JLPT N3 travel and places vocabulary covers 45 essential words — this guide highlights 30 of the most important, spanning direction/positioning terms, train and transit vocabulary, and lodging/sightseeing words. This category is the largest N3 places-related deck, essential for real travel and N3 reading passages.

This article is part of our JLPT N3 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 45 words with the N3 Travel & Places deck in Onigiri Anki.

Directions & Positioning (10)

Precise direction and location vocabulary — essential for N3 listening passages about navigation and giving directions.

direction方向houkou

駅の方向へ行ってください。 — Please go in the direction of the station.

position位置ichi

いすの位置を教えてください。 — Please tell me the position of the chair.

distance距離kyori

駅までの距離は短いです。 — The distance to the station is short.

surroundings周辺shuuhen

駅の周辺には店が多いです。 — There are many shops in the area around the station.

map地図chizu

出かける前に地図を見ました。 — I looked at the map before going out.

shortcut近道chikamichi

この道は駅への近道です。 — This path is a shortcut to the station.

detour遠回りtoomawari

帰りに遠回りをしました。 — I took a detour on the way home.

landmark目印mejirushi

あのコンビニはいい目印です。 — That convenience store is a good landmark.

middle真ん中mannaka

名前は真ん中に書いてください。 — Please write your name in the middle.

destination目的地mokutekichi

目的地はどこですか。 — What is your destination?

Trains & Transit (10)

Detailed transit vocabulary builds on N4/N5 basics with more specific station and ticketing terms.

ticket gate改札kaisatsu

改札はあちらです。 — The ticket gate is over there.

timetable時刻表jikokuhyou

時刻表を見てください。 — Please look at the timetable.

transfer乗り換えnorikae

乗り換えは簡単でした。 — The transfer was easy.

fare運賃unchin

運賃が少し高いです。 — The fare is a little high.

departure発車hassha

発車時刻は5時です。 — The departure time is five o'clock.

passenger乗客joukyaku

乗客は電車に乗りました。 — The passengers got on the train.

on foot徒歩toho

私は徒歩で学校へ行きます。 — I go to school on foot.

last stop終点shuuten

この電車の終点はここです。 — The last stop of this train is here.

boarding place; stop乗り場noriba

乗り場は駅の前です。 — The boarding place is in front of the station.

via; through経由keiyu

名古屋経由で東京へ行きました。 — We went to Tokyo via Nagoya.

Places & Lodging (10)

Sightseeing and accommodation vocabulary — practical for travel and common in N3 reading passages about trips.

sightseeing観光kankou

京都で観光をします。 — I will do some sightseeing in Kyoto.

lodging宿泊shukuhaku

私たちは昨日ホテルに宿泊しました。 — We stayed at a hotel last night.

hot spring温泉onsen

週末に温泉へ行きました。 — We went to a hot spring on the weekend.

famous place名所meisho

あの寺はこの町の名所です。 — That temple is a famous place in this town.

waiting room待合室machiaishitsu

待合室で待ちました。 — I waited in the waiting room.

information desk案内所annaijo

案内所で道を教えてもらいました。 — I was given directions at the information desk.

city都市toshi

この都市は静かです。 — This city is quiet.

returning to one's country帰国kikoku

帰国が遅れました。 — My return to my country was delayed.

bus stop停留所teiryuujo

家の近くに停留所があります。 — The bus stop is near my house.

international route/flight国際線kokusaisen

国際線は遅れました。 — The international flight was delayed.

近道 vs 遠回り: Opposite Travel Concepts

近道 (chikamichi, shortcut) and 遠回り (toomawari, detour/roundabout way) are commonly paired in N3 direction-giving passages. 近い (chikai, near) + 道 (michi, road) = shortcut; 遠い (tooi, far) + 回る (mawaru, to go around) = detour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 観光 and 旅行?

観光 (kankou) specifically means sightseeing — visiting notable places. 旅行 (ryokou, learned at N5) is the general word for travel/trip, which may or may not include sightseeing.

What does 経由 mean and when is it used?

経由 (keiyu) means "via" and is used to describe a route through an intermediate point: 名古屋経由で東京へ行きました (I went to Tokyo via Nagoya). It's essential vocabulary for understanding train and flight routes in Japan.

Practice All 45 N3 Travel & Places Words

Import the N3 Travel & Places deck into Onigiri Anki and master navigation and travel vocabulary with spaced repetition.

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JLPT N3 Travel & Places Vocabulary: 45 Essential Words (2026)