Japanese You Keep Seeing: ホテルで聞く「チェックインはこちらです」はどこへ行けばいい？｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

null
(A hotel concierge gesturing to Joy, saying “Chekku-in wa kochira desu”, while Ken reads a pamphlet, Raya takes a photo, and a cat rides a suitcase)

Welcome to “Japanese You Keep Seeing”!

You have finally arrived at your hotel in Japan after a long flight. As you walk through the sliding glass doors, a smartly dressed staff member approaches you, bows, and says: チェックインはこちらです (Chekku-in wa kochira desu). You know “check-in,” but where exactly is “kochira”? Let’s decode the incredibly polite directional vocabulary of Japanese customer service!

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy, Ken, and Raya have just arrived at a grand hotel in Kyoto for their weekend trip. While Ken is busy looking for local restaurants on a map and Raya is photographing the architecture, Joy handles the luggage at the entrance.
Staff
Line 1: チェックインはこちらです
Line 2: Chekku-in wa kochira desu
Line 3: (Check-in is this way)
いらっしゃいませ。ご宿泊のお客様ですか？チェックインはこちらです。 (Welcome. Are you staying with us? Check-in is this way.)
Joy
はい、予約しています。ありがとうございます！ (Yes, we have a reservation. Thank you!)
Ken
Just follow the direction of his open hand. Pointing with one finger is considered rude in Japanese hospitality!

💡 Explanation: The Polite Compass

In standard Japanese, you might have learned that “Here” is Koko. But in business and hospitality, staff must upgrade their vocabulary to sound more professional.

1. What does Kochira mean? 🧭

こちら (Kochira) is the formal, polite version of “Here” (Koko) or “This way.”
When a staff member says Chekku-in wa kochira desu, they are saying, “The check-in desk is right this way.” You should look at the direction they are gesturing with their hand and walk there!

2. The Polite Directional Family 🗺️

If you ask where the elevator or restroom is, you will hear these polite directional words:
✅ こちら (Kochira): Here / This way (Near the speaker).
✅ そちら (Sochira): There / That way (Near the listener).
✅ あちら (Achira): Over there / That way (Far from both).
✅ どちら (Dochira): Where? / Which way?

3. The “Open Palm” Rule ✋

In Japanese hospitality, pointing with your index finger is considered aggressive and rude. When a staff member says “Kochira,” they will always gesture with all five fingers extended together, palm facing upward, pointing like a gentle arrow toward your destination.

💎 Pro Tip: Using it for People

Kochira doesn’t just mean “this way”—it also means “this person”! If you are introducing a friend or colleague to someone, you gesture to them with an open palm and say: 「こちらはケンさんです」(Kochira wa Ken-san desu – This is Ken). It is the most polite way to introduce someone!

🔥 Practice Quiz

Q1. A hotel clerk says “Chekku-in wa kochira desu.” What are they telling you?
A. Check-in is finished.
B. Check-in is this way / over here.

Answer: B
“Kochira” is the polite word for “this way” or “here.” Follow their gesture!

Q2. You ask where the restroom is. The staff points far across the lobby. Which word will they likely use?
A. Achira (Over there)
B. Kochira (Right here)

Answer: A (Achira)
Because it is far away from both of you, they will use “Achira” (over there).

Q3. How do Japanese staff politely gesture toward a location?
A. Pointing with their index finger.
B. Gesturing with all five fingers open and the palm facing up.

Answer: B
Pointing with one finger is rude. The “open palm” gesture is the standard for Japanese hospitality!

Ready to master the Ko-So-A-Do system?

Want to dive deeper? Check out our official Beginner’s Grammar Book for more examples, detailed explanations, and practice exercises to perfect your Japanese pointing skills!