泊まる・移動するLodging and Longer Travel
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Talk about checking in and out of lodging, handling luggage, and arranging transfers between places.
- Compare two or more options for lodging, transportation, or routes using expanded comparison patterns.
- State a scheduled plan using「予定です」and distinguish it from a personal intention stated with「つもりです」.
- Sequence actions in time using「前に」and「後で」.
- Describe a longer route or itinerary using a connected sequence of steps.
- Read and write a short travel plan or lodging inquiry that states preferences and confirms details.
Communication Scenario
Emma is planning a weekend trip with Yuki to a town a few hours away by train. Before they go, Emma has to compare two guesthouses, decide whether to arrive before or after checking in at the station, and figure out the transfer between the train and the bus. At the guesthouse, she has to ask about check-in and check-out times, luggage storage, and what to do if they arrive later than planned.
- This chapter continues Unit II by moving from short transactions (Chapter 7) to longer travel and lodging planning, which requires comparing options and sequencing steps.
- By the end of the chapter, you will be able to compare choices, state plans and intentions, sequence actions in time, and communicate clearly with lodging and transportation staff.
Core Vocabulary
This chapter introduces vocabulary for lodging, check-in and check-out, luggage, transfers, and longer travel planning. These words are new to Volume II and appear with furigana throughout this chapter and until a later chapter's matrix marks them as consolidated.
| Japanese | Reading | English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 宿泊 | しゅくはく | lodging; staying overnight |
| チェックイン | チェックイン | check-in |
| チェックアウト | チェックアウト | check-out |
| 荷物 | にもつ | luggage; belongings |
| 預ける | あずける | to leave (something) with someone; to check (luggage) |
| 乗り換え | のりかえ | transfer (between trains, buses, etc.) |
| 経路 | けいろ | route |
| 目的地 | もくてきち | destination |
| 片道 | かたみち | one way (trip) |
| 往復 | おうふく | round trip |
| 個室 | こしつ | private room |
| 相部屋 | あいべや | shared room |
| 眺め | ながめ | view (from a room, etc.) |
| 予定 | よてい | schedule; plan |
片道 refers to a one-way trip, while 往復 refers to a round trip. Both words commonly appear with ticket prices and travel times, so it is worth confirming which one a price refers to before buying a ticket, especially when comparing 経路 or planning a 乗り換え.
Script and Kanji Focus
This chapter introduces kanji for lodging, transfer, routes, tickets, and facilities. These kanji are new and keep furigana in this chapter's texts and exercises.
Chapter 6's kanji (忘れ物, 故障, 遅れる, 問題, 確認, 注意, 案内, 手伝う) are now developing further and are beginning to appear without furigana in familiar words, while remaining supported in less familiar combinations. Chapter 7's kanji (返品, 交換, 予約, 領収書, 期限, 条件, 変更, 空) continue to keep furigana, since they are still developing. This chapter's own new kanji (宿泊, 荷物, 乗り換え, 経路, 目的地, 片道, 往復, 予定) are newly introduced and keep furigana throughout Unit II.
れんしゅう — Practice: Choose four kanji from this chapter's list. Write each one three times, then use each one once in a sentence about lodging or travel.
Pronunciation Focus
Several words in this chapter contain long vowels or a mora count that is easy to shorten by mistake. Keep the following contrasts clear:
- the long vowel in しゅくはく (lodging) and おうふく (round trip);
- the four morae in のりかえ (transfer), which should not be rushed into three;
- the moraic ん in けいろ's neighbor word こうつう (traffic, recycled from Volume I) and in あんない (recycled from Chapter 6); and
- the distinct vowel sequence in もくてきち, which has six morae, not five.
Practice reading the Core Vocabulary list aloud slowly, tapping out the mora count for each word before increasing your speed.
Grammar and Sentence Patterns
This chapter authorizes expanded comparison,「予定です」,「つもりです」,「前に／後で」, and longer route sequences.
1. Expanded comparison — choosing between options
Purpose: to compare two or more options for lodging, transportation, or routes and to state a preference with a reason.
- このホテルはあのホテルより駅に近いです。This hotel is closer to the station than that hotel.
- バスと電車では、電車のほうが速いです。Between the bus and the train, the train is faster.
- 三つの中で、この経路がいちばん便利だと思います。Among the three, I think this route is the most convenient.
Comparison in this chapter builds on Volume I patterns with より and いちばん, extending them to three or more options and to reasons for a choice.
2. 予定です — a scheduled plan
Purpose: to state a plan that is already scheduled or arranged, such as a booking, itinerary, or agreed appointment.
- 土曜日に出発する予定です。I am scheduled to depart on Saturday.
- 午後三時にチェックインする予定です。I am scheduled to check in at three in the afternoon.
- 日曜日の夜に帰る予定です。I am scheduled to return on Sunday night.
予定です attaches to the dictionary form of a verb and suggests that the plan is already set, such as a reservation or a fixed itinerary.
3. つもりです — a personal intention
Purpose: to state what someone personally intends to do, without necessarily being fixed by a reservation or schedule.
- 新幹線で行くつもりです。I intend to go by shinkansen.
- 荷物を駅に預けるつもりです。I intend to leave my luggage at the station.
- 今回は個室に泊まるつもりです。This time, I intend to stay in a private room.
予定です describes a plan that is set or arranged, while つもりです describes a personal intention that may still change. Comparing the two examples 出発する予定です and 出発するつもりです shows this difference: the first suggests a fixed itinerary, and the second suggests a personal decision.
4. 前に and 後で — sequencing actions in time
Purpose: to describe the order of two actions, saying what happens before or after another action.
- チェックインする前に、荷物を預けました。Before checking in, I left my luggage.
- 乗り換える前に、経路を確認したほうがいいです。Before transferring, it's better to check the route.
- 到着した後で、チェックインの手続きをします。After arriving, I'll do the check-in procedure.
前に attaches to the dictionary form of a verb; 後で attaches to the た-form. Both can also follow a noun with の, as in 出発の前に and 到着の後で.
5. Describing a longer route
Purpose: to connect several steps into one clear description of a journey or itinerary.
- まず新幹線に乗って、それから在来線に乗り換えて、最後にバスで宿まで行きます。First I'll take the shinkansen, then transfer to a local line, and finally go to the lodging by bus.
- 駅からホテルまでは、歩いて十五分ぐらいです。From the station to the hotel is about a fifteen-minute walk.
Grammar Practice
- Write one sentence comparing two lodging or transportation options.
- Write one sentence using 予定です to state a scheduled plan.
- Write one sentence using つもりです to state a personal intention.
- Write one sentence using 前に to sequence two actions.
- Write one sentence using 後で to sequence two actions.
Model Dialogue
Setting: Emma and Yuki are planning their weekend trip together before leaving.
ないようりかい — Comprehension questions:
- Which lodging option do Emma and Yuki choose, and why?
- What day are they scheduled to check in?
- Which is faster, the shinkansen or the highway bus, according to Yuki?
- What do they plan to do right after arriving?
Guided Practice
タスク１ — Compare and plan. For each situation below, write one comparison sentence, one sentence with 予定です or つもりです, and one sentence with 前に or 後で.
- Choosing between a private room and a shared room for a weekend trip.
- Choosing between a one-way ticket and a round-trip ticket.
- Deciding when to check out and when to leave for the station.
- Deciding whether to check email before or after checking in.
タスク２ — Describe a route. Using まず, それから, and 最後に, describe a short imagined journey from your home to a lodging in another city, including at least one transfer.
Listening Practice
Ask your instructor, a partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following passage aloud at a clear, moderate pace.
きくタスク — A traveler describes a plan to a friend
今度の旅行では、新幹線で行く予定です。駅に着いた後で、まずホテルに荷物を預けるつもりです。それから、乗り換えの時間を確認して、バスで観光地まで行くつもりです。個室のホテルより安いゲストハウスにしたので、少し狭いかもしれません。
聞くタスク — Listening task: Note the mode of transportation, what the speaker plans to do right after arriving, and why the speaker chose the guesthouse instead of a hotel with a private room.
This script uses plain style, appropriate for a conversation between friends.
Speaking Practice
コントロールされた練習 — Controlled practice: Quick answers
- 電車とバスでは、どちらのほうが便利だと思いますか。
- 旅行の前に、何をしますか。
- チェックインした後で、何をするつもりですか。
コミュニケーションタスク — Planning a trip together
With a partner, compare two lodging options and two routes, then agree on a plan using 予定です or つもりです and at least one 前に or 後で sentence.
ひとりでもできる練習 — Solo practice: Recorded travel plan
Record yourself describing a short imagined trip, including a comparison, a scheduled plan or intention, and a sequence of at least three steps. Listen back and check your mora timing and long vowels.
Reading Practice
Read the following guesthouse information page, then answer the questions below.
宿泊のご案内 — A guesthouse information page
チェックインは午後三時から、チェックアウトは午前十時までです。個室と相部屋がありますので、ご希望の部屋タイプを予約の際にお知らせください。駅からの経路は、バスで約十五分です。到着が予定より遅れる場合は、お電話ください。チェックインする前でも、荷物をお預かりすることができます。
ないようりかい — Comprehension questions:
- What time does check-in begin, and what time does check-out end?
- What should a guest do when reserving if they want a particular room type?
- How long does it take to get from the station to the guesthouse, and by what method?
- What can a guest do even before checking in, according to the notice?
Writing Workshop
In this workshop you will write a short travel plan or lodging inquiry, using the Building Block pattern from the Grammar section.
- State your destination and dates, briefly introducing the trip you are planning.
- Compare two options for lodging, transportation, or route, using より or いちばん.
- State your plan or intention, using 予定です or つもりです.
- Sequence at least two steps of your plan, using 前に or 後で.
- Ask one question you would still want to confirm, such as a check-in time or luggage policy.
- Revise and check using the checklist below before finalizing your text.
チェックリスト — Editing checklist:
- My text clearly states the destination and dates of the trip.
- I compared two options naturally using より or いちばん.
- I used 予定です or つもりです correctly to state a plan or intention.
- I sequenced at least two steps using 前に or 後で.
- I included at least one question I would still want to confirm.
- I used at least three vocabulary items from this chapter's Core Vocabulary.
- I kept furigana on this chapter's new kanji and on developing Chapter 7 kanji.
- I ended each sentence with 。 and used consistent script and punctuation.
Culture and Communication
Lodging in Japan ranges from large hotels to small guesthouses, capsule hotels, and traditional inns, each with different check-in and check-out customs. Many lodgings post their policies clearly, including check-in and check-out times, luggage storage options, and what happens if a guest arrives later than planned. Reading the posted information and confirming directly with staff, as shown in this chapter's reading passage, remains more reliable than assuming one standard applies everywhere.
The balance between train, bus, and other transportation options varies by region. In some areas, a highway bus may be the more common or affordable choice for longer distances, while in others, rail options dominate. Checking current routes and schedules for the specific area remains more reliable than assuming one method is always fastest or most common.
予定です often appears when describing a plan to someone outside the immediate decision, such as a staff member confirming an itinerary, because it sounds settled and official. つもりです is common between friends and family discussing personal decisions that may still be adjusted. Both remain polite in this chapter's です／ます style, but the nuance of "already arranged" versus "personally intending" affects how a listener interprets the plan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Error: *まだ決めていませんが、土曜日に出発する予定です。 (stating something as a fixed plan while also saying it is undecided, which contradicts the meaning of 予定です).
Correction: まだ決めていませんが、土曜日に出発するつもりです。 — つもりです fits an intention that may still change, while 予定です suggests the plan is already set.
Error: *チェックインした前に、荷物を預けました。 (attaching 前に to the た-form).
Correction: チェックインする前に、荷物を預けました。 — 前に attaches to the dictionary form, while 後で attaches to the た-form, as in チェックインした後で.
Error: *電車よりバスより新幹線が速いです。 (stacking より to compare three options at once).
Correction: 三つの中で、新幹線がいちばん速いです。 — use いちばん with 中で when comparing three or more options, and reserve より for comparing exactly two.
Chapter Review
Section A — ごい (Vocabulary)
1. Give three vocabulary items from this chapter and use each one in a sentence.
Section B — もじ (Script)
1. Write 宿泊, 荷物, 乗り換え, and 予定 from memory, and explain why they still need furigana at this point in the volume.
Section C — ぶんぽう (Grammar)
1. Write one comparison sentence using より or いちばん.
2. Write one sentence using 予定です correctly.
3. Write one sentence using つもりです correctly.
4. Write one sentence using 前に correctly.
5. Write one sentence using 後で correctly.
Section D — どっかいりかい (Reading comprehension)
1. Look again at the guesthouse information page in the Reading Practice section. Write two sentences summarizing it in your own words.
Section E — かくこと (Writing)
1. Complete your own travel plan or lodging inquiry, following the Writing Workshop steps.
Section F — はなすこと (Speaking)
1. With a partner or instructor, plan a short trip together, comparing options and agreeing on a sequence of steps.
Practical Performance Task
パフォーマンスタスク
泊まる・移動する — Planning a trip
Complete all three components below.
- Written plan: Write a short travel plan of at least five sentences, comparing two lodging or transportation options, stating a plan or intention with 予定です or つもりです, and sequencing at least two steps with 前に or 後で.
- Spoken exchange: With a partner, instructor, or recording, present your plan and respond to at least one follow-up question about your choices.
- Listening check: Listen to a partner's or instructor's travel plan and correctly identify the comparison made, the stated plan or intention, and the sequence of steps.
Assessment focus: accurate and natural use of comparison with より or いちばん; a correctly formed 予定です or つもりです statement; correct sequencing with 前に or 後で; correct furigana on this chapter's new kanji and developing Chapter 7 kanji; consistent polite register; and comprehensible pronunciation with attention to mora timing and long vowels in longer explanatory sentences.
Answer Key
Grammar Practice
1. Model: このホテルはあのホテルより駅に近いです。 2. Model: 土曜日に出発する予定です。 3. Model: 新幹線で行くつもりです。 4. Model: チェックインする前に、荷物を預けました。 5. Model: 到着した後で、チェックインの手続きをします。
Model Dialogue — Comprehension
- Emma and Yuki choose the guesthouse because it is closer to the station and has private rooms.
- They are scheduled to check in on Saturday.
- The shinkansen is faster than the highway bus, according to Yuki.
- They plan to leave their luggage at the guesthouse and then walk around a bit.
Listening task — Model summary
The speaker plans to travel by shinkansen, and after arriving at the station intends to leave their luggage at the hotel first. They also plan to check the transfer time and then take a bus to the sightseeing area. The speaker chose a cheaper guesthouse rather than a hotel with a private room, so the room may be a little small.
Reading — Comprehension
- Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m., and check-out ends at 10:00 a.m.
- A guest who wants a particular room type should mention it when making the reservation.
- It takes about fifteen minutes from the station to the guesthouse by bus.
- A guest can have their luggage stored even before checking in.
Chapter Review — Section A and B
Open-ended; check against the Core Vocabulary and Script and Kanji Focus sections above.
Chapter Review — Section C
Open-ended; models follow the patterns shown in the Grammar and Sentence Patterns section above.
Chapter Review — Section D
Model answer: チェックインは午後三時からで、チェックアウトは午前十時までです。駅からはバスで約十五分かかります。 (Other accurate answers accepted.)
Chapter Review — Section E and F, and Practical Performance Task
These are open-ended production tasks. Evaluate written work against the Writing Workshop checklist above, and evaluate the spoken exchange and listening check against the assessment focus listed under the Practical Performance Task.
Looking Ahead
いまできること — What you can do now
You can compare lodging, transportation, and route options, state a scheduled plan with 予定です or a personal intention with つもりです, sequence actions in time with 前に or 後で, and communicate clearly about check-in, check-out, luggage, and transfers.