Manabii: Learn Japanese

Day 14: Directions to Sensoji Temple

Day 14 Image


Script

Smith: Sumimasen, Asakusa made wa dou ikeba ii desu ka?
すみません、浅草(あさくさ)まではどう行けばいいですか。

Staff: Chikatetsu de ikuniwa, Asakusa-sen ga ii desu. Jikan wa arimasu ka?
地下鉄(ちかてつ)で行くには、浅草線(あさくさせん)がいいです。時間は（じかん）はありますか？

Smith: Hai, daijoubu desu.
はい、だいじょうぶです。

Staff: Koko kara tochuu no kanda eki made norimasu. Soko de norikae shitekudasai.
ここから途中(とちゅう)の神田駅(かんだえき)までのります。そこでのりかえしてください。

Smith: Soko kara Sensouji made wa aruite ikemasu ka?
そこから浅草寺(せんそうじ)まで歩(ある)いて行けますか。

Staff: Hai, Asakusa-eki kara wa sugu soba desu.
はい、浅草駅(あさくさえき)からはすぐそばです。

Smith: Yoyaku wa hitsuyou desu ka?
予約(よやく)は必要(ひつよう)ですか。

Staff: Iie, Sensouji wa jiyuu ni hairemasu.
いいえ、浅草寺(せんそうじ)は自由(じゆう)にはいれます。

Smith: Arigatou gozaimasu!
ありがとう ございます！

Translation

Smith: Excuse me, how do I get to Asakusa?

Staff: If you're going by subway, the Asakusa line is best. Do you have time?

Smith: Yes, it's fine.

Staff: From here, you ride until Kanda stop. Then, please change trains at the station.

Smith: After that, can I walk to Sensoji Temple?

Staff: Yes, it's very close from Asakusa Station.

Smith: Do I need a reservation?

Staff: No, Sensoji is free to enter.

Smith: Thank you very much!

Vocabulary
  • 浅草(あさくさ) (Asakusa) - Asakusa (district in Tokyo)
  • 地下鉄(ちかてつ) (chikatetsu) - subway
  • 線(せん) (sen) - line (e.g., Asakusa Line)
  • 駅(えき) (eki) - station
  • のりかえ (norikae) - transfer (trains)
  • 歩いて (あるいて) (aruite) - on foot, walking
  • 浅草寺(せんそうじ) (Sensouji) - Sensoji Temple
  • 予約(よやく) (yoyaku) - reservation
  • 自由(じゆう) (jiyuu) - free, unrestricted
Grammar Notes
1. Asking for Directions: どう行けばいいですか (dou ikeba ii desu ka)

This phrase is used to ask for directions. The verb 行(い)く (iku) means "to go," and the conditional form 行けば (ikeba) means "if I go." Adding いいですか (ii desu ka) turns it into "How should I go?" or "What’s the best way to get there?"

Example:

  • 浅草まではどう行けばいいですか？ (Asakusa made wa dou ikeba ii desu ka?) - How should I get to Asakusa?
2. Asking About Train Lines: 〜線はどこですか (sen wa doko desu ka)

To ask where a specific train line is, use the pattern [line name] + はどこですか. This is commonly used in stations to find the correct platform or line.

Example:

  • 浅草線はどこですか？ (Asakusa-sen wa doko desu ka?) - Where is the Asakusa line?
3. Transferring Trains: 乗り換えします (norikae shimasu)

When you need to transfer between trains, you use the verb 乗り換え(のりかえ)する (norikae suru), meaning "to transfer." 乗り換えします (norikae shimasu) is the formal version, used when asking for guidance.

Example:

  • ここで乗り換えします。(Koko de norikae shimasu.) - I transfer here.
4. Asking About Reservations: 予約は必要ですか (yoyaku wa hitsuyou desu ka)

Use this phrase to ask if a reservation is necessary. 予約 (yoyaku) means "reservation" and 必要 (hitsuyou) means "necessary." This phrase is common when checking for required bookings at restaurants or tourist spots.

Example:

  • 予約は必要ですか？ (Yoyaku wa hitsuyou desu ka?) - Do I need a reservation?