Translation guide
Expresses the act of traveling to Japan from the perspective of someone already in Japan or from a neutral standpoint. The most natural Japanese depends on the speaker's location and relationship to the listener.
To say that someone is coming to Japan, typically from the perspective of someone in Japan.
Standard phrase using 来る (くる, to come). Use when the speaker is in Japan or when the movement is toward the speaker's location.
友達が来月日本に来ます。
My friend is coming to Japan next month.
Formal or written expression meaning 'to visit Japan'. Often used in news or official contexts.
大統領が来日しました。
The president came to Japan.
Honorific form of 来る, used when speaking about someone of higher status coming to Japan.
先生が日本にいらっしゃいます。
The teacher is coming to Japan.
To say that someone is coming to Japan when the speaker is not in Japan. Japanese typically uses 行く (いく, to go) instead of 来る.
Use 行く when the movement is away from the speaker. If you are outside Japan, say '日本に行く' for 'coming to Japan'.
Using 来る when the speaker is not in Japan sounds unnatural. Always consider the speaker's location.
来年、日本に行きます。
I'm coming to Japan next year.
To emphasize that it is someone's first visit to Japan.
Add 初めて (はじめて, for the first time) before the location.
彼は初めて日本に来ました。
He came to Japan for the first time.
To invite someone to come to Japan or to express a desire for them to come.
Polite request form. Use when inviting someone to Japan.
ぜひ日本に来てください。
Please come to Japan.
Expresses a desire for someone to come. More casual than 来てください.
君に日本に来てほしい。
I want you to come to Japan.
In Japanese, the choice between 来る (come) and 行く (go) depends on the speaker's location relative to the destination. If you are in Japan, use 来る. If you are outside Japan, use 行く even if English would use 'come'. This is a common mistake for learners.
私は来月日本に行きます。
I'm coming to Japan next month. (speaker currently outside Japan)
友達が来月日本に来ます。
My friend is coming to Japan next month. (speaker in Japan)