you can get anywhere.
ここはどこですか？
koko wa doko desu ka?
Where am I? (lit. Where is here?)
Show your map at the same time, and people can point to where you are.
コンビニはどこですか？
konbini wa doko desu ka?
Where's a convenience store?
Konbini have snacks, ATMs and often a washroom. There's usually one close by.
What you’ll hear
Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.
二階にございます
nikai ni gozaimasu
It's on the second floor.
Department store staff telling you which floor something is on.
二階ですね
nikai desu ne
The second floor, right?
あちらの奥です
achira no oku desu
It's at the back, over there.
Staff pointing toward the far end of a shop or hallway.
ありがとうございます
arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you.
この先の左側にあります
kono saki no hidarigawa ni arimasu
It's up ahead on the left.
A passerby giving directions in a station or on the street.
左ですね
hidari desu ne
On the left, right?
Culture tip
Free, Clean Washrooms
Public washrooms are free and usually spotless. Stations, parks, department stores and many konbini have them. Paper towels are often missing, so locals carry a small hand towel. On high-tech toilets, look for 流す (flush).
“Japanese washrooms often have no paper towels, so a small hand towel is handy.”
That's why many locals carry a small towel to dry their hands.
Practice scene
Shinjuku Maze
Shinjuku Station at rush hour. You badly need a washroom, and then you need to get your bearings.
Mr. Kato · Station staff
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Your turn: Ask the station attendant where the washroom is.
トイレはどこですか？
toire wa doko desu ka?
Where's the washroom?
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トイレは、あの階段の横です。
toire wa, ano kaidan no yoko desu.
The washroom is next to those stairs.
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Your turn: Back from the washroom, you're completely turned around. Show your map and ask where you are.
ここはどこですか？
koko wa doko desu ka?
Where am I?
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ここは西口です。
koko wa nishiguchi desu.
This is the West Exit.
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Your turn: You want a snack before your train. Ask where a convenience store is.
コンビニはどこですか？
konbini wa doko desu ka?
Where's a convenience store?
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コンビニは、あそこにありますよ。
konbini wa, asoko ni arimasu yo.
There's one right over there.
Scene complete! You earned the Shinjuku Station stamp.
Phrases from Ekiben content v3