1.
alley, narrow lane, side street
A narrow passage or street between buildings, typically found in older urban neighborhoods. Often too narrow for cars.
路地を入ると小さな居酒屋があった。
There was a small izakaya when I went into the alley.
この路地は車が通れない。
Cars can't get through this alley.
迷路のような路地裏を歩いた。
I walked through the maze-like back alleys.
2.
garden path (tea ceremony)
In the tea ceremony context, refers to the path leading to the tea house through the garden.
茶室へと続く路地を静かに歩いた。
I quietly walked along the garden path leading to the tea house.
茶道では路地を通ることで日常から離れ、心を整えると言われている。
In tea ceremony, walking through the roji is said to help one leave behind daily life and compose the mind.
路地には飛び石や石灯籠が配されていた。
The garden path had stepping stones and stone lanterns arranged along it.
RELATED TERMS:
- 路地裏 (back alley) - the area of back streets and alleys, often with a nostalgic or hidden atmosphere
- 横丁 (side street, alley) - similar meaning, often used for areas with restaurants/bars
- 小道 (small path)
- 袋小路 (dead-end alley)
USAGE: 路地 often evokes images of traditional Japanese neighborhoods (下町) with narrow streets, old wooden houses, and a nostalgic atmosphere. Many famous dining areas feature 路地裏 restaurants hidden from main streets.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 路地に入る (to enter an alley)
- 路地を抜ける (to pass through an alley)
- 路地裏の店 (a shop in the back alleys)