Fuji Learning

Japanese Travel Phrases: 20 Essential Kanji for Traveling in Japan

Master the most useful Japanese travel kanji: 駅 (station), 空 (sky/airport), 港 (port), 宿 (lodging), 道 (road), 北 (north), 南 (south), 東 (east), 西 (west), 出 (exit), and more. Each entry includes readings, travel context, and example sentences to help you navigate Japan with confidence.

Traveling in Japan: Kanji You'll See Everywhere

Train Station Kanji

Japan's train system is the backbone of travel. You'll see 駅 (eki, station) at every stop, 出口 (deguchi, exit) and 入口 (iriguchi, entrance) at every gate, and 北口/南口 (kitaguchi/minamiguchi, north/south exit) to navigate station exits. Recognizing these kanji makes train travel effortless.

Direction Signs

Japanese direction kanji appear on every street sign, map, and transit board. The four cardinal directions 北 (north), 南 (south), 東 (east), 西 (west) combine to form place names like 東京 (Tokyo, "eastern capital") and 北海道 (Hokkaido, "northern sea road").

Accommodation Kanji

When booking lodging in Japan, you'll encounter 宿 (yado, inn), 泊 (tomaru, to stay overnight), and 室 (shitsu, room). Traditional Japanese inns use 旅館 (ryokan), while modern hotels use ホテル but still display kanji for room types and facilities.

Essential Japanese Travel Kanji

These twenty travel kanji are the ones you'll encounter most often when traveling through Japan: on signs, tickets, maps, and transit systems.

MeaningKanjiHiraganaRomajiJLPT
Station駅えきekiN5
Sky / Airport空そら / くうsora / kuuN5
Port / Harbor港みなとminatoN3
Inn / Lodging宿やどyadoN3
Road / Way道みちmichiN4
Exit / Leave出で / だde / daN5
Enter / Insert入い / はいi / haiN5
Ride / Board乗のるnoruN4
North北きたkitaN5
South南みなみminamiN5
East東ひがしhigashiN5
West西にしnishiN5
Ground / Earth地ち / じchi / jiN4
Map / Diagram図ず / とzu / toN4
Country国くにkuniN5
Guide / Plan案あんanN3
Inside内うち / ないuchi / naiN3
Stay Overnight泊とまるtomaruN3
Travel / Trip旅たびtabiN3
Room室しつshitsuN3

All Japanese Travel Kanji Explained

Explore each travel kanji with its readings, origin story, travel context, and example sentences you'll use in Japan.

🚉
駅
Station
えき (eki)
Origin: 馬 (horse) + 尺 (measure): a place where horses (and now trains) stop at measured intervals

Example:

東京駅はどこですか。

Toukyou eki wa doko desu ka.

Where is Tokyo Station?

Travel tip: Every train station in Japan displays 駅 in its name. Look for it on maps and signs to identify stations.
✈️
空
Sky / Airport
そら / くう (sora / kuu)
Origin: 穴 (hole) + 工 (craft): a crafted opening to the sky above

Example:

空港までバスで行きます。

Kuukou made basu de ikimasu.

I go to the airport by bus.

Travel tip: Combined with 港 (port), it forms 空港 (kuukou, airport). Narita and Haneda airports display this kanji prominently.
⚓
港
Port / Harbor
みなと (minato)
Origin: 氵(water) + 巷 (lane): waterway lanes where ships dock

Example:

横浜港は美しいです。

Yokohama-kou wa utsukushii desu.

Yokohama Port is beautiful.

Travel tip: Appears in 空港 (airport) and place names like 港区 (Minato-ku, a ward in Tokyo). Also used for ferry terminals.
🏨
宿
Inn / Lodging
やど (yado)
Origin: 宀 (roof) + 亻(person) + 百 (hundred): a roof sheltering a hundred travelers

Example:

今夜の宿を予約しました。

Konya no yado wo yoyaku shimashita.

I reserved tonight's lodging.

Travel tip: Look for 宿泊 (shukuhaku, accommodation) on booking sites. 民宿 (minshuku) means a family-run guesthouse.
🛤️
道
Road / Way
みち (michi)
Origin: 辶 (movement) + 首 (head/neck): moving forward, head held high on a path

Example:

この道をまっすぐ行ってください。

Kono michi wo massugu itte kudasai.

Please go straight down this road.

Travel tip: Appears in prefecture names like 北海道 (Hokkaido) and in 道路 (douro, road/highway). Essential for asking directions.
🚪
出
Exit / Leave
で / だ (de / da)
Origin: Pictograph of a plant sprouting out of the ground: something emerging

Example:

出口はあちらです。

Deguchi wa achira desu.

The exit is over there.

Travel tip: Combined with 口 (mouth/opening), 出口 (deguchi) means exit. You'll see this at every station, building, and parking garage.
🚶‍♂️
入
Enter / Insert
い / はい (i / hai)
Origin: Pictograph of a person entering a space: two strokes pointing inward

Example:

入口はこちらです。

Iriguchi wa kochira desu.

The entrance is this way.

Travel tip: 入口 (iriguchi) means entrance, the counterpart to 出口 (exit). Also seen on vending machines: お金を入れる (insert money).
🚃
乗
Ride / Board
のる (noru)
Origin: 禾 (grain/plant) + 人: a person climbing up onto something, like mounting a horse

Example:

電車に乗りましょう。

Densha ni norimashou.

Let's ride the train.

Travel tip: 乗車 (jousha) means boarding, seen on train tickets. 乗り換え (norikae) means transfer, critical for navigating the rail system.
⬆️
北
North
きた (kita)
Origin: Two people sitting back-to-back: the side that faces away from the sun (north)

Example:

北口から出てください。

Kitaguchi kara dete kudasai.

Please exit from the north exit.

Travel tip: 北口 (kitaguchi, north exit) is one of the most common station signs. Also in 北海道 (Hokkaido) and 東北 (Tohoku).
⬇️
南
South
みなみ (minami)
Origin: 十 (ten) + 冂 (enclosure) + 羊 variant: a warm, enclosed area facing south

Example:

南口で待ち合わせましょう。

Minamiguchi de machiawasemashou.

Let's meet at the south exit.

Travel tip: 南口 (minamiguchi) marks the south exit at stations. Seen in 南米 (Nanbei, South America) and 南極 (Nankyoku, South Pole).
➡️
東
East
ひがし (higashi)
Origin: Sun (日) rising behind a tree (木): the direction where the sun rises

Example:

東京は日本の首都です。

Toukyou wa Nihon no shuto desu.

Tokyo is the capital of Japan.

Travel tip: In 東京 (Tokyo, eastern capital), 東口 (higashiguchi, east exit), and 中東 (Chuutou, Middle East). One of the most common kanji in place names.
⬅️
西
West
にし (nishi)
Origin: Pictograph of a bird settling into its nest at sunset: the direction of the setting sun

Example:

西日本を旅行したいです。

Nishi-Nihon wo ryokou shitai desu.

I want to travel to western Japan.

Travel tip: Appears in 西口 (nishiguchi, west exit), 関西 (Kansai, western Japan), and 西洋 (seiyou, the West/Western).
🌍
地
Ground / Earth
ち / じ (chi / ji)
Origin: 土 (earth) + 也 (also): the earth that is also under everything

Example:

地図を見せてください。

Chizu wo misete kudasai.

Please show me the map.

Travel tip: In 地図 (chizu, map), 地下鉄 (chikatetsu, subway), and 地震 (jishin, earthquake). Essential for navigation.
🗺️
図
Map / Diagram
ず / と (zu / to)
Origin: 囗 (enclosure) containing a pattern: a bordered drawing or plan

Example:

地図をダウンロードしましょう。

Chizu wo daunroodo shimashou.

Let's download a map.

Travel tip: Combined with 地 (ground), 地図 (chizu) means map. Also in 図書館 (toshokan, library) and 路線図 (rosenzu, route map).
🗾
国
Country
くに (kuni)
Origin: 囗 (enclosure) + 玉 (jewel): a treasure enclosed within borders

Example:

どの国から来ましたか。

Dono kuni kara kimashita ka.

Which country did you come from?

Travel tip: In 国内 (kokunai, domestic), 国際 (kokusai, international), and 外国人 (gaikokujin, foreigner). Critical for airport navigation.
📋
案
Guide / Plan
あん (an)
Origin: 安 (peace) + 木 (tree): a peaceful plan formed under a tree

Example:

案内所はどこですか。

Annaijo wa doko desu ka.

Where is the information center?

Travel tip: 案内 (annai) means guidance/information. Look for 案内所 (annaijo, information desk) at stations, airports, and tourist spots.
🏠
内
Inside
うち / ない (uchi / nai)
Origin: 冂 (enclosure) + 人 (person): a person inside an enclosure

Example:

国内線はどちらですか。

Kokunaisen wa dochira desu ka.

Which way is the domestic terminal?

Travel tip: In 国内 (kokunai, domestic), 案内 (annai, guidance), and 以内 (inai, within). Paired with 外 (outside) on many signs.
🌙
泊
Stay Overnight
とまる (tomaru)
Origin: 氵(water) + 白 (white): white moonlight reflected on water, indicating nighttime

Example:

二泊三日の旅行です。

Nihaku mikka no ryokou desu.

It's a two-night, three-day trip.

Travel tip: The counter for overnight stays: 一泊 (ippaku, one night), 二泊 (nihaku, two nights). Used when booking hotels and ryokan.
🧳
旅
Travel / Trip
たび (tabi)
Origin: 方 (direction) + 人人 (people): people heading in a direction together on a journey

Example:

日本への旅は楽しかったです。

Nihon e no tabi wa tanoshikatta desu.

The trip to Japan was fun.

Travel tip: In 旅行 (ryokou, travel), 旅館 (ryokan, Japanese inn), and 旅券 (ryoken, passport). The quintessential travel kanji.
🚪
室
Room
しつ (shitsu)
Origin: 宀 (roof) + 至 (arrive): arriving under a roof, reaching your room

Example:

会議室は三階にあります。

Kaigishitsu wa sangai ni arimasu.

The meeting room is on the third floor.

Travel tip: In hotel contexts: 和室 (washitsu, Japanese-style room), 洋室 (youshitsu, Western-style room), 客室 (kyakushitsu, guest room).

Essential Travel Scenarios

Here are real situations you'll encounter in Japan and the kanji phrases that will help you navigate them.

🚉
At the Train Station
駅で (eki de)

Look for 出口 (deguchi, exit), 入口 (iriguchi, entrance), and direction signs like 北口 (kitaguchi, north exit). Ticket machines show 切符 (kippu, ticket) and 乗車 (jousha, boarding).

駅 station出口 exit入口 entrance乗 ride
✈️
At the Airport
空港で (kuukou de)

Airport signs combine 空 (sora/kuu, sky) and 港 (minato/kou, port) to form 空港 (kuukou, airport). Look for 国内 (kokunai, domestic) and 国際 (kokusai, international) terminal signs.

空港 airport国 country案内 guidance
🏨
At Your Hotel
宿で (yado de)

Hotels and ryokans display 宿泊 (shukuhaku, lodging), 室 (shitsu, room), and 予約 (yoyaku, reservation). Look for 温泉 (onsen, hot spring) at traditional inns.

宿 inn泊 stay地図 map
🗺️
Reading Maps & Signs
地図を読む (chizu wo yomu)

Maps use direction kanji extensively: 北 (north), 南 (south), 東 (east), 西 (west). Street signs show 道 (michi, road) and 通り (toori, street). Tourist spots display 案内 (annai, information/guide).

北南東西 NSEW道 road地 ground

Travel Compound Words (Jukugo)

Travel kanji combine to form essential compound words you'll see on signs, tickets, and maps throughout Japan.

CompoundReadingMeaning
空港kuukouAirport (sky + port)
出口deguchiExit (leave + opening)
入口iriguchiEntrance (enter + opening)
地図chizuMap (ground + diagram)
地下鉄chikatetsuSubway (ground + under + iron)
旅行ryokouTravel (trip + go)
旅館ryokanJapanese inn (trip + building)
宿泊shukuhakuAccommodation (inn + overnight stay)
案内annaiGuidance/Information (plan + inside)
国内kokunaiDomestic (country + inside)
国際kokusaiInternational (country + occasion)
乗車joushaBoarding (ride + vehicle)
北海道HokkaidouHokkaido (north + sea + road)
東京ToukyouTokyo (east + capital)

Tips for Learning Japanese Travel Kanji

Learn Station Kanji First

If you're planning a trip to Japan, prioritize train station kanji. You'll see 駅 (station), 出口 (exit), 入口 (entrance), and the four directions 北南東西 at every single station. These alone will make navigating the rail system dramatically easier.

Practice with Real Signs

Search for photos of Japanese train stations and airports online. Try reading the kanji on signs before looking at the English translations. This simulates the real experience of traveling in Japan and builds your reading confidence quickly.

Direction Kanji = Place Names

Once you know 北南東西, you can decode dozens of Japanese place names: 東京 (Tokyo, east capital), 北海道 (Hokkaido, north sea road), 西日本 (Nishi-Nihon, West Japan), 南米 (Nanbei, South America). Direction kanji are incredibly high-value.

Use Our Card Collection

Gamify your travel kanji study with our card-collection system. Collect travel kanji cards, test yourself with quizzes, and build your personal Jisho. Spaced repetition ensures you'll remember these kanji when you actually land in Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kanji should I learn before traveling to Japan?

The highest-priority kanji for travelers are 駅 (station), 出口 (exit), 入口 (entrance), and the four directions: 北 (north), 南 (south), 東 (east), 西 (west). These appear on virtually every sign in Japan's transit system. After that, learn 空港 (airport), 地図 (map), 案内 (information), 乗 (ride/board), and accommodation kanji like 宿 (inn) and 泊 (stay overnight). Even knowing just these 12 kanji dramatically improves your travel experience.

Can I travel in Japan without knowing kanji?

Yes, especially in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto where English signage is common. Train stations display romaji alongside kanji, and most tourist areas have English maps. However, once you leave major tourist routes, English disappears quickly. Knowing even 20 travel kanji makes a huge difference: you can read station exits, understand hotel signs, navigate menus, and feel confident exploring beyond the tourist bubble.

How do I read Japanese train station signs?

Japanese station signs show three writing systems: kanji (the large characters), hiragana (smaller characters above or below the kanji for pronunciation), and romaji (English alphabet). They also display the previous and next stations. Key kanji: 駅 (station), 出口 (exit), 入口 (entrance), 北口/南口/東口/西口 (north/south/east/west exit), and 乗り換え (transfer). Color-coded line names and station numbers make navigation visual even without reading.

Ready to Master Japanese Travel Kanji?

Learn travel kanji and 100+ more with our gamified card-collection system. Free to start, no signup needed.

Start Collecting · Free

Continue Learning Japanese