Learn Basic Japanese for Travel: Essential Phrases and Tips

Key takeaways:

• Essential phrases cover greetings, directions, food ordering, and shopping situations
• Focus on pronunciation and context rather than perfect grammar for travel conversations
• Using even simple Japanese phrases shows respect and enhances your travel experience
• For beginners, lessons with a native Japanese tutor on italki can help you learn and practice practical phrases before your trip.

Learning basic Japanese for travel is one of the best ways to make your trip to Japan more enjoyable and less stressful. While many people in Tokyo speak English, stepping outside major tourist areas means fewer English speakers. Train station signs might have English, but local restaurant menus often don’t. That’s where knowing basic phrases becomes helpful.

Japanese locals appreciate when you make the effort to speak their language. Even a simple “konnichiwa” (hello) or “arigatou gozaimasu” (thank you) creates warmer interactions. It’s not about being fluent, it’s about showing respect for the culture you’re visiting.

The practical benefits matter too. You’ll navigate public transportation more easily, order food with confidence, and handle everyday situations without stress. Plus, learning these phrases before your trip means you spend less time searching for translation apps and more time enjoying Japan.

Ready to start speaking Japanese? Find your private Japanese tutor who specialize in teaching travel-focused lessons and can prepare you for real conversations you’ll have in Japan.

What are the most important Japanese phrases for travelers?

Start with greetings and basic courtesy phrases. These work in almost every situation and set a friendly tone.

Situation	Japanese Phrase	Pronunciation
Hello (daytime)	こんにちは	Konnichiwa
Good morning	おはようございます	Ohayou gozaimasu
Good evening	こんばんは	Konbanwa
Thank you	ありがとうございます	Arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you very much	どうもありがとうございます	Doumo arigatou gozaimasu
Excuse me	すみません	Sumimasen
I’m sorry	ごめんなさい	Gomen nasai
Yes	はい	Hai
No	いいえ	Iie
Please	お願いします	Onegaishimasu
I don’t understand	わかりません	Wakarimasen
Do you speak English?	英語を話せますか?	Eigo wo hanasemasuka?
Goodbye	さようなら	Sayounara

These essential phrases cover most basic interactions. Practice the pronunciation using videos or with a native speaker to sound natural. Japanese pronunciation follows consistent rules, making it easier than you might think.

Next, focus on question phrases. “Kore wa nan desuka?” (What is this?) helps when you’re curious about food or items. “Wa arimasuka?” (Do you have?) works for asking about menu items, products, or facilities.

The phrase “Ikura desuka?” (How much is this?) becomes your best friend when shopping. Japanese vendors appreciate when you ask in their language, and it helps avoid confusion about prices, especially in cash-only establishments.

How do you order food in Japanese restaurants?

Ordering food in Japan gets easier when you know a few key phrases and understand restaurant customs.

Start with “Sumimasen” to call a server. Unlike some countries, Japanese restaurants expect you to call for service rather than waiting for servers to check on you. Once you have their attention, these phrases help you order:

Dining & ordering food

Phrase	Japanese	Pronunciation tip
Menu, please	メニューをください	Menyu wo kudasai
English menu	英語のメニュー	Eigo no menyu
This, please	これをください	Kore wo kudasai
Two of these	これを2つください	Kore wo futatsu kudasai
Water, please	お水をください	Omizu wo kudasai
Beer, please	ビールをください	Biiru wo kudasai
Recommend?	おすすめは?	Osusume wa?
Check, please	お会計お願いします	Okaikei onegaishimasu
Delicious!	おいしい!	Oishii
I’m full	お腹いっぱい	Onaka ippai

Many restaurants display plastic food models outside. Point at what you want and say “Kore wo kudasai” (This, please). This simple phrase eliminates the need to read complex menus or pronounce dish names perfectly.

If you have dietary restrictions, learn these essential sentences: “Niku wa tabemasen” (I don’t eat meat) or “Tamago arerugi desu” (I’m allergic to eggs). Restaurants in Japan take food allergies seriously, but communication is key.

Don’t expect an English menu everywhere. Smaller local restaurants rarely have translations, but the food is often more authentic and memorable. Using basic Japanese phrases shows respect and makes the dining experience more fun for everyone involved.

Payment happens at the cashier near the entrance, not at your table. Say “Gochisousama deshita” (Thank you for the meal) when you finish eating. It’s polite and locals appreciate hearing it.

What’s the best way to ask for directions in Japanese?

Getting around Japan requires some basic directional phrases, even with good map apps on your phone.

The most useful phrase for directions is “Wa doko desuka?” (Where is?). Combine it with your destination: “Eki wa doko desuka?” (Where is the station?). This simple question gets you pointed in the right direction.

Essential direction vocabulary:

English	Japanese	Pronunciation tip
Where is…?	…はどこですか?	…wa doko desuka?
Left	左	Hidari
Right	右	Migi
Straight	まっすぐ	Massugu
Near	近い	Chikai
Far	遠い	Tooi
Next to	隣	Tonari
In front of	前	Mae
Behind	後ろ	Ushiro
North/South/East/West	北/南/東/西	Kita/Minami/Higashi/Nishi

People in Japan are genuinely helpful when you’re lost. They’ll often walk you partway to your destination or draw you a map. Don’t be surprised if someone pulls out their phone to help translate or search for the address you need.

Train stations can feel overwhelming at first. Look for the “出口” (deguchi/exit) signs and station staff wearing caps. Say “Sumimasen” (すみません) (excuse me) to get their attention, then show them your destination on your phone or map. Most station workers in major cities understand enough English to help.

If you’re using taxis, have your destination written in Japanese characters. Show it to the driver rather than trying to pronounce the address. Taxi drivers may not speak English, but they can read Japanese addresses perfectly.

How do you handle shopping and money conversations?

Shopping in Japan involves more than just knowing prices. Understanding payment customs and basic phrases makes transactions smooth.

Cash is still king in many Japanese shops, especially outside major tourist areas. Before assuming a place takes cards, ask “Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?” (Can I use a card?). Many small restaurants, local shops, and some temples only accept cash.

Shopping phrases you’ll use constantly:

Situation	Japanese Phrase	Pronunciation tip
Just looking	見ているだけです	Mite iru dake desu
How much?	いくらですか?	Ikura desuka?
Too expensive	高すぎます	Takasugimasu
Do you have…?	…はありますか?	…wa arimasuka?
Discount?	割引ありますか?	Waribiki arimasuka?
Different color?	違う色はありますか?	Chigau iro wa arimasuka?
Bigger/Smaller	大きい/小さい	Ookii/Chiisai
I’ll take this	これにします	Kore ni shimasu
Can I try this?	試着できますか?	Shichaku dekimasuka?
Bag, please	袋をください	Fukuro wo kudasai

When paying, hand your money to the cashier using the small tray on the counter. Placing money directly into someone’s hand is considered rude. Your change and receipt will be returned the same way.

Sales tax gets added at checkout, so the price on the tag isn’t always the final price. Don’t be surprised when the total is slightly higher than expected. Say “Arigatou gozaimasu” after receiving your change; it’s basic courtesy that makes interactions pleasant.

Department stores and electronics shops often have tax-free shopping for tourists. Bring your passport and ask “Menzei desu ka?” (Is this tax-free?) at the register. You can save 8-10% on purchases over a certain amount.

What Japanese phrases help with transportation?

Navigating Japan’s public transportation becomes much easier when you know key phrases for trains, buses, and taxis.

Train and subway phrases:

Phrase	Japanese	When to Use
Which platform?	何番線ですか?	Nanban-sen desuka?
Does this go to…?	…に行きますか?	…ni ikimasuka?
How many stops?	何駅ですか?	Nan-eki desuka?
Transfer here?	ここで乗り換えですか?	Koko de norikae desuka?
One ticket to…	…まで一枚	…made ichimai
Round trip	往復	Oufuku
Last train	終電	Shuuden

Japan’s train system runs like clockwork, but rush hour in Tokyo can be intense. If someone steps on your foot or bumps into you, they’ll usually say “Sumimasen.” You can respond with a nod or a quiet “Hai.”

For taxis:

Show the address in Japanese characters or say “Koko made onegaishimasu” (To here, please) while pointing at your phone. Most taxi drivers don’t speak English, but they know the city perfectly. Say “Tomare” (Stop) if you need to get out quickly, though most will understand pointing and saying “Koko” (Here).

How do you handle hotel and accommodation situations?

Hotel interactions require different vocabulary than restaurants or shops. These phrases cover common situations you’ll face.

Hotel essentials:

Situation	Japanese Phrase	Meaning
I have a reservation	予約しています	Yoyaku shiteimasu
Check-in, please	チェックインお願いします	Chekkuin onegaishimasu
My room number is…	部屋番号は…です	Heya bangou wa…desu
Key, please	鍵をください	Kagi wo kudasai
WiFi password?	WiFiのパスワードは?	WiFi no pasuwaado wa?
Towel, please	タオルをください	Taoru wo kudasai
Hot water not working	お湯が出ません	Oyu ga demasen
Air conditioning	エアコン	Eakon
What time is breakfast?	朝食は何時ですか?	Choushoku wa nanji desuka?
Wake-up call at 7	7時にモーニングコール	Shichi-ji ni mooningu kooru
Check-out is when?	チェックアウトは何時?	Chekkuauto wa nanji?
Can I store luggage?	荷物を預けられますか?	Nimotsu wo azukeraremasu ka?

Most hotels in major cities have English-speaking staff, but smaller ryokans (traditional inns) might not. Learning these basic sentences helps you communicate needs without frustration.

If something in your room isn’t working, call the front desk and explain using simple words: “Heya bangou 305. Eakon ga ugokimasen” (Room number 305. Air conditioning not working). They’ll understand and send someone to help.

What are essential emergency phrases?

Hope you won’t need these, but memorizing emergency phrases before your trip gives you confidence and safety.

Critical emergency vocabulary:

Emergency	Japanese	Pronunciation
Help!	助けて!	Tasukete!
Police	警察	Keisatsu
Hospital	病院	Byouin
Doctor	医者	Isha
I’m lost	道に迷いました	Michi ni mayoimashita
I’m sick	病気です	Byouki desu
It hurts here	ここが痛いです	Koko ga itai desu
Call an ambulance	救急車を呼んで	Kyuukyuusha wo yonde
I lost my passport	パスポートをなくしました	Pasupooto wo nakushimashita
Thief!	泥棒!	Dorobou!
Fire!	火事!	Kaji!

Emergency numbers in Japan: Police is 110, ambulance and fire is 119. These services now have some English support, but knowing basic Japanese helps explain your situation faster.

If you need to find a pharmacy, ask “Kusuri-ya wa doko desuka?” (Where is the pharmacy?). For a hospital, say “Byouin wa doko desuka?” Most Japanese people will help you find medical care if you look distressed and use these words.

What are common mistakes travelers make with Japanese?

The biggest mistake? Not trying at all. Japanese people don’t expect perfection from travelers. They appreciate any effort to speak their language, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.

Mistake 1: Using “Arigato” instead of “Arigato gozaimasu”

The short version sounds casual and can seem rude in formal situations. Add “gozaimasu” when talking to service staff, older people, or anyone you don’t know well. It takes one second longer and shows proper respect.

Mistake 2: Pointing at yourself with your index finger

Japanese people point at their nose when referring to themselves, not their chest. This small cultural detail prevents confusion in conversations, especially when talking about “me” versus “you.”

Mistake 3: Over-relying on “Sumimasen”

While this word works for “excuse me,” “sorry,” and “thank you,” it’s not always appropriate. Use “Arigatou gozaimasu” for genuine gratitude and “Gomen nasai” for serious apologies. Context matters.

Mistake 4: Skipping basic greetings

Walking into a shop without saying “Konnichiwa” or leaving without “Arigatou gozaimasu” feels abrupt to Japanese people. These simple greetings take two seconds and completely change the interaction.

Mistake 5: Assuming everyone in Japan speaks English

Tokyo and Osaka have many English speakers, but rural areas and smaller cities don’t. Learn basic Japanese phrases before your trip rather than depending on finding someone who speaks English everywhere you go.

Mistake 6: Not learning numbers

Prices, platform numbers, and addresses all require understanding basic numbers. Learn to count from 1-10 and recognize number characters. It makes reading signs, menus, and receipts much easier.

Practice with a native speaker before your trip. They’ll correct pronunciation mistakes and teach you the natural way Japanese people actually talk. Book a trial lesson with an experienced tutor who can focus on travel-specific Japanese and help you sound confident during your journey.

Learn Japanese faster with personal guidance from 1000+ expert Japanese tutors trusted by over 5 million learners worldwide. Book a trial lesson today and start speaking Japanese with confidence before your trip.

FAQs

How long does it take to learn basic Japanese for travel?

You can learn enough basic Japanese for travel in 2-4 weeks with 30 minutes of daily practice. Focus on essential phrases rather than grammar rules. Most travelers find they can handle greetings, ordering food, asking directions, and shopping after consistent practice. Working with a Japanese language tutor speeds up the process because you’ll practice real conversations, not just memorize textbook phrases.

Should I learn basic Japanese before going to Japan?

Yes, learning basic Japanese before traveling to Japan improves your experience significantly. While major tourist areas have English signage, many restaurants, shops, and locals outside Tokyo don’t speak English. Even simple phrases like “arigatou gozaimasu” and “sumimasen” show respect and create friendlier interactions. You’ll navigate transportation, order food, and handle everyday situations more easily with basic Japanese knowledge.

What is the best way to learn basic Japanese?

The best way to learn Japanese combines listening practice with speaking to a native speaker. Start with essential travel phrases, practice pronunciation using videos or language apps, then book lessons with a Japanese tutor online who can correct your mistakes and teach you natural, conversational Japanese. Focus on phrases you’ll actually use rather than studying grammar. Regular conversation practice builds confidence faster than textbooks alone.