Ways to specify "intra-" or "extra-" usage of 北・南・東・西 I Was trying to describe that a certain castle was located south of Kyoto, I would expect the phrase to be: I was then thinking, how would I say that it is in Kyoto, but the southern part of Kyoto. For example, in English there isn't exactly a rule that applies 100% to a specific phrase, but the syntax does differentiate the two meanings: > It is located ... > > * in the South of France (1) > * to the south of France (2) > * south of France (2) > * in southern France (1) > * to France's south (2) > > > _(1) denotes inside France, (2) denotes outside of France_ What ways are there in Japanese to specify what I am calling "intra-" vs. "extra-" usage of cardinal directions?

`Place + + /// + ` is indeed ambiguous, but you can usually determine the meaning in one way with the aid of the context and some background knowledge:

*
Fushimi-Momoyama Castle is in the South of Kyoto.
*
Nara Prefecture is located to the south of Kyoto.



If you want to avoid any confusion, you can say:

* X: inside Kyoto
(Keep if you want to say this generally; see this.)
* X: inside Kyoto
* X: inside Kyoto
(sounds wordy, use as a last resort)
* X: outside but adjacent to Kyoto
* X: outside and far away from Kyoto
* X: outside Kyoto