Sightseeing

1. 入場料はいくらですか

   nyū-jō-ryō wa i-ku-ra de-su ka

   How much is the admission fee?

   Usage

   Asking about the admission fee at a tourist site or museum

   Grammar Note

   "〜ryō" is a suffix meaning fee/charge. Appears in "chūsha-ryōkin" (parking fee), "riyō-ryō" (usage fee), etc.

2. 写真を撮ってもいいですか

   sha-shin o tot-te mo ī de-su ka

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Asking permission to take a photograph at a tourist site or building

   Grammar Note

   "〜te mo ii desu ka" is the standard permission request. Respect "satsuei kinshi" (no photography) signs

3. 日本語のガイドはありますか

   ni-hon-go no gai-do wa a-ri-ma-su ka

   Is there a Japanese-language guide?

   Usage

   Asking for a Japanese brochure or audio guide at a tourist attraction

   Grammar Note

   Replace "nihongo" with any language. "Eigo no gaido wa arimasu ka" asks for an English guide

4. 開館時間は何時ですか

   kai-kan-ji-kan wa nan-ji de-su ka

   What are the opening hours?

   Usage

   Checking the opening hours of a museum or tourist facility

   Grammar Note

   "Kaikan" (opening) contrasts with "heikan" (closing). Ask "heikan-jikan wa nanji desu ka" for closing time

5. 〜まで何分かかりますか

   〜 ma-de nan-pun ka-ka-ri-ma-su ka

   How many minutes does it take to get to 〜?

   Usage

   Asking how long it takes to reach a destination

   Grammar Note

   "Kakaru" means to take (time/cost). Replace "nanpun" with "nanjikan" to ask in hours instead of minutes

6. 一緒に写真を撮っていただけますか

   is-sho ni sha-shin o tot-te i-ta-da-ke-ma-su ka

   Could you take a photo with me?

   Usage

   Politely asking a stranger to take a photo together at a tourist spot

   Grammar Note

   "〜te itadakemasu ka" is the humble version of "〜te moraemasu ka". Softer and more polite way to ask a favor

7. ここは有名な観光地ですか

   ko-ko wa yū-mei na kan-kō-chi de-su ka

   Is this a famous tourist spot?

   Usage

   Asking whether a place you have just visited is a well-known tourist spot

   Grammar Note

   "Yūmei" is a na-adjective (adjectival noun). It connects to nouns with "na": "yūmei na shiro" (famous castle)

8. お土産屋はどこですか

   o-mi-ya-ge-ya wa do-ko de-su ka

   Where is the souvenir shop?

   Usage

   Asking where to find a souvenir shop at a tourist destination

   Grammar Note

   "〜ya" is a suffix for shops. "Hanaya" (flower shop), "hon'ya" (bookshop), "kusuriya" (pharmacy), etc.

9. この地図で現在地はどこですか

   ko-no chi-zu de gen-zai-chi wa do-ko de-su ka

   Where am I on this map?

   Usage

   Pointing at a map and asking someone to show you your current location

   Grammar Note

   Using this phrase while pointing at the map allows gestures to supplement the language barrier

10. 閉まっていますか

    shi-mat-te i-ma-su ka

    Is it closed?

    Usage

    Asking whether a facility or shop is currently closed

    Grammar Note

    "Shimatte imasu" describes the ongoing state of being closed. "Aite imasu ka" asks if it is currently open

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