JLPT N4 Travel Vocabulary (Part 2)
Welcome back!
In Part 1, we learned several essential travel words while practicing common JLPT N5 and N4 grammar.
In this article, we'll continue with more vocabulary that you'll frequently encounter at train stations, hotels, airports, and while asking for directions.
Let's continue.
6. 道（みち）— Road / Way / Street
This word refers to a road, street, or route. It's commonly used when asking for or giving directions.
Example 1
すみません、この道をまっすぐ行けば、駅に着きますか。
Romaji
Sumimasen, kono michi o massugu ikeba, eki ni tsukimasu ka.
Meaning
Excuse me, if I go straight down this road, will I arrive at the station?
Grammar
- ～ば (conditional)
- ～ますか (polite question)
Example 2
道が分からなかったので、近くにいた人に聞いてみました。
Romaji
Michi ga wakaranakatta node, chikaku ni ita hito ni kiite mimashita.
Meaning
Because I didn't know the way, I tried asking someone nearby.
Grammar
- ～ので
- ～てみる (try doing something)
- Past tense
7. 右（みぎ）・左（ひだり）— Right / Left
These two words are extremely useful when following directions.
Example 1
次の信号を右に曲がると、大きな公園があります。
Romaji
Tsugi no shingō o migi ni magaru to, ōkina kōen ga arimasu.
Meaning
If you turn right at the next traffic light, you'll see a large park.
Grammar
- ～と (when / if)
- Location expression
Example 2
銀行は左側にありますが、その向こうに郵便局もあります。
Romaji
Ginkō wa hidari-gawa ni arimasu ga, sono mukō ni yūbinkyoku mo arimasu.
Meaning
The bank is on the left, and there's also a post office further ahead.
Grammar
- ～が (but / and)
- ～も (also)
8. ホテル — Hotel
A loanword that's written in Katakana.
Example 1
ホテルにチェックインしたあとで、近くのレストランへ夕食を食べに行きました。
Romaji
Hoteru ni chekkuin shita ato de, chikaku no resutoran e yūshoku o tabeni ikimashita.
Meaning
After checking into the hotel, I went to a nearby restaurant for dinner.
Grammar
- ～たあとで
- ～に行く (go to do something)
Example 2
このホテルは少し高いですが、部屋が広くてとても静かです。
Romaji
Kono hoteru wa sukoshi takai desu ga, heya ga hirokute totemo shizuka desu.
Meaning
This hotel is a little expensive, but the rooms are spacious and very quiet.
Grammar
- ～ですが
- て-form for adjectives
9. 荷物（にもつ）— Luggage / Baggage
You'll often hear this word at airports, hotels, and train stations.
Example 1
荷物が重すぎるので、タクシーでホテルまで行くことにしました。
Romaji
Nimotsu ga omosugiru node, takushī de hoteru made iku koto ni shimashita.
Meaning
Because my luggage is too heavy, I decided to take a taxi to the hotel.
Grammar
- ～すぎる (too...)
- ～ことにする
Example 2
ホテルに着く前に、駅のロッカーへ荷物を預けておきました。
Romaji
Hoteru ni tsuku mae ni, eki no rokkā e nimotsu o azukete okimashita.
Meaning
Before arriving at the hotel, I left my luggage in a station locker.
Grammar
- ～前に
- ～ておく
10. 予約（よやく）— Reservation
This word is commonly used for booking hotels, restaurants, flights, or train seats.
Example 1
週末は混むかもしれないので、レストランを予約しておいたほうがいいですよ。
Romaji
Shūmatsu wa komu kamo shirenai node, resutoran o yoyaku shite oita hō ga ii desu yo.
Meaning
Since it might be crowded this weekend, it's better to reserve the restaurant in advance.
Grammar
- ～かもしれない
- ～ておく
- ～ほうがいい
Example 2
予約したホテルは駅から近いだけでなく、朝食も無料で付いています。
Romaji
Yoyaku shita hoteru wa eki kara chikai dake de naku, chōshoku mo muryō de tsuite imasu.
Meaning
The hotel I booked is not only close to the station but also includes free breakfast.
Grammar
- ～だけでなく
- Relative clause
- ～も
Grammar Review
Here are the new grammar patterns introduced in this lesson.
| Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ～ば | If... |
| ～てみる | Try doing... |
| ～と | When / If |
| ～たあとで | After doing... |
| ～に行く | Go to do... |
| ～ですが | But / However |
| ～すぎる | Too much / Too... |
| ～かもしれない | Might / Maybe |
| ～だけでなく | Not only... but also... |
| Relative Clause | Modifying nouns with verbs |
Challenge Yourself
Try translating these sentences into Japanese before checking the answers.
- I decided to reserve a hotel because it might be crowded.
- After getting off the train, I asked someone for directions.
- My luggage was too heavy, so I took a taxi.
- If you turn left, you'll find a convenience store.
- I want to stay at a hotel near the station.
Writing your own sentences is one of the best ways to remember both vocabulary and grammar.
Final Thoughts
Travel vocabulary becomes much easier to remember when you repeatedly encounter it in realistic situations.
Instead of memorizing isolated words, focus on understanding how they're naturally used together with grammar patterns. Over time, you'll start recognizing these sentence structures automatically when reading, listening, or speaking Japanese.
In Part 3, we'll continue learning more useful JLPT N4 travel vocabulary while introducing additional grammar commonly found in daily conversations and the JLPT exam.