How does one give directions in Japanese (e.g. to a cab driver)?


I already know some things, like 「最初{さいしょ｝の道｛みち｝を右｛みぎ｝に曲｛ま｝がって」 and the like.
However, unless one knows the exact moment to shout 「止｛と｝めて！」 then one would
need to know how to say things like "it's the third building on the right" or
"stop at the building with the sign on it" or something. Those were vague
examples, but can someone help me with giving directions, like to a cab driver
or a guest?




When I was barely talking Japanese riding taxi was one of the easiest tasks.

The basic algorithm is as follows:

  * Immediately after getting into taxi tell //some landmark next to your place// までお願いします。Taxi drivers know all landmarks around and rarely ask for directions to there. 
  * If a driver asks which way is preferred, it is easier to just answer 速い方 - which is "the fastest way" or, for example, 安い方 - the cheapest way, which will not be necessarily the fastest one. 
  * When you get closer to your place, operate using words: 右です, 左です, まっすぐ. 
  * When you feel like it's time to stop, just tell: こちらです or こちらでお願いします.

Do not say 止めて because it is plain rude, at least without ください word.

