旅行・交通

有名ゆうめいな名所めいしょを巡めぐる観光かんこうバスツアーに参加さんかした。

I joined a sightseeing bus tour around famous places.

Usage 名所 is a famous sight worth visiting: 桜の名所 (a famous cherry-blossom spot), 名所旧跡 (famous sights and historic places). 名物 (めいぶつ) is a local specialty, usually food.

Remember it 名 (name, fame) + 所 (place) → a place with a name to it.

ローマの遺跡いせきを見学けんがくして、歴史れきしの深ふかさを感かんじた。

Visiting the ruins of Rome, I felt the depth of history.

Usage 遺跡 are ruins or archaeological remains: 遺跡を発掘する (excavate ruins), 古代遺跡. 文化財 (ぶんかざい) is a cultural property still intact, like a temple building.

Remember it 遺 (to leave behind) + 跡 (traces) → traces left behind.

京都には古ふるい寺てらがたくさんある。

There are many old temples in Kyoto.

Usage 寺 is a Buddhist temple; 神社 is a Shinto shrine. Look for graves and incense at a 寺, and a red 鳥居 gate at a 神社. In names it reads じ: 金閣寺, 清水寺.

Remember it 土 (earth) + 寸 (hand) → a place built by hand on the earth. Originally a government office, later borrowed for Buddhist temples.

お正月しょうがつに神社じんじゃに初詣はつもうでに行いった。

At New Year, I went to a shrine for my first visit of the year.

Usage 初詣 (はつもうで) is the first shrine visit of the year. The ritual at a 神社 is bow twice, clap twice, bow once. Shrines also go by 神宮 and 大社 in their names.

Remember it 神 (god) + 社 (shrine) → the god's shrine. The same 社 as 会社: a place where a community gathers.

姫路城ひめじじょうは世界遺産せかいいさんに登録とうろくされている。

Himeji Castle is registered as a World Heritage Site.

Usage 城 reads しろ on its own but じょう in names: 大阪城, 姫路城. 城下町 (じょうかまち) is a castle town, and 天守閣 (てんしゅかく) is the main keep.

Remember it 土 (earth) + 成 (to form) → earth piled up to form ramparts.

国立こくりつ博物館はくぶつかんで縄文じょうもん時代じだいの土器どきを見みた。

At the National Museum I saw pottery from the Jomon period.

Usage 博物館 holds history, science and natural history; 美術館 holds art. English calls both 'museum', so choose by what's inside.

Remember it 博 (broad, wide knowledge) + 物 (things) + 館 (hall) → a hall of many things.

ピカソの展覧会てんらんかいが近ちかくの美術館びじゅつかんで開ひらかれた。

A Picasso exhibition was held at the art museum nearby.

Usage 美術館 is specifically for art: 展覧会 (exhibition), 入館料 (admission fee), 画家 (painter). Compare 博物館 for history and science.

Remember it 美術 (fine art) + 館 (hall) → the hall of fine art.

ホテルに宿泊しゅくはくする予約よやくをインターネットインターネットでした。

I booked a hotel stay online.

Usage 宿泊 is the formal word used on forms and signs: 宿泊費 (lodging cost), 宿泊施設 (accommodation), 宿泊客 (overnight guest). In speech, 泊まる. Nights are counted 一泊, 二泊.

Remember it 宿 (lodging) + 泊 (to stay the night) → both halves mean staying over.

温泉おんせん旅館りょかんに泊とまって、浴衣ゆかたを着きた。

I stayed at a hot-spring inn and wore a yukata.

Usage A 旅館 is a traditional Japanese inn: tatami, futon, and dinner and breakfast included (一泊二食付き). ホテル is a Western-style hotel; 民宿 (みんしゅく) is a family-run guesthouse.

Remember it 旅 (journey) + 館 (hall) → a hall for travelers.

乗車券じょうしゃけんを自動券売機じどうけんばいきで購入こうにゅうした。

I bought a train ticket from the ticket machine.

Usage 乗車券 is the basic fare ticket. On JR express trains you also need a 特急券 (limited express ticket) and sometimes a 指定席券 (reserved seat ticket). The suffix 券 marks tickets and vouchers.

Remember it 乗車 (boarding a vehicle) + 券 (ticket) → a ticket to board.

東京とうきょうから大阪おおさかまで新幹線しんかんせんで約やく2時間じかんかかる。

It takes about two hours from Tokyo to Osaka by bullet train.

Usage 新幹線 is Japan's high-speed rail, running at up to 320 km/h. 東海道新幹線 links Tokyo and Osaka. Train names like のぞみ and ひかり tell you how many stops it makes.

Remember it 新 (new) + 幹 (trunk) + 線 (line) → the new trunk line.

飛行機ひこうきの出発しゅっぱつが1時間じかん遅おくれた。

The plane's departure was delayed by an hour.

Usage 出発する takes を for the place left: 東京駅を出発する. On airport boards, 出発 is departures and 到着 is arrivals. 出発時刻 = departure time.

Remember it 出 (to go out) + 発 (to set off) → going out and setting off.

電車でんしゃは定刻通ていこくどおりに駅えきに到着とうちゃくした。

The train arrived at the station right on schedule.

Usage 到着する takes に for the place reached: 空港に到着する, unlike 出発's を. 到着が遅れる (arrival is delayed), 到着ロビー (arrivals hall).

Remember it 到 (to reach) + 着 (to arrive, land) → reaching and setting down.

電車でんしゃの遅延ちえんで会議かいぎに遅刻ちこくしてしまった。

Because the train was delayed, I was late for the meeting.

Usage 遅延 is the formal word for a delay in transport or payment. Japanese stations issue a 遅延証明書 (delay certificate) so commuters can prove to their company that the train made them late.

Remember it 遅 (late) + 延 (to extend) → running late and dragging on.

バスバスの運賃うんちんは前払まえばらいです。

Bus fares are paid in advance.

Usage 運賃 is the fare for being carried, whether passengers or freight: 電車の運賃, 運賃表 (fare chart). 料金 (りょうきん) is a charge in general, such as 電気料金.

Remember it 運 (to carry, transport) + 賃 (charge, wage) → the charge for carriage.

時刻表じこくひょうを確認かくにんして乗のる電車でんしゃを決きめた。

I checked the timetable and decided which train to take.

Usage 時刻 (じこく) is a point in time, while 時間 (じかん) is a span of it. 時刻表 is a timetable; most people now use a 乗り換え案内 app instead.

Remember it 時刻 (exact time) + 表 (table, chart) → a chart of exact times.

ガイドが観光客かんこうきゃくに名所めいしょを案内あんないした。

The guide showed the tourists around the famous sights.

Usage 案内する = to guide or show someone around: 案内所 (information desk), 道案内 (directions), ご案内します (let me show you the way). Also announcements: 車内案内.

Remember it 案 (plan) + 内 (inside) → showing someone the inside of something unfamiliar.

地図ちずを見みながら目的地もくてきちまで歩あるいた。

I walked to my destination while looking at a map.

Usage 地図 = map: 地図アプリ, 地図を広げる (spread out a map), 地図に載っている (be on the map). 図 marks drawings and diagrams generally: 図表, 天気図.

Remember it 地 (land) + 図 (drawing) → a drawing of the land.

赤信号あかしんごうでは横断歩道おうだんほどうを渡わたらないでください。

Please don't use the crosswalk when the light is red.

Usage 横断歩道 is a pedestrian crossing: 横断歩道を渡る. 横断 means crossing: 道路を横断する, 大陸横断. 歩道橋 (ほどうきょう) is a footbridge.

Remember it 横断 (crossing sideways) + 歩道 (walkway) → the walkway that crosses the road.

近ちかくに駐車場ちゅうしゃじょうがなくて困こまった。

There was no parking lot nearby, which was a problem.

Usage 駐車する = to park: 駐車禁止 (no parking), 有料駐車場 (paid parking). A bicycle lot is 駐輪場 (ちゅうりんじょう). The suffix 場 marks a place: 会場, 工場.

Remember it 駐 (to stay put) + 車 (vehicle) + 場 (place) → the place vehicles stay.

この道みちは工事中こうじちゅうのため、通行つうこう禁止きんしです。

This road is closed to traffic because of construction.

Usage 通行 is passing along a road: 通行止め (road closed), 通行禁止 (no entry), 通行人 (passerby), 一方通行 (one-way street).

Remember it 通 (to pass through) + 行 (to go) → going and passing through.

この道路どうろの速度そくど制限せいげんは60キロキロだ。

The speed limit on this road is 60 km/h.

Usage 制限 is a limit or restriction: 速度制限, 年齢制限 (age limit), 時間制限, 制限なし (unlimited). 制限する = to restrict.

Remember it 制 (to control) + 限 (limit) → controlling up to a limit.

新幹線しんかんせんの最高さいこう速度そくどは320キロだ。

The top speed of the bullet train is 320 km/h.

Usage 速度 is speed in a technical or official sense: 速度を上げる (speed up), 速度違反 (speeding). In conversation, スピード. 速さ (はやさ) is the plain noun.

Remember it 速 (fast) + 度 (degree) → the degree of fastness.

交差点こうさてんで交通こうつう事故じこが起おきた。

A traffic accident happened at the intersection.

Usage 事故が起きる = an accident happens; 事故に遭う (あう) = to be in one; 事故を起こす = to cause one. 事故物件 is a property where someone died, a term renters watch for.

Remember it 事 (incident) + 故 (cause) → an incident with a cause behind it.

ゴールデンウィークは高速道路こうそくどうろが渋滞じゅうたいする。

During Golden Week, the expressways get jammed.

Usage 渋滞 is a traffic jam: 渋滞する, 渋滞にはまる (get stuck in traffic), 渋滞情報 (traffic reports). It is for cars on roads; crowded trains are 混雑.

Remember it 渋 (sluggish, astringent) + 滞 (to stagnate) → everything congealing to a standstill.

朝あさのラッシュアワーラッシュアワーは電車でんしゃが混雑こんざつする。

Trains are crowded during the morning rush hour.

Usage 混雑 is crowding of people or places: 混雑する, 混雑状況 (how crowded it is), 混雑を避ける (avoid the crowds). Use 渋滞 for road traffic. In speech, 混む (こむ).

Remember it 混 (to mix) + 雑 (miscellaneous) → all mixed up together.

新宿しんじゅくで山手線やまのてせんに乗のり換かえてください。

Please change to the Yamanote Line at Shinjuku.

Usage The verb is 乗り換える, and the station takes で: 新宿で乗り換える. 乗り換え案内 is the route-finder app every commuter in Japan uses.

Remember it 乗る (to ride) + 換える (to swap) → swapping what you ride.

居眠いねむりして乗のり越こしてしまった。

I dozed off and rode past my stop.

Usage 乗り越す = to ride past your station, by accident or on purpose. You pay the difference at a 乗り越し精算機 (fare adjustment machine) before the exit gate.

Remember it 乗る (to ride) + 越す (to go past) → riding past.

毎日通勤つうきんするので定期券ていきけんを買かっている。

I commute every day, so I buy a commuter pass.

Usage 定期券, often just 定期, is a commuter pass for a fixed route over one, three or six months, usually loaded onto an IC card like Suica. Companies typically pay for it.

Remember it 定期 (fixed period) + 券 (ticket) → a ticket good for a set stretch of time.

バスバスの回数券かいすうけんを10枚まい買かって節約せつやくした。

I saved money by buying a book of ten bus tickets.

Usage 回数券 is a book of prepaid tickets, often 11 rides for the price of 10. 回数 means number of times: 回数を重ねる (do something repeatedly).

Remember it 回数 (number of times) + 券 (ticket) → tickets for a number of rides.

途中下車とちゅうげしゃして観光かんこうしてから目的地もくてきちに向むかった。

I made a stopover to do some sightseeing before heading on to my destination.

Usage 途中下車 is getting off partway and continuing later on the same ticket, allowed on some long-distance JR tickets. 途中 means on the way: 帰る途中 (on the way home).

Remember it 途中 (on the way) + 下車 (getting off a vehicle) → getting off on the way.

直通ちょくつう電車でんしゃなので乗のり換かえなしで行いけます。

It's a through train, so you can get there without changing.

Usage 直通 means direct, with no change needed: 直通電車 (through train), 直通運転 (through service onto another line), 直通電話 (a direct line).

Remember it 直 (direct, straight) + 通 (to pass through) → passing straight through.

満員電車まんいんでんしゃの乗客じょうきゃくたちは疲つかれた表情ひょうじょうをしていた。

The passengers on the packed train looked tired.

Usage 乗客 is a passenger on a train, bus, ship or plane: 乗客数 (number of passengers). 旅客 (りょかく) is the formal word used by airlines and ferry operators.

Remember it 乗 (to ride) + 客 (guest, customer) → a customer who rides.

台風たいふうの影響えいきょうで便びんが欠航けっこうになった。

The flight was cancelled because of the typhoon.

Usage 欠航 is the cancellation of a flight or ferry, usually due to weather: 欠航になる, 欠航便. A train is 運休 (うんきゅう). 遅延 is a delay.

Remember it 欠 (to lack, miss) + 航 (to sail, fly) → a sailing or flight that is missing.

その映画えいがは人気にんきがあって、全すべての回かいが満席まんせきだった。

That movie is so popular that every showing was sold out.

Usage 満席 means every seat is taken: 満席です (we're full). 満員 (まんいん) is full of people, as in 満員電車 (a packed train). 空席 (くうせき) is a free seat.

Remember it 満 (full) + 席 (seat) → the seats are full.

観光かんこうの間あいだ、駅えきの荷物預かりにもつあずかりにスーツケーススーツケースを預あずけた。

While sightseeing, I left my suitcase at the station's luggage storage.

Usage 荷物預かり is a luggage storage service, found at stations and hotels. The self-service version is a コインロッカー (coin locker). 預かる = to look after something for someone; 預ける = to leave it with them.

Remember it 荷物 (luggage) + 預かる (to take into safekeeping) → luggage kept safe for you.

輸入品ゆにゅうひんには関税かんぜいがかかることがある。

Customs duties are sometimes charged on imported goods.

Usage 関税 is the duty or tariff on imports: 関税がかかる, 関税を引き上げる (raise tariffs), 関税障壁 (tariff barrier). Don't mix it up with 税関, the customs office.

Remember it 関 (gate, barrier) + 税 (tax) → the tax paid at the border gate.

空港くうこうに到着とうちゃく後、入国審査にゅうこくしんさを受うけた。

After arriving at the airport, I went through immigration.

Usage 入国審査 is passport control on arrival: 入国審査を受ける. 審査 means screening or review: 書類審査. The departure version is 出国審査.

Remember it 入国 (entering the country) + 審査 (examination) → being examined as you enter.

税関ぜいかんで荷物にもつを検査けんさされた。

My luggage was inspected at customs.

Usage 税関 is the customs office or checkpoint: 税関を通る, 税関申告書 (customs declaration form). Remember: 税関 is the place, 関税 is the tax.

Remember it 税 (tax) + 関 (gate, barrier) → the tax gate at the border.

出発しゅっぱつの2時間じかん前まえに空港くうこうで搭乗手続きとうじょうてつづきをした。

I checked in at the airport two hours before departure.

Usage 搭乗手続き is check-in for a flight: 搭乗手続きをする. Related: 搭乗券 (boarding pass), 搭乗口 (boarding gate), 搭乗する (to board).

Remember it 搭乗 (搭 load + 乗 ride: boarding) + 手続き (procedure) → the procedure for boarding.

空港くうこうの免税店めんぜいてんでお土産みやげを買かった。

I bought souvenirs at the airport's duty-free shop.

Usage 免税店 = a duty-free or tax-free shop. Many Japanese shops show a 免税 (tax-free) sign where visitors can buy without consumption tax. 免税品 = tax-free goods.

Remember it 免 (to be exempt) + 税 (tax) + 店 (shop) → a shop exempt from tax.

この便びんは香港ほんこん経由けいゆでロンドンへ向むかう。

This flight goes to London via Hong Kong.

Usage 経由 means via or by way of: 香港経由, 経由地 (a stopover point). It is also used for information: 友人経由で聞いた (heard through a friend).

Remember it 経 (to pass through) + 由 (by way of) → passing through on the way.

ロサンゼルスで乗継のりつぎをしてニューヨークニューヨークへ向むかった。

I made a connection in Los Angeles and went on to New York.

Usage 乗継 (also 乗り継ぎ) is making a connection: 乗継便 (connecting flight), 乗継時間 (layover time). The verb is 乗り継ぐ. Changing local trains is usually 乗り換え.

Remember it 乗る (to ride) + 継ぐ (to continue, join) → joining one ride onto the next.

この電車でんしゃの終点しゅうてんは渋谷しぶやです。

This train's last stop is Shibuya.

Usage 終点 is the last stop on a line: 終点まで乗る (ride to the end). Its opposite is 始発駅 (the starting station). 終電 (しゅうでん) is the last train of the night.

Remember it 終 (to end) + 点 (point) → the end point.