Ekiben 駅弁

Transit 移動 · Stop T04

タクシー

Taking a taxi in Japan

You've arrived in Kyoto with a heavy suitcase. A taxi is the easy way to your hotel. Give an address, ask how long it takes, stop where you want, and get a receipt.

  • 京都駅 · Set in Kyoto Station
  • 6-minute lesson
  • With Ekiben Pass

Phrases

このじゅうしょまでおねがいします

kono juusho made onegaishimasu

To this address, please.

Show the address on your phone. Taxi GPS in Japan can often search by phone number too.

Pattern: 〜までお願いします

このkono · this住所までjuusho made · to the addressお願いしますonegaishimasu · please

ここでとめてください

koko de tomete kudasai

Please stop here.

Or simply say ここでいいです (koko de ii desu): "Here is fine."

ここでkoko de · here (at)止めてtomete · stopくださいkudasai · please (do)

りょうしゅうしょをおねがいします

ryoushuusho o onegaishimasu

A receipt, please.

Drivers print receipts right from the meter, so it only takes a second.

領収書をryoushuusho o · receipt (object)お願いしますonegaishimasu · please

dono kurai kakarimasu ka?

How long will it take?

かかります works for both time and money. Drivers usually answer in minutes.

どのくらいdono kurai · how longかかりますかkakarimasu ka · does it take?

トランクをあけてもらえますか？

toranku o akete moraemasu ka?

Could you open the trunk?

Drivers usually help with suitcases. Ask this if they don't.

トランクをtoranku o · trunk (object)開けてakete · openもらえますかmoraemasu ka · could you?

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

shiitoberuto o oshime kudasai.

Please fasten your seatbelt.

The driver or a recorded voice as you set off. It applies to the back seat too.

You

hai

Sure.

kono atari de yoroshii desu ka?

Is around here OK?

The driver checking where to drop you off.

You

hai, koko de ii desu

Yes, here is fine.

Culture tip

Hands Off the Door

Taxi rear doors open and close automatically, so step back and let the driver handle it. Get in on the left side. There's no tipping: just pay what the meter says. Many taxis also take credit cards and IC cards.

“You should close the taxi door yourself after getting in.”

Practice scene

To the Hotel

The taxi stand at Kyoto Station. Your hotel is near Kiyomizu-dera, and you have its address on your phone.

Mr. Nakamura · Taxi driver

  1. douzo. dochira made desu ka?

    Hop in. Where to?

  2. Your turn: Show your phone and ask to go to that address.

    kono juusho made onegaishimasu

    To this address, please.

  3. hai, kashikomarimashita.

    Certainly.

  4. Your turn: Ask how long it will take.

    dono kurai kakarimasu ka?

    How long will it take?

  5. sou desu ne, juugofun gurai desu.

    Let's see, about 15 minutes.

  6. Your turn: You spot your hotel. Ask the driver to stop here.

    koko de tomete kudasai

    Please stop here.

  7. hai. sen happyaku en desu.

    OK. That's 1,800 yen.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3