How to Describe Locations in Japanese | Expressing Where Things Are

level1 (N5)

Video

Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.

Expressing locations
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel

Introduction

Do you want to say things like:

  • The book is on the table.
  • The hospital is behind the bank.
  • Mr. Yamada is between the teacher and Mr. Tanaka.

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 location words for describing where something is.

In front of / Behind

JapaneseMeaningExample
前まえin front ofコンビニは駅えきの前まえです。
The convenience store is in front of the station.
後うしろbehind駅えきはコンビニの後うしろです。
The station is behind the convenience store.
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。
My smartphone is inside the bag.
外そとoutsideスマホ は かばん の 外 です。
The smartphone is outside the bag.
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。
The chair is to the right of the table.
左ひだりto the left ofテーブルは いすの左です。
The table is to the left of the chair.
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本ほんは つくえの上です。
The book is on the desk.
下したunderカバンは つくえの下です。
The bag is under the desk.
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 銀行ぎんこうのとなりです。
The cafe is next to the bank.
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.

Difference Between となり, よこ and そば

These three location words all roughly mean “next to” or “near,” but they have different nuances in Japanese.

WordMeaning & UsageExample
となり (隣)Refers to something of the same type or category that is directly next to another, with nothing of the same kind in between. Distance doesn’t matter much.隣となりの駅えきに行いきます。
I’m going to the next station.
よこ (横)Focuses on position or direction — something that is to the side (left or right), not in front or behind. Distance or what’s in between doesn’t matter.ねこがいすの横よこにいます。
The cat is next to the chair.
そば (側)Emphasizes closeness or proximity — something that is very near, regardless of exact position or direction.先生せんせいのそばにケンが立たっています。
Ken is standing near the teacher.

Between / Among

JapaneseMeaningExample
間あいだbetweenカフェは銀行ぎんこうと郵便局ゆうびんきょくの間あいだです。
The cafe is between the bank and the post office.
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
近ちかくnear駅えきの近ちかくに本屋ほんやがあります。

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

For most location expressions, you can use the pattern:
(Noun) の (location word) + に + (object) が あります／います

Examples:

  • つくえの上うえに 本ほんが あります。
    There is a book on the desk.
  • いすの下したに 猫ねこが います。
    There’s a cat under the chair.

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

However, when using あいだ (between), the structure is slightly different.
You need to use: (Noun) と (Noun) の あいだ に + (object) が あります／います

  • 大学だいがくとカフェの間あいだに コンビニが あります。
    There is a convenience store between the university and the café.

Practice

Try saying or writing the following in Japanese:

  1. There is a computer on the desk.
    → つくえの上うえに 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 じてんしゃの間あいだに かばんがあります。
  3. The hospital is behind the bank.
    → 病院びょういんは 銀行ぎんこうの後うしろです。
  4. The chair is to the right of the table.
    → いすは テーブルの右みぎです。

✏️ 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

に is for location of existence, で is for location of action.

  • 駅えきの前まえにカフェがあります。= There is a cafe in front of the station.
    You never say “駅の前でカフェがあります.”
  • カフェで勉強べんきょうします。= I’ll study at the cafe.
    You never say “カフェに勉強します.”

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!

Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?

Our native Japanese instructors at gokigen japanese can help you perfect your pronunciation and learn real-life usage.

Whether you’re completely new to Japanese or looking to refine your skills, book a one-on-one session.


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