Buses, Taxis, and Ride Etiquette: Explaining Your Destination Simply

This chapter gives you simple, repeatable Japanese for buses and taxis—focused on what you actually need in the moment: where to board, how to pay, how to get off, and how to state your destination clearly. You’ll also learn ride etiquette that helps you blend in and avoid awkward moments.

Buses: where to board, how to pay, and how to get off

Step-by-step: the most common city bus flow

1. Find the correct stop and boarding side. Many city buses have separate “entrance” and “exit” doors. The stop sign often shows the route number and destination.

2. Board and take a ticket (if used). On some buses you take a small numbered ticket when you get on. That number matches the fare shown later on the fare board.

3. Pay when you get off (common) or when you get on (some routes). Payment methods vary: cash, IC card (like Suica/PASMO), or a day pass. Watch what locals do and follow the signs near the door.

4. Press the stop button before your stop. The button is usually on poles or near seats. After you press it, you’ll hear/see a “next stop” announcement and the bus will stop.

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5. Exit calmly and pay correctly. If paying by cash, prepare coins/bills before the bus stops. If you need change, use the change machine near the driver (do this before paying).

Bus phrases you’ll actually use

Typical bus signs you’ll see (and what they mean)

• 入口 (iriguchi) = Entrance (board here)

• 出口 (deguchi) = Exit (get off here)

• 運賃 (unchin) = Fare

• 次は (tsugi wa) = Next is… (next stop display/announcement)

• 降車 (kōsha) = Getting off / alighting

• 整理券 (seiriken) = Numbered boarding ticket

• 両替 (ryōgae) = Change (money exchange)

• 優先席 (yūsenseki) = Priority seats

• 停留所 (teiryūjo) = Bus stop

Mini-dialogue: confirming the bus and the stop

You: Sumimasen, kono basu wa Kōen-mae ni ikimasu ka?

Driver/Staff: Hai, ikimasu.

You: Tsugi wa Kōen-mae desu ka?

Driver/Staff: Hai, tsugi desu.

Taxis: destination, route preferences, and payment

The simplest way to state your destination (use these “one-line” requests)

In a taxi, shorter is better. You can show your phone screen and say one of these:

• Koko made onegaishimasu. = To here, please. (Say this while showing a map pin.)

• Kono hoteru made onegaishimasu. = To this hotel, please. (Show the booking page or hotel name.)

• ___ made onegaishimasu. = To ___, please.

How to show an address or map smoothly

1. Open the exact destination in Japanese if possible. A Japanese address, a map pin, or the hotel’s Japanese name reduces confusion.

2. Hand your phone so the driver can glance safely. Don’t keep it hovering; offer it briefly and pull it back.

3. Confirm the key point. Use a short confirmation like the templates below.

Taxi phrase templates using landmarks (easy for drivers to recognize)

If the exact address is hard, use a well-known landmark plus a simple “near” phrase. Keep it concrete.

• ___ no chikaku made onegaishimasu. = Near ___, please.

• ___ no mae made onegaishimasu. = In front of ___, please.

• ___ no iriguchi made onegaishimasu. = To the entrance of ___, please.

• ___ no yoko made onegaishimasu. = Next to ___, please.

Landmark examples you can swap in:

• eki (station), hoteru (hotel), byōin (hospital), kōen (park), konbini (convenience store), shiyakusho (city hall)

Route preferences: simple, polite, and specific

Drivers usually choose the route. If you have a preference, keep it short and practical.

Note: Only give turn-by-turn directions if you’re confident. Otherwise, it can create stress or mistakes. If you’re following a map, use it to confirm major points (a bridge, a big intersection, a landmark) rather than every turn.

Polite ways to request the meter

In Japan, taxis normally use the meter automatically. If you want to confirm politely (for example, after a stop or if you’re unsure), use a calm, non-accusatory question.

• Mētā, onegaishimasu. = The meter, please.

• Mētā de onegaishimasu. = By meter, please.

• Mētā wa haitte imasu ka? = Is the meter on?

Payment: what to say at the end

Short taxi dialogues (copy and adapt)

Dialogue 1: showing a map pin

You: Koko made onegaishimasu.

Driver: Hai, wakarimashita.

You: Kōsoku, tsukaimasu ka?

Driver: Hai, tsukaimasu.

You: Kōsoku wa tsukawanai de kudasai.

Dialogue 2: using a hotel + landmark

You: Kono hoteru made onegaishimasu.

Driver: ___ hoteru desu ne.

You: Hai, sō desu.

You (optional): ___ eki no chikaku desu. (It’s near ___ Station.)

Dialogue 3: a simple turn request

You: Sumimasen, tsugi no kōsaten o migi ni magatte kudasai.

Driver: Hai.

Ride etiquette that matters (bus + taxi)

Quiet rides and phone manners

• Keep your voice low; many riders treat buses and taxis as quiet spaces.

• If you must take a call, keep it brief and soft. On buses, it’s better to avoid calls when possible.

• Use headphones at a low volume; avoid playing audio out loud.

Luggage handling

• On buses: Keep bags close so you don’t block the aisle. If the bus is crowded, hold your backpack in front of you.

• On taxis: If you have a suitcase, the driver may open the trunk. You can offer a simple cue while pointing to your luggage: Nimotsu arimasu. (I have luggage.)

• Don’t slam doors; taxi doors may open/close automatically in many areas. Wait and follow the driver’s lead.

Thanking the driver appropriately

• Bus: When getting off near the driver, a simple Arigatō gozaimasu. is natural.

• Taxi: At arrival, say Arigatō gozaimashita. (polite past tense: “Thank you very much.”). If the driver helped with luggage, add Tasukarimashita. (That helped a lot.)