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20 Essential Japanese Phrases for Travelers to Japan

If you’re visiting Japan and a little worried about the language barrier (or you simply love languages), we’ve got you covered with these essential Japanese phrases for travelers.

In our guide to what we believe are the most important Japanese phrases for travel, we’ll introduce you to a selection of key words and phrases — and explain why the Japanese language barrier is not as worrisome as you might think.

The truth is, you do not need to speak any Japanese to have a successful, wonderful trip to Japan (and if you’re looking for travel inspiration, check out our favorite destinations in Japan ). However, learning a few key Japanese phrases can make your trip just that much better. So let’s get into it!

Download our Free Japanese Phrasebook:

Originally written in 2014, this post was updated and republished on November 1, 2019.

The Most Essential Japanese Words & Phrases for Your Trip to Japan

Learning Japanese can seem daunting, but don’t worry. You don’t need to learn any of these words or phrases to have a great time (see why we love Japan ).

However, as any seasoned traveler knows, making a little linguistic effort can go a long way, and it can be helpful to learn even a little of the local language for your travels. We’ve narrowed it down to a small selection of key words and phrases, divided by category:

• The Basics: Key Japanese Words and Phrases
• Food and Drink: Eating Your Way Around Japan
• Now or Later: Time-Related Phrases in Japanese
• Getting Around Japan: Transportation-Related Phrases

Here is a quick look at the words and phrase you’ll find below:

Top 20 Essential Japanese Travel Phrases:

• Konnichiwa (こんにちは) – Hello
• Arigatou Gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) – Thank you
• Sumimasen (すみません) – Excuse me
• __ o Kudasai (__をください) – I would like __, please
• __ wa Doko Desu ka? (__はどこですか) – Where is __?
• Itadakimasu (いただきます) – An expression of gratitude for the meal you’re about to eat
• Omakase de (お任せで) – Used to order chef’s recommendation (often for sushi)
• O-sake (お酒) – General term for alcohol
• Nihonshu (日本酒) – Japanese sake
• Kinen Seki (禁煙席) – Non-smoking seat
• Ima Nanji Desu ka? (今何時ですか) – What time is it now?
• Nanji ni? (何時に？) – At what time?
• Asa (朝) – Morning
• Kyou (今日) – Today
• Ashita (明日) – Tomorrow
• __ ni Ikitai (__に行きたい) – I want to go to __
• Tomete Kudasai (止めてください) – Stop, please
• Kippu (切符) – Ticket
• Shinkansen (新幹線) – Bullet train
• Dono Densha? (どの電車？) – Which train?

If you’re concerned about memorizing all this Japanese, or want to learn even more words and phrases, download Boutique Japan’s Tiny Phrasebook for free.

And for an introduction to how to say these words and phrases, see our bonus video to help you practice your Japanese pronunciation .

Basic Japanese Words and Phrases

Let’s start with a few of the most basic-yet-essential Japanese words and phrases. Even if you only remember how to say hello or thank you , you’ll find that Japanese people will be appreciative of your efforts!

1. Konnichiwa (こんにちは) – Hello

Let’s start with one you’ve probably heard before: the word for hello is konnichiwa .

Konnichiwa is typically used during the day, and there are other phrases for good morning and good evening ( ohayou gozaimasu , and konbanwa , respectively). But when you’re starting out it’s best to keep things simple, and if you simply learn konnichiwa you can use it throughout the day to say hello !

2. Arigatou Gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) – Thank you

In Japan, etiquette is no joke, and chances are you’ll be saying thank you a lot (learn more in our guide to Japanese etiquette ).

The word for thank you in Japanese is arigatou gozaimasu (in Japanese, the u at the end of some words is barely pronounced to the point of being nearly silent). You can usually simply say arigatou , which is a little more casual but usually perfectly fine. In Japan, where politeness is such a key part of the culture, you’ll be saying arigatou gozaimasu a lot!

3. Sumimasen (すみません) – Excuse me

Excuse me is an important expression in any language, and Japanese is no exception.

The word for excuse me in Japanese is sumimasen . Chances are you’ll also be using this one quite a bit, so if you can try and memorize it! It’s a doubly useful word, as it can be used both to get a person’s attention, and also to apologize.

For example, use sumimasen at an izakaya (a Japanese-style gastropub) to get a waiter’s attention. At izakaya , it’s often called out as sumimaseeeeee~n ! On the other hand, if you accidentally walk onto a tatami floor with your shoes on (something you’re likely to do at some point) you can use sumimasen to say I’m sorry .

4. __ o Kudasai ( をください) – I would like , please

Now that we’ve covered three basic essentials, we can move onto two key sentences that will hopefully help you a lot.

First is I would like __, please . This is useful in a variety of situations: at restaurants, in stores, and on many other occasions you’ll encounter while traveling. In Japanese, it’s __ o kudasai (simply fill in the __ [blank] with the item of your choice).

To get the most out of this phrase, you may want to learn a few vocabulary words, such as water (mizu), beer (biiru) , sake , and others you think you may need.

5. __ wa Doko Desu ka? ( はどこですか) – Where is __?

Last but not least, we think it’s quite useful to be able to ask Where is the __? This is useful even if you can’t understand the answer, because once you ask, people will be able to point you in the right direction, or even help you get to where you’re going!

In Japanese, it’s __ wa doko desu ka? (simply fill in the __ [blank] with the place you’re trying to reach, such as the Ghibli Museum ). One key vocabulary word that often goes along with this phrase for travelers is eki , which means station (for example, Shinjuku eki is Shinjuku station ).

Eating Your Way Around Japan: Food and Drink Phrases

For many travelers, Japanese food is a top priority! From classic Tokyo sushi restaurants to the legendary food culture of Okinawa , there’s a lot to take in. For alcohol afficionados, Japan also offers sake , Japanese whisky , shochu , and other traditional beverages.

While you don’t need to speak any Japanese to enjoy eating and drinking in Japan, these key words and phrases will help you make the most of your culinary experiences.

6. Itadakimasu (いただきます) – An expression of gratitude for the meal you’re about to eat

Certainly not required, but if you say itadakimasu before you begin eating, whether in a restaurant or at a person’s home, they will surely be impressed with your manners.

Essentially, this phrase expresses humility and thanks for the meal you are about to enjoy. The website Tofugu does a very nice job of explaining the meaning of itadakimasu .

7. Omakase de (お任せで) – Used to order chef’s recommendation (often for sushi)

If you’re a passionate sushi enthusiast, you probably already know the meaning of omakase .

When you tell a chef omakase de , you’re letting them know that you’re placing the meal in their hands. Especially for travelers with adventurous palates, this is the best way to experience a meal at a Tokyo sushi shop , for example.

However, the phrase is not only used at sushi restaurants, and can often be used at other types of establishments as well.

8. O-sake (お酒) – General term for alcohol

Technically osake , this word has tripped many a non-Japanese speaker up! While in English the word sake means, well, sake , in Japanese the word sake — more politely, osake — refers to alcoholic beverages in general.

( Sake and osake are virtually interchangeable; the “o” is what is known as an honorific prefix, but unless you’re studying Japanese in more depth, you really don’t need to worry about this!)

So if you’re looking for sake (which in Japanese is called nihonshu) , it’s best to ask for nihonshu (see below). If you’re simply looking for an adult beverage (such as nihonshu , shochu , or Japanese whisky ), the catchall term sake will do the trick.

9. Nihonshu (日本酒) – Japanese sake

See above for the distinction between sake and nihonshu !

10. Kinen Seki (禁煙席) – Non-smoking seat

Encountering cigarette smoke is somewhat of an unavoidable aspect of traveling around Japan. This being said, most of our travelers are quite averse to smoke, and fortunately it’s possible to travel around Japan without smoke becoming too much of a nuisance.

In some places, such as restaurants, you may have a choice between the smoking and non-smoking sections. Kinen means non-smoking, and seki means seat : put them together and you’ve just conveyed that you’d like to be seated in the non-smoking area!

Time-Related Phrases in Japanese

Time-related phrases can be extremely helpful in certain travel situations, and below you’ll find a few of the most practical Japanese words and phrases on this topic.

11. Ima Nanji Desu ka? (今何時ですか) – What time is it now?

Chances are you’ll have a watch or cell phone on you, but once in a while you may need to ask a stranger for the time.

The basic phrase is simply nanji desu ka? which means, What time is it? People also commonly say ima nanji desu ka? which simply means, What time is it now? ( Ima means now.)

12. Nanji ni? (何時に？) – At what time?

This is a particularly useful phrase while traveling. It can be helpful when purchasing rail tickets (see more on getting around Japan below), making meal reservations, or arranging tickets to events.

Sure, you could just ask nanji? ( what time? ) and hope your point gets across, but by adding the preposition ni you can be assured of much more clarity!

13. Asa (朝) – Morning

This one is fairly self-explanatory: asa means morning . While it’s no surprise that a food-loving culture like Japan has multiple words for breakfast , one of the most common is asagohan ( gohan literally means rice , but is more generally used to mean food ).

14. Kyou (今日) – Today

Words like today and tomorrow can be particularly useful when buying train tickets, for example. For more on transport, see the transport-related phrases below.

15. Ashita (明日) – Tomorrow

When pronouncing the word for tomorrow, ashita , the i is virtually silent, so it ends up sounding more like ashta . If you need to express the day after tomorrow, the word is asatte .

Getting Around Japan: Transportation-Related Phrases for Travelers to Japan

For some travelers, one of the biggest concerns about not speaking the language is the prospect of getting around the country, navigating the trains, and trying to avoid getting lost.

Fortunately, Japan has an incredibly efficient and easy-to-use rail network, and you can read all about it in our guide to train travel and getting around Japan . And here are some key Japanese words and phrases to help you on your way.

16. __ ni Ikitai ( に行きたい) – I want to go to __

On its own, ikitai means, I want to go .

To express that you’d like to go somewhere, use the phrase __ ni ikitai (simply fill in the __ [blank] with the place you’re trying to reach). For example, Kyoto ni ikitai means, I want to go to Kyoto .

17. Tomete Kudasai (止めてください) – Stop, please

Tomete means stop , and is particularly useful in taxis. The kudasai here means please , and makes the phrase much more polite ( tomete on its own would come off as quite brusque).

18. Kippu (切符) – Ticket

Kippu means ticket (as in train tickets). As you can easily imagine, when purchasing rail tickets it can be very useful to be able to tell the ticket agent that you’d like a ticket to a certain place!

Made means until or to (in this case, to your destination). For example, Osaka made means to Osaka . Thus, Osaka made no kippu means ticket to Osaka . Put it all together with kudasai (for politeness) and you have Osaka made no kippu o kudasai .

19. Shinkansen (新幹線) – Bullet train

Ah, the shinkansen . One of the utter joys of traveling around Japan is the world-famous shinkansen (bullet train).

Whether you have the well-known Japan Rail Pass or not, if you’re doing any domestic travel within Japan, chances are you’ll end up on the incredible (and incredibly pleasant) shinkansen for at least one if not more of your journeys. Enjoy, and grab a bento and some nihonshu (see above) for the ride!

20. Dono Densha? (どの電車？) – Which train?

Wondering which train you need? Imagine you’re in Kyoto Station, headed for Tokyo. You’re on your shinkansen’s departure platform, but you see two trains.

You show your ticket to a friendly Japanese person, and ask, dono densha? They take a look at your ticket and the two trains, and point you to the right one. And you’re on your way – happy travels!

Download our Free Japanese Phrasebook PDF

For those of you who want to learn even more Japanese for travel, we’ve created the Boutique Japan Tiny Phrasebook.

Our Tiny Phrasebook features carefully selected Japanese words and phrases designed to help you get the most out of your trip to Japan. You’ll find all of the words and phrases featured above, and many more!

The phrasebook is a beautifully designed PDF (it may take a few moments to load depending on your internet speed).

Simply save it to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. We suggest using an app like iBooks (or another PDF reader) so you can search for words and navigate easily.

Bonus Video: Practice your Japanese Pronunciation

One of the best things about Japanese is that it’s surprisingly easy to pronounce. Unlike several other languages throughout Asia, Japanese is not a tonal language.

In the video below, we go over basic pronunciation for some of the most useful Japanese words and phrases for your trip to Japan.

Do you need to speak any Japanese to travel around Japan ?

Absolutely not. You can travel to Japan without learning any of these words and have a great time.

People ask us about the Japanese language barrier all the time, with common questions such as, Do Japanese people speak English? How much (or how little)? The language barrier is a common myth that shouldn’t get in your way. Most of our travelers don’t speak a single word of Japanese, yet come back with testimonials of how much they love Japan .

The truth is that most Japanese people speak at least a little bit of English. These days, all Japanese students study English for a minimum of six years in secondary school, and many students — as well as adults — also take English-language classes after school or on weekends.

English-language fluency is not widespread, so most people you meet probably won’t be fluent in English, but almost everyone you meet will know at least a few English words – and many will know anywhere from hundreds to thousands.

Sometimes you may find that the people you meet are hesitant to try their English on you, but you’ll likely find that you can communicate in basic English in a huge variety of situations while traveling around Japan.

The Japanese Written Language

You may also be worried about the written language. The good news is that you don’t need to be able to read or write Japanese to enjoy Japan.

Japanese people don’t expect you to be able to read the Japanese language, and you’ll find English-language signage throughout the country. This is especially true in places frequented by travelers, such as sightseeing spots, shopping areas, train stations, airports, and often even on the street.

As for at restaurants, though it’s not always the case, in some cases you will find English-language menus. When English-language menus are not available, photos are often included to make pointing and ordering possible.

Despite Japan’s travel-friendliness, every visitor to Japan at some point finds him or herself in a situation in which linguistic communication is simply not possible, and sign language and gesturing are required.

Getting lost in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language is a fear of many would-be travelers, but if you had to pick a country in which to get lost, you couldn’t do much better than Japan! Japan is by far one of the safest countries in the world, with crime rates that are astonishingly low compared to places like the US and most of Europe. And Japanese people will often go to surprising lengths to help tourists.

Back when I first moved to Japan I spoke very little Japanese, and on my first visit to Kyoto I accidentally took the wrong train and ended up wandering around a neighborhood with no idea how to get where I wanted to go. Luckily, an older gentleman with his wife spotted me looking confused and came up to me with perhaps one of the only English phrases he knew: “ Are you lost? ” I said yes and showed him the name of the place I wanted to go.

If he had simply pointed me in the right direction it would have been helpful, but instead he started walking me in the right direction. After a few minutes of walking his wife split off, presumably to go home, and we continued. After 15 minutes of walking he had dropped me off at exactly the spot I needed to be, and – as is typical in Japanese culture – expected nothing in return. I thanked him profusely and we had a good laugh despite our inability to communicate linguistically.

Why Learn Any Japanese if You Won’t Need it?

Almost everyone who has visited Japan has a similar story of a random act of kindness and generosity from a Japanese stranger (or a tale of a camera or passport left on a train being miraculously returned). So you can rest assured that even if you forget all of the words and phrases we’ve shown, you’ll be in good hands with the wonderful people of Japan.

But aside from the fact that it’s a rich and fascinating language, learning even just one or two Japanese words or phrases will help endear you to the Japanese people you meet during your trip, and enhance your overall travel experience.

Japanese people tend to be extremely appreciative of visitors who take the time to learn even just a word or phrase or two, and if you try then chances are you’ll be greeted with oohs and aahs of encouragement.

We hope you’ve found our guide to Japanese words and phrases for travelers helpful. Arigatou gozaimasu!

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83 Must-Know Japanese Travel Phrases For Your Next Trip To Japan

If you're learning Japanese and considering a trip to Japan, you'll probably want to learn some Japanese travel phrases so you can make the most of your trip.

Getting a feel for which expressions will be most important to you can vary depending upon your specific interests and goals while traveling. But some vocab is particularly useful no matter what.

If you spend time learning any basic Japanese phrases and words, start with these 83 Japanese travel phrases so that you can head into Japan on the right foot!

Regardless of where you are or what you’re doing, two of the most important words you’ll need to know are arigatou gozaimasu and sumimasen .

Arigatou (gozaimasu ) means “thank you,” and it’s very polite; you can use it with anyone. Sumimasen means “excuse me” (when trying to get someone’s attention) or “I’m sorry” (if you’ve inconvenienced someone, such as by misunderstanding or taking up time).

Let's discover the other Japanese travel phrases that will be a must on your next trip to Japan.

By the way, if you want to learn Japanese fast and have fun while doing it, my top recommendation is  Japanese Uncovered  which teaches you through StoryLearning®. 

With  Japanese Uncovered  you’ll use my unique StoryLearning® method to learn Japanese naturally through story… not rules. It’s as fun as it is effective.

If you’re ready to get started,  click here for a 7-day FREE trial.

At The Airport

So you have arrived in Japan, and you’re in the airport. Depending on how your travels went and what you’re planning on doing next, you might have multiple places you need to visit.

To start, review your vocab and see if any of these locations apply to you for your next stop:

#1 currency exchange ( ryougaejo 両替所) #2 toilet ( toire トイレ) #3 customs ( zeikan 税関) #4 immigration ( nyuukoku shinsa 入国審査) #5 information ( desksougou annaijo 総合案内所) #6 souvenir shop ( omiyageya お土産屋) #7 Seat ( seki 席) #8 Train ( densha 電車) #9 Taxi ( takushi タクシー)

These are the most likely places you’ll need to stop next once you arrive. If you need to locate a certain establishment or find where to go, you can always ask someone:

#10 Where is the ______? (____ ha doko desu ka? ＿＿はどこですか。)

After you conclude your business wandering around the airport, you’ll probably be heading out into the city. In order to do that, you’ll most likely need to take a train out of the airport. If you feel confident using the airport’s self-service ticket machines, you can buy your own ticket.

However, if you have a JR Pass or need to use special train services, or if you don’t know how to use the machines, you can approach the manned ticket counter and ask:

#11 Can I have a ticket to _______ please? (____ made no chiketto wo kudasai. ＿＿までのチケットをください。)

If you are concerned that you may have to change trains during the process, you can ask about this too by saying:

#12 Is there a transfer? ( Norikae ha arimasu ka? 乗り換えはありますか。)

Taking A Taxi

Taxis in Japan are much more economical options than people give them credit for, so if you’re overwhelmed about navigating by yourself, a taxi can be a great option. The vocabulary for taking a taxi is simple, and drivers typically go above and beyond to help you.

#13 Taxi ( takushi タクシー)

When you have located the taxis, you will see that they typically drive up in a line. Wait your turn, and when one drives up, approach. Remember: do not open or close the taxi doors yourself; the driver has an automated button to do this for you.

#14 I’d like to go to _____, please. (____ made onegaishimasu ＿＿までお願いします) #15 How much does it cost? ( Ikura desu ka? いくらですか。)

One important thing to remember is that Japan is a very cash-centric society . The use of credit cards is much rarer than you may be used to, so you should plan to carry larger than normal amounts of cash with you in general. This also means that you should be prepared to ask your taxi driver if he or she accepts credit cards at all.

#16 Is paying by credit card okay? ( Kurejitto kaado de ii desu ka? クレジットカードでいいですか。)

Checking Into Your Hotel

So you have taken a taxi or train, and you’ve arrived at your hotel. Hotels have a wide array of commodities that you can take advantage of, which means that you’ll also get to use a lot of unique vocabulary.

Check out some of the words you’re most likely to use:

#17 Key ( kagi 鍵) #18 Front desk ( chouba (but furonto desuku is more common) 帳場 (フロントデスク)) #19 Lobby ( robii ロビー) #20 Dining room ( shokudou 食堂) #21 Hall ( rouka 廊下) #22 Towel ( taoru タオル) #23 Soap ( sekken 石鹸) #24 Toothbrush ( ha-burashi 歯ブラシ) #25 Toothpaste ( ha-migaki 歯磨き) #26 Razor ( kamisori かみそり) #27 Television ( terebi テレビ) #28 Housekeeping ( kaji-gakari かじがかり) #29 Laundry ( sentaku 選択)

If you are looking to do laundry at a hotel, be aware that Japanese dryers are not as powerful as most countries’, so you may need to run the dryer multiple times or simply hang your clothes to dry.

When you are ready to check in, you can approach the front desk. Depending on what you need to do next, you can use phrases such as:

#30 I’d like to check in. ( Chekku in wo onegaishimasu .チェックインをお願いします。) #31 My name is _______. ( Namae wa _____desu .名前あ＿＿＿です。) #32 I’d like to make a reservation. ( Yoyaku wo shitai desu .予約をしたいです。) #33 Is there wifi? ( Wi-Fi ga arimasu ka? WIFIがありますか。) #34 What time is checkout? ( Chekku auto wa nanji desu ka? チェックアウトは何時ですか。`) #35 Can you hold my luggage for me? ( Nimotsu wo koko ni oite itte mo ii desu ka? 荷物はここに置いていってもいいですか。)

Japanese Greetings

Now that you have settled into Japan a little bit, you’ll probably enjoy going for a walk to see the sights. As you interact with other people, the phrases you’re most likely to hear them say are:

#36 Ohayou/konnichiwa/konbanwa

These are the “daily” greetings that mean “hello.” Ohayou (good morning) is typically used until about 11:30 or noon, then people switch to konnichiwa (good afternoon). At about 5pm, most people will switch to konbanwa (good evening).

#37 Itterasshai/Okaeri

When you leave and return for the day, you may be greeted with unique phrases. Itterasshai means “have a safe trip” or simply “goodbye for the day,” said as you leave. Your hotel staff may say this to you. They may also greet you with okaeri (welcome back) when you return.

#38 Irasshaimase

Whenever you enter a business, you’ll likely be greeted with irasshaimase , a very formal welcome. You are not expected to say anything in response; it’s sort of like the staff saying hello while also thanking you for shopping or visiting.

Buying Coffee

If you can’t go a day without your morning brew, take heart—Japanese coffee shops are everywhere, and the vocabulary is actually almost identical to what you may be used to ordering.

#39 Coffee shop ( kissaten 喫茶店) #40 Hot coffee ( hotto kohi ホットコーヒー) #41 Iced coffee ( aisu kohi アイスコーヒー) #42 Cafe latte ( kafe rate カフェラテ) #43 Drip coffee ( dorippu kohi ドリップコーヒー) #44 Soy milk ( soi miruku ソイミルク)) #45 Espresso ( Esupuresso エスプレッソ)

When it comes time to order your drink, you can specify what you want via the following format:

#46 I’d like to order [number] of [item]. ([item] wo [number] onegaishimasu .[item] を [number]お願いします。)

The [item] can be kohi, mizu (water), or any other item you would like to order. If you don’t know how to say what you want to order, you can point to a menu and simply say “kore” (this) in the [item] place. You can fill the [number] slot with the quantity you would like; the words hitotsu, futatsu , and mitsu mean one, two, and three, respectively.

For example:

• I’d like one hot coffee, please. ( Hotto kohi wo hitotsu onegaishimasu. )

After this, the waitress may ask what size you would like. You can typically choose from small (S), medium (M), and large (L).

Use the letter to indicate which size you would like:

#47 Size ( saizu サイズ) #48 Medium M ( saizuM サイズ)

In A Japanese Restaurant

If you’ve decided to stop by a Japanese restaurant instead of a café, you might need a wider variety of words to make sure you can get by.

The good news is that many restaurants—especially in large cities—have pictures on their menus, and no one will be upset if you point and simply say “this, please.”

To start, the vocabulary you’re most likely to need include:

#49 Fish ( sakana 魚) #50 Meat ( niku 肉) #51 Vegetables ( yasai 野菜) #52 Vegetarian ( begitarian ベジタリアン) #53 Beer ( biiru ビール) #54 Water ( mizu 水) #55 Tea ( ocha お茶)

As you enter a restaurant, you will likely be asked how many people are in your party. Using basic Japanese numbers 1-10, you can create the following sentence:

#56 There are [number] people. ([number] mei desu .___名です)

Once you have been seated, you may need to use some of the following phrases:

#57 Do you have an English menu? ( Eigo no menyu arimasu ka? 英語のメニューありますか。) #58 What is this [while pointing]? ( Kore ha nan desu ka? これは何ですか。)

When you have decided what you would like to order, you can simply state:

#59 [item] please. (____ onegaishimasu .＿＿お願いします。)

If you do not know the name of the item and would like to order just by pointing at the menu, you can use:

#60 I’d like to order [number] of [item]. ([item] wo [number] onegaishimasu .[item] を [number]お願いします。)

When your meal is over, your next step is to pay. Important phrases that can get you through this phase of the interaction include:

#61 Could we have the bill, please? ( Okaikei kudasai. お会計ください。) #62 Can I pay with a credit card? ( Kurejitto kaado de daijoubu desu ka? クレジットカードで大丈夫ですか。)

In A Convenience Store

If you don’t feel like stopping by a restaurant, or if you’d just like a quick bite to eat or other item, the thousands of convenience stores (called konbini , short for konbiniensu sutoa , “convenience store”) that appear on nearly every street corner are ready to serve you.

The easiest meals in terms of simplicity will be bento boxes, or small boxes (in the cold section) that serve as a whole meal. If you pick one of those up and stand in line, you will almost always hear the following three phrases (to which you can answer yes or no, which keeps things simple):

#63 Next in line, please! ( Otsugi no kata douzo! お次の方どうぞ。) #64 Do you have a point card [a rewards card for the convenience store]? ( Pointo ka-do ha omochi desu ka? ポイントカードはお持ちですか。) #65 Would you like your bento warmed up? ( Obento atatamemasu ka? お弁当温めますか。)

Getting Directions And Getting Lost

Almost inevitably, you’ll find yourself turned around once you start exploring. That’s not such a bad thing! Japan is full of small, tucked away secrets, and the people are eager to help you get back to a familiar place much more often than not.

If you need to ask directions, the phrases that will serve you best are:

#66 Where is [place]?( ____ ha doko desu ka? ＿＿ はどこですか。) #67 Can I ask you for directions? ( Michi wo kiite mo ii desu ka? 道を聞いてもいいですか。) #68 Can you help me? ( Tasukete kudasaimasen ka? 助けてくださいませんか。)

In response, Japanese people are likely to use the following words:

#69 Next ( totonari となり) #70 In front of ( mae 前) #71 Behind ( ushiro 後ろ) #72 Nearby ( chikaku 近く) #73 North ( kita 北) #74 South ( minami 南) #75 East ( higashi 東) #76 West ( nishi 西) #77 Right ( migi 右) #78 Left ( hidari 左) #79 Street/road/path ( michi 道) #80 Bridge ( hashi 橋) #81 Corner ( kado 角)

Thanks to the consistent presence of trains and other forms of public transport, you should feel emboldened to explore as much as you like. There will always be a train station or bus nearby where you can ask directions or head back to a familiar place!

Japanese Travel Phrases

So there you have it – 83 Japanese travel phrases to hit the ground running on your next trip to Japan. From the airport to the convenience store and from the hotel to Japanese restaurants these knowing these Japanese travel phrases will help you feel less like a tourist.

And who knows, maybe getting started with these Japanese travel phrases will be your gateway into learning the language.

By the way, if you'd like to learn some more Japanese phrases before your trip, make sure you check out this post on basic conversational Japanese for your first chat with a native speaker. You might also like this list of Japanese conversation starters.

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10 Japanese Travel Vocabulary Words for First-time Visitors in Japan

Traveling in Japan can be an adventure, but language barriers can sometimes make things more difficult than they need to be. Luckily, learning a related to transportation can go a long way in helping you navigate the country’s bustling streets and efficient transportation systems . In this post, we’ll cover 10 Japanese terms that will come in handy during your travels.

空港 (koukou): Airport

When arriving in Japan, you’ll likely start at one of the country’s many airports. Remembering the word 空港 (koukou) can help you navigate signs and announcements. (You can check out a more complete list of airport-related Japanese vocabulary here ).

空港 で荷物をとったあと、タクシーを探しましょう。 Kuukou de nimotsu o totta ato, takushii o sagashimashou. After retrieving your baggage at the airport, let’s look for a taxi.

駅 (eki): Train station

Japan’s train system is one of the most efficient in the world, and when you’re traveling to Japan on a budget, you’ll be relying on trains more than other methods of transportation like taxi — or even shinkansen .

Unfortunately, you’ll be hearing mostly Japanese announcements inside the train station, which makes navigation even more overwhelming. You can learn about common train announcements in Japan here , but make sure you know the word 駅 (eki) beforehand!

東京 駅 から渋谷駅までどの電車に乗ればいいですか？ Toukyou eki kara shibuya eki made dono densha ni noreba iidesu ka? Which train should I take from Tokyo Station from Shibuya ?

切符 (kippu): Ticket

When traveling by train or shinkansen, you’ll typically need either of two things: a prepaid IC card or one-way ticket to your destination.

We recommend getting IC cards like PASMO or Suica (which you can easily get in the ticket counter) for regular train rides, or even a JR Pass so you can hop from a bullet train to a JR line with ease.

With the announcement of price increase on JR Pass, however, some of us might just opt for one-way tickets. Remember the word word 切符 (kippu) to make sure you purchase the right ticket.

京都までの 切符 をお願いします。 Kyouto made no kippu o onegaishimasu. I want to buy a ticket to Kyoto.

Bonus : See our infographic on how to read Shinkansen tickets in Japan!

ホーム (hoomu): Platform

Once you have your ticket, you’ll need to find the right platform. The word ホーム (ho-mu) means platform in Japanese.

電車は1番 ホーム から発車します。 Densha wa 1-ban hoomu kara hassha shimasu. The train departs from platform 1.

発車 (hassha): departure

If you see the word 発車 (hassha) on a sign, it means the train is departing. Make sure you’re on board before the train leaves!

電車はいつ 発車 するんですか？ Densha wa itsu hassha surundesu ka? When does the train depart?

到着 (touchaku): Arrival

On the flip side, 到着 (touchaku) means arrival. Keep an eye out for this word so you know when you’ve reached your destination. You’ll here this Japanese travel vocabulary word on both airplane and train announcements.

駅に 到着 したら、どこに行けばいいですか？ Eki ni touchaku shitara, doko ni ikeba iidesu ka? Where should I go once I arrive at the station?

Note: You’ll also hear official announcements using the word 参ります (mairimasu), which implies the same thing as 到着 (touchaku). 参ります (mairimasu) is the humble verb form of 入る (hairu), which means “to come”. Don’t be confused when you hear some train conductors or bus drivers in Japan using this word instead of 到着 (touchaku)!

間も無く渋谷駅にまります。 Mamonaku shibuya eki ni mairimasu. We will arrive shortly at Shibuya Station.

You can learn more about Japanese polite form, or keigo, here.

時刻表 (jikokuhyou): Timetable

If you’re not sure when your train is departing, check a 時刻表 (jikokuhyou) for the latest information.

時刻表 を見て、次の電車の時間を調べましょう。 Jigokuhyou o mite, tsugi no densha no jikan o shirabemashou. Let’s check the timetable and find out the time of the next train.)

乗換 (norikae): Transfer

Most Japanese train systems are integrated well, but there will be times when you’ll need to change trains to reach your destination when you are visiting Japan as a tourist.

Transfers happen when you need to use a different train line. In Tokyo, for example, the biggest passenger railway is the JR East, which covers Shibuya, Shinjuku, and most well-known wards in Tokyo — but it doesn’t cover all stations. This means that you can’t go from Shibuya straight to areas like Nakameguro and Roppongi, which are two upscale areas that uses the Tokyo Metro and subway line.

To get there, you’ll need to make a transfer to a train station that has both JR and Tokyo Metro or subway line. If you get confused and ask the train staff, take note if they mentioned the word 乗換 (norikae), means transfer in Japanese.

次の駅で 乗換 が必要です。 Tsugi no eki de norikae ga hitsuyou desu. You need to transfer at the next station.)

バス (basu): Bus

While Japan’s train system is extensive, sometimes taking a bus is the better option. Remember the word バス (basu) to make sure you get on the right bus.

バス に乗る前に、時刻表を確認してください。 Basu ni noru mae ni, jigokuhyou o kakuninshite kudasai. Please check the timetable before getting on the bus.

どこ (doko): Where

Finally, we can’t end our travel to Japan vocabulary article without include one of the most essential Japanese question words for first-time visitors: Where? Navigating popular cities in Japan like Tokyo and Osaka can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding small restaurants and shops. When Google Maps fails to provide accurate directions, you can rely on practicing your Japanese language skills and asking a local for assistance by using the question: “Where is (the name of the place)?”

すみません、地下成増鉄駅は どこ ですか？ Sumimasen, chikatetsu narimasu eki wa doko desu ka? Excuse me, where is the subway station?

地下鉄成増駅はここからまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。 Chikatetsu narimasu eki wa koko kara massugu itte, migi ni magatte kudasai. The Narimasu subway station is straight ahead from here, please turn right.

ありがとうございます。 Arigatou gozaimasu. Thank you very much.

While it may seem intimidating at first, learning a few key Japanese words can make traveling in Japan as a tourist much easier. Knowing these transportation-related vocabulary words will allow you to confidently navigate Japan’s extensive train and bus systems and make the most of your time in the country.

Travel and Study in Japan with Coto Academy!

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If you want to study Japanese in Shibuya , Iidabashi, or Yokohama, fill out the form below, and our staff will get in touch!

What Japanese travel vocabulary do you need to know when traveling in Japan?

Most travelers should learn a few greetings and basic phrases , such as こんにちは (konnichiwa) and ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu), which mean “hello” and “thank you”. Other important phrases include asking for directions, how to order food at restaurants , and phrases used while shopping in Japan.

Can you visit Japan if you only speak English?

You can certainly get around in the big cities without using Japanese. However, the further you get outside of the city, the less people speak English. It is generally recommended for most foreign visitors to learn the basics of Japanese to travel within Japan with ease and get a complete Japanese cultural experience !

What is the word for travel in Japan?

旅行 (ryokou) means travel. This term can refer to any type of trip or journey.

What are 4 phrases commonly spoken in Japanese when traveling?

• こんにちは (konnichiwa) – hello
• ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) – thank you
• どういたしまして (douitashimashite) – you’re welcome
• すみません (sumimasen) – I’m sorry/excuse me

Read more about traveling in Japan:

• How to Travel, Work, and Study in Japan on a Working Holiday Visa
• Life in Japan Tip: Deals on Japan Train Travel (Tokyo Rail Pass & Kansai Rail Pass)
• How to Get Around Japan with Public Transportation: Buses, Taxis and Train

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Survival Japanese for Travelers

October 31, 2022 by Robert Schrader Leave a Comment

So, you’re on the hunt for Japanese travel phrases besides “ konnichiwa ” and “ arigatou “? Great—you’re in the right place.

Learning basic Japanese is relatively easy, whether you practice phrases before your flight to Tokyo, or print them out on a cheat sheet. The hard part? Putting them into action when you get to Japan. Japanese people don’t speak much English , but it’s easy enough to get by if you don’t speak Japanese.

It’s my hope that reading through this post will inspire you not only to learn some Japanese, but to use it as often as possible as you’re traveling. Doing so will greatly enhance your trip, even if only in the form of more smiles and goodwill. 

You Can Travel in Japan Without Knowing Japanese, But…

In the lead up to the doomed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, many Japanese people (especially those in the travel and tourism industry) greatly improved their English skills. As a result, it become easier than ever to travel throughout the country without speaking a lick of Nihongo , not even the everyday Japanese phrases I’m going to be describing as we get deeper into this post.

There are a few problems with this approach, however—and I’m not just talking about the fact that Japanese people largely lost their hard-fought English aptitude during the country’s nearly three years of covid closure. Not speaking even a word of Japanese can make you seem impolite or even arrogant; being able to communicate even on a basic level will unlock a huge number of experiences and interactions. 

Essential Japanese Travel Phrases

Japanese greetings.

The bad news? Konnichiwa (こんにちは) doesn’t mean “hello” in Japanese—it means “good day.” The good news? Even if you forget to use ohayou (おはよう) in the morning or konbanwa (こんばんは) in the afternoon, you’re still likely to be understood. Sayounara (さようなら) is another confusing one; it’s usually only used when you will never, ever see someone again. Instead, say mata ne (またね), which basically means “see you later.” Youkoso (ようこそ) means “welcome,” although Irrashaimase (いっらしゃいませ) is just as commonly used.

Restaurants and bars

Not surprisingly, a lot of useful Japanese relates to eating and drinking. When sitting down, keep in mind Japan’s unique counting rules: Hitori de (rather than ichi jin ) means “one person”: futari de means “two people” and so forth. When ordering food or drink items, say the name of the item, how many you want ( hitotsu , futatsu , etc) and kudasai (ください) or onegaishimasu (お願いします) to add a “please” at the end, i.e. tekka maki futatsu, onegaishimasu (two tuna rolls, please). If you want to ask whether something is delicious or express that it does, say oishi desu (美味しいです) or ask oishi desu ka ? (美味しいですか). Most importantly, kanpai (乾杯) means “cheers!”. Another interesting fact? Sake (酒) technically just means alcohol, not Japanese rice wine (which is Nihonshu /日本酒 – literally “Japanese alcohol”).

Payment words and phrases

If you’re curious about how much something costs, simply ask ikura desu ka ? (いくらですか). Keep in mind, however, that unless you learn Japanese numbers , the information you receive in response might not be useful to use. Want to know whether a place accepts credit cards? Ask kaa-do de haraemasuka ? (カードで払えますか), or simply hold your card up and ask dai joubu desu ka? (大丈夫ですか). Meanwhile, to ask for a bill, you can say o kaikei onegaishimasu or, more informally, chek-ku onegaishimasu .

Getting around

Not surprisingly, a lot of travel Japanese relates to, well, travel. These include basic vocabulary words like eki (駅 – station), hikouki (飛行機 – airplane) and Shinkansen (新幹線 – bullet train), as well as practical phrases and questions. For instance, if you want to ask where to board the Yamanote Line at a busy train station in Tokyo, you may ask Yamanote-sen wa (山手線は) doko desu ka (どこですか – where is it?) or nanban sen desu ka (何番線ですか – which platform?).

Life and death

This one isn’t dramatic as it sounds—doctors ( isha – 医者), first responders, staff at the hospital ( byōin – 病院), police ( keisatsu – 警察) and other people tasked with your safety in Japan can usually speak some English. However, having some key words in case of the worst-case scenario probably isn’t a bad idea, whether that’s knowing the words for common disasters— taifu (台風 – typhoon) or jishin (地震 – earthquake), or being able to located the emergency exit, represented by the characters 非常口 ( hijouguchi ).

Other Survival Japanese for Travelers

Here are some other Japanese words and phrases you might find helpful as you travel:

• Sugoi (すごい) : Awesome or cool, often used in combination with the particular Ne (ね).
• Nihon/Nippon (日本) : Japan
• Inu (犬) : Dog, i.e. Shiba inu  (柴犬)
• Neko (猫) : Cat, i.e. Maneki neko (招き猫; beckoning cat)
• Hontou ni (本当に) : Really/really?
• Sou desu ne/Sou da ne (そうですね/そうだね) : I see.
• Dai joubu (大丈夫) : Often used in conjunction with desu (です), this phrase means “that’s good” or “that’s fine.”
• _____ wa doko desu ka (____はどこですか) : Where is ______? (i.e. toilet or toi-re /トイレ)
• Sakura (桜) : Cherry blossoms; see also hanami (花見), cherry blossom viewing
• Tenki (天気) : Weather; see also ame (雨; rain), yuki (雪; snow); hare (晴れ; sunny); kumori (曇り; cloudy)
• Dera/Tera or Ji (寺) : Temple, i.e. Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera  (清水寺)
• Shinsetsu (親切): Kind
• Taisetsu (大切): Important
• Tomodachi (友達): Friend

Other FAQ About Japanese Travel Phrases

What are some popular japanese phrases.

Most travelers will only learn the most basic phrases, such as greetings like konnichiwa and konbanwa (good day or good evening) and arigatou gozaimasu , which means “thank you very much.” However, learning a wide variety of Japanese phrases will better prepare you for your trip.

How do you respond to “Irasshaimase”?

You can response to Irasshaimase (which you will often hear entering shops and restaurants) with a greeting appropriate for the time of day: Ohayo ( gozaimasu ) in the morning; konnichiwa during the daytime; or konbanwa in the evening. Or you can choose not to respond at all; many people (including Japanese people) sometimes don’t.

What is “Itadakimasu”?

Itadakimasu literally means “I receive” or “we receive.” In practice, however, it serves the same roles as “bon appetit” does in Western countries; it’s said after you receive your food, but before eating it. When someone says “ itadakimasu ,” they’re literally saying “I receive this food.”

The Bottom Line

Looking for useful Japanese travel phrases? You’re in the right spot. From greetings and dining vocabulary, to phrases you can use when using planes, trains and automobiles, having a variety of practical Japanese under your belt will make your trip a lot easier. It will also make your interactions with Japanese people more meaningful—they’ll respect you more, and maybe even treat you more kindly. Need help with more than just your language skills, as you plan your trip to Japan? Commission a custom Japan itinerary , and let me sweat all the details of your travel on your behalf.

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Japanese Travel Phrases for an Enjoyable Trip to Japan

Are you traveling to Japan and want to learn practical Japanese travel phrases? This article is designed to help you learn the most useful Japanese words for travel.

It’s always good to learn basic words when you travel to a foreign country. Not only does it make getting around easier, but it also allows you to enjoy communicating with the locals.

In general, Japanese people are not so good at speaking English , free wifi services aren’t very prevalent (especially outside of the central cities), and Japan is still more of a cash-based society than you may think. However, Japanese people are very kind; they’ll listen to you patiently and do their best to help. So just use these basic Japanese travel phrases to talk to Japanese people when you want to ask something.

When you speak even a little bit of Japanese, locals will appreciate your effort and will be more friendly. Here’s JapanesePod101’s list of practical Japanese travel phrases for your travels to Japan!

Table of Contents

• Greeting/Communication
• Asking for Directions
• Restaurants
• When You Need Help
• Conclusion: How JapanesePod101 Can Help You Learn More Japanese

1. Greeting/Communication

To begin our list of essential Japanese travel phrases, we’ll go over greetings and basic travel phrases in Japanese for solid communication. These simple Japanese travel phrases can make a world of difference in your conversations and overall experience in Japan.

• Romanization: Kon’nichiwa
• English Translation: Hello

In terms of must-know Japanese travel phrases, you probably already know that this is the most common Japanese greeting word . You can say this to anybody for any occasion during the daytime.

• Romanization: Hai / Iie
• English Translation: Yes / No

Hai is “Yes” and it’s pronounced like the English word “Hi.” In Japan, saying yes also means that you understand. Iie is “No” and it’s pronounced ‘EE-eh.’

3- ありがとうございます

• Romanization: Arigatō gozaimasu
• English Translation: Thank you

Arigatō gozaimasu is the polite way to say “Thank you” in Japanese, and you can use this for any occasion. In case of a casual situation, you can just say Arigatō , or even more casually, Dōmo (どうも) which means “Thanks.”

4- いいえ、いりません

• Romanization: Iie, irimasen
• English Translation: No, thank you.

It literally means “No, I don’t need it,” in Japanese. At a restaurant, say this phrase when a waiter offers to fill your glass of water and you don’t want more.

• Romanization: Sumimasen
• English Translation: I’m sorry / Excuse me

This word is usually used to say “sorry” or “excuse me” . Say this when you bump into someone in a crowd or when you ask someone for directions. Japanese people also use this to mean “thank you,” in some cases, such as when someone picks up something you dropped.

• Romanization: Onegai shimasu
• English Translation: Please

When you request something, it’s polite to say Onegai shimasu . When someone offers you something and says please, she/he would say Dōzo (どうぞ) in Japanese.

• Romanization: Watashi wa XX desu.
• English Translation: I am XX.

Watashi is “I,” wa is “am/is/are,” and desu is a present-tense word that links subjects and predicates; it’s placed at the end of a sentence. You can put your name, or your nationality, such as: Watashi wa Amerika-jin desu (私はアメリカ人です) which means “I am American.”　　

8- 私は日本語がわかりません

• Romanization: Watashi wa nihongo ga wakarimasen.
• English Translation: I don’t understand Japanese.

Nihongo is stands for the Japanese language, and Wakarimasen means “I don’t understand.” If you don’t know something, you can just say Wakarimasen meaning “I don’t know.”

9- 英語を話せますか

• Romanization: Eigo o hanasemasu ka
• English Translation: Can you speak English?

This is one of the most useful Japanese phrases for travelers. Eigo means “English,” Hanasemasu is a polite way to say “I speak,” and ka is a word that you add to the end of a complete sentence to make a question.

10- 英語でお願いします

• Romanization: Eigo de onegai shimasu
• English Translation: English, please.

This is another important Japanese travel phrase. De is the particle, and in this case it means “by” or “by means of.” The phrase literally translates as “English by please.” You can also say M saizu de onegai shimasu (Mサイズでお願いします) which means “Medium size, please.”

2. Asking for Directions

One of the most important Japanese travel phrases you should know are directions . Here are some useful vocabulary words and two Japanese language travel phrases you need to know!

1- Vocabulary

• 駅 ( Eki ) : Station
• 地下鉄 ( Chikatetsu ) : Subway/Metro
• トイレ ( Toire ) : Toilet
• 銀行 ( Ginkō ) : Bank
• 切符売り場 ( Kippu uriba ) : Ticket machine/Office
• 観光案内所 ( Kankō annaijo ) : Tourist information office
• 入口 ( Iriguchi ) : Entrance
• 出口 ( Deguchi ) : Exit
• 右 ( Migi ) : Right
• 左 ( Hidari ) : Left
• まっすぐ ( Massugu ) : Straight
• 曲がる ( Magaru ) : Turn
• 交差点 ( Kōsaten ) : Intersection
• 角 ( Kado ) : Corner

2- XXはどこですか

• Romanization: XX wa doko desu ka
• English Translation: Where is XX?

Doko means “where” and you replace XX with the name of where you want to go.

For example

• Toire wa doko desu ka (Where is the toilet?)
• Deguchi wa doko desu ka (Where is an exit?)

3- XX e wa dō ikeba ii desu ka (XXへはどう行けばいいですか) : How can I go to XX?

• Romanization: XX e wa dō ikeba ii desu ka
• English Translation: How can I go to XX?

Dō is “how,” e is “to,” and ikeba ii can be translated as “good to go.” When you want to know how you can get somewhere, replace XX with where you want to go.

For example:

• Eki e wa dō ikeba ii desu ka (How can I go to the station?)
• Ginkō e wa dō ikeba ii desu ka (How can I go to the bank?)

4- Other Examples

1. この道をまっすぐ行きます ( Kono michi o massugu ikimasu. )：Go straight on this street.

Kono michi is “this street” and ikimasu is the polite way to say “Go.” O is a Japanese postpositional particle which indicates an object (in this case, kono michi ).

2. 次の角を右へ曲がります ( Tsugi no kado o migi e magarimasu. )：Turn right at the next corner.

Tsugi no kado means “next corner” and magarimasu is the polite way to say “Turn.” E is another postpositional particle that indicates direction; this can be translated as the English word “to.”

3. 交差点を渡って左へ行きます ( Kōsaten o watatte hidari e ikimasu. )：Cross an intersection and go to the left (direction).

Watatte is a conjugated form of wataru which means “cross.”

3. Shopping

You’ll definitely love shopping when traveling in Japan, and some of the best Japanese phrases for travel are those related to this fun past-time. Knowing some useful Japanese words will make your shopping even more enjoyable.

1- XXはありますか

• Romanization: XX wa arimasu ka
• English Translation: Do you have XX?

When you’re at a store and looking for something, you can use this phrase by replacing XX with what you want.

• Romanization: Ikura desu ka
• English Translation: How much is it?

This is probably one of the most useful Japanese words for traveling and shopping. You can say Ikura desu ka in many situations, such as when you’re shopping, buying tickets, paying for a taxi, etc.

• Romanization: Menzei dekimasu ka
• English Translation: Can you do a tax exemption?

Did you know that, as a traveler, you can get a sales tax exemption when you purchase things greater than 5,000 yen? Menzei is “tax exempted” and dekimasu means “can do.” Don’t forget to say this when you buy something big!

• Romanization: Kore wa nan desu ka
• English Translation: What is this?

Kore is “this” and nan is another form of nani which means “what.” There are many unique foods, gadgets, and things which are unique to Japan, so when you wonder what it is, point to it and say this phrase.

• Romanization: Kore o kaimasu
• English Translation: I’ll buy this.

Kaimasu is the conjugation of the verb kau , which means “buy.”

6- カードは使えますか

• Romanization: Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka
• English Translation: Can I use a credit card?

Kādo is “card” and you pronounce it just like the English word “card.” Tsukaemasu is a conjugation of the potential form of the verb tsukau which means “use.” This phrase is useful when you want to use your card at small shops and restaurants.

4. Restaurants

Japan has an array of delicious foods, of which sushi and ramen are just the tip of the iceberg. Amazingly, Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, for several consecutive years. Enjoy yummy food at restaurants with useful Japanese words for restaurants and easy Japanese travel phrases related to food.

• 英語のメニュー ( Eigo no menyū ) : English menu
• ベジタリアンのメニュー ( Bejitarian no menyū ) : Vegetarian menu
• 豚肉を含まないメニュー ( Butaniku o fukumanai menyū ) : Menu without pork
• 水 ( Mizu ) : Water
• 白/赤ワイン ( Shiro / Aka wain ) : White / Red wine

2- XXはありますか

When you want to ask if the restaurant has something you want, say this phrase (replacing XX with what you want).

• Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka (Do you have an English menu?)
• Aka wain wa arimasu ka (Do you have red wine?)
• Romanization: XX o kudasai
• English Translation: Can I have XX?

This is another very useful phrase. Simply replace XX with what you want. You can also use this versatile phrase in various occasions, such as when shopping, choosing something, etc.

• Kore o kudasai (Can I have this?)
• Mizu o kudasai (Can I have water?)

4- お会計お願いします

• Romanization: O-kaikei onegai shimasu
• English Translation: Check, please.

O-kaikei means “check.” In Japan, people often cross their index fingers in front of their face as a gesture to indicate “check, please” at casual restaurants. However, when you’re at a nice restaurant, simply tell a waiter: O-kaikei onegai shimasu .

5. When You Need Help

Sometimes you get faced with unexpected emergencies while you’re traveling. Japan is famous for being one of the safest countries in the world, but you might fall very ill or be caught in a great earthquake.

1- Vocabularies

• 警察 ( Keisatsu ) : Police
• 病院 ( Byōin ) : Hospital
• 救急車 ( Kyūkyūsha ) : Ambulance
• ドラッグストア/薬局 ( Doraggu sutoa / Yakkyoku ) : Drug Store/Pharmacy
• タクシー ( Takushī ) : Taxi

2- XXを呼んでください

• Romanization: XX o yonde kudasai
• English Translation: Can you call XX?

When you’re severely ill or in case of emergency, let people know by using this phrase. Japanese people will kindly help you.

• Yūkyūsha o yonde kudasai (Can you call an ambulance?)
• Keisatsu o yonde kudasai (Can you call the police?)

3- どこでインターネットを使えますか

• Romanization: Doko de intānetto o tsukaemasu ka
• English Translation: Where can I use the internet?

Although large cities in Japan provide free public wifi at major stations, metros, and cafes, you may need to find internet access in smaller cities. Remember that there will be kind Japanese people who will share their personal hotspots, or look things up for you with their own phones, as well.

4- 電話を貸してください

• Romanization: Denwa o kashite kudasai
• English Translation: Can I use your phone?

Denwa is “phone” and kashite is a conjugation word of kasu , which means “lend.” This phrase is literally translated as “Please lend (me) a phone.”

• Romanization: Tasukete kudasai
• English Translation: Please help me.

I believe this phrase is the last thing you would ever use in Japan, but in case something does happen, this is useful survival Japanese for tourists.

6. Conclusion: How JapanesePod101 Can Help You Learn More Japanese

I hope this article of Japanese travel phrases is helpful and that you’ll enjoy your trip to Japan!

If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language, you’ll find more useful content on JapanesePod101.com . We provide a variety of free lessons for you to improve your Japanese language skills.

We also have YouTube channel: JapanesePod101 . It’s fun to learn Japanese through watching videos and listening to actual Japanese pronunciation, so we recommend you check it out!

Don’t forget to study with our free Japanese vocabulary lists , read more insightful blog posts like this one, and download our mobile apps to learn anywhere, anytime! Whatever your reason for learning Japanese , know that we’re here to help and you can do it ! Keep in mind that the best way to learn Japanese phrases for travel is repetition and practice.

Before you go, let us know in the comments how you feel about using these useful travel phrases in Japanese after reading this article. More confident, or still a little confused about something? Feel free to ask questions in the comments!

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30+ Basic Japanese Phrases For Tourists

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Travelling to Japan and want to learn some Japanese phrases? Learn these basic Japanese phrases to help you!

Whether you’re travelling to Japan in the future or if you simply want to start learning some basic Japanese for fun, you’ve come to the right place. Japanese may seem a bit intimidating at first. The writing system, for one, is completely different from English. And let’s not get started on the complicated grammar…

But when travelling, you don’t need to become fluent! During my visits to Japan, I’ve never had any issues and I am nowhere near fluent. Plus, it’s very doable to learn some basic phrases before your trip which can help you massively. Locals will definitely appreciate it.

Make sure to learn the following Japanese phrases for tourists before you go!

To make sure the Japanese sentences below are 100% correct, I paid a professional Japanese translator to double-check them and correct any mistakes.

Useful Basic Japanese Phrases

• Hello: Konnichiwa (こんにちは)
• Good morning: Ohayō (おはよう) or ohayō gozaimas (おはようございます)
• Good evening: Konbanwa (こんばんは)
• Goodbye (when going away for a long time or not coming back): Sayōnara (さようなら)
• See you later (when saying bye to friends): Matane (またね)
• Thank you: Arigatō gozaimas (ありがとうございます)

• Excuse me: Sumimasen (すみません)
• Sorry: Gomennasai (ごめんなさい)
• I don’t understand: Wakarimasen (わかりません)
• I don’t speak Japanese: Nihongo ga hanasemasen (にほんごがはなせません)
• Please (when asking for something): Onegaishimas (おねがいします)
• You’re welcome: Dōitashimashte (どういたしまして)

• Yes/No: Hai/iie (はい/いいえ)
• No, thank you (more polite): Kekkō des(けっこうです)
• Do you speak English?: Eigo ga hanasemas ka? (えいごがはなせます か)
• How are you?: O genki des ka (おげんきですか)
• I’m fine: Genki desu (げんきです)
• Nice to meet you: Hajimemashte (はじめまして)

• I am [name]: [name] des ([name]です)
• Enjoy your meal (before eating): Itadakimas (いただきます)
• Thank you for the meal: Gochisōsamadeshta (ごちそうさまでした)

Japanese Phrases For Travelling

• How much does this cost?: Kore wa ikura des ka? (これはいくらですか?)
• What is this?: Kore wa nan des ka? (これはなんですか?)
• I would like…: … o kudasai (…をください)
• I would like… and …: … to … o kudasai (… と …をください)
• Do you have an English menu?: Eigo no menyuu wa arimas ka? (えいごのメニューはありますか?)
• Can I have the bill, please?: O kaikei onegaishimas (お かいけい おねがいします)

• Cheers!: Kanpai! (かんぱい!)
• Can you translate this?: Yakushite kudasai? (やくしてください?)
• Where is the toilet?: Toire wa doko des ka? (トイレはどこですか?)
• Do you accept credit card?: Kurejittokādo wa tsukaemaska？(クレジットカードはつかえますか?)
• Help! : Taskete! (たすけて!)
• This is delicious: Oishi des (おいしいです)

Japanese Writing System Explained

One thing that intimidates most people when they start learning Japanese is the different writing systems . Rather than English (where there is only one writing system), Japanese has three: Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. When you are starting to learn the language, it’s best to stick with Hiragana.

Below, you can find the difference for the Japanese writing systems and what they are used for:

• Hiragana: The “round” one. Hiragana is a phonetic alphabet and is mainly used for function words and other native Japanese words that aren’t covered by Kanji. But because Kanji is very tough to learn, Hiragana is also used in children’s books and is perfect for those who are new to the language.
• Katakana: The “pointy” one. Another phonetic alphabet, but this one is used for loan words from other languages (like han-ba-ga for hamburger).
• Kanji: Kanji are Chinese characters and are used for nouns, stems of adjectives and stems of verbs. There are about 2,000 kanji characters, so it takes a long time to master them all. Often, the hiragana pronunciation is written above difficult kanji, making it a bit easier to learn/read.

Japanese Numbers Explained

It’s also useful to know some Japanese numbers when learning Japanese.

• 1: Ichi (一)
• 4: Yon or Shi (四)
• 6: Roku (六)
• 7: Nana or Shichi (七)
• 8: Hachi (八)
• 9: Kyuu (九)
• 10: Juu (十)

Want To Learn More Japanese Phrases?

There are endless ways to learn Japanese, especially with the internet at our fingertips. I would personally recommend choosing a good textbook and sticking to the program. When studying Japanese at university, I used the books below:

You can also check out apps like Duolingo and Memrise, which can help you get started! Check out my articles on how to start learning Japanese for more info.

If you aren’t looking to learn an entire language, you can also get a Japanese phrasebook . This can help you when you are in Japan and need a phrase quickly to ask someone something. Taking one of these with you can be a huge help. I personally recommend the one from Lonely Planet.

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Basic Japanese Phrases For Tourists Printable

Want to keep a physical copy of these common Japanese phrases with you while travelling? You can print the following image:

Nele (Nay-la) graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with an English and Creative Writing Degree and has lived in the UK for nearly 10 years. She has had an interest in Japan and its culture for as long as she can remember. Since her first trip in 2018 surpassed all expectations, she has continued to return to Japan to explore more of all it has got to offer. You can read her full story here .

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2 thoughts on “30+ Basic Japanese Phrases For Tourists”

Hello! Do you think you could make study sheets for basic/everyday Kanji characters? I know there are millions of them so I was thinking just ones that are used or seen the most. Thank you for reading my comment!

That’s such a great idea! I’ll make sure to add some in the future, learning Kanji can be tough but adding some basic ones to this guide is a great idea 😀

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25+ Easy Japanese Travel Phrases for Beginners to Say

Looking to learn some Japanese travel phrases?

Well, if you’re traveling to Japan, then you’ll likely need some of these phrases about toilets, money, English and much more.

By the way, if you want to hear REAL Japanese, check out this audio lesson by JapanesePod101. Press play below. Why? It’s one thing to read about Japanese and another to hear native speakers — you learn faster!

• “Survival Phrases S2 #1 – Thank You!”
• Lesson by  by JapanesePod101.com  (click here for more fun audio lessons)

So, here are the most useful Japanese travel phrases.

1. Konnichiwa こんにちは Hello/Good Day

You’re probably somewhat aware of this word “Konnichiwa.” A very common Japanese greeting . You can use it to greet people during the day. This means, you wouldn’t use it during the morning or evening.

2. Ohayou Gozaimasu おはようございます Good Morning

This is a good Japanese greeting to know. So, if you’re entering a hotel, a shop or some other place in the morning, you can say this first. Use this before 11AM.

Now, what about evening?

3. Konbanwa こんばんは Good evening

Feel free to use this Japanese greeting after 6PM or so.

4. Hai  はい Yes, いいえ iie No

These are just basic words you and every one should know.

If you’re curious, you can learn more ways to say yes in Japanese here , and more ways to say no in Japanese here . But, as a traveler, “hai” and “iie” are good enough.

5. Arigatou Gozaimasu.  ありがとうございます Thank you very much

You’ll likely want to say thank you to shop staff, airline staff or a water at a restaurant.

So, just say “Arigatou Gozaimasu.” This is pronounced “a-ree-ga-to go-zay-mas”.

You can also check out this JapanesePod101 (they’re a Japanese learning program) audio lesson here to hear the pronunciation.

• Lesson by  by JapanesePod101.com  (click here for more fun lessons at JapanesePod101.com)

There are several ways to say thank you depending on the politeness level. Obviously, the longer, the more polite. Use “Arigatou gozaimasu” to be on the safe side.

• Thanks (super casual – only with friends)
• Thank you (casual, okay to use with most people)
• Thank you very much (polite, standard, most common way to say it – the SAFEST phrase to use)
• Thank you very much (MORE polite, because it’s in past tense).

So, these were some really basic phrases.

Now, we’re going to go from 0 to 100 and cover more complex ones.

6. Toire wa doko desu ka? トイレはどこですか? ) Where is the bathroom?

This is probably one of the most useful Japanese travel phrases.

You’ll always need the toilet, right? That’s why it’s good to know

Since Japan uses very different characters from English, it’s possible that you may not recognize the sign for the bathroom. Also, keep a look out for the high-tech toilets when visiting Japan!

• Pronounced: Toy-re
• Doko – where

7. Ikura desu ka? いくらですか? – How much is it?

If you’re out shopping or on the street buying food, this is the perfect phrase to use. Keep in mind that Japan is a country that doesn’t haggle so there is usually a set price. If you’re lucky, some local shops might give you some extra products or food for free.

• Pronounced: ee-koo-ra

8. Betsu betsu de onegai shimasu. 別々でお願いします。) – We would like to pay separately.

When travelling as a group, it’s nice to be able to split the cost when you’re about to pay for your meal at a restaurant.This is a great phrase to use before they bring the bill.

• Betsu betsu – separately

9. Sumimasen! すみません！ – Excuse me! (or thank you!)

This phrase can be used for multiple purposes. It’s possible to use it to say “excuse me”, if someone is in your way or to ask a stranger a question. It also works as a “thank you”. In some cases, it’s more common to say “Sumimasen!” than to say “Arigato!”. “Sumimasen!” acknowledges someone going out of their way for you.

• pronounced (soo-mee-ma-sen)

10. _____wa doko desu ka? _____はどこですか？ – Where is _____?

If you’re on the street trying to find a place or you get lost, simply ask this question. You can put any location in the blank part of the phrase. It could be a restaurant, landmark, or a train station.

11. _____wo kudasai.  _____をください。 – I would like to have _____. 

Use this phrase when asking for something. In the blank, you can add things like what you want on the menu, train tickets, or anything you might be looking to buy. Keep in mind that this phrase only works when asking for items or food, and it doesn’t work with verbs.

• Pronunciation: Koo-da-sai

12. Osusume wa nan desu ka? オススメはなんですか?  What do you recommend?

This is useful for anyone who likes to explore food culture. If you’re confused with what to order on the menu, you can use this phrase to ask the waiter’s recommendation. It’s also useful, if you just need some advice on what is recommended. For example, if there are two trains you can take to get somewhere and you need to decide.

• Pronunciation: oh-soo-soo-me

13. Shashin totte moratte mo ii desu ka? 写真とってもらっても良いですか？ Could you take a picture for me (or us)? 

This probably the second most useful Japanese travel phrases

If you’re at a beautiful landmark, you might want a picture as a keepsake. Use this phrase to ask a stranger to take a picture for you. Taking pictures is a big part of Japanese culture so someone will definitely help you out.

• shashin – picture

14. Yoyaku ga arimasu. 予約があります。I have a reservation.

This phrase can be used if you’ve made a reservation for a restaurant or any other kind of service. They’ll usually need to check your confirmation number or name to verify your reservation.

• Yoyaku – reservation

15. Chizu o kudasai. 地図をください。 Could I have a map?

The train and metro lines in the big cities of Japan can be crazy. Use this phrase if you want to have a train or metro map. It’s also useful if you’re in need of a map at a landmark, museum, or other location.

• Chizu – map

16. Takushii noriba wa dokodesuka? タクシー乗り場はどこですか？ Where can I grab a taxi?

There are often designated locations that taxi’s can be picked up in Japan. They’re usually in front of airports, train stations and in busy city centers. If you see taxis parked one after another and try to approach one of them, they’ll refuse you because you’ve come across a taxi line, and somewhere at the front is a taxi stand. So, you’ll have to find it. Or you can ask someone using this phrase. That being said, you can always wave down a cab.

• Takushii – taxi
• Noriba – Taxi stand

17. Okaikei onegaishimasu  お会計お願いします。 Could I have the bill? 

This phrase is useful if you’re at a restaurant and want to get the bill. In Japan, depending on the restaurant, they have many small dishes that they will need to calculate for you.

• Kaikei  – bill/check

18. Eigo shaberemasuka? 英語喋れますか？ Can you speak English?

Even if you’re trying to practice your Japanese, it might be necessary to speak in English if you get confused. Ask this phrase to see if the other person can speak with you in English. These days, it’s common that many shops or train stations will have English speaking representatives.

• Eigo  – English

19. Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?  試着しても良いですか？ Can I try this on?

This is a useful phrase for clothes shopping. Clothing shop assistants are usually very attentive in Japan. It’s important to keep in mind that it can be considered rude if you end up not buying anything after trying on lots of clothes.

• Shichaku  – try on

20. Wai fai wa arimasu ka? ワイファイはありますか？Do you have Wifi?

Internet connection is important to navigate an unknown city or to stay connected with friends and family. Ask this phrase to check if a place has any Wi-Fi connection. Convenience stores and train stations will usually have free Wifi!

• Wai Fai  – WiFi

21. Kaado uketsuke masuka? カード受け付けますか？ Can I use card payment?

It’s important to check if a restaurant accepts credit cards in Japan. In some restaurants, it is possible that it would be cash only.

• Kaado  – (credit) card

22. _____no arerugii ga arimasu. ______のアレルギーがあります。I have an allergy to ______.

If you have any allergies it’s essential to learn this phrase. It’s also recommended to learn the names of the specific allergens in Japanese. These days, many restaurants in Japan are very sensitive to food allergies. They will have a chart with all of the menu items and the common food allergens in each dish.

• Arerugii  – allergy

23. Menyuu, onegai shimasu. メニュー、お願いします。Menu Please.

Here’s one of the more easier Japanese travel phrases.

Menu in Japanese is… “menyuu.” Yes, it sounds pretty much the same. So if you’re at a restaurant and need a menu, you won’t go wrong.

• Menyuu – menu

24. Kore wo kudasai. これをください。 This please.

This another one of the most useful Japanese travel phrases.

It’s likely you’ll go shopping and want something out of reach. So, you can point to the object and say “kore wo kudasai” and the shop staff will help you out. You can also use this phrase while pointing at a menu – in case you can’t read it and are going by pictures.

• Kore  – this
• Kudasai – please

25. Mizu, onegai shimasu. 水、お願いします。Water, please.

What if you’re at a restaurant and need water?

Or, what if you’re feeling dehydrated? Remember the word “mee-zoo” meaning water. You can tell this to a waiter, a bartender, or whoever can provide you with water.

• Mizu – Water

Now you know a whole bunch of Japanese travel words and phrases.

Also, if you want to learn some  beautiful Japanese words, then check my other post  here .

Do you know any other Japanese travel phrases?

Leave a comment below.

The Main Lingua Junkie

73+ Essential Japanese Travel Phrases for Tourists Visiting Japan & Free cheat sheet

Disclosure: This essential Japanese travel phrases for tourists article may contain affiliate links. If you click it and buy something you like, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! Read more in  Disclaimer .

Going to Japan? Searching for essential Japanese travel phrases for tourists ? Look no further! When in Japan, being familiar with common Japanese phrases for tourists will be beyond helpful! Trust me! I have been to Japan and knowing basic Japanese phrases helped me to enjoy exploring the vibrant streets of Tokyo , serene temples of Kyoto , or the natural beauty of Mount Fuji during sakura.

Before you travel to the land of the rising Sun, learn Japanese travel phrases which will help to order ramen, and to deepen your understanding of Japanese culture and their way of life. Curious, what are some common phrases I need to learn before my trip to Japan ?

🥘 If you have been wondering “What is Anja’s favorite Japanese food?”, you will find the answer hidden in the blog.

Japan is one of the most sought-after and visited countries in Asia, known for its fascinating blend of tradition and modernity, breathtaking landscapes, and renowned cuisine. Especially popular in Spring at sakura or in Autumn for fall foliage.   There are people in Japan, who speak English. But it is not as common as you would think. Thus, japanese phrases to know when traveling will come in handy. By knowing basic Japanese words you will also be able to show respect to the locals. In this common travel phrases Japanese language guide , you are going to find useful phrases in Japanese for tourists. From typical Japanese phrases for greetings, Japanese hotel phrases and Japanese words for simple conversation. Inside the post you will also find a FREE Japanese travel phrases pdf , that you can download and bring with you to Japan.   Let’s begin your Japanese adventure by learning essential Japanese phrases for travel .

for ESSENTIAL TRAVEL PHRASES: • 73+ Essential ENGLISH Travel Phrases and Words You Should Know • 73+ Essential ARABIC Travel Phrases for Tourists in Arab Countries & Free PDF • 73+ Essential GREEK Travel Phrases for Tourists on a Greek Holiday & Download • 73+ Essential JAPANESE Travel Phrases for Tourists Visiting Japan & Free cheat sheet • 73+ Essential SLOVENIAN Travel Phrases for your trip to Slovenia & Free Download • 73+ Essential SWAHILI Travel Phrases for Travelers to East Africa + Free Download for WORDS & PHRASES in 101 different languages: • How to say You have beautiful eyes in 101 different languages • How to say What is the WiFi password in 101 different languages • How to say Hello in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say Love in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say I love you in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say Thank you in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say Happy Birthday in 101 different languages spoken In the World • How to say Happy New Year in 101 different languages spoken around the World • How to say Friend in 101 different languages spoken around the World with Pronunciation

for general JAPAN TRAVEL TIPS: • GET OVER JET LAG WITH THESE 19 EASY-TO-FOLLOW TIPS • ULTIMATE TRAVELER SAFETY GUIDE: WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE for JAPAN TIPS: • Ultimate List of 23 Best Apps for Travel to Japan • JAPAN COST OF TRAVEL AND DETAILED BUDGET BREAKDOWN • HOW TO SPEND SEVENTEEN DAYS IN JAPAN: FIRST TIME ITINERARY • 73+ Essential Japanese Travel Phrases for Tourists Visiting Japan & Free cheat sheet for best TOURS IN JAPAN: • TOP 5 RAMEN TOURS IN TOKYO TO UNLOCK YOUR TASTEBUDS • 10 STUNNING JAPAN CHERRY BLOSSOM TOURS THAT YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY LOVE for INSTAGRAM CAPTIONS about JAPAN: • 55 BEST KYOTO CAPTIONS FOR INSTAGRAM – GOLDEN AND KAWAII • 55 BEST TOKYO CAPTIONS FOR INSTAGRAM – KAWAII AND CUTE • 73 Best Ramen Captions for Instagram – Delicious Like Broth • 87 Simplistic Cherry Blossom Captions for Sakura – Sweet and Dreamy • 135 Best Japan Captions for Instagram – Puns, Quotes, Riddles & Jokes

Table of Contents

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1. Where is Japanese spoken?

Did you know that more than 125 million people speak Japanese? Japanese is primarily spoken in Japan. It is the official language of Japan and is spoken by the majority of the population there. Due to globalization and the popularity of Japanese culture, Japanese is studied and spoken by learners in many countries worldwide. There are Japanese-speaking communities in countries around the world, particularly in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and the Philippines. The best way to learn Japanese for travel is by using apps like Duolingo or Memrise. If your Japan itinerary is longer than 2 weeks, maybe sign up for a language course. To master the basic Japanese phrases for conversation the best way would be going on a language exchange but if you don’t have time, just download Japanese cheat sheet in this blog post.

2. Japanese language basics: alphabet and pronunciation

Before you start learning common Japanese phrases for tourists, you have to familiarize yourself with the basics of the Japanese language . The Japanese writing system consists of three alphabets: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji . Hiragana and Katakana are native to Japan. They both use 46 characters , each representing one syllable and a specific phonetic sound . Hiragana is used for native Japanese words and Katakana for words borrowed from foreign languages. Kanji is a writing system borrowed from China, where each ideogram stands for a certain meaning and can have multiple pronunciations.  Don’t get scared, let me tell you that Japanese alphabet has fewer letters than English alphabet, 21 in total. It uses the same sounds that you use in the English language. Each character represents a specific sound , and once you grasp the sounds, you will be able to read and pronounce Japanese with ease.   Below you will find a guide for Hiragana and Katakana symbols and a similar sound in English language.

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3. Essential Japanese travel phrases

3.1. basic japanese phrases for travelers.

Basic Japanese phrases for conversation that showcase politeness and cultural respect, encouraging positive interactions with locals and are a base for every communication. Those are basic phrases to know when visiting Japan.

ALSO READ: • HOW TO SPEND SEVENTEEN DAYS IN JAPAN: FIRST TIME ITINERARY

3.2. Essential Japanese phrases for greetings and introductions

Japanese words and phrases for greetings lay the foundation for any interaction, allowing you to initiate conversations and make a positive first impression. They are easy Japanese words to learn.

ALSO READ: • How to say You have beautiful eyes in 101 different languages around the World

3.3. Essential Japanese travel phrases for directions and getting around

Japanese travel phrases when asking for directions will enable you to navigate unfamiliar streets and find your way around.

ALSO READ: • Japan Cost of Travel and Detailed Budget Breakdown

3.4. Useful Japanese phrases for tourists when ordering food and drinks

Japanese language phrases for ordering meals, asking for recommendations, and specifying dietary preferences ensure enjoyable dining experiences and help you explore local cuisines.

3.5. Essential phrases in Japanese for shopping

Japanese basics terms for inquiring about prices, negotiating, and Japan tourist phrases for asking for sizes or colors are handy when exploring markets and boutiques.

ALSO READ: • Ultimate List of 23 Best Apps for Travel to Japan

🥘 “What is Anja’s favorite Japanese food?” It is ramen. I love ramen and could eat it every day.

3.6. Useful Japanese hotel phrases

Japanese language words and hotel phrases you will need when checking in a hotel, asking for towels, fixing air conditioning, enquiring what time is breakfast, and what is included in your room rate.

ALSO READ: • How to say Thank you in 101 different languages in the World

3.7. Survival Japanese phrases and Japanese travel terms in case of emergencies

Here you will find helpful Japanese travel terms in case of emergencies, natural disasters, or if you will be needing assistance in difficult or dangerous situations.

ALSO READ: • Best Japan Captions for Instagram – Puns, Quotes, Riddles & Jokes

3.8. Beyond tourist Japanese phrases

If you’re like me and really love learning a few phrases in new languages, expand your study beyond the essential travel phrases . I always learn how to say please and thank you, never visit a country without knowing the local word for “coffee” and never leave without knowing how to say;

4. Best language App for traveling abroad

Learning a language is a long process. If you think you won’t have time to learn basic Japanese phrases , or if the situations come your way when above mentioned Japanese travel phrases won’t be enough, use Google Translate. This is my favorite language app, that I use on (almost) every trip.

4.1. Google Translate

Google Translate is the most popular language travel app that can be used everywhere. I personally use it on all my travels, when going to Tanzania to learn what some Swahili words mean, when in Mexico to help with my not-the-best Spanish, when in Italy, in Japan and other places. I’m sure you are familiar with the language app already. The most obvious feature is it will help you translate the destination language into your own one. But the absolute best feature is that it can translate the text using ‘ camera translation ’. All you have to do is open the app, point your camera toward the text in a foreign language and Google Translate will do the rest. Perfect for menus! It also translates text from the photos on your camera roll. And it also works offline, when you download the language pair on your phone. Language: 133 languages Download: iOS | Android | Website Price: Free

5. Final Thoughts on Essential Japanese Travel Phrases for Tourists

Whether it’s a warm greeting, ordering a meal, or expressing gratitude, this travel japanese guide and Japanese for tourists not only open doors to easier communication, but also show respect and will help you to understand Japanese culture in a different way. Before traveling to Nippon, learn Japanese words for tourists that will help you to navigate through this modern but culturally entwined land, full of history, sushis, shrines, and geishas. How to say Hello in Japanese and how to say thank you in Japanese language. Basic Japanese phrases for directions, ordering food, and checking in a hotel. And don’t forget to download Japanese travel cheat sheet . Which of these must know Japanese phrases for travel have you managed to memorize so far? Let me know in the comments! Safe travels = 安全な旅行 [anzen’na ryokō], Anja

➤ What you should read next …

• How to spend 17 days in Japan • Japan Cost of Travel and Detailed Budget Breakdown • Ultimate List of 23 Best Apps for Travel to Japan • 135 Best Japan Captions for Instagram – Puns, Quotes, Riddles & Jokes • How to say Hello in 101 different languages

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✈ Travel like a PRO

Are you ready to travel like a PRO? Save time and money with these travel tips and resources . I personally use these companies to save time and money. They do the work by providing a list of options, prices, and reviews from actual guests, for anywhere I am traveling worldwide. ✈️ FLIGHTS: I use Skyscanner in combination with Google Flights to find amazing flight fares (try the Explore feature). I book directly with an airline or pair it with Iwantthatflight for the best deals. 🏨 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is my favorite site for finding great hotel deals. They return the best rates and reviews are from actual guests! 🚘 RENTAL CARS: Discover Cars are my go-to, when planning an epic road trip. 🗽 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: I like to wander around on my own, but when I want to explore with a group, skip the line with an entrance ticket, I book it with GetYourGuide or Viator . ❤️‍🩹 TRAVEL INSURANCE: I never, under any circumstances travel without insurance. In most cases, I use yearly global travel medical insurance. But, if you don’t have that and some impromptu travel plans occur, use SafetyWing . With them, you can buy travel insurance even when you are already abroad. Better be safe, than sorry! 📲 ONLINE SAFETY: NordVPN keeps your devices’ browsing safe and malware-free. Stream shows from around the world, access social media in countries where they are blocked and buy cheap flights by changing your virtual location. 🛜 STAY CONNECTED WITH eSIM: Ditch the plastic SIM cards and waiting in lines at the airport! Airalo eSIMs allow you to connect as soon as you land at your destination. They have eSIMs for over 190+ countries worldwide.

Where is Japanese spoken?

Japanese is an official language in Japan. There are some Japanese-speaking communities in various other countries around the world, like the United States, Brazil, Canada and Australia.

How to say Good Morning in Japanese?

おはようございます pronounced as “ohayou gozaimasu” Learn basic Japanese words and quick Japanese phrases easy on Anja On Adventure blog. Here you can also FREE DOWNLOAD Japanese phrases for travelers pdf and key Japanese phrases for tourists.

How to say Thank you in Japanese?

Thank you in Japanese is ありがとうございます, which is pronounced as “ arigatou gozaimasu”. Learn more Japanese language basics and easy Japanese phrases for tourists on Anja On Adventure blog. Here you can also FREE DOWNLOAD basic Japanese travel phrases pdf and coloring pages with Japanese words.

How to say Hello in Japanese?

こんにちは pronounced as “konnichiwa” Learn basic Japanese for tourists and important Japanese phrases for travel on Anja On Adventure blog. Here you can also FREE DOWNLOAD Japanese for travelers pdf and Japan basic words.

How to say My name is in Japanese?

わたしのなまえは …, pronounced as “ Watashi no namae wa …”. Learn Japan travel phrases and top Japanese phrases for tourists on Anja On Adventure blog. Here you can also FREE DOWNLOAD basic Japanese words pdf and Japanese phrases while travelling Japan.

How to say How are you in Japanese?

おげんきですか? , pronounced as “ Ogenki desu ka?” Learn more Japanese phrases to know and basic Japanese phrases for tourists on Anja On Adventure blog. Here you can also FREE DOWNLOAD Japanese phrase cheat sheet pdf and useful kanji for tourists.

How do you say Hi in Japanese?

Hi in Japanese language is やあ , pronounced as “ya”. Learn learn basic Japanese for travel and Japanese phrases for travelling on Anja On Adventure blog. Here you can also FREE DOWNLOAD japanese cheat sheet tourist pdf and Japan phrases for travelers.

❥ About Anja On Adventure

Anja On Adventure is a travel blog, a collection of insider tips and information on destinations, that I visited as a solo female traveler, tour guide, teacher, yacht stewardess, and Survivor challenge tester. Anja, is a thirty-something adventure-seeking, sun chasing, beach hopping, gin-loving, tropics enthusiast with a creative mind and sarcastic spirit, who loves coconut and mango but doesn’t like chocolate and sweets. I am passionate about all things travel, maps, and puzzles. Click here to learn more About me .

About the author: Anja

101 Basic Japanese Words and Basic Japanese Phrases for Travel in Japan

Elaina Robbins

Travel in Japan is the ultimate goal of many Japanese students. Not only is it a fascinating and eye-opening experience; it’s a great opportunity to practice using basic Japanese words and basic Japanese phrases in a setting other than the classroom.

Having a selection of basic Japanese phrases ready to use as you travel in Japan will help you get around and improve your pronunciation as you interact with native speakers. After all, there is no better way to learn any new language than practical application!

We have assembled a list of practical, basic Japanese phrases that will make your journey through this ancient culture even more educational and memorable. Speechling has many tools to help with comprehension and pronunciation as you prepare for your trip and commit these basic Japanese phrases and words to memory.

These basic Japanese words and phrases allow you to greet people and interact throughout the day. As you use them, remember what you’ve learned about the high premium placed on respect in this culture! When in doubt, err on the side of too much deference.

• Hello: Konnichiwa. こんにちは
• Good morning: Ohayo- gozaimasu. おはようございます
• Good afternoon: Konnichiwa. こんにちは (yes, this is the same as “hello”!)
• Good evening: Konbanwa. こんばんは
• Goodbye: Sayo-nara. さようなら
• Please: Kudasai. ください
• Thank you: Arigato- gozaimasu. ありがとうございます
• How are you?: Ogenki desu ka? お元気ですか?
• Yes: hai. はい
• No: EE-eh. いいえ
• My name is __ : Watashi no namae wa __ desu. 私の名前は __ です
• What’s your name?: Onamae wa nan desu ka? お名前は何ですか？ (おなまえは なんですか？)
• It’s nice to meet you: Hajimemashite. 始めまして (said at the beginning of a conversation, not when parting)
• Sorry: Gomen-nasai. 御免なさい
• Excuse me: Sumimasen. すみません
• Where is the?: __ wa doko desu ka? __ はどこですか？
• I don't understand. Wakarimasen. わかりません
• I do not speak Japanese: Nihongo o hanashimasen. 日本語を話しません (にほんごを はなしません)
• Do you speak English?: Ehgo o hanashimasu ka? 英語を話しますか？(えいごを はなしますか？)
• Please repeat that: Mo- ichido itte kudasai. もう一度言ってください (もういちど いってください)
• Please speak slowly: Yukkuri hanashite kudasai ゆっくり話してください (ゆっくり はなしてください)
• Would you please help me?: Tetsudatte moraemasuka? 手伝ってもらえますか？ (てつだって もらえますか？)
• I want to go: (Koko) ni ikitai no desu. (ここ)に行きたいのです ((ここ) に いきたいのです)

Transportation and Lodging

As in most countries, Japanese transit and hotel staff seem to have a language of their own. Do some reading online before your trip, just to acquaint yourself with some of the quirks you may encounter in Japanese hotels (for example, you’re expected to tidy your own hotel room). Here are some basic words and phrases that will be helpful.

• How much is a ticket to __ ?: ___ madeh ikura desu ka? ___ までいくらですか ?
• A ticket to__, please: ___ madeh ichimai onegaishimasu. __ まで一枚お願いします
• Where does the train/bus go?: Kono densha/basu wa doko yuki desuka? この(電車/バス)はどこ行きですか ?
• Where is the train/bus to (a location)?: ___ yuki no densha/basu wa doko desuka? ___ 行きの(電車/バス)はどこですか?
• Does this train/bus stop in __ ?: Kono densha/basu wa ___ ni tomarimasuka? この(電車/バス)は ___ に止まりますか ?
• When does the train/bus for ___ leave?: ___ yuki no densha/basu wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasuka? ___ 行きの(電車/バス)は何時に出発しますか?
• When will the train/bus arrive in __ ?: Kono densha/basu wa nanji ni ___ ni tsukimasuka? この(電車/バス)は何時に _____ に着きますか?
• Do you have rooms available?: Aiteru heya arimasuka? 空いてる部屋ありますか?
• How much does lodging for one/two cost?: Hitori/futari-yō no heya wa ikura desuka?一人/二人用の部屋はいくらですか?
• Is the room Japanese/Western style?: Washitsu/yōshitsu desuka? 和室/洋室ですか？
• Does the room come with __ ?: Heya wa ___ tsuki desuka? 部屋は ... 付きですか?
• May I see a room first?: Heya o mitemo ii desuka? 部屋を見てもいいですか?
• I'll take it: Kore de ii desu. これで良いです
• I would like to stay for ___ night(s): ___ haku onegaishimasu. ___ 2泊お願いします
• Do you know another place to stay?: Hoka no yado wa gozonji desuka? 他の宿はご存知ですか?
• What time is breakfast/supper?: Chōshoku/yūshoku wa nanji desuka? 朝食/夕食は何時ですか?
• Please wake me at___: __ ni okoshite kudasai.__ に起こしてください
• I would like to check out: Chekku auto (check out) onegaishimasu. チェックアウトお願いします

As soon as you walk into a retail business or restaurant in Japan, you will be greeted with, “Irrashai maseh” (いっらしゃいませ)！ It is a general welcome by employees to all customers, so all you need to do is nod in acknowledgement, if anything. You’ll probably hear the following phrases from the store clerk as you shop:

• Are you looking for something?: Nani ka osagashi desu ka? 何かお探しですか？
• Is that everything?: Ijyou de yoroshii desu ka? 以上でよろしいですか？(いじょうで よろしいですか？)
• Here you go: Hai, douzo. はい、どうぞ

Your responses may include phrases such as: 45. I would like this item: Kore o onegai shimasu. これを おねがいします 46. I would like one of those: Sore o hitotsu onegai shimasu. それを一つお願いします (それを ひとつ おねがいします) 47. How much does it cost?: kore wa ikura desu ka?これは いくらですか？ 48. Do you accept a credit card?: Kureditto kaado (credit card) o tsukaemasuka? クレジットカードを使えますか?

Dining out provides lots of opportunity to practice your Japanese, but it is also an activity that can be quite different in Japan. Do some research before you go to learn as much as you can, and then enjoy Japan’s world-famous food!

• Space for one person/two people, please: Hitori/futari desu. 一人/二人です.
• Please bring a menu: Menu o kudasai. メニューを下さい。
• Is there a house specialty? O-susume wa arimasuka? お勧めはありますか？
• Fixed-price meal: Teishoku. 定食
• A la carte: Ippinryōri. 一品料理
• Breakfast: Chōshoku. 朝食
• Lunch: Chūshoku. 昼食
• Light meal: Keishoku. 軽食
• Supper: Yūshoku. 夕食
• Beverage: Nomimono. 飲み物
• I want a dish containing __ : __ ga haitteru mono o kudasai. __ が入ってるものを下さい。
• Chopsticks: ohashi. お箸
• It was delicious: Oishikatta desu. おいしかったです
• Excuse me: Sumimasen. 済みません
• May I have the check, please? Okaikeh onegai shimasu. お会計お願いします
• Do you serve alcohol? Osakeh arimasuka? お酒ありますか?
• Sake: Nihonshu. 日本酒
• Japanese liquor: Shōchū.焼酎
• Whiskey: Wiskii. ウイスキー
• Water: Mizu. 水
• Club soda: Sōda: ソーダ
• Coffee: Co-hii. コーヒー (こーひー)

Time and Numbers

You may encounter military time in Japan, or the terms “gozen” 午前 for a.m. and “gogo” 午後 for p.m. Check out this resource for some additional explanation; this topic can get tricky. Also, remember that the Japanese readings “yon” and “nana” are often used for 4 and 7 due to superstition about the translation (“shi,” used in another reading for both those numbers, translates as death).

• Six o'clock a.m.: Asa rokuji. 朝6時
• Noon: Shōgo. 正午
• One o'clock p.m.: Gogo ichiji. 午後1時
• Midnight: Yoru jūniji: 夜12時
• ___ minute(s): ___ foon or poon. 分
• ___ hour(s): ___ jikan. 時間
• ___ day(s): ___ nichi. 日
• ___ week(s): ___ shūkan. 週間
• ___ month(s): ___ kagetsu. ヶ月
• ___ year(s): ___ nen. 年
• 4: Yon or shi. 四
• 7: Nana or shichi. 七
• 8: Hachi. 八
• Now: Ima. 今
• Later: Atodeh. 後で
• Before: Maeh ni. 前に
• Morning: Asa. 朝
• Afternoon: Gogo. 午後
• Evening: Yūgata. 夕方
• Night: Yoru. 夜

Words or Phrases to Avoid

These phrases can convey disrespect. You don’t want to offend anyone, especially people you don’t know, so make sure to avoid these terms, even if you hear them being tossed around in your favorite anime.

• Doing something untimely: Manuke. まぬけ
• Drop dead!: Kutabare. くたばれ
• Move out of the way!: Doke. どけ
• Noisy!: Urusai.うるさい

Enjoy Your Trip!

As you prepare to travel in Japan, use Speechling’s pronunciation tools to master the phrases provided on this list. Review The Top 5 Pronunciation Mistakes English Speakers Make in Japanese Lessons , too, and then the Top 100 Basic Japanese Words for Beginners for additional words that weren’t included in this list. Native speakers will appreciate the effort you took to use Japanese words and phrases, even if they aren’t perfect!

Speechling is a nonprofit app and website that combines human coaching with technology to improve your foreign language speaking.

Wandering the globe on a budget (as 'grown-ups')

20 Essential Travel Japanese Phrases (& FREE PDF sheet)

If you’re worried about going to Japan without speaking Japanese – don’t worry. In most major cities many English signs can be seen and some restaurants offer English menus.

However, there will be some situations where you need to go by pointing, gesturing, nodding etc, and having a few key phrases up your sleeve will certainly be helpful.

No time to ‘study’ Japanese? No problem! This is a mini travel Japanese lesson as well as a phrase list which will help you to build on your previous knowledge without involving any complicated sentence structures. The aim of this list is ‘simple and ready to be used’ rather than ‘complicated and forgotten already’.

I have also divided the list in different levels according to the frequency of use (strictly my personal opinion!) so you can choose how much or how little you want to learn.

Level 1 Sushi level (It’s not Suzie, it’s Sushi.)

ありがとうございます Arigato-gozaimas

You will find yourself saying this one often. I think this is one of the most important Japanese words also for the Japanese and you will probably hear local people saying this to one another a lot. So, don’t be shy with your ‘ arigato-gozaimas ‘, say it as often as you want – we love it! If you find it too much of a mouthful, the short and informal ‘ arigato ‘ should do.

2. Excuse me/Sorry

すみません Sumimasen

When you want to get someone’s attention; in a restaurant, a shop, train station, asking a stranger on a street for direction etc… The word can also mean ‘sorry’ and listeners will usually know which one you mean in the context.

おねがいします O’negai shimas

Use this in conjunction with finger-pointing and/or gestures to make requests in restaurants, shops and such. Ie: saying ‘ o’negai shimas ‘ whilst pointing at writing (or a photo of) ‘tall caramel latte macchiato’ means you’re saying ‘tall caramel latte macchiato please.’

If you’re up for a challenge, use 〜 o o’negai shimas （〜を　おねがいします) format,

ie: Ko-hi- o o’negai shimas , ( coffee please).

Check-in o o’negai shimas , ( check-in please).

いいえ Iie (it’s an [i:] sound as in ‘feel’, then ‘e’ as in ‘end’)

6. Where is〜?

〜はどこですか 　 〜wa doko des ka

Insert the destination of your choice and you’re good to go, ie: toire wa doko des ka , (where is the toilet ?)

Other useful words:

• Police box 交番 Ko-ban
• Bank 銀行 Ginko
• Convenience store コンビニ Kon’bini (Japanese convenience store is a legend. You can pay your bills, buy bus tickets or concert tickets, and so much more. It goes without saying that most of your daily essentials can be purchased here. Trust me, you will want to take one home.)
• Train station 駅 Eki
• Bus stop バス停 Basu-tei

7. How much?

いくらですか Ikura des ka

Just in case. Sometimes ¥100 store giant Daiso has things that are ¥300, ¥500… (although they are always clearly labeled!!)

8. Do you have〜?/Is there〜?

〜は　ありますか 〜wa arimas ka

When you are looking for that super-rare Nintendo game in Akihabara ( Virtual Bowling wa arimas ka ), or if you are that person who asks for cappuccino in a Japanese tea specialist cafe ( cappuccino wa arimas ka ). Can also be used when you want to know if a place has certain facilities like toilet, ( toire wa arimas ka ).

In English please? 英語でおねがいします Eigo de o’negai shimas .

If you’re desperate, just omit the ‘de’ and say ‘ eigo o’negai shimas !’ Not grammatically correct, but people will understand. I can not guarantee their ability to speak in English though.

Do you have an English menu? 英語のメニューはありますか Eigo no menu wa arimas ka (here comes that ‘ 〜wa arimas ka ‘ structure again).

10. Good-bye

さようなら Sayo-nara

There is this beautiful old Japanese song called ‘Sayonara (1979)’ by a band called Off Course, but I digress…

11. Numbers

Here is the super easy way to learn Japanese numbers 0 – 99. Worried that you might forget? Don’t worry, wear them on a T-shirt!

I hope you’re enjoying learning Japanese with this list so far. If you would like a free PDF version you can download from here , AND it comes with 5 extra phrases!

The next level is Onigiri rica ball level…

Level 2 Onigiri rice ball level

(you know onigiri is not sushi and can name at least 3 different classic onigiri fillings.).

〜 まで 　 〜made (NOT as in ‘made in Japan’, it’s ma’de.)

Will be handy when you want to express where you’re heading. For example at the train station: ‘ Kyoto ma’de ( des )’ which is ‘To Kyoto’ (with des = polite, without des = casual).

In case you want to learn to say ‘A ticket to Kyoto please’ it’s ‘ Kyoto ma’de no kippu o o’negai shimas ‘.

13. What time

Bring up in pitch at the end just a bit to say ‘what time? ( Nan ji ?)’

If you want to say ‘until what time?’ it’s ‘ Nan ji ma’de ?’ This can mean ‘what time do you close?’ and is useful when you need to know the closing time of shops or restaurants.

You learnt ‘ ma’de ‘, now you need to know ‘ kara ‘ as well. How do we say ‘from what time?’ You guessed it, it’s ‘ Nan ji kara ?’

And I can hear your clever brain clicking and thinking: ‘wait, does that mean I can say Kyoto kara – from Kyoto, too?’ That is right!

15. (Does this) go to〜?

〜に行きますか 〜ni iki mas ka

Useful when you want to check if a train or a bus really goes to your destination. ‘ Shibuya ni iki mas ka ? (Go to Shibuya?)’

You can also make a statement out of it simply by taking off the question marker か ka .

渋谷に行きます Shibuya ni iki mas = Go to Shibuya .

16. (I’m/it’s) Ok

だいじょうぶです Daijo-bu des

You’re standing outside the shop waiting for your friend, a keen Japanese person decides that you’re lost and tries to help you, you say ‘ daijo-bu des (I’m ok)’. A waiter accidentally knocks down your bag, nothing is broken, you say ‘ daijo-bu des (it’s ok)’.

Would you like to know how to say ‘are you ok/is it ok?’ Easy! Simply add ‘ ka か’ which is a question marker at the end and say ‘ daijo-bu des ka ?’

17. Is card ok?

カード だいじょうぶですか ka-do daijo-bu des ka

In high-tech Japan, cash is still king. Although cashless options are increasing especially since COVID19, it is always a good idea to bring cash and/or ask the staff if they take card payments. If you want to say ‘can I pay by card?’ it will be ‘ ka-do de hara’e mas ka ?’ but this simple ‘ ka-do daijo-bu des ka ? (is card ok?)’ sentence will do just fine specially when you ask at the cashier.

18. Good afternoon (and kind of ‘hello’)

こんにちは Kon’ni chiwa

You all know this one. Since Japanese does not have ‘hello’, I guess this is the closest as ‘good afternoon’ can be used during the waking hours of most average people.

• Good morning おはようございます ohayo-gozaimas
• Good evening こんばんは konbanwa

19. I don’t understand

わかりません Wakarimasen

Please feel free to say this when you don’t understand our ‘Japangrish’.

20. (It’s) different/wrong

ちがいます Chigaimas

Wrong price? Incorrect change? Wrong dish arrived? The room is different to the one you have booked? Say ‘ chigaimas ‘!

Congratulations for coming this far and I hope you found this list useful. Click here to download the PDF version for free (+ 5 extra phrases!) or you can use the form below.

I really hope we can travel to Japan again soon (August 2021). For up to date information, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website : https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html

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Home » Articles » 150+ Japanese Words and Phrases You Need to Start Speaking Now

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. ?

written by Caitlin Sacasas

Language: Japanese

Reading time: 11 minutes

Published: Jan 15, 2021

Updated: Apr 12, 2024

150+ Japanese Words and Phrases You Need to Start Speaking Now

Are you ready to start speaking Japanese, right now?

Even if you just thought about learning Japanese today, you can start speaking from Day 1 !

Whether you are learning Japanese to prepare for travel to Japan, or for a language exchange, it’s a good idea to learn Japanese essential words and phrases to get the ball rolling. I’ve got your back with this list to help you get started!

Japanese Words for Beginners: An Essential List

Japanese greetings:.

• Yes: はい ( hai )
• No: いいえ ( iie )
• Hello: こんにちは ( konnichiwa )
• Goodbye: じゃね ( ja ne )
• Thank you: ありがとう ( arigatou )
• I’m Sorry: ごめんなさい ( gomen nasai )
• Excuse me: すみません ( sumimasen )

Learn more: Japanese Greetings: 17 Ways to Say “Hello” in Japanese

Japanese Pronouns:

• I: 私 ( watashi )
• You: あなた ( anata )
• This: これ ( kore )
• That: それ ( sore )
• He: 彼 ( kare )
• She: 彼女 ( kanojo )
• They: 彼ら ( karera )

Learn more: Japanese Honorifics: How to Show Respect in Japanese

Japanese Numbers:

• One: いち ( ichi )
• Two: に ( ni )
• Three: さん ( san )
• Four: し ( shi ) or よん ( yon )
• Five: ご ( go )
• Six: ろく ( roku )
• Seven: なな ( nana ) or しち ( shichi )
• Eight: はち ( hachi )
• Nine: く ( ku ) or きゅう ( kyuu )
• Ten: じゅう ( juu )

Learn more: Japanese Numbers: Counting in Japanese from 1 – 100+

Time in Japanese:

• Today: 今日 ( kyou )
• Tomorrow: 明日 ( ashita )
• Yesterday: 昨日 ( kinou )
• Now: 今 ( ima )
• Before: 前に ( mae ni )
• Later: 後で ( ato de )

Learn more: The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Particles (with Examples)

Japanese Nouns:

• Home: 家 ( ie or uchi )
• Shop: 店 ( mise )
• Movie: 映画 ( eiga )
• School: 学校 ( gakkou )
• Car: 車 ( kuruma )
• Town: 町 ( machi )
• Music: 音楽 ( ongaku )
• Family: 家族 ( kazoku )
• Hometown: 出身 ( shusshin )
• Bathroom: トイレ ( toire )

*Learn more: 101 Core Japanese Words: The Most Commonly Used Words in Japanese

Japanese Verbs:

• To do: する ( suru )
• To be: です ( desu )
• To become: なる ( naru )
• There is (inanimate): ある ( aru )
• There is (living): いる ( iru )
• To go: 行く ( iku )
• To say: 言う ( iu )
• To see: 見る ( miru )
• To come: 来る ( kuru )
• To eat: 食べる ( taberu )

*Learn more: Japanese Grammar Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting Started Speaking Japanese

Even though I speak often now with Japanese language exchange partners , it wasn’t always that way. I found it hard to speak Japanese at first, too.

It can be a bit intimidating to know where to begin. Any time you learn a new language, especially one where the writing system is very different, it can become difficult to make the connections between grammar, memorized words, and creating sentences .

Don’t get too stressed about it, though. These basic Japanese words and phrases helped me start to get to know others in Japanese.

And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?

Learning some stock phrases and words to fall back on to keep the conversation going or ask questions is the key to relaxing a bit when speaking.

So, of course you must know your essential 挨拶 (aisatsu: “greetings”) and basic Japanese words.

By the way, if you’re wondering “How do you say ‘words’ in Japanese,” it’s 単語 ( tango ) or 言葉 ( kotoba ). The only difference is kotoba is used to express the plural form “words” and can also mean “phrases.” Tango is used mainly for the singular form, “word.”

Below, I’ll also go over questions, cool Japanese words, and cute Japanese words and expressions to go far in your speaking.

Once you've learned these Japanese words, you’ll sound めっちゃかっこい (meccha kakkoi: “very cool”).

Editor's note: before we get started, if you’re looking for an online Japanese course, here’s the course I actually recommend: Japanese Uncovered – Learn Japanese Through the Power of Story, a course with a fascinating new method.

Japanese Words and Phrases for Beginners:

Want to hear how these words and phrases sound, plus some bonus tips? Watch this video:

Japanese Greetings for Everyday

おはようございます！ ( Ohayou gozaimasu : “Good morning!”)

A formal way to greet someone in the morning, you’ll use this with co-workers, strangers, or superiors. With friends and family, you can shorten it by saying おはよう！( Ohayou , “‘Morning!”)

こんにちは ( Konnichiwa : “Hello” or “Good afternoon”)

This is a formal greeting, and not usually how you greet friends and family. It’s used for strangers or formal situations. But it’s the most standard greeting for hello.

あー、＿＿＿さん。( Ahh, _-san : “Ah, Mr./Mrs. _”)

Although it may sound strange to speakers in English, greeting someone with “Ah!” like you’re surprised to see someone is most common.

You greet them with this exclamation and their name, followed by the appropriate suffix (“-san” is standard and good to use for most people). You follow it with a question, like asking about the weather.

Speaking of which…

いい天気ですね！( Ii tenki desu ne : “Good weather, huh!”)

いい ( ii ) means “good” and 天気 ( tenki ) means weather. So you can change いい to whatever word fits the day, but this is the common greeting.

元気ですか ( Genki desu ka : “How are you?”)

Although it’s instinct to always greet everyone with “How are you?” in English, it’s not the case in Japanese.

Greeting your friends and family with this phrase every time you see them is a bit strange. And it’s awkward when said to strangers (often strangers barely nod and say nothing, anyway).

This phrase is actually only used when it’s been quite some time since you’ve seen the person.

久しぶり！( Hisashiburi : “Long time, no see!”)

If you haven’t seen someone for about 3 weeks or longer, then you’ll often be greeted with 久しぶり ( hisashiburi )! This is when it’s good to follow up with, 元気ですか ( genki desu ka ).

こんばんは ( Konbanwa : “Good evening”)

This is said in the evening around dinner time. It’s a formal greeting.

おやすみなさい ( Oyasumi nasai : “Goodnight”)

When you say goodnight to someone you’re close to, you can shorten it by saying おやすみ (oyasumi: “‘night!”)

じゃまた ( Ja Mata : “See you later” or “Goodbye”)

Although you probably know さようなら ( sayounara ) is “goodbye,” it has a very strong sense of finality, almost like you may not see that person again.

So it’s often better to say じゃまた ( ja mata ).

Other variations are じゃね ( ja ne : “see you”), バイバイ ( baibai : “bye-bye”), and お元気で ( o-genki de : “take care”).

Other Aisatsu (Greetings) in Daily Life

ただいまー ( tadaima- : “i’m home”).

When someone comes home, or you arrive home, you announce it with this phrase. Then, whoever is home replies…

おかえりなさい ( Okaeri nasai : “Welcome home” or “Welcome back”)

You can also use these two phrases to greet a coworker if they’ve returned back to work from somewhere else, like a business meeting or trip.

失礼します ( Shitsurei shimasu : “Please excuse me (for leaving)”)

When you leave ahead of someone else, you say this as an apology for leaving before them.

Especially at work, you always want to say this before leaving because you’re leaving them to finish the work for the day.

お疲れ様でした ( Otsukaresama deshita : “Thanks for your hard work”)

You say this in reply to 失礼します (“please excuse me for leaving”) as a thank you for their hard work that day, but it can be used in many other situations.

Any time anyone works hard, you can say this to acknowledge their hard work — like a child who did well and finished their homework. You can also use it as a greeting when someone returns from a hard task.

行ってきます ( Ittekimasu : “I’m going”)

Say this to family at home, friends, or co-workers to announce you’re heading out.

行ってらっしゃい ( Itterasshai : “Go and come back”)

In reply to 行ってきます ( ittekimasu , “I’m going”), you say this — it's kind of like saying, “Be careful!” or “Okay, take care” and lets them know you’ll see them when they get back.

Basic Japanese Words and Phrases for All Situations

• ありがとうございます ( arigatou gozaimasu ): “Thank you”
• ごめんなさい ( gomen nasai ): “I’m sorry”
• はい or うん ( Hhai or un ): “Yes” (formal and informal)
• いいえ or ううん ( iie or uun ): “No” (formal and informal)
• 名前は_ ( namae wa _ ): “My name is _ ”
• _ です。( desu ): “I am” (*See note below)
• いいですよ。( ii desu yo ): “It’s good.”
• だめです。( dame desu ): “It’s bad.”
• もう一度お願いします。( mou ichido onegai shimasu ): “Again, please.”
• ゆっくりお願いします ( yukkuri onegai shimasu ): “More slowly, please”
• わかりません ( wakarimasen ): “I don’t understand”
• 良かった ( yokatta ): “Great!” or “I’m glad!”
• すみません ( sumimasen ): “Excuse me”
• どういたしまして ( Dou itashimashite ): “You’re welcome”
• 少し日本語を話します ( Sukoshi nihongo wo hanashimasu ): “I speak a little Japanese”
• また会いましょう ( Mata aimashou ): “Let’s meet again!”

Please in Japanese: どうぞ、お願いします、ください ( Douzo, Onegai Shimasu, Kudasai )

The word for “please” changes with intent.

どうぞ ( douzo ) is the most straight forward. You use this word when you are offering something to someone else. Like, “お先にどうぞ” ( osaki ni douzo : “Please, you first” or “Please, after you”).

お願いします ( onegai shimasu ) and ください ( kudasai ) are almost interchangeable but have different formality.

お願いします is used to ask a request of someone with higher status than you, or for a service (because those offering services are usually considered to have higher status). So if you make a request of your boss, or take a taxi ride, you would use お願いします.

ください is used when you ask a request of someone close to you, like a friend, or when what you ask for is expected, like when ordering at a restaurant.

You also use ください whenever the verb it follows is in て-form, like ちょっと待ってください ( chotto matte kudasa i: “please wait”), no matter the formality.

About Desu in Japanese

If you’ve listened to Japanese at all, you probably have wondered “what means desu?” Because you hear the word “desu” ALL the time.

That’s because です ( desu ) means “is, to be.” It’s often used at the end of sentences, and can complete a sentence by adding a noun.

You can add anything to describe yourself before です.

You could say 二十七歳です ( ni juu nana sai desu : “I am 27 years old”), アメリカ人です ( amerikajin desu : “I am American”), or 作家です ( sakka desu : “I am a writer”).

You could also use it to describe other things, like いいほんです ( ii hon desu : “A good book”).

Japanese Questions to Boost Your Conversation

With any question word, you can use a raised inflection at the last syllable to express that it’s a question. But, more formally, you can add the Japanese equivalent of a question mark: ですか ( desu ka ).

Let’s start with the basics:

• 誰 ( dare ): “Who?”
• 何 ( nani or nan ): “What?”
• いつ ( itsu ): “When?”
• どこ ( doko ): “Where?”
• どうして ( doushite ): “Why?”
• どう ( dou ): “How?”
• どちら? ( dochira ): “Which?”

Learn more: Japanese Question Words: “What”, “Where”, “When”, “Who”, “How” and “Why” in Japanese

And more helpful Japanese questions:

• お名前は何ですか ( o-namae wa nan desu ka ): “What’s your name?”
• いくらですか ( ikura desu ka ): “How much Is It?”
• わかりますか ( wakarimasu ka ): “Do you understand?”
• はどこですか ( __ wa doko desu ka ): “Where is the _ ?”
• これは何ですか ( kore wa nan desu ka ): “What’s this?”
• これは何意味ですか ( kore wa nan imi desu ka ): “What does this mean?”
• 日本語で_は何ですか ( nihongo de _ wa nan desu ka ): “What is _ in Japanese?”
• 英語を話せますか ( eigo wo hanasemasu ka ): “Can you speak English?”
• 何って言ったの ( nani tte itta no ): “What did you say?”
• _ がありますか ( _ ga arimasu ka ): “Do you have __?”
• 大丈夫ですか ( daijoubu desu ka ): “Are you okay?”
• どうしたんだ ( doushitanda ): “What happened?”
• E-メール／電話番号を教えてもらえますか ( e-meru/denwa bango wo oshiete moraemasu ka ): “Could I have your email address/phone number?”
• _ を利用しますか (* wo riyou shimasu ka*): “Do you use _?”
• いつは会えますか ( Itsu wa aemasu ka ): “When can we meet?”

Bonus: Some Cute and Cool Japanese Words to Level Up Your Speech

What are some cool Japanese words? I’m glad you asked! Use these Japanese slang words to sound cool in Japanese.

かわいい ( Kawaii : “Cute”)

You probably know this one, as it’s become a staple of otaku in America, but it’s very common in Japan too. Everything is “kawaii.”

かっこいい ( Kakkoii : “Cool”)

Also, “handsome.” It’s mostly used to describe dreamy guys or cool objects.

すごい！( Sugoi : “Wow!” or “Amazing!”)

I promise you, if you reply すごい ( sugoi ) to most everything that has a positive tone and body language, you'll sound like a native.

This is hands down the most overused word in Japanese, and it’s a reply to everything. In fact, you’ll probably hear “すごい!” in reply to your attempt to speak Japanese!

ヤバい ( Yabai : “Uncool”)

The opposite of すごい, this means something is uncool or terrible.

ちょ、めっちゃ、とっても ( Cho, Meccha, Tottemo : “Very,” “Super”)

Depending on the dialect, you’ll hear one of these three words to say something is “very __.” とっても (tottemo) is most standard, and the small つ ( tsu ) means it has extra emphasis.

マジで ( Maji de : “Seriously,” “Really”)

Like ちょ ( cho ), マジ ( maji ) is used as an intensifier, but this one is more masculine.

うそ! ( Uso! : “No way!”)

It actually means “a lie,” but it’s used as “no way!” in casual conversation when you hear something unbelievable.

ばか！ ( Baka! : “Idiot!”)

Is “baka” a bad word? Well… It certainly isn’t nice. ばか ( baka ) in Japanese means “idiot”, but it’s pretty strong.

Japanese don’t use cuss words as freely as other countries, so calling someone this to their face is a big insult.

Similarly, if you’re wondering how do you say “asshole” in Japanese? Well, you can say あほ ( aho , “stupid”) which is an even stronger form of ばか and has a nuance of meaning a “dumbass” or “asshole.”

But there’s also 下衆野郎 ( gesu yarou ) which means exactly that: “asshole.”

So, in case you felt like offending someone in Japanese today, now you’re prepared. (But please don’t!)

よし ( Yoshi : “OK!”)

A common question is: “What is OK in Japanese?” Because there are a few versions, and it’s a bit confusing!

First, there’s よし ( yoshi ), pronounced more like “yosh” than “Yoshi” the video game character.

It’s used as an exclamation, like “Okay, let’s do this!”

Then there’s オーケー ( o-ke- ). It’s used to respond to someone, just like in English. You’ll often hear “オーケーです” ( o-ke- desu ), which means “OK / Got it / It’s okay.”

Last, there’s まあまあ ( maamaa ). This means “okay” but in the sense that you’re “so-so.”

Learn more: 63 Must-Know Japanese Slang Words (to Sound like a Local)

Japanese Words and Phrases to Speak NOW!

How will you use these phrases to start speaking Japanese now? If you’re looking for a Japanese language exchange partner, learn how you can find one in your area or check out   italki (our review is here ) or Teacher AI .

Caitlin Sacasas

Content Writer, Fluent in 3 Months

Caitlin is a copywriter, content strategist, and language learner. Besides languages, her passions are fitness, books, and Star Wars. Connect with her: Twitter | LinkedIn

Speaks: English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish

Have a 15-minute conversation in your new language after 90 days

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JRailPass.com » Japan Travel Blog » 20 basic Japanese phrases for travellers

20 basic Japanese phrases for travellers

June 15, 2022

If you are traveling to Japan for the first time, you may be concerned about something known as the “language barrier” – that inexplicable inability to communicate with others due to speaking a different language. Should you stress if you don’t speak any Japanese? Simply put, the answer is no!

If you’ve pictured yourself lost in Japan, wandering around with no way to ask directions to the airport, you can put those fears to rest. Thousands of travelers enter the country each day, many knowing very little Japanese or none at all. While a few key phrases can be useful, you can travel successfully even if you don’t know any Japanese words. English is taught in Japanese schools, so even if they are not fluent, most people you meet will speak some English as well. In areas frequented by tourists, signs may also be written in English.

If you’d like to learn some words for travel, however, you’ve come to the right place. The following words and sentences are common in everyday use and will aid you in getting around, ordering at restaurants, and greeting those you may meet.

The word for “hello” in Japanese is often used in popular culture , so don’t be surprised if you or your children already know it. If you want to say “hi,” simply say kon-nichiwa .

Ogenki desuka?

In order to say “how are you?” you will ask Ogenki desuka? If someone asks this question of you, say Genki desu. Arigato! That means, “I’m fine. Thanks!”.

Watashi wa no namae wa…

If you’d like to introduce yourself, say Watashi no namae wa (insert your name) desu. In this sentence, watashi means “I” and namae means “name.”

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Thank you, please and sorry

The simplest way to say “thank you” in Japanese is Arigatou . If you are in a formal situation, you would elongate the thanks to Arigatou gozaimasu. Most people bow while saying thank you in order to add emphasis to their words of gratitude.

Similar to saying “please” in English , (name of item) wo kudasai is a way of politely asking to look at or purchase an item. If you don’t know the item’s name – such as when ordering food from a display case – feel free to point or gesture.

Whenever you immerse yourself in an unfamiliar culture, you are bound to make a few mistakes. If you bump into someone, forget to take off your shoes, or find some other reason to apologize, simply say sumimasen  for “excuse me” . This word can also be used to get someone’s attention, such as when you wish to summon a waiter in a restaurant or to ask someone to repeat something they’ve said.

Getting around and shopping

Doko….

When asking “where is (something)?” in Japanese , you will notice that the “something” comes first in the sentence. For example, if you ask “Where is Tokyo Station?” you will say Tokyo eki wa doko desu ka? In this phrase, eki means “station” and wa doko desu ka means “where is?” You may also want to know how to ask, “Where is the bathroom?” That’s Otearai wa doko desu ka?

Even though you may not understand the spoken answer, you will likely be pointed in the right direction. Don’t be surprised if the person you asked walks with you to show you where to go – even if that means walking several blocks or more!

Ikura desuka?

A good vacation calls for souvenirs, but you’ll likely wish to know what an item costs before you buy. If you don’t know what the item in question is called, hold it up or point to it and ask “ Ikura desuka?”,  Japanese for “How much does it cost?”. If you know the name of the item, insert it before the question.

Wi-fi arimasuka?

Since we live in a technological society, this question can be important, especially if you are traveling for business purposes. To ask for access to wi-fi in a store, restaurant, hotel, train station, or café, say Wi-fi arimasuka? If you’re in need of something besides the internet, replace “wi-fi” with the word for the item you need. Although you won’t need to ask if you have your Pocket Wi-Fi or Japanese Data SIM Card with you!

“Do you speak English?”

Finally, to ask if someone speaks English, say Eigo wo hanashimasu ka? In this sentence, eigo is the word for “English.” But really, it is ok (and easier) to simply ask it in English!

Other useful phrases

You’re welcome: Dō itashimashite . Yes: Hai . No: Iie . I’m sorry: Gomen’nasai. Good morning: Ohayō. Good evening: Konbanwa.  Good night: O-yasumi nasai.  I don’t understand: Wakarimasen. I understand you perfectly: Yoku wakarimasu.  That’s all right:  Dai jōbu desu.

“Honorifics” are a common part of Japanese speech. These are words that show respect in social situations. Don’t worry – all the useful phrases listed in this article are in teineigo , or “polite language. ”

Your attempts at speaking Japanese will be appreciated by the local residents that you meet. If all else fails, gesturing – such as pointing to a photograph in a menu – may be of help. And most importantly, have fun using these common Japanese phrases during your upcoming travels!

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Related tours & activities.

You said kudadai in the kudasai definition. Is that a typo? Searching other sites, it doesn’t seem to be a common word.

Sorry, that was just a typo. Thank you for pointing out!

What is most live at new beautiful places because why Japanese was than friendly all so official language native”countries” how to focus better practically greetings useful difficultly how to understand communicative vowel accent sound along “Japanese character per-sentence pronoun non-actions”.

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Unlock the Language: How to Say Travel in Japanese

If you’re planning a trip to Japan or simply interested in learning the language, understanding how to express travel in Japanese is essential. In this section, we will explore the different ways to say “travel” in the Japanese language. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge of the Japanese word for travel , travel in Japanese translation , and how to express travel in Japanese .

Japanese Words for Travel

When it comes to expressing the concept of travel in Japanese , there are various terms and phrases that can be used. Understanding these terms will help you communicate your travel experiences effectively. Here are the most common Japanese terms for travel:

Additionally, there are various phrases that can be used to describe different aspects of travel:

It’s important to note that the Japanese language has many nuances, and the most appropriate term or phrase to use can depend on the context. Consider the purpose and duration of your travel when selecting the appropriate Japanese term to use.

Translating “Travel” into Japanese

Translating the English word “travel” into Japanese is not a straightforward one-to-one process. While there is no exact equivalent, there are several phrases and expressions in Japanese that capture the essence of travel. Understanding these translations will help you communicate your travel plans and experiences accurately.

These are the most common translations for “travel” in Japanese. “Ryokou” is the term used when referring to the activity of traveling. “Tabi” and “tabiji” are more general terms that can refer to a trip or journey. However, as with most translations, context is key.

For example, if you want to say “I love to travel,” you would say “watashi wa ryokou ga suki desu.” On the other hand, if you want to say “I am going on a trip,” you would say “watashi wa tabi ni deru.” By using the appropriate translation in the right context, you can express your travel experiences accurately.

Expressing Travel in Japanese Culture

Travel is an important aspect of Japanese culture, and there are various expressions and etiquettes related to it. Understanding these cultural nuances will enable you to connect with native speakers in a more meaningful way.

Expressions Related to Travel in Japanese Culture

In the Japanese language, there are unique expressions that go beyond the literal translation of the word “travel.” Here are a few examples:

Additionally, there are certain unwritten rules and customs related to travel in Japan. For example, it is considered polite to bring back souvenirs for family and friends after a trip. It is also customary to remove your shoes before entering a traditional Japanese inn or restaurant.

By understanding the cultural expressions and etiquettes related to travel in Japanese , you can enhance your communication skills and gain a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan or simply interested in learning the language, incorporating these cultural nuances into your language learning journey will enrich your experience.

Pronouncing “Travel” in Japanese

Correct pronunciation is key to effective communication in any language. In Japanese, the word for “travel” can be pronounced as “ryokou” or “tabi”.

The pronunciation of “ryokou” starts with a rolled “R” sound, which can be challenging for some learners. To produce this sound, curl the tip of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth and blow air through your mouth. Then, follow with a clear “yo” sound and end with a short “ku” sound.

Alternatively, “tabi” is pronounced with a soft “t” sound followed by a long “ah” sound and ending with a short “bee” sound.

It’s important to listen to and practice these pronunciations to achieve accuracy. You can find audio examples online or consider taking a language course to improve your pronunciation skills. With proper pronunciation, you can confidently communicate your travel plans and experiences in Japanese.

Enhancing Your Linguistic Skills Today

Congratulations! You have now learned how to say “travel” in Japanese and understand the different translations and cultural expressions related to it. By mastering these linguistic skills, you have opened the doors to a deeper level of Japanese language and cultural understanding.

Language learning is a continuous journey, and there is always more to discover and explore. Practice speaking and listening to Japanese as much as you can. Watch Japanese shows, listen to Japanese music, and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. This way, you can enhance your linguistic skills and expand your cultural horizons.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learning a new language takes time and effort, but the rewards are invaluable. Keep practicing and have fun with it!

So what are you waiting for? Start incorporating your new knowledge of travel in Japanese into your daily language learning routine. You will be amazed at how quickly you will improve and how much more you will be able to connect with Japanese speakers.

Thank you for joining us on this journey to unlock the language of travel in Japanese. We hope that this guide has been helpful and wish you all the best in your language learning endeavors!

Q: How do I say “travel” in Japanese?

A: The Japanese word for “travel” is “ryokō” (旅行) or “tabi” (旅). Both words can be used to express the concept of travel.

Q: Are there other words or phrases for “travel” in Japanese?

A: Yes, besides “ryokō” and “tabi,” there are additional terms related to travel in Japanese. Some examples include “kōsoku” (航速) for “traveling at high speed” and “tabimori” (旅盛り) for “travel season.” The choice of word may depend on the specific context or situation.

Q: Is there a direct translation of “travel” in Japanese?

A: No, there is no exact one-to-one translation of the English word “travel” in Japanese. Instead, different words and phrases are used to capture the meaning of travel in various contexts. It’s important to understand the nuances and choose the appropriate term based on the situation.

Q: How does Japanese culture view travel?

A: Travel holds great significance in Japanese culture, representing a way to broaden one’s horizons and deepen cultural understanding. There are unique expressions and etiquette associated with travel in Japanese culture, such as “omiyage” (souvenirs) and “shukatsu” (vacation time). Embracing these cultural aspects enhances your connection with native speakers.

Q: How do I pronounce “travel” in Japanese?

A: The word “travel” is pronounced as “ryokō” (りょこう) in Japanese. It is broken down into three syllables: “ryo” (りょ), “ko” (こ), and “u” (う). To ensure accurate pronunciation, we recommend listening to audio examples or practicing with a native speaker.

Q: How can I enhance my linguistic skills in Japanese?

A: Learning how to say “travel” in Japanese is just the beginning of your language learning journey. To enhance your linguistic skills, we encourage continuous practice and immersion in the language. Engage in conversations, listen to Japanese media, and explore cultural resources to expand your vocabulary and cultural horizons.

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174 Basic Japanese Words and Phrases to Survive Everyday Life in Japan

With these 174 essential Japanese words and phrases, you’ll be prepared for any situation.

The Japanese language might take years to master, but what if you need to get through a conversation right now? Start by learning these Japanese daily vocabulary and the rest will follow.

Just click on a word or phrase to hear its native pronunciation.

Greetings and Starters

Basic conversation, japanese pronouns, saying “yes” and “no”, saying “i don’t understand”, saying “please”, saying “thank you” and “you’re welcome”, saying “sorry” and “excuse me”, saying “goodbye”, basic question words, travel vocabulary, phrases for dining at a restaurant, shopping in japanese, phrases for home, phrases for casual conversations, japanese slang, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

1. ohayou gozaimasu ( おはようございます ) — Good morning

The casual version of this greeting is ohayou ( おはよう ). In a workplace, someone greeting a colleague for the first time that day might use this phrase even if the clock reads 7 p.m.

2. konnichiwa ( こんにちは ) — Hello / Good afternoon 

Konnichiwa can be used any time of day as a general greeting, but it’s most commonly used between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

3. konbanwa ( こんばんは ) — Good evening

From 5 p.m. onwards, you use konbanwa to greet people. Note that, in this case, は is read as “wa” rather than “ha.”

4. hisashiburi ( 久しぶり ) — It’s been a while

Use this for someone you haven’t seen in a long time.

5. o genki desu ka? ( お元気ですか？ ) — How are you?

This is a polite way to ask someone how they are.

6. genki desu ( 元気です ) — I’m fine

Likewise, this is the most polite response to o genkidesu ka ?

7. o namae wa nan desu ka? ( お名前は何ですか？ ) — What’s your name?

This is a polite way to ask someone for their name. The more informal version is O namae wa? ( おなまえは? ) — Your name is…?

8. … desu ( …です ) — I am … / It is …

Think of desu as roughly equivalent to the English word “to be.” Unlike “to be,” desu stays the same regardless of the subject.

For example: 

• Tomu desu ( トムです ) — I’m Tom
• Atsui desu ( 暑い です ) —  It’s hot/I’m hot
• Osoi desu ( 遅いです ) — You’re late!

You can append this word to adjectives like:

• samui ( 寒い ) — cold 
• ureshii ( 嬉しい ) — happy
• nemui ( 眠い ) — sleepy

Notice in the native Japanese pronunciation that the su is hardly audible. So, when you say desu , it sounds more like “dess” than “de-soo.”

9. watashi wa … desu ( 私は…です ) — I am …

This is the politest way to introduce yourself. For example:

Watashi wa Pouru desu. 私はポールです。 I am Paul.

Be careful not to overuse watashi wa beyond introductions, though. In most cases, “your name/subject + -desu ” will suffice if it’s clear from the context who or what you’re referring to.

10. … karakimashita ( … から来ました ) — I’m from … 

Simply use this to describe what country you’re from. Here’s a list of some countries in Japanese:

• Igirisu ( イギリス ) — United Kingdom
• Doitsu ( ドイツ ) — Germany
• Chuugoku ( 中国 ) — China
• Kankoku ( 韓国 ) — Korea

Many others are almost identical in Japanese, such as:

• Kanada ( カナダ ) — Canada
• Furansu ( フランス ) — France 
• Supein ( スペイン ) — Spain
• Amerika ( アメリカ ) — United States of America
• Ousutoraria ( オーストラリア ) — Australia

If you don’t know how to say your country’s name, say it in English—chances are, people will understand where you mean.

11. suki desu ( 好きです ) — I like it

You can say what you like by adding … ga suki desu ( が好きです ). For example:

Okashi ga suki desu. お菓子 が好きです 。   I like sweets.

12. ii desu yo ( いいですよ ) — It’s good

You’ll also often hear ii yo ( いいよ ), especially from women/girls.

13. suki dewa arimasen ( 好きではありません ) — I don’t like it

The less formal version would be suki dewa nai ( 好きではない ).

14. dame desu ( ダメです ) — It’s no good 

In more casual conversation, you can also say just:

• dame ( だめ )
• dame da ( だめだ )

15. takusan ( たくさん ) — A lot

Takusan is similar to ooi ( 多い ). The main difference is that takusan can function as a noun, adjective or adverb , while ooi is only an adjective. For example:

Kooen ni hana ga takusan arimasu. 公園に花が たくさん あります。   There are lots of flowers in the park .

16. sukoshi ( 少し ) — A little

Here’s an example of it in use:

Koohii ni satou wo sukoshi onegaishimasu. コーヒーに砂糖を すこし お願いします。   A little sugar in my coffee, please.  

17. ima nanji desu ka? ( 今何時ですか？ ) — What time is it? 

In casual situations, saying ima nanji? ( 今何時？ ) will work just fine. You’re probably already noticing that desu can be changed or even dropped in casual situations.

18. … ji desu ( …時です ) — It’s … o’clock

This, plus a number, is all you need to tell the time ! For example:

Ichi ji desu. 一 時です 。   It’s 1 o’clock. 

19. nihongo de hanashimashou ( 日本語で話しましょう ) — Let’s talk in Japanese

Once you kick off a convo with this phrase, make sure you’re ready to do a lot of talking!

By the way, when you see or hear a verb paired with the suffix -mashou (- ましょう ), it suggests that someone is trying to get you to do the verb prior to -mashou .

20. yoroshiku onegaishimasu ( よろしくお願いします ) — Nice to meet you

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu doesn’t have a direct English translation, but it can often be interpreted as “Please (do this favor for me),” “I am counting on you” or “I leave it to you.” You’ll often hear this from people making requests, starting a new relationship or asking for someone’s cooperation.

Japanese has a wide variety of pronouns you can use, helping you make your sentences more direct when you’re referring to yourself , your friend or your friend’s boyfriend.

21. watashi ( 私 ) — I (all genders)

Watashi is the go-to in polite situations. It’s sometimes pronounced watakushi ( わたくし ) for extra formality, and some female speakers may shorten it to atashi ( あたし ) in casual settings. No matter the pronunciation, though, they all use the character 私 in writing.

22. boku ( 僕 ) — I (usually male)

Boku is mostly used by men and boys when they’re among friends. Nowadays, some girls use boku as well, which gives off an air of tomboyish-ness.

23. ore ( 俺 ) — I (male)

While boku is sometimes used by girls, ore is an exclusively male pronoun. It gives off a bit of a rough image, so it’s only used among close friends in casual situations.

24. jibun ( 自分 ) — Myself / Yourself / Themselves

Jibun is used to refer to a sense of self. It can also take a variety of forms, like:

• jibun no ( 自分の ) — one’s own (something)
• jibun de ( 自分で ) — by yourself

Also, it’s a more polite way of referring to someone else.

25. anata ( あなた ) — You

Anata translates to “you,” but it’s not used in the same way it is in English . Most of the time, Japanese omits “you” altogether, favoring a person’s name instead. This form can be used as a term of endearment between couples.

26. kimi ( 君 ) — You

Kimi is largely used to talk to someone of lower status than yourself, such as a boss talking to their employees. It’s also used to add some pizzazz to writing, such as in the hit movie “Kimi no na wa” ( 君の名は ) — Your Name.

27. kare ( 彼 ) — He / him

While the Japanese language does favor using a person’s name over second- or third-person pronouns, using kare is perfectly okay. Plus, kare can also refer to someone’s boyfriend.

28. kanojo ( 彼女 ) — She / her

This is the feminine counterpart of kare. Like kare, k anojo can also be used to refer to a girlfriend.

29. tachi ( …たち ) — “… and company” (pluralizes pronouns)

To turn a pronoun into a plural, just add -tachi . For example:

• watashi tachi ( 私たち ) — We 
• kimi tachi ( 君たち ) — You (plural)
• kanojo tachi ( 彼女たち ) —   A group of women
• Sasuke tachi ( サスケたち ) — Sasuke and his friends

30. kore ( これ ) — This

This is used to refer to something close to the speaker.

31. sore ( それ ) — That

This one is used to refer to something close to the listener.

32. are ( あれ ) — That (over there)

This is used to refer to something far from both the speaker and the listener.

33. hai ( はい ) — Yes

Even if you only have a passing familiarity with Japanese, chances are you’ve heard this monosyllabic affirmation before. Aside from hai , another way to say “yes” in Japanese is with non-verbal cues like nodding your head up and down or giving a thumbs up.

34. sou desu ka ( そうですか ) — Is that right?

Saying this while nodding is a polite way to show that you’re paying attention when someone tells you something new. You can also use:

• sokka ( そっか )
• soudane ( そうだね )
• soune ( そうね )

These are less formal, but generally acceptable and certainly not rude.

35. sou desu ( そうです ) — That’s right 

You can also say hai, sou desu ( はい ,そうです ) — Yes, that’s right. However, the hai is implied and you can leave it off. In casual contexts, you can also just say sou ( そう ).

36. un ( うん ) / aa ( ああ ) / ee ( ええ )

The Japanese use aizuchi ( 相槌 ), which are simple words or gestures that  indicate you’re listening.

They don’t have direct English translations, but you could say they’re similar to saying “uh-huh” or “mm-hm” in English.

37. mochiron ( もちろん ) — Of course

This is not the “of course” you use to emphasize a point, but rather the one in “Of course, I’ll do that favor you’re asking me!”

38. ii desu yo ( いいですよ ) — Okay

This literally means “That’s good!” As such, it can be used to show your approval of something.

39. iie ( いいえ ) — no

This is the no-nonsense way to say “no.” However, Japanese culture prefers less direct approaches .

There are also several nonverbal ways to express “no.” Rubbing the back of the neck, making an “X” with both arms or even taking in a deep breath all mean “no.”

40. uun ( ううん )

This is a sound that indicates you don’t quite agree with what the person is saying.

41. iya ( いやー )

Whether this interjection means “no” depends on the context. If you suggest dinner and someone responds with iya… , they’re probably trying to politely turn you down with a non-committal “Well, you see…”

42. chotto… ( ちょっと… ) — A little…

If you use chotto, remember to trail off at the end, as you’re basically saying, “It’s a little…” For instance, if someone asks what you’re doing tomorrow afternoon with the aim to meet up, you can respond with “Chotto…” to mean that tomorrow afternoon’s not an ideal time for you.

In business settings, two simple phrases to convey “no” without saying “no” are:

• muzukashii desu ( 難しいです ) — It’s difficult
• kangaete okimasu ( 考えておきます ) — I’ll think about it

While not outright saying “no,” they express a refusal to the listener without sounding impolite.

43. wakarimasen ( 分かりません ) — I don’t understand

If you’re around friends, you can use the casual variant,  wakaranai ( 分からない ).

44. mou ichido itte kudasai ( もう一度言ってください ) — Please say that again

If someone is speaking in Japanese far too quickly for you, you can use this phrase to politely tell them to repeat themselves. You can also say:

• yukkuri onegai shimasu ( ゆっくりお願いします ) — Slowly, please
• kikoemasen deshita ( 聞こえませんでした ) — I didn’t hear that

45. kudasai ( ください ) — Please (requesting)

The word kudasai is used when making requests, as in these examples:

Isoide kudasai. 急いで ください 。   Please hurry.

Koohii o kudasai? コーヒーを ください ? Can I please have a coffee?

46. douzo ( どうぞ ) — Please (offering)

Using  douzo is like saying, “Please go ahead.” You can use it when ushering someone through the door before you, or offering a coworker some delicious snacks, for example.

47. arigatou gozaimasu ( ありがとうございます ) — Thank you 

The friendlier, more casual way to say thanks is  arigatou ( ありがとう ) . You’ll also see its abbreviation,  ari ( あり ) ,  pretty often on  Japanese message boards .

48. doumo ( どうも ) — Thank you

If you’re close friends with the person you’re thanking, you could also say doumo . In fact, you’ll sometimes see these combinations, which are used in very formal contexts:

• doumo arigatou gozaimasu ( どうもありがとうございます )
• doumo arigatou ( どうもありがとう )

Most of the time, though, just arigatou gozaimasu will suffice.

49. otsukaresama desu ( お疲れ様です ) — Thank you for your efforts

This expression is often said as a parting sentiment when you, or someone else, finishes their work. You can think of it as saying, “That’s a wrap for the day.”

50. iroiro arigatou gozaimashita ( 色々ありがとうございました ) — Thank you for everything

Iroiro ( 色々 ) literally means “various things.” So, this is the expression to use if you’re thanking someone for doing a lot of things for you or if you’re not sure exactly what to thank them for.

51. mondai nai desu ( 問題ないです ) — No problem

Mondai ( 問題 ) means “problem,” and the addition of nai  ( ない ) negates the problem. Therefore, you’re saying that the favor you performed didn’t trouble you at all.

52. douitashimashite ( どういたしまして ) — You’re welcome

Although this is technically the correct response to “Thank you,” it’s rarely used these days in casual Japanese conversation. But it’s still worth knowing if you want to respond to someone’s gratitude in a formal context.

53. shitsurei shimasu ( 失礼します ) — Excuse me (for my rudeness)

Another expression commonly heard in the office, shitsurei shimasu is used when you’re leaving a room. It’s similar to saying, “Sorry to have bothered you.” You can also end a formal or polite phone call with this phrase.

If you watch Japanese media often, you’ll also hear shitsurei shimasu when someone is entering a room.

Speaking of authentic Japanese media, you can find plenty of those on the language learning platform FluentU .

54. sumimasen ( すみません ) — Excuse me, I’m sorry 

Sumimasen is often used to say “Excuse me” (like if you need help getting directions ) and “Sorry” (like when you accidentally nudge someone). It can also be said as a “thank you” when you’ve troubled someone—think “Thanks for letting me put you out.”

55. gomen nasai ( ごめんなさい ) — I’m sorry

In casual situations and among family members and friends, gomen nasai replaces sumimasen when saying sorry.

56. gomen: ごめん — I’m sorry

Gomen is even less formal than gomen nasai , and is reserved for people you’re truly close to.

57. jaa, mata! ( じゃあ、また！ ) — See you later!

You can replace  mata with dewa mata ( ではまた ) for a slightly more formal expression. There’s also:

• jaa mata ashita ne (じゃあまた明日ね) — see you tomorrow
• jaa ne ( じゃあね ) — see you
• mata ne ( またね ) — see you

58. o genki de ( お元気で ) — Take care

If “see you” is a little too casual for you, then you can say  o genki de  instead. This literally means “be healthy” and can be used to say, “Good luck!”

59. meado wo oshiete moraemasu ka? ( メアドを教えてもらえますか？ ) — Could I have your e-mail address?

If that’s a little too long to memorize, you can ask:

Meado wo oshiete? メアドを教えて？ Can I get your e-mail address? (Literally, “Teach me your email?”)

60. tegami kaku yo ( 手紙書くよ ) — I’ll write you letters

Do you prefer exchanging physical letters instead of emails? If so, keep this phrase handy for your Japanese penpals !

61. tsuitara, … shimasu ( 着いたら、… します ) — I’ll … you when I arrive

You can use this phrase as follows:

• tsuitara, denwa shimasu ( 着いたら、電話します ) — I’ll call you when I arrive
• tsuitara, meeru shimasu ( 着いたら、メールします ) — I’ll email you when I arrive

62. mata sugu ni kimasu yo: またすぐに来ますよ — I’ll be back soon

This is generally a casual phrase, as indicated by the ending yo ( よ ).

63. asobi ni kite kudasai ne ( 遊びに来てくださいね ) — Come visit me

Although asobi ( 遊び ) in this context means “to visit,” that word can also mean “to play”—adding an extra sense of warmth to this phrase.

64. watashi no ie dewa, itsudemo anata wo kangei shimasu yo! ( わたしの家ではいつでもあなたを歓迎しますよ！ ) — You’re always welcome in my home!

Knowing some of the essential Japanese question words will go a long way toward getting your questions across to Japanese speakers.

65. nani ( 何 ) — What

Nani can be used alone or in a sentence. When placed before desu, the word nani drops its -i and becomes nan. For example:

Kore wa nan desu ka? これは 何 ですか？ What is this? (Remember this phrase in particular—it’s going to come in handy in a variety of situations!)

66. doko ( どこ ) — Where

Doko is used when asking for a location, like this:

Toire wa doko desu ka? トイレは どこ ですか ? Where is the toilet?

If you don’t know the word for the place you’re looking for, another helpful option is pointing to it on a map and asking:

Doko desu ka? どこ ですか ? Where is it?

67. dare ( 誰 ) — Who

If you’re referring to a specific person, add it before dare :

Kanojo wa dare desu ka? 彼女は 誰 ですか？ Who is she?

68. itsu ( いつ ) — When

Itsu is typically used in the following structure: itsu + verb (in the -masu form) or event + question marker ka.

Itsu kaerimasu ka? いつ 帰りますか？ When are you coming back?

69. doushite ( どうして ) — Why

If you need to ask politely, say it as Doushite desu ka? ( どうしてですか？ ). If you’re with friends or family, you can use the casual form nande ( 何で ) instead.

70. naze ( なぜ ) — Why

This is pretty similar to doushite , but a bit more formal. Naze is also used to ask the reason behind something, while doushite has a nuance of “how” to it.

71. ikura ( いくら ) — How much

Just tack on the question marker desu ka? ( ですか？ ) at the end of this word, and you’ll get ikura desu ka? ( いくらですか？ )

A quick not: ikura also sounds like “salmon roe” ( イクラ ). So, if you’re using this phrase, make sure it’s clear from the context that you’re saying “How much?” and not “Is this salmon roe?”—the latter of which would be イクラですか？

72. ikutsu ( いくつ ) — How many

This is a general word to ask “how much” or “how many” of a numerical amount. For example:

Okashi wa ikutsu hoshii desu ka? お菓子は いくつ 欲しいですか？ How many snacks do you want?

It can also be used to ask someone’s age:

Oikutsu desu ka? お いくつ ですか？ How old are you?

Here, ikutsu is preceded by o ( お ), which makes your question sound more polite and palatable for older folks!

73. nan … ( 何… ) — How many

Nan is a more specific way of asking how much of something there is. It works by combining nan with a counter , such as:

• nanhon ( 何本 ) — How many long cylindrical objects?
• nannin ( 何人 ) — How many people?
• nanmai ( 何枚 ) — How many sheets?

74. dochira ( どちら ) — Which one?

Use this phrase when you’re referring to a choice between two objects.

75. dore ( どれ ) — Which one?

Use this one when you’re referring to a choice between three or more objects.

This list of Japanese daily vocabulary will give you what you need to get around Japan and, in case of an emergency, ask for help. 

Public Transport

76. sumimasen, … wa doko desu ka? ( すみません、… はどこですか？ — Excuse me, where’s the …?

This construction comes in handy for phrases like the following. Just tack on your intended destination before wa doko desu ka:

• sumimasen, chikatetsu wa doko desu ka? ( すみません、地下鉄はどこですか？ — Excuse me, where’s the subway?
• sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka ( すみません、駅はどこですか？ ) — Excuse me, where’s the station?
• sumimasen, takushii no noriba wa dokodesu ka? ( すみません、タクシーの乗り場はどこですか？ ) — Where is the taxi platform?

77. kono densha wa … eki ni tomarimasu ka? ( この電車は… 駅に停まりますか？ ) — Does this train stop at … station?

To say that Japan has one of the most intricate train systems would be an understatement. Luckily, you can easily untangle that intricacy with this simple phrase!

78. kono basu wa … ni ikimasu ka? ( このバスは…に行きますか？ ) — Does this bus go to … ?

If you’re not sure where your public transport is stopping, you can also use this phrase. You can substitute basu with densha ( 電車 ) — train, takushi ( タクシー ) — taxi, and so on.

79. … made tsureteitte kudasai ( …まで連れて行ってください ) — Please take me to …

Use this phrase to tell the taxi driver where you want to go.

Hotel Phrases

80. yoyaku wo shitainodesuga ( 予約をしたいのですが ) — I’d like to make a reservation.

Like most hotels around the world, it’s advisable to make a booking in advance when it comes to Japanese hotels. However, if your hotel allows it, you may be able to book at the front desk.

81. yoyaku shiteimasu ( 予約しています ) — I have a reservation.

Use this phrase if you’ve already made a booking in advance.

82. chekkuauto wa nanji desu ka? ( チェックアウトは何時ですか？ ) — What time is checkout?

This one is self-explanatory. You can also replace the word chekkuauto ( チェックアウト ) with anything that you want to know the time of.

Emergencies

83. michi ni mayotte shimaimashita ( 道に迷ってしまいました ) — I’ve lost my way.

If that feels like a bit of a mouthful, you could also just say mayotte shimaimashita ( 迷ってしまいました ).

84. tasukete! ( 助けて！ ) — Help! (for emergencies)

All I’m going to say is, if you end up forgetting every other phrase that’s been listed so far, don’t forget this one. It could save your life—literally!

85. tetsudatte kuremasen ka? ( 手伝ってくれませんか？ ) —   Can you help me? (for everyday situations) 

If you’re not in a life-threatening situation, tetsudatte kuremasen ka will do.

86. … wo yondekudasai ( …を呼んでください ) — Please call the …

Use this construction when you want someone else to contact emergency services, like so:

• keisatsu wo yondekudasai ( 警察を呼んでください ) — Please call the police.
• kyuukyuusha wo yondekudasai ( 救急車を呼んでください — Please call an ambulance.

Here’s a useful note: The emergency numbers in Japan are 119 for an ambulance and 110 for the police. 

Okay, now that we’ve gotten the formalities out of the way, it’s time to talk about what’s really important: food !

Here are some of the food words you should know:

87. kome ( 米 ) — Rice (raw)

88. yasai ( 野菜 ) — Vegetables

89. kudamono ( 果物 ) — Fruit

90. miruku ( ミルク ) — Milk

91. pan ( パン ) — Bread

92. pasuta ( パスタ ) — Pasta

93. niku ( 肉 ) — Meat

94. jagaimo ( じゃがいも ) — Potatoes

95. tamago ( 卵 ) — Eggs

Saying You’re Hungry

96. onaka ga suite imasu (お腹が空いてます) — I’m hungry

This literally means your stomach has become empty. Some variations are:

• onaka ga suita (お腹が空いた) — informal
• onaka ga hetta ( お腹が減った ) — informal, often interchanged with onaka ga suita
• hara hetta ( 腹へった ) — masculine
• onaka ga pekopeko ( お腹がペコペコ ) — onomatopoeia that means your stomach is growling

97. mada tabete imasen ( まだ食べていません ) — I haven’t eaten yet

For a more casual version, go ahead and say mada tabeteinai ( まだ食べていない ) .

Before the Meal

98. menyuu, onegai shimasu ( メニュー、お願いします ) — Please bring me a menu

You can opt for the more formal version:

Menyuu, onegai dekimasu ka? メニュー 、 お願いできますか？ May I have the menu?

Also, you can substitute menyuu ( メニュー ) with:

• dezaato ( デザート ) — dessert
• nomimono ( 飲み物 ) — drinks

99. kore wa nan desu ka? ( これは何ですか？ ) — What’s this?

If the menu is entirely in Japanese, you can point to an item you want and direct this question at the waiter.

100. kore o tabete mitai desu ( これを食べてみたいです ) — I’d like to try this

If you’re a little more adventurous, just point to the item you want and run with this phrase!

101. … wo kudasai ( …をください ) — I’d like …

State whatever you’d like to order, and follow it with … wo kudasai . For example:

Koohii wo kudasai . コーヒー をください? I’d like a coffee, please.

102. … ga arimasu ka? ( …がありますか？ ) — Do you have … ?

As a reply, you’ll simply hear arimasu ( あります ).

103. … tsuki desu ka ( …付きですか？ ) — Does it come with … ?

If you want to know if certain foods are included with your order, use this to ask. For example:

Furaido poteto tsuki desu ka? フライドポテト 付きですか ？ Does it come with fries? 

104. … ga taberaremasen ( …が食べられません ) — I can’t eat …

This is a good phrase to learn for vegetarians, vegans and other people with dietary restrictions. For example, niku ( 肉 ) is “meat” and sakana  ( 魚 ) is “fish.” So if you’re on a strict veg diet, you can say:

Niku to sakana ga taberaremasen. 肉と魚 が食べられません 。 I can’t eat meat and fish.

105. … arerugii ga arimasu ( …アレルギーがあります ) — I’m allergic to …

State whatever you’re allergic to and add this phrase to the end. Just to be safe rather than sorry, you can ask: … ga haitte imasu ka? ( が入っています か？ ) which means, “Are / Is there any … in it?”  For example:

Tamago ga haitte imasu ka ? 卵 が入っていますか？ Are there any eggs in it?

106. kore wa … desu ka? ( これは…ですか？ ) — Is this … ?

If you want to be more direct about whether a specific food meets your dietary requirements, you can insert one or more of the following between kore wa ( これは ) and desu ka ( ですか ):

• guruten hurii  ( グルテンフリー ) — Gluten-free
• bejitarian ( ベジタリアン ) — Vegetarian
• biigan ( ビーガン ) — Vegan
• nyuseihin hushiyou  ( 乳製品不使用 ) — Dairy-free

You can also ask about portions with the same construction and by substituting the following:

• omori ( 大盛り ) — Large portion
• nakamari ( 中盛り ) — Medium portion
• komori ( 小盛り ) — Small portion

107. kore wa nan karorīdesu ka? ( これは何カロリーですか？ ) — How many calories are in this?

Generally, Japanese food is quite healthy and doesn’t have a ton of calories, but it won’t hurt to check!

During the Meal

108. itadakimasu ( いただきます ) — Let’s dig in

This is used before digging into your meal, similar to “Bon appétit.”

109. mazui desu ( まずいです ) — It’s terrible

Ideally, you don’t want to end up in a restaurant where you have to say something like this, but sometimes it’s unavoidable!

110. okawari ( おかわり ) — Another serving, please

If you really like your food, you can let the lovely folks at the restaurant know by saying okawari. The more polite version would be okawari o kudasai ( おかわりをください ).

You can also say, depending on the context:

• hai, onegaishimasu ( はい、お願いします ) — Yes, please (when offered food)
• iie, kekkoudesu ( いいえ、結構です ) — I’m fine, thank you (when offered food)

111. onaka ga ippai desu ( お腹が一杯です ) — I’m full

112. kanpai! ( 乾杯！ ) — Cheers!

When you’re drinking with other people, it’s essential to clink your glasses together and say kanpai! You say this phrase before drinking, not after.

After the Meal

113. oishii desu! ( 美味しいです！ ) — It’s delicious!

If you’re eyeballing a slice of cake, then oishisou ( 美味しそう ), meaning “It looks delicious,” could be useful. A casual and “manly” way to say something is delicious is umai ( 旨い ) .

114. gochisousama deshita ( ごちそうさまでした ) — Thanks for the meal

Like itadakimasu, this phrase is a fixture at every meal. You say this when the meal is finished.

115. okaikei, onegai shimasu ( お会計、お願いします ) — Check, please

This is the most common way to ask for a check. You may also hear okanjou, onegai shimasu ( お勘定 、お願いします ), though not as often. Just note that the word for “check” is kaikei ( 会計 ).

116. warikan ni shite kudasai ( 割り勘 にしてください ) — Split the check, please 

If there are multiple people at the same table, this phrase will come in handy, as will betsubetsu de onegaishimasu ( 別々でお願いします ) —   We’ll pay separately, please.

Cooking Phrases

You’ll likely be cooking for yourself at some point, even if it’s just toast. Here are some useful Japanese words if you plan on cooking.

117. zairyo ( 材料 ) — Ingredients

118. ryori ( 料理 ) — Cooking

119. o bento ( お弁当 ) — Readymade meal/TV dinner

120. retoruto gohan ( レトルトご飯 ) — Instant rice (for the microwave)

121. guramu ( グラム ) — Grams

122. kiroguramu ( キログラム ) — Kilograms

With streets brimming with food stalls and vendors, the high-end boutiques lining Ginza and the ultra-cool and unique souvenir shops, there’s no way to avoid shopping while traveling through Japan .

123. kore wa nan desu ka? ( これは何ですか ) — What is this?

If you want to be more specific, you could also say kore wa nan to iu mono desu ka? ( これは何というものですか？ ) — What’s this called?

124. kore wa ikura desu ka? ( これはいくらですか？ ) — How much is this?

If it’s clear from the context what you’re referring to, you can also just say ikura desu ka? いくらですか？

125. chotto takai desu ( ちょっと高いです ) — It’s a bit expensive

If you haven’t started your adventure of learning Japanese adjectives, then here’s some essential shopping vocabulary:

• yasui ( 安い ) — Cheap, easy
• takai ( 高い ) — Expensive, high
• takakunai ( 高くない ) — Inexpensive

126. … ga ari masu ka ( ＿がありますか？ ) — Do you have…?

127. hoka no iro ga arimasu ka? ( 他の色がありますか？ ) — Do you have another color?

Some colors you may come across include:

• aka ( 赤 ) — Red
• ao ( 青 ) — Blue
• kiiro ( 黄色 ) — Yellow
• midori ( 緑 ) — Green
• kuro ( 黒 ) — Black

128. … wo kudasai ( ＿をください ) — I’d like …, please.

129. sore wo itadakimasu ( それを頂きます ) — I’ll take it

If the phrase itadakimasu sounds familiar, that’s because it’s also the one used when you’re about to dig into a tasty meal. In the same way, saying sore o itadakimasu when you’re buying something expresses that you’re thankful for what you bought.

130. kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? ( クレジットカードは使えますか？ ) — Can I use my credit card?

If you’d like to use a traveler’s check, then replace kurejitto kaado with: toraberaazu chekku ( トラベラーズチェック ) — traveler’s check.

Your Suica and Pasmo cards , which are rechargeable cards you can use on Japanese trains, can also be used to pay for taxis or your groceries at select stores. You can ask:

Suika wa tsukaemasu ka? スイカわつかえますか？ Can I use my Suica?

131. tsutsunde itadakemasu ka? ( 包んでいただけますか？ ) — Can I have it gift-wrapped?

132. hai, onegaishimasu ( はい、お願いします ) — Yes, please 

133. īe, kekkō desu ( いいえ、結構です ) — No, thank you 

Common Phrases You’ll Hear in Japanese Shops

If you’re wondering what the shopkeepers mean when they throw these phrases at you—well, now you know!

134. irasshaimase ( いらっしゃいませ ) — Welcome

You will hear a chorus of  irasshaimase! when you enter a shop.

135. honjitsu wa (_) ga seru desu ( 本日は (_) がセールです ) — (This product) is on sale today

_ いかがですか？ is often used to invite you to take a look at specific products or try a free sample. You may also come across the term hangaku ( 半額 ) — half-price.

136. fukuro ni ire masu ka? ( 袋に入れますか？ ) — Would you like a bag?

Got a ton of items to carry home? If the Japanese shop you’re in graciously offers you this, lucky you!

137. ni nari masu (amount) ( になります ) — That’s (amount), please

138. wo okaeshi itashi masu (amount) ( をお返しいたします ) — Here’s your change (+ amount)

Shopping Words in Japanese

139. en ( 円 ) — yen 

In Japan, the currency is Japanese yen. 100 yen usually comes to around $0.90 to $1.10 USD. If you think of 100 yen as around a dollar when you go shopping, it’s a good way to keep track of your budget.

140. suupaa ( スーパー ) — supermarket 

141. konbiniensusutoa / konbini ( コンビニエンスストア / コンビニ ) — convenience store 

142. yubin kyoku ( 郵便局 ) — post office 

143. nichi yōhin ( 日用品 ) — groceries

144. kaimono kago ( 買い物かご ) — basket

145. shoppingu kato ( ショッピングカート ) — shopping cart 

146. muryō sanpuru ( 無料サンプル ) — free sample 

147. kaikei ( 会計 ) — cash register  

148. tadaima ( ただいま ) — I’m back

Everyone says this when they arrive home. If you go out, say this when you get back to let everyone know you’ve arrived home safely. If you want to, you can also say it when coming back from the bathroom; it tends to go down well.

149. okaeri nasai ( おかえりなさい ) — Welcome back

This is said in response to tadaima.  You can use this when someone else gets home, like when a parent returns from work or when a sibling gets back from cram school.

150. ofuro ni haitte mo ii desu ka? ( お風呂に入ってもいいですか？ ) — May I take a bath?

In Japan, most families take a bath every night, and if you’re staying somewhere like with a host family, you’ll be welcome to have one too if you ask.

If you’d prefer to take a shower (I did), you can just replace the word ofuru ( お風呂 ) — bath with shawaa ( シャワー ) — shower. Just make sure you don’t throw the bath water out when you’re done, as the family shares the hot water.

151. oyasumi nasai ( おやすみなさい ) — Good night

You can also leave off the -nasai  to make it less formal.

Want to sound like a native when you know minimal Japanese? There are a few common phrases you can use with friends in casual conversations.

152. ikimashou ( 行きましょう ) — Let’s go

Once you’ve decided on your plans for the day with friends, it’s time to head out by saying this phrase.

153. tabemashou ( 食べましょう ) — Let’s eat

If you decide to have lunch with friends, state tabemashou!

154. nomimashou ( 飲みましょう ) — Let’s drink

You can also suggest grabbing a drink by using this phrase.

155. yattaa! ( やったー！ ) — Yay!

This is generally an informal phrase. It’s something you use when you want to express that you’re excited, or that you’re happy about the outcome of something.

156. ureshii desu ( 嬉しいです ) — I’m happy

If you want to convey, in no uncertain terms, that you’re happy, then this is the phrase to whip out.

157. daijoubu desu ( 大丈夫です ) — I’m fine

Aside from conveying that you’re all right, this is a polite way to respectfully say “no,” such as when you’re done drinking for the night.

158. yoroshiku ne ( よろしくね ) — Nice to meet you

This is the casual version of yoroshiku onegaishimasu —a phrase that can also translate to “Please take care of me” or “I’ll leave it up to you.”

159. doushita no? ( どうしたの？ ) — What’s wrong?

Does your friend seem down? Tell them this phrase to cheer them up.

160. yabai ( やばい ) — Awful or cool

While talking, your friend may mention they have an important test or date. Use yabai and depending on the context, it can mean “Awful” or “Cool.”

161. yokatta ( よかった ) — Good, excellent, nice

This is an expression of relief, a bit like “Oh, thank goodness!”

162. ganbatte ( 頑張って ) — Do your best

This simple word means either “Good luck” or “Do your best.” In more formal situations, you’d say Ganbatte kudasai ( 頑張ってください ) . 

163. omedetou! ( おめでとう！ )  — Congrats!

The formal variant is o medetou gozaimasu ( おめでとうございます ) — Congratulations.

164. zenzen ( 全然 ) — Not at all (with neg. verb)

In a nutshell,   zenzen is the Japanese phrase of denial. It can be used either sincerely or not, such as when answering your mother when she asks, “Am I bothering you?”

165. maji de? ( マジで？ ) — Really?

You can express your surprise with this casual phrase, or its even more casual and assertive variant maji ka yo ? ( マジかよ? )

166. hontou? ( 本当？ ) — Really? / Seriously?

This word translates literally to “truth,” “reality,” “actuality” or “fact.” In question form, it comes across more like a surprised,“Are you serious?”

167. usoo! ( うそー！ ) — No way!

This is another way to express surprise, which literally means “Lie!”

168. yappari ( やっぱり ) — As expected

If you’re not surprised, you can use this word to say, “I knew it!”

When you’re making friends, you’ll hear tons of these terms going back and forth. Many slang terms are written in katakana , which marks them as being casual words.

169. ukeru ( ウケる ) — Funny, hilarious

Let’s say your friend made a great joke . By saying ukeru , you’ll let him know he struck your funny bone.

170. chou ( 超 ) — Super

This word is used to add emphasis, like the words “really” or “very.” You could say, for example, that something is chou ukeru ( 超ウケる   ) or very funny.

171. dasai ( ダサい ) — Uncool

You’ll often hear young people say dasai to refer to something that’s boring, unfashionable, etc.

172. kimoi ( キモい ) — Gross

Kimoi  is a contraction of the words kimochi ( 気持ち ) — feeling, and warui ( 悪い ) — bad. 

173. gachi ( ガチ ) — Totally, really, seriously

G achi implies that something actually took place, or was really as intense as the speaker claims.

174. hanpa nai ( 半端ない ) — Crazy, insane

Hanpa nai means that something is awesome or insane, but in a good way, like an epic roller coaster ride.

And there you have it! With these phrases and some core vocabulary , you’ll be able to make small talk with new friends, or show others that you’re sincerely interested in learning Japanese.

Just by incorporating these Japanese daily vocabulary into your conversation , you’ll soon be sure to hear nihongo ga jouzu desu ne! ( 日本語が上手ですね ) — You’re good at speaking Japanese!

If you love learning Japanese with authentic materials, then I should also tell you more about FluentU .

FluentU naturally and gradually eases you into learning Japanese language and culture. You'll learn real Japanese as it's spoken in real life.

FluentU has a broad range of contemporary videos as you'll see below:

FluentU makes these native Japanese videos approachable through interactive transcripts. Tap on any word to look it up instantly.

All definitions have multiple examples, and they're written for Japanese learners like you. Tap to add words you'd like to review to a vocab list.

And FluentU has a learn mode which turns every video into a language learning lesson. You can always swipe left or right to see more examples.

The best part? FluentU keeps track of your vocabulary, and gives you extra practice with difficult words. It'll even remind you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You'll have a 100% personalized experience.

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Watch CBS News

What time the 2024 solar eclipse started, reached peak totality and ended

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:04 AM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality . 

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT. 

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT. 

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland  at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT.  In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017. 

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT. 

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET. 

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com . 

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

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• Solar Eclipse 2024

See the 2024 Solar Eclipse’s Path of Totality

A total solar eclipse is expected to pass through the United States on April 8, 2024, giving stargazers across the country the opportunity to view the celestial phenomenon in which the sun is completely covered by the moon.

The eclipse will enter the U.S. in Texas and exit in Maine. It is the last time a total solar eclipse will be visible in the contiguous United States until 2044.

Here's what to know about the path of the eclipse and where you can see it.

Read More : How Animals and Nature React to an Eclipse

Where can you see the total solar eclipse?

The eclipse will cross through North America, passing over parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. 

The eclipse will enter the United States in Texas, and travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse.

Much of the eclipse's visibility depends on the weather. A cloudy day could prevent visitors from seeing the spectacle altogether.

When does the solar eclipse start and end?

The solar eclipse will begin in Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. It will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

The longest duration of totality—which is when the moon completely covers the sun — will be 4 minutes, 28 seconds, near Torreón, Mexico. Most places along the path of totality will see a totality duration between 3.5 and 4 minutes.

Read More : The Eclipse Could Bring $1.5 Billion Into States on the Path of Totality

Where’s the best place to see the total solar eclipse?

The best place to witness the event is along the path of totality. Thirteen states will be along the path of totality, and many towns across the country are preparing for the deluge of visitors— planning eclipse watch parties and events in the days leading up to totality.

In Rochester, NY, the Rochester Museum and Science Center is hosting a multi-day festival that includes a range of events and activities. Russellville, Arkansas will host an event with activities including live music, science presentations, tethered hot-air balloon rides, and telescope viewings.

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Write to Simmone Shah at [email protected]

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Planning to Combine Business and Leisure Travel? You’re Not Alone.

As employees increasingly add leisure time to their business trips, companies are trying to figure out where their duty of care obligations begin and end.

Credit... Aart-Jan Venema

Supported by

By Amy Zipkin

• April 7, 2024

On a Sunday in late January, Melinda Buchmann, who lives in Florida and supervises client relations for RevShoppe, a 30-person remote company advising organizations on sales techniques and strategies, arrived in Banff, Alberta, to help set up a four-day company meeting.

The last day of the event, her husband, Josh, a director of strategic partnerships for the delivery company DoorDash , who also works remotely, joined her. They spent two leisurely days hiking in Banff National Park and visiting Lake Louise.

“I take advantage, because I don’t know when I’m going to return,” Ms. Buchmann said of the decision to combine downtime with a business trip.

As postpandemic work life has changed, and arrangements now include full-time office attendance as well as hybrid and remote work, so, too, has business travel. The phenomenon known as bleisure, or blended business and leisure travel, was initially embraced largely by digital nomads . But such combined travel is now also popular with people outside that group . Allied Market Research, a subsidiary of Allied Analytics, based in Portland, Ore., estimated that the bleisure travel market was $315.3 billion in 2022 and would reach $731.4 billion by 2032.

As employees increasingly add leisure time to their business trips, companies are struggling to determine where their legal obligation to protect employees from harm — their so-called duty of care — begins and ends. And workers may think that because their trip started with business, they will get all the help they need if something goes wrong on the leisure end. Instead, they should generally consider the leisure part of a trip as a regular vacation where they cover all expenses and contingencies.

Companies are responsible for knowing where their employees are during a business trip, covering expenses if an accident or emergency occurs, securing new lodging if a hotel is damaged, even swapping out a broken down rental car. Still, it’s not entirely clear if that coverage ends completely after the conference or the last client meeting.

Companies recognize that threats are increasing, said Robert Cole, senior research analyst focusing on lodging and leisure travel at Phocuswright, a market research company. They are trying to figure out how to take care of a valuable company resource, the employee, without leaving themselves open to financial risk or potential litigation.

“Crafting a comprehensive policy that balances business objectives, employee well-being and legal considerations can be challenging,” Nikolaos Gkolfinopoulos, head of tourism at ICF, a consulting and technology services company in Reston, Va., wrote in an email.

Employees may be on their own without realizing it and may be surprised by out-of-pocket expenses if they require hospital care abroad or evacuation, said Suzanne Morrow, chief executive of InsureMyTrip , an online insurance travel comparison site in Warwick, R.I.

Ms. Morrow said medical coverage provided by a company “is generally only for the dates of the actual business trip abroad.” If travelers are extending the trip for personal travel, she added, “they would want to secure emergency medical coverage for that additional time abroad.”

Employers and employees are left to figure out when the business portion of the trip ends and the leisure segment begins, a significant detail if an employee has a medical emergency. “Where does the corporation liability end?” said Kathy Bedell, senior vice president at BCD Travel, a travel management company.

Companies have varying policies to deal with the new travel amalgam. The chief executive of RevShoppe, Patricia McLaren, based in Austin, Texas, said the company provided flexible travel options and allowed employees to work anywhere they choose.

Even so, there are constraints. The company requires all employees, including executives, to sign liability and insurance waivers when they are on a voluntary company-sponsored trip, such as an off-site meeting. Such waivers typically place responsibility on employees for their own well-being. And if they bring someone, they are responsible for that person’s expenses.

Employees are responsible for requesting the paid time off and notifying their managers of their whereabouts, although that part is not a requirement. Managers have to ensure adequate staffing, Ms. McLaren said.

Elsewhere, employees may not bother to mention the leisure portion of their trip. Eliot Lees, a vice president and managing director at ICF, said he had been on trips as a child with his parents when they combined business and leisure. His parents were academics, who would piggyback vacations onto conferences.

Now he does the same. “I don’t think I ever asked for approval,” he said. (ICF has no formal business-leisure travel policy. It’s allowed as part of personal time off.) After a conference in the Netherlands last year, he spent four days hiking in the northern part of the country.

“I go anywhere, and take more risks than I should,” he said. He said he didn’t carry personal travel or accident insurance.

Any nonchalance may quickly evaporate if a threat emerges. Security experts say even low-risk locations can become high-risk for a few days or weeks of the year.

“Companies are concerned about losing visibility into a traveler’s whereabouts if they booked flights and hotels outside their corporate travel management company,” Benjamin Thorne, senior intelligence manager in London for Crisis24, a subsidiary of GardaWorld, wrote in an email. “The company may think the traveler is in one city when, in reality, they could have booked a holiday package to another nearby city. This lack of visibility by the company makes it difficult to support travelers when a disaster occurs.”

He also raised the possibility that “a traveler with bleisure travel reservations and expectations may find their work trip canceled due to changes in the risk environment or company policy, disrupting their leisure plans.”

Will a company step in off hours if there’s a problem? “That depends on how you are booked,” Mr. Cole, the senior research analyst at Phocuswright, said. A rule of thumb is the further you get from corporate control, the greater the gray area gets.

Half of GoldSpring Consulting’s clients take the responsibility for the entire trip, said Will Tate, a partner at the consultancy based in Cross Roads, Texas, and a certified public accountant. They don’t want the reputational risk. The other half say: “The business trip ended Friday. That’s when we end our duty of care.”

Some companies are trying to define and narrow the gray area. “If you are clearly on personal time, there is no legal requirement for your employer to provide for you,” said Nicole Page, a lawyer whose practice includes employment law at Reavis Page Jump in New York.

Uber provides employees with advisories before a trip, travel assessments, safety tips while traveling and emergency travel assistance, including medical aid, airport travel support, urgent and emergency assistance, and lost or stolen personal property insurance whether they are on business or pleasure travel or a combination.

And at DoorDash, Chris Cherry, head of global safety and security, wrote in an email that “while personal travel is not something we track, we have received requests to extend our travel support capabilities to personal travel.” Mr. Cherry said in those cases, the company has manually added employee leisure itineraries to its travel risk management system and “provided the same level of overwatch that we do for regular business travel.”

The Buchmanns plan to travel this month to Barcelona, Spain, for the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention. DoorDash will have a booth, and Mr. Buchmann will work on the exhibit floor and also entertain clients.

Ms. Buchmann will accompany him. She plans to go sightseeing in the morning, and work in the afternoons and evenings Barcelona time. She will also take three days of paid time off and has shared her plans with Ms. McLaren, the RevShoppe chief executive.

They will stay a day after the conference and plan to visit the Dalí Theater and Museum in Figueres. “I’m sure there will be no shortage of tapas and window shopping along way,” Mr. Buchmann said. He expects to be back at work the next Monday.

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