How to Describe Locations in Japanese | Expressing Where Things Are

level1 (N5)

Introduction

Do you want to say things like:

  • “The book is on the table.”
  • “The hospital is behind the bus stop.”
  • “My friend is between the school and the café.”

In Japanese, we use special location words along with the particle に to describe where things are. In this guide, you’ll learn how to express positions using common words like うえ（on）, した（under）, まえ（in front of）, and many more — and how to use them naturally with に and あります／います.

Expression of location

Here are the most useful 場所のことば（location words） for describing where something is.

In front of / Behind

JapaneseMeaningExample
前（まえ）in front ofコンビニは 駅の前です。
後ろ（うしろ）behind駅は コンビニの後ろです。
An illustration showing a station and a convenience store. The convenience store is located in front of the station, and the station is behind the convenience store. This visual represents the Japanese location words “まえ” and “うしろ”.
The convenience store is in front of the station. The station is behind the convenience store.

Inside of / Outside of

JapaneseMeaningExample
中（なか）insideスマホ は かばん の 中 です。
外（そと）outsideスマホ は かばん の 外 です。
A split image showing two scenarios: the top half shows a smartphone inside a bag, representing “中（なか）/ inside.” The bottom half shows the smartphone outside the bag, representing “外（そと）/ outside.”
The smartphone is inside the bag (中・なか). The smartphone is outside the bag (外・そと).

To the right of / To the left of

JapaneseMeaningExample
右（みぎ）to the right ofいすは テーブルの右です。
左（ひだり）to the left ofテーブルは いすの左です。
An illustration of a round table on the left and a wooden chair on the right. The image highlights the Japanese location words “左（ひだり）/ left” and “右（みぎ）/ right.”
The chair is on the right (右・みぎ). The table is on the left (左・ひだり).

Above, On / Under

JapaneseMeaningExample
上（うえ）on / above本は つくえの上です。
下（した）underカバンは つくえの下です。
An illustration of a table with books stacked on top and a bag placed underneath. The image represents the Japanese location words “上（うえ）/ above” and “下（した）/ under.”
The books are on top of the table (上・うえ). The bag is under the table (下・した).

Next to

JapaneseMeaningExample
となりnext toカフェは 銀行のとなりです。
An illustration showing a bank building on the left and a café immediately next to it on the right. This image represents the Japanese location word “となり / next to.”
The café is next to the bank.

Between / Among

JapaneseMeaningExample
間（あいだ）betweenカフェは 銀行と 郵便局の間です。
An illustration of three buildings: a bank on the left, a café in the middle, and a post office on the right. The image shows the café positioned between the bank and the post office, illustrating the Japanese location phrase “間（あいだ）/ between.”
The café is between the bank and the post office.

Near

JapaneseMeaningExample
近く（ちかく）near駅の近くに 本屋があります。

Useful Phrase: (location) に (object) があります

We can combine these location expressions with the sentence pattern:
(Location) に (object) が あります（or います）
→ to say that something exists at a specific place.

Examples:

  • つくえの上に 本が あります。
    There is a book on the desk.
  • かばんは いすの下に あります。
    The bag is under the chair.
  • 大学とカフェの間に コンビニが あります。
    There is a convenience store between the university and the café.

Use あります for things, and います for people or animals.

Practice

Try saying or writing the following in Japanese:

  1. There is a computer on the desk.
    → つくえの上に コンピューターがあります。
  2. The bag is between the umbrella and the bicycle.
    → かさと じてんしゃの間に かばんがあります。
  3. The hospital is behind the bus stop.
    → 病院は バス停の後ろです。
  4. The chair is to the right of the table.
    → いすは テーブルの右です。

✏️ Bonus: Look around your room and describe 3 things using the same structure!

まとめ: Must-Know Location Words

JapaneseMeaning
上（うえ）on / above
下（した）under
中（なか）inside
外（そと）outside
前（まえ）in front of
後ろ（うしろ）behind
右（みぎ）right
左（ひだり）left
となりnext to
間（あいだ）between
近く（ちかく）near

Learn these 11 location words to describe almost any scene!

FAQ

Q
What’s the difference between の and に?
A

の connects the reference and location (e.g., つくえの上), and に marks the place of existence (e.g., 上にあります).

Q
When do I use あります vs います?
A

Use あります for inanimate things (books, desks, buildings), and います for living things (people, animals).

Q
Can I use で instead of に?
A

No. に is for existence, で is for actions.
→ 駅の前に カフェがあります。✅
→ 駅の前で 勉強します。✅

Conclusion

With just a few simple patterns, you can now describe where things are in Japanese!
By mastering the sentence:
A の B に C が あります,
you can confidently talk about where objects, buildings, or even people are.

🎯 Practice 3 sentences now about items near you!

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