Going out of your way to do something with 足を運ぶ

The expression 足(あし)を運(はこ)ぶ means “to go (somewhere)” or “to make the effort to visit a place”.

This phrase often implies a sense of purpose or effort in going somewhere, rather than just casually or accidentally ending up there. It suggests that the person made a conscious decision to visit.

It’s commonly used in formal or polite contexts, such as in business or customer service, to express gratitude or acknowledgment for someone making the effort to come to a place.

It has the same usage as 「〜に行く」 and 「〜に出かけて行く」.

Literal Meaning

This expression literally translates as “to move one’s feet”.

Dictionary Definition

あることのために、わざわざ出向(でむ)く。

Going out of one's way to do a certain thing.

Goo Dictionary

Examples

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Coming all the way out here with 足を運ぶ

As Suwa and his friends leave Kakeru’s grandmother’s house, Suwa apologizes for the bother.

おばあさん:

「いいえ　こんな所(ところ)まで足(あし)を運(はこ)んで下(くだ)さってとても素敵(すてき)な時間(じかん)をありがとう」

“No, thank you very much for coming all the way here and having such a wonderful time.”

Literal: “No, thank you for carrying your feet all the way to a place like this and giving me such a wonderful time.”

Coming all the way up here in the mountains with 足を運ぶ

A large gathering takes place in a mansion deep in the mountains, in celebration of Reika, daughter of the head of Yotsui Group. After Reika blows out the candles on her birthday cake, her father congratulates her on turning 24, then he turns and addresses their guests.

四(よつ)井(い):

「本日(ほんじつ)は娘(むすめ)のためにわざわざこんな山奥(やまおく)まで足(あし)を運(はこ)んでいただき、感謝(かんしゃ)の念(ねん)にたえません！！」

“I can't thank you enough for coming all the way up here in the mountains today for my daughter!”

Literal: “Today, for my daughter's sake, you went out of your way to carry your feet all the way into these mountains, and I cannot thank you enough!!”

「今後(こんご)も娘(むすめ)共々(ともども)、我(わ)が四(よつ)井(い)グループをどうぞよろしく！！」

“Please continue to be favorable to both my daughter and my Yotsui Group in the future!”