Travel notebook

Guide

The phrases worth knowing

Polite Japanese phrases sorted by situation: greetings, restaurant, transport, hotel, shopping, onsen, luggage, taxi, health. Each one in Japanese, in romaji and in English, with pronunciation tips and a list of useful words.

Checked on 15 Sept. 2026

The five key points

  1. Two words carry you almost everywhere: すみません (sumimasen, excuse me) to approach someone, ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) to thank them.
  2. Show the Japanese sentence on your screen: it is safer than saying it, and nobody minds.
  3. Vowels sound as they do in Italian. The “u” of desu and masu is barely heard: say “dess” and “mass”.
  4. End your requests with お願いします (onegai shimasu), please. For an object, ～をください (o kudasai).
  5. Emergencies: 119 for an ambulance or the fire service, 110 for the police.

Pronouncing without stress

Japanese reads well in Latin letters. A few rules are enough to be understood.

  • In this guide long vowels carry a macron: ā ī ū ē ō. Examples: arigatō (ありがとう), kādo (カード, card), menyū (メニュー). The groups “ei” and “ii” are written as they are: eigo, oishii. The particle を is written “o”, the particle は is written “wa”. Open the source 1
  • Do The vowels a, i, u, e, o always sound the same, rather as in Italian. The “u” is close to “oo” with relaxed lips. The “e” is like the “e” in “bed”. Sumimasen thus reads “soo-mee-mah-sen”. Open the source 7
  • Do Hold long vowels one beat longer than the others: length matters. Kōhī (コーヒー, coffee): the “ō” and the “ī” are held. Without the length, the word can be misheard. Open the source 9
  • Do The “u” of desu and masu is barely heard: say “dess” and “mass”. Desu ka becomes almost “deska”. The “i” and “u” between two voiceless consonants fade too: shita sounds roughly like “sh'ta”. Open the source 10
  • Do The Japanese “r” is a light tap of the tip of the tongue just behind the upper teeth, between our “r” and our “l”. Never a throaty “r” nor a rolled one. Open the source 8
  • The “s” always stays hard, even between two vowels. Masu sounds like “mass-oo”, never “mazoo”. Onegai shimasu reads “o-neh-guy shee-mass-oo”. Open the source 1
  • A few letters read differently: ch as in “church”, j as in “jam”, sh as in “ship”, g always hard as in “go”. Chotto sounds “chot-to”, genki “gen-kee”, sushi “soo-shee”, migi “mee-ghee”. Open the source 1
  • The standalone “n” (ん) counts as a full beat, as long as a syllable. Konbanwa is said in five equal beats: ko-n-ba-n-wa. Do not swallow it. Open the source 12
  • A doubled consonant calls for a short silence, one beat long, before it is pronounced. Kippu (ticket) sounds “kip-poo”, chotto “chot-to”. Open the source 11

Making yourself understood

When the sentence will not come, these reflexes are usually enough.

  • Do Start with “sumimasen”, excuse me, to get attention, then say or show your question. Finish with “arigatō gozaimasu”. Open the source 2
  • Do Show the Japanese sentence on your phone: the JNTO phrase books are made to be pointed at. Open the source 2
  • For a longer conversation, the JNTO recommends the free voice translation app VoiceTra. Open the source 1
  • Careful Emergency: 119 for an ambulance or the fire service, 110 for the police. Open the source 15
  • JNTO Japan Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787, 24 hours a day, all year, in English, Chinese and Korean. For an accident, an illness, a natural disaster, and for tourist information too. Open the source 17
  • Around Osaka you may hear おおきに (ōkini, thanks) or なんぼ (nanbo, how much). There is no need to use them: stick to the standard Japanese of this guide. Open the source 25

Basic politeness

The everyday words. すみません and ありがとうございます will serve you constantly.

  • Hello, during the day こんにちはKonnichiwa In the morning: おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu). In the evening: こんばんは (Konbanwa). Open the source 1
  • Thank you ありがとうございますArigatō gozaimasu The short form ありがとう (Arigatō) is understood everywhere. With “gozaimasu” it is more polite. Open the source 1
  • Excuse me すみませんSumimasen The most useful word: to call a waiter, ask the way, apologise for a small bother, and even to thank someone. Open the source 4
  • I am sorry ごめんなさいGomen nasai To apologise for a slip. To get attention or when you are about to disturb someone, say すみません instead. Open the source 1
  • Please, when asking for something お願いしますOnegai shimasu After what you want: コーヒーをお願いします (Kōhī o onegai shimasu), a coffee please. For an object you can also say ～をください (o kudasai), give me. Open the source 2
  • Yes はいHai Also used for “all right” or “I am listening”. Open the source 1
  • No いいえIie To turn down an offer, a bag or another drink, people say 大丈夫です (Daijōbu desu) instead: I am fine, thank you. Open the source 1
  • I do not understand わかりませんWakarimasen More precise: 日本語がわかりません (Nihongo ga wakarimasen), I do not understand Japanese. Open the source 2
  • Do you speak English? 英語が話せますか。Eigo ga hanasemasu ka. Start with すみません. A variant: 英語を話す人はいますか (Eigo o hanasu hito wa imasu ka), is there anyone who speaks English? Open the source 2
  • More slowly, please ゆっくり言ってください。Yukkuri itte kudasai. To have something repeated: もう一度言ってください (Mō ichido itte kudasai). Open the source 2
  • Please write it here ここに書いてください。Koko ni kaite kudasai. Holding out your phone or a notebook: a written price or time is understood without effort. Open the source 2
  • What is this? これは何ですか。Kore wa nan desu ka. Pointing at a dish, an object or a sign. Open the source 2

At a restaurant

To get in, order, explain a diet and pay. Replace ～ with the word you need.

  • There are two of us 二人です。Futari desu. The answer to 何名様ですか (Nanmei-sama desu ka), how many people? You can also hold up two fingers. Open the source 6
  • Do you have an English menu? 英語のメニューはありますか。Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka. Otherwise point at the photos on the menu or at the plastic food models in the window (食品サンプル, shokuhin sanpuru). Open the source 2
  • This one, please これをください。Kore o kudasai. Pointing at the photo. For two: これを二つください (Kore o futatsu kudasai). Open the source 2
  • I do not eat meat 肉が食べられません。Niku ga taberaremasen. Word for word: “I cannot eat meat”, a clear and polite formula. Vegetarian: ベジタリアンです (Bejitarian desu). Open the source 2
  • I do not eat pork 豚肉が食べられません。Butaniku ga taberaremasen. Pork also hides in the 豚骨 (tonkotsu) broth of ramen, in lard and in gelatine. Open the source 23
  • Do you use fish stock? 魚のだしを使っていますか。Sakana no dashi o tsukatte imasu ka. For vegetarians: Japanese stock (出汁, dashi) is often made from fish, bonito for instance. Open the source 23
  • I am allergic to… ～アレルギーがあります。～ arerugī ga arimasu. Examples: 卵 (tamago) egg, 牛乳 (gyūnyū) milk, 小麦 (komugi) wheat, そば粉 (sobako) buckwheat, ピーナッツ (pīnattsu) peanut, えび (ebi) prawn. Show the written word too. Open the source 2
  • Without…, please ～抜きでお願いします。～ nuki de onegai shimasu. At a sushi counter for instance: わさび抜きでお願いします (Wasabi nuki de onegai shimasu), without wasabi. Open the source 2
  • Water, please お水をください。O-mizu o kudasai. Hot water: お湯 (o-yu). Tea: お茶 (o-cha). Open the source 3
  • The bill, please お会計をお願いします。O-kaikei o onegai shimasu. No tipping: it is not the custom in Japan, in restaurants, taxis or hotels. Open the source 5
  • Can I pay by card? カードで払えますか。Kādo de haraemasu ka. If you are told 現金のみです (Genkin nomi desu), it is cash only. Always keep some yen on you. Open the source 2
  • That was delicious おいしかったです。Oishikatta desu. During the meal: おいしいです (Oishii desu), it is delicious. Open the source 1
  • Thank you for the meal, at the end ごちそうさまでしたGochisōsama deshita Said after eating, as you leave for instance. Before eating, people say いただきます (Itadakimasu). Open the source 4

Stations and transport

Replace ～ with the name of the place. If you are not understood, show the name written in Japanese.

  • Where is… ? ～はどこですか。～ wa doko desu ka. Examples: 駅はどこですか (Eki wa doko desu ka), where is the station? トイレはどこですか (Toire wa doko desu ka), where is the toilet? Open the source 2
  • Does this train go to… ? この電車は～に行きますか。Kono densha wa ～ ni ikimasu ka. For a bus: このバスは～に行きますか (Kono basu wa ～ ni ikimasu ka). For a Shinkansen, replace 電車 with 新幹線. Open the source 2
  • Two tickets to…, please ～までの切符を二枚ください。～ made no kippu o ni-mai kudasai. At the ticket office, also show the station name in Japanese. A single ticket: 一枚 (ichi-mai). Open the source 2
  • Two seats next to each other, please 隣同士の席をお願いします。Tonari dōshi no seki o onegai shimasu. Window side: 窓側をお願いします (Madogawa o onegai shimasu). Aisle side: 通路側 (tsūrogawa). Open the source 2
  • Which platform does the train to… leave from? ～行きの電車は何番線ですか。～ yuki no densha wa nan-bansen desu ka. ～行き (yuki) means “bound for”. Tracks are numbered: 1番線 (ichi-bansen), track 1. Open the source 3
  • What time does the next train leave? 次の電車は何時ですか。Tsugi no densha wa nan-ji desu ka. For a bus: 次のバスは何時ですか (Tsugi no basu wa nan-ji desu ka). Open the source 2
  • To get to…, where should I change? ～に行くには、どこで乗り換えればいいですか。～ ni iku ni wa, doko de norikaereba ii desu ka. 乗り換え (norikae): connection, change of train. Open the source 2
  • Where is the exit? 出口はどこですか。Deguchi wa doko desu ka. Large stations have several exits: 北口 (kita-guchi) north, 南口 (minami-guchi) south, 東口 (higashi-guchi) east, 西口 (nishi-guchi) west. Open the source 2
  • Where are the coin lockers? コインロッカーはどこですか。Koin rokkā wa doko desu ka. Open the source 2

Hotel and ryokan

At the front desk of a hotel or of a 旅館 (ryokan), the traditional Japanese inn.

  • Check-in, please チェックインをお願いします。Chekku-in o onegai shimasu. To ask the time: チェックインは何時からですか (Chekku-in wa nan-ji kara desu ka). Open the source 2
  • I have a booking under the name… ～の名前で予約しています。～ no namae de yoyaku shite imasu. Show the confirmation on your phone. You will probably be asked パスポートを見せていただけますか (Pasupōto o misete itadakemasu ka), may I see your passport? Open the source 2
  • Could you keep our luggage? 荷物を預かってもらえますか。Nimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka. Before check-in or after check-out. To say when you are back: 17時に戻ります (Jūshichi-ji ni modorimasu), we are back at 5 p.m. Open the source 2
  • What time is check-out? チェックアウトは何時ですか。Chekku-auto wa nan-ji desu ka. Open the source 3
  • From what time is dinner served? 夕食は何時からですか。Yūshoku wa nan-ji kara desu ka. Breakfast: 朝食 (chōshoku). In a ryokan: 食事は部屋でできますか (Shokuji wa heya de dekimasu ka), can we eat in the room? Open the source 2
  • Until what time can we use the bath? お風呂は何時までですか。O-furo wa nan-ji made desu ka. At a shared bath, always read the kanji on the curtain: 男 for men, 女 for women. Open the source 13
  • Could you call a taxi? タクシーを呼んでもらえますか。Takushī o yonde moraemasu ka. Open the source 2
  • Do you have a twin room? ツインの部屋はありますか。Tsuin no heya wa arimasu ka. In a ryokan, ask 洋室はありますか (Yōshitsu wa arimasu ka) instead: a western-style room, with beds. Open the source 2

Shopping and tax-free

In shops, at the konbini and for tax-free purchases.

  • How much is this? これはいくらですか。Kore wa ikura desu ka. The answer sounds like 千円です (Sen-en desu): ¥1,000. Open the source 2
  • I am just looking 見ているだけです。Mite iru dake desu. When a shop assistant offers to help. Open the source 3
  • Can I buy this tax-free? 免税で買えますか。Menzei de kaemasu ka. You need at least ¥5,000 of purchases before tax, in the same shop on the same day. Open the source 24
  • Here is my passport パスポートです。Pasupōto desu. To show at the till for tax-free shopping. The rules changed on 1 November 2026: see the “Practical” guide, “Paying” section. Open the source 24
  • I do not need a bag 袋はいりません。Fukuro wa irimasen. When you are offered a bag at the till. Softer: 袋は大丈夫です (Fukuro wa daijōbu desu). Open the source 3
  • Could you gift-wrap it? ギフト用にラッピングしてもらえますか。Gifuto-yō ni rappingu shite moraemasu ka. Open the source 2

Onsen

温泉 (onsen): hot spring bath. Ask your questions before paying the entry fee.

  • I have a tattoo: may I bathe? タトゥーがあるのですが、入浴できますか。Tatū ga aru no desu ga, nyūyoku dekimasu ka. Some onsen refuse tattoos, others accept them: each establishment has its own rule, so always ask. Open the source 14
  • May I bathe if I cover the tattoo with a sticker? シールで隠せば入浴できますか。Shīru de kakuseba nyūyoku dekimasu ka. A sticker or a skin-coloured plaster can be enough for a small tattoo, but only if the establishment allows it. Open the source 14
  • Do you have a private bath? 貸切風呂はありますか。Kashikiri-buro wa arimasu ka. A bath reserved for your group: the simplest answer with a tattoo. It often costs extra and needs booking: 貸切風呂を予約したいのですが (Kashikiri-buro o yoyaku shitai no desu ga). Open the source 13
  • Do you have towels? タオルはありますか。Taoru wa arimasu ka. Large towel: バスタオル (basu taoru). Open the source 3

Suitcases and takkyūbin

宅急便 (takkyūbin): Yamato Transport's parcel and suitcase delivery service.

  • I would like to send this suitcase by takkyūbin このスーツケースを宅急便で送りたいです。Kono sūtsukēsu o takkyūbin de okuritai desu. Have the destination address in Japanese, with the postcode, the name and a phone number that will be answered: the waybill asks for all of them. Open the source 19
  • Could you send our luggage on to the next hotel? 荷物を次のホテルに送ってもらえますか。Nimotsu o tsugi no hoteru ni okutte moraemasu ka. At the hotel front desk. For the airport: 荷物を空港に送ってもらえますか (Nimotsu o kūkō ni okutte moraemasu ka). Open the source 19
  • When will it be delivered? いつ届きますか。Itsu todokimasu ka. To check: 明日届きますか (Ashita todokimasu ka), will it arrive tomorrow? Open the source 19
  • To be held at the Yamato office, please 営業所止めでお願いします。Eigyōsho-dome de onegai shimasu. To collect the suitcase yourself at a Yamato office, if your lodging cannot receive it. The office address replaces the recipient's. Official name: 営業所受け取りサービス (eigyōsho uketori sābisu). Open the source 20
  • I have come to collect a parcel 荷物を受け取りに来ました。Nimotsu o uketori ni kimashita. Bring the waybill number (送り状番号, okurijō bangō) and photo ID. Without a seal, your handwritten signature is enough. Open the source 21
  • Is a passport enough as photo ID? 本人確認はパスポートでいいですか。Honnin kakunin wa pasupōto de ii desu ka. The service page lists the passport, the FAQ does not: have it confirmed when you send the parcel. Open the source 22
  • Could you help me fill in the waybill? 送り状の書き方を教えてもらえますか。Okurijō no kakikata o oshiete moraemasu ka. Open the source 19

In a taxi

Always have the destination address in Japanese on your phone.

  • To this address, please この住所までお願いします。Kono jūsho made onegai shimasu. Showing the address or the name of the place in Japanese: the driver will ask for it. For a well-known place: 東京駅までお願いします (Tōkyō-eki made onegai shimasu). Open the source 18
  • Could you open the boot? トランクを開けてもらえますか。Toranku o akete moraemasu ka. Let the driver open and close the rear door. Seat belts are compulsory. Open the source 18
  • By card, please カードでお願いします。Kādo de onegai shimasu. Some cards issued abroad are refused: keep yen in cash. Open the source 18
  • Please stop here ここで止めてください。Koko de tomete kudasai. Simpler: ここでお願いします (Koko de onegai shimasu), here please. Open the source 18
  • A receipt, please 領収書をください。Ryōshūsho o kudasai. Open the source 18
  • Roughly how long will it take? 時間はどのくらいかかりますか。Jikan wa dono kurai kakarimasu ka. For the fare: 料金はいくらくらいですか (Ryōkin wa ikura kurai desu ka). Open the source 2

Health and emergencies

In danger, call 119 first, ambulance and fire service, or 110, the police.

  • Please call an ambulance 救急車を呼んでください。Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai. Number: 119, ambulance and fire service. Open the source 16
  • I would like to see a doctor 病院に行きたいです。Byōin ni ikitai desu. Word for word: “I want to go to hospital”. 病院 (byōin) also means a clinic. The JNTO medical guide helps you find a place where English is spoken. Open the source 16
  • It hurts here ここが痛いです。Koko ga itai desu. Pointing at the spot. Head: 頭が痛いです (Atama ga itai desu). Stomach: おなかが痛いです (Onaka ga itai desu). Open the source 2
  • I have a fever 熱があります。Netsu ga arimasu. Open the source 2
  • I feel unwell 気分が悪いです。Kibun ga warui desu. Nausea: 吐き気がします (Hakike ga shimasu). Dizziness: めまいがします (Memai ga shimasu). Open the source 2
  • Where is the pharmacy? 薬局はどこですか。Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka. You can also go to a ドラッグストア (doraggu sutoa), a drugstore that sells medicines. Open the source 16
  • I have lost my passport パスポートをなくしました。Pasupōto o nakushimashita. Wallet: 財布 (saifu). Go to the 交番 (kōban), the neighbourhood police box. Then tell your embassy: the Swiss embassy in Tokyo is at 5-9-12 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, +81 3 5449 8400. Open the source 26
  • My bag was stolen かばんを盗まれました。Kaban o nusumaremashita. Ask for a police certificate: it is needed for insurance and to replace a passport. Swiss FDFA helpline, around the clock: +41 800 24-7-365 or +41 58 465 33 33. Open the source 26
  • Please call the police 警察を呼んでください。Keisatsu o yonde kudasai. Police number: 110. Open the source 15
  • Please help me 助けてください。Tasukete kudasai. Shouted in an emergency: 助けて (Tasukete). For simple help, more polite: 助けていただけますか (Tasukete itadakemasu ka). Open the source 3

Useful words

The words on signs and in small everyday questions.

トイレ / お手洗いtoire / o-tearaiToilet Open the source 2
駅ekiStation Open the source 2
出口deguchiExit Open the source 2
入口iriguchiEntrance Open the source 2
改札kaisatsuTicket gates Open the source 3
お水o-mizuWater Open the source 3
お湯o-yuHot water Open the source 3
熱いatsuiHot, of food or drink Open the source 3
暑いatsuiHot, of the weather Open the source 3
冷たいtsumetaiCold, of a drink Open the source 3
寒いsamuiCold, of the weather Open the source 3
今日kyōToday Open the source 2
明日ashitaTomorrow Open the source 2
左hidariLeft Open the source 2
右migiRight Open the source 2
まっすぐmassuguStraight ahead Open the source 2
男otokoMen, on signs and at bath entrances Open the source 13
女onnaWomen, on signs and at bath entrances Open the source 13
ゆyuHot bath, onsen, on a shop sign Open the source 13
現金genkinCash Open the source 3
予約yoyakuBooking Open the source 2
荷物nimotsuLuggage Open the source 2
禁煙kin'enNon-smoking Open the source 3

Sources

  1. JNTO — Japanese language (japan.travel) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  2. JNTO — traveller's phrase book (PDF) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  3. JNTO — Tourist's Language Handbook (PDF) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  4. JNTO — glossary (sustainable travel) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  5. JNTO — Tipping in Japan checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  6. LIVE JAPAN — useful phrases at a restaurant checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  7. TUFS, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies — pronunciation, the vowels checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  8. TUFS — pronunciation, the ラ行 series checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  9. TUFS — pronunciation, long vowels checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  10. TUFS — pronunciation, devoiced vowels checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  11. TUFS — pronunciation, the doubled consonant (促音) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  12. TUFS — pronunciation, the ん (撥音) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  13. JNTO — Hot Springs in Japan (onsen) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  14. JNTO — Onsen Hot Springs: On Tattoos and Etiquette checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  15. JNTO — Staying Safe in Japan checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  16. JNTO — Guide for when you are feeling ill checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  17. JNTO — Japan Visitor Hotline checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  18. Tokyo taxi association — sheet to show in foreign languages (PDF) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  19. Yamato Transport — Prepare a Waybill (English) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  20. Yamato Transport — 営業所受け取りサービス, collection at an office checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  21. Yamato Transport, FAQ — collection at an office by the recipient checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  22. Yamato Transport, FAQ — accepted forms of photo ID checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  23. 観光庁 — guide to welcoming vegetarian, vegan and Muslim visitors (PDF) checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  24. 観光庁 — traveller page for the new tax-free system checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  25. OSAKA INFO (Osaka tourism board) — the Osaka dialect checked on 15 Sept. 2026
  26. Embassy of Switzerland in Japan (FDFA) checked on 15 Sept. 2026

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