Practical Japanese for Travelers

Konnichiwa

Hello / Good afternoon

💡 Default greeting from late morning to early evening. Universal and polite.

Ohayou gozaimasu

Good morning

💡 Used until about 10 AM. Drop 'gozaimasu' for casual use among friends.

Konbanwa

Good evening

💡 Used after dark, around 6 PM onwards. Restaurants and hotels use it.

Arigatou gozaimasu

Thank you (polite)

💡 The fully polite thank you. Use everywhere. 'Arigatou' alone is casual.

Sumimasen

Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you (sorry-toned)

💡 MAGIC WORD. Gets a waiter's attention, says sorry, expresses thanks. Use 10x a day.

Hai

Yes

💡 Also used as 'I understand' or 'I'm listening'. Often said multiple times.

Iie

No

💡 Polite no. Japanese often soften refusals with 'chotto...' (a little...) instead.

Wakarimasen

I don't understand

💡 Crucial phrase. Pair with 'eigo de onegaishimasu' to ask for English.

Eigo o hanasemasu ka

Do you speak English?

💡 Younger Japanese (under 40) often understand basic English even if shy.

Mou ichido onegaishimasu

Once more please

💡 Polite way to ask someone to repeat what they said.

Menyuu o onegaishimasu

Menu please

💡 Many places have English menus — ask 'eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka?' too.

Osusume wa nan desu ka

What do you recommend?

💡 Staff often have strong opinions — great for trying local specialties.

Kore o kudasai

This one please (pointing)

💡 Universal ordering. Point at the menu picture or display case. Always works.

Okaikei onegaishimasu

Check please / Bill please

💡 In casual places, just say 'sumimasen' and make a hand-cross gesture (X with fingers).

Mizu o kudasai

Water please

💡 Most restaurants serve free water (mizu) or tea. Ice water = 'ohiya'.

Oishii desu

It's delicious!

💡 Restaurant owners LOVE hearing this. Use it generously to build rapport.

Arerugii ga arimasu

I have an allergy

💡 Show staff a written list. Common: nuts (kinoko ❌ wrong — nattsu), shellfish, eggs.

Karakunaide onegaishimasu

Not spicy please

💡 Japanese spicy is generally mild but worth asking. 'Karai' = spicy/hot.

Bejitarian desu

I'm vegetarian

💡 Japanese 'vegetarian' often still includes fish broth (dashi). Confirm 'sakana mo dame'.

Mochikaeri dekimasu ka

Can I take it to go?

💡 Many restaurants don't allow takeout for hygiene reasons. Coffee shops are fine.

Kinen-seki o onegaishimasu

Non-smoking seat please

💡 Since 2020 most restaurants are fully non-smoking, but some bars still allow it.

Kurejitto kaado tsukaemasu ka

Can I use credit card?

💡 Many small restaurants are CASH ONLY (genkin nomi). ATMs at 7-Eleven take foreign cards.

~Eki wa doko desu ka

Where is ~ Station?

💡 Replace ~ with station name. Ex: 'Shinjuku eki wa doko desu ka'.

~Iki no kippu o kudasai

Ticket to ~ please

💡 Or just point at the destination on the map at the ticket machine.

Nan-ban-sen desu ka

Which platform?

💡 Critical at big stations. Numbers + 'ban-sen' = '5 ban-sen' (platform 5).

Tsugi no densha wa itsu desu ka

When's the next train?

💡 Usually shown on platform monitors. Trains run every 2-10 min in Tokyo.

Takushii o yonde kudasai

Please call a taxi

💡 Hotels and restaurants can call. JapanTaxi app works in English in major cities.

Koko made onegaishimasu

Please take me here (showing map/address)

💡 Show driver the address in Japanese or a screenshot. Most taxis use GPS now.

Shinkansen wa doko desu ka

Where is the bullet train?

💡 Shinkansen has separate gates and signs (blue/orange). Look for those colors.

JR pasu o tsukaemasu ka

Can I use the JR Pass?

💡 JR Pass works on JR lines only. NOT on Tokyo Metro or private lines (Hankyu etc).

Chekku-in onegaishimasu

Check-in please

💡 Have passport ready. Check-in usually 3 PM. Earlier = luggage storage available.

Wi-Fi no pasuwaado o oshiete kudasai

What's the WiFi password?

💡 Usually printed on a card in the room. Hotels all have free WiFi.

Taoru o mou ichi-mai kudasai

One more towel please

💡 Just call front desk and they bring extras free. Use for any room request.

Nimotsu o azukatte kudasai

Please hold my luggage

💡 Free at all hotels before check-in or after check-out. Get a tag/receipt.

Chekku-auto o enchou dekimasu ka

Can I extend check-out?

💡 Usually free 1 hr extra. After that paid (¥1,000-5,000). Hotels vary.

Choushoku wa nan-ji kara desu ka

What time does breakfast start?

💡 Hotels usually 6:30-10:00. Premium hotels until 11. Ryokan: fixed time (7 or 8 AM).

Ikura desu ka

How much is it?

💡 Most prices are displayed. Use when no tag or asking total.

Menzei dekimasu ka

Can I get tax-free?

💡 Tourists save 10% on purchases over ¥5,500. Need passport. Look for 'Tax Free' sign.

Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka

Can I try it on?

💡 In Japan you often need to remove makeup-marking face covers when trying tops.

Motto chiisai / ookii saizu wa arimasu ka

Smaller / Larger size?

💡 Japanese sizes run small. Western Large ≈ Japanese XL.

Fukuro o kudasai

Bag please

💡 Plastic bags are ¥3-10 since 2020 law. Often shop will ask 'fukuro wa irimasu ka?'.

Reshiito o kudasai

Receipt please

💡 Always given automatically. Ask if you accidentally didn't get one.

Tasukete kudasai

Please help me

💡 Strong call for help. For minor things use 'sumimasen'. For emergencies, this.

Byouin wa doko desu ka

Where's the hospital?

💡 For non-emergency. Emergency dial 119 (ambulance) or go to nearest hospital ER.

Keisatsu o yonde kudasai

Please call the police

💡 Emergency: 110. Every neighborhood has 'koban' (police box). Very safe country overall.

Toire wa doko desu ka

Where's the bathroom?

💡 ALWAYS free public toilets at train stations, parks, convenience stores. Often immaculate.

Maigo ni narimashita

I'm lost

💡 Show hotel card to anyone — Japanese are super helpful. Or go to a koban.

Kibun ga warui desu

I feel sick

💡 On trains, ask station staff. Hospitals: pharmacy at convenience stores has basic meds.

Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka

Can I take a photo?

💡 Always ask for people. Many shops/temples ban interior photos — look for signs.

Kirei desu ne

It's beautiful!

💡 Universal compliment — for sakura, fireworks, food, kimono, anything visual.

Nan-ji ni hajimarimasu ka

What time does it start?

💡 Critical for fireworks, festivals, illuminations. Check official sites too.

Yatai wa nan-ji made desu ka

Until what time are the food stalls open?

💡 Festival yatai usually 10 AM-10 PM. Last orders 30 min before close.

Yukata o karitai desu

I want to rent a yukata

💡 Summer fireworks/festivals are perfect with yukata. Rental shops ¥3,000-5,000.

Totemo tanoshikatta desu

It was really fun!

💡 Good closer after experiences. Adds 'arigatou gozaimasu' for full politeness.

Ichi / Ni / San / Yon / Go

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

💡 Basic counting. Note: 4 has two readings (yon/shi); shi sounds like 'death' so yon is preferred.

Roku / Nana / Hachi / Kyuu / Juu

6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

💡 7 has two readings (nana/shichi); 9 has two (kyuu/ku) — both common.

Hyaku / Sen / Man

100 / 1,000 / 10,000

💡 Japan counts in 10,000 units (man). 100,000 = juu-man, 1 million = hyaku-man.

En

Yen (currency)

💡 Always say number + en. '500 yen' = 'go-hyaku en'. Currency symbol: ¥