100 Essential Travel Phrases: Japanese

If you’re planning a trip to Japan soon, here are 100 key phrases that will help your trip run smoothly! Though Japan is known for having many English speakers among its population, knowing some basic Japanese phrases will enhance your experience and may even open cultural doors that might have been shut to you otherwise. Without further ado, here are the 100 Japanese key phrases you need to know for your upcoming trip to Japan:

Greetings and Politeness

1. こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello / Good afternoon

2. おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu) – Good morning

3. こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good evening

4. さようなら (Sayōnara) – Goodbye

5. おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai) – Goodnight

6. ありがとう (Arigatou) – Thank you

7. ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) – Thank you very much (formal)

8. すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me / Sorry

9. はい (Hai) – Yes

10. いいえ (Iie) – No

11. どういたしまして (Dōitashimashite) – You’re welcome

12. よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – Please treat me well / I appreciate your help

13. お元気ですか？ (Ogenki desu ka?) – How are you?

14. 元気です (Genki desu) – I’m fine

Getting Around

1. どこですか？ (Doko desu ka?) – Where is…?

2. 駅 (Eki) – Station

3. バス停 (Basutei) – Bus stop

4. この電車はどこ行きですか？ (Kono densha wa doko yuki desu ka?) – Where is this train going?

5. ここで降ります (Koko de orimasu) – I will get off here

6. 次の駅はどこですか？ (Tsugi no eki wa doko desu ka?) – What’s the next station?

7. タクシー (Takushī) – Taxi

8. 地図 (Chizu) – Map

9. 近いですか？ (Chikai desu ka?) – Is it close?

10. 遠いですか？ (Tōi desu ka?) – Is it far?

11. まっすぐ行ってください (Massugu itte kudasai) – Please go straight

12. 右に曲がってください (Migi ni magatte kudasai) – Please turn right

13. 左に曲がってください (Hidari ni magatte kudasai) – Please turn left

14. 止めてください (Tomete kudasai) – Please stop (here)

Accommodations

1. 予約があります (Yoyaku ga arimasu) – I have a reservation

2. 予約したいです (Yoyaku shitai desu) – I would like to make a reservation

3. チェックインお願いします (Chekkuin onegaishimasu) – I would like to check in

4. チェックアウトお願いします (Chekkuauto onegaishimasu) – I would like to check out

5. 鍵 (Kagi) – Key

6. 朝食はどこですか？ (Chōshoku wa doko desu ka?) – Where is breakfast?

7. Wi-Fiのパスワードは何ですか？ (Wi-Fi no pasuwādo wa nan desu ka?) – What’s the Wi-Fi password?

8. 部屋を掃除してください (Heya o sōji shite kudasai) – Please clean the room

9. 荷物を預かってもらえますか？ (Nimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka?) – Can you hold my luggage?

10. タオルをください (Taworu o kudasai) – Please give me a towel

Dining Out

1. メニューをください (Menyū o kudasai) – Please give me a menu

2. これをください (Kore o kudasai) – I’ll have this, please

3. おすすめは何ですか？ (Osusume wa nan desu ka?) – What do you recommend?

4. お会計お願いします (Okaikei onegaishimasu) – The check, please

5. これは何ですか？ (Kore wa nan desu ka?) – What is this?

6. 美味しい (Oishii) – Delicious

7. 辛いですか？ (Karai desu ka?) – Is it spicy?

8. ベジタリアンです (Bejitarian desu) – I’m a vegetarian

9. お水をください (Omizu o kudasai) – Please give me water

10. おかわりください (Okawari kudasai) – Another serving, please

11. お酒 (Osake) – Alcohol

12. アレルギーがあります (Arerugī ga arimasu) – I have an allergy

13. 禁煙席をお願いします (Kinen seki o onegaishimasu) – Non-smoking seat, please

Shopping

1. いくらですか？ (Ikura desu ka?) – How much is this?

2. クレジットカード使えますか？ (Kurejitto kādo tsukaemasu ka?) – Can I use a credit card?

3. これください (Kore kudasai) – I’ll take this, please

4. もっと安いのはありますか？ (Motto yasui no wa arimasu ka?) – Do you have a cheaper one?

5. 試着してもいいですか？ (Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?) – Can I try this on?

6. 領収書をください (Ryōshūsho o kudasai) – Please give me a receipt

7. 袋は要りますか？ (Fukuro wa irimasu ka?) – Do you need a bag?

8. これ、ありますか？ (Kore, arimasu ka?) – Do you have this?

Emergencies

1. 助けてください (Tasukete kudasai) – Please help me

2. 警察を呼んでください (Keisatsu o yonde kudasai) – Please call the police

3. 病院はどこですか？ (Byōin wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the hospital?

4. 気分が悪いです (Kibun ga warui desu) – I don’t feel well

5. 怪我をしました (Kega o shimashita) – I’m injured

6. 薬局はどこですか？ (Kusuriya wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the pharmacy?

7. 盗まれました (Nusumaremashita) – I was robbed

8. 火事です！ (Kaji desu!) – There’s a fire!

9. 医者を呼んでください (Isha o yonde kudasai) – Please call a doctor

10. 救急車を呼んでください (Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai) – Please call an ambulance

General Phrases

1. 分かりません (Wakarimasen) – I don’t understand

2. 英語を話せますか？ (Eigo o hanasemasu ka?) – Do you speak English?

3. もう一度お願いします (Mō ichido onegaishimasu) – Please say that again

4. ゆっくり話してください (Yukkuri hanashite kudasai) – Please speak slowly

5. それは何ですか？ (Sore wa nan desu ka?) – What is that?

6. 名前は何ですか？ (Namae wa nan desu ka?) – What is your name?

7. 私は〇〇です (Watashi wa [name] desu) – My name is [name]

8. どこから来ましたか？ (Doko kara kimashita ka?) – Where are you from?

9. 私は〇〇から来ました (Watashi wa [place] kara kimashita) – I’m from [place]

10. 趣味は何ですか？ (Shumi wa nan desu ka?) – What are your hobbies?

11. 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?) – Can I take a picture?

12. 分かりました (Wakarimashita) – I understand

13. いいえ、結構です (Iie, kekkō desu) – No, thank you

14. できますか？ (Dekimasu ka?) – Can you do this?

15. 大丈夫です (Daijōbu desu) – It’s okay / I’m fine

16. 問題ありません (Mondai arimasen) – No problem

17. ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai) – I’m sorry

18. ここはどこですか？ (Koko wa doko desu ka?) – Where am I?

19. すぐに戻ります (Sugu ni modorimasu) – I’ll be right back

20. これは必要ですか？ (Kore wa hitsuyō desu ka?) – Is this necessary?

21. 〇〇はどこですか？ (〇〇 wa doko desu ka?) – Where is [location/item]?

22. 本当にありがとう (Hontō ni arigatō) – Thank you very much

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

24. 禁煙ですか？ (Kin’en desu ka?) – Is this non-smoking?

25. どうやって行きますか？ (Dō yatte ikimasu ka?) – How do I get there?

26. 何時ですか？ (Nanji desu ka?) – What time is it?

27. すぐに行きます (Sugu ni ikimasu) – I’ll be there soon

28. お手洗いを使ってもいいですか？ (Otearai o tsukatte mo ii desu ka?) – Can I use the restroom?

29. 本を貸してもらえますか？ (Hon o kashite moraemasu ka?) – Can you lend me a book?

30. 誰か日本語を話せますか？ (Dareka nihongo o hanasemasu ka?) – Does anyone speak Japanese?

31. どちらが安いですか？ (Dochira ga yasui desu ka?) – Which one is cheaper?

    Final Tips for Using Japanese Travel Phrases

    Learning these essential travel phrases will help you navigate Japan more comfortably, but don’t worry if you don’t get everything perfect! Japanese people are often very appreciative when visitors make an effort to speak their language, even if it’s just a few words. Don’t be afraid to practice, and enjoy your time exploring the rich culture, beautiful sights, and delicious food in Japan. And remember, a smile and politeness will go a long way in any situation! Happy travels!

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY TERMS OF USE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.

You may also like:

• 7 Day Language Learning Challenge: What to Do Your First Week Learning a New Language

• How to Actually Learn a Foreign Language

• How to Start a Foreign Language Journal