{"id":106369,"date":"2023-07-28T18:22:05","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T22:22:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/japanese-travel-phrases\/"},"modified":"2025-06-17T12:17:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T16:17:54","slug":"japanese-travel-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/japanese\/japanese-travel-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Phrases for Tourists: 116 Essential Phrases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before I traveled to Japan for the first time, everyone assured me that “Everybody speaks English there,” and I wouldn’t need to use Japanese<\/a> at all. But in reality, most of the people I encountered in Japan had a fairly elementary level of spoken English<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For a better travel experience, learn these basic travel words and phrases in Japanese.<\/strong><\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc skip=3]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Greetings and Basic\u00a0Japanese\u00a0Phrases<\/h2>\n

\"Businessman,Shaking,Hands\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I’ll provide the hiragana, kanji and romaji for each word, and will explain the use of certain Japanese phrases for tourists in context.<\/p>\n

1. Hello<\/a> \u2014 konnichiwa<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f\n

2. Good morning \u2014 ohayou gozaimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\n

3. Nice to meet you \u2014 hajimemashite<\/em><\/h3>\n\u306f\u3058\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3066\n

4. Goodbye \u2014 sayounara<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3055\u3088\u3046\u306a\u3089\n

5. Please <\/strong>\u2014 onegaishimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\n

6. Thank yo<\/strong>u \u2014 arigatou gozaimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\n

7. You’re welcome<\/a> \u2014 dou itashimashite<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3069\u3046\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3066\n

8. Excuse me\/Sorry \u2014 <\/strong>sumimasen<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\n

This is definitely one to memorize. I say \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093 at least 30 times a day in Japan. It’s a magical word.<\/p>\n

It\u00a0helps you push through a crowd, get attention from a waiter, ask for directions or be excused for basically any touristy blunder.<\/p>\n

Simply saying \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093 and gesturing is a pretty good way to express that you need help, but don’t speak Japanese.<\/p>\n

9. Yes <\/strong>\u2014 hai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u306f\u3044\n

10. No \u2014 iie<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3044\u3044\u3048\n

11. Let’s Eat\/ “Bon Appetit” \u2014 itadakimasu\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059\n

Similar to the French “bon appetit”<\/em>, this is what Japanese people say before they eat. It doesn’t have a literal translation in English, but it’s a way to give thanks for a meal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You should also remember this phrase’s pair: \u3054\u3061\u305d\u3046\u3055\u307e (gochisousama)<\/em> or \u3054\u3061\u305d\u3046\u3055\u307e\u3067\u3057\u305f (gochisousama deshita). <\/em>These phrases are used at the end of a meal and translate as “What a good meal,” or “Thank you for the meal,” the latter being the more polite form.<\/p>\n

12. I don’t understand \u2014 <\/strong>wakarimasen\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\u5206\u304b\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\n

13. I don’t speak Japanese \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0nihongo o hanashimasen<\/em><\/h3>\n\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e\u3092\u8a71\u3057\u307e\u305b\u3093 \n

14. Do you speak English? \u2014 eigo o hanashimasu ka?\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\u82f1\u8a9e\u3092\u8a71\u3057\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

15. Can you please repeat that? <\/strong>\u2014 mou ichido itte kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3082\u3046\u4e00\u5ea6\u8a00\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 \n

16. Can you please speak slowly? \u2014 yukkuri hanashite kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3086\u3063\u304f\u308a\u8a71\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 \n

17. What is your name? \u2014 onamae wa nan desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u304a\u540d\u524d\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

18. My name is… \u2014 watashi no namae wa…<\/em><\/h3>\n\u79c1\u306e\u540d\u524d\u306f…\n

19. What is this? \u2014 kore wa nan desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u308c\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

\u3053\u308c and \u305d\u308c literally just mean “this” and “that.”<\/p>\n

20. How much does this cost? \u2014 kore wa ikura desu ka?\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u308c\u306f\u3044\u304f\u3089\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

If you’re pointing at something that you can’t reach, you say \u305d\u308c\u306f \u3044\u304f\u3089\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/p>\n

21. Can you please help me? \u2014 tasukete moraemasuka<\/em>?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u52a9\u3051\u3066\u3082\u3089\u3048\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

Airport Phrases You’ll Hear<\/h2>\n

\"japan-airlines-plane-on-runway\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Japanese airports aren’t just places to land: they’re an entire cultural showcase on their own. For example, at the Narita Airport<\/a>, you’ll see pet hotels<\/a>, gacha<\/em> machines<\/a>, the (in)famous smart toilets<\/a> and even a Pok\u00e9mon Store<\/a>!<\/p>\n

22. Welcome, please come in \u2014 yokoso, o-hairi kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3088\u3046\u3053\u305d\u3001\u304a\u5165\u308a\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\n

23. Please show your ticket \u2014 chiketto o misete kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30c1\u30b1\u30c3\u30c8\u3092\u898b\u305b\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\n

24. Please show your passport \u2014 pasupooto o misete kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30d1\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c8\u3092\u898b\u305b\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\n

25. What is your reservation name? \u2014 yoyaku-mei wa nan desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u4e88\u7d04\u540d\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

26. The flight is delayed \u2014 furaito chien shiteimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30d5\u30e9\u30a4\u30c8\u9045\u5ef6\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\n

27. The flight has been canceled \u2014 furaito kyanseru saremashita<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30d5\u30e9\u30a4\u30c8\u30ad\u30e3\u30f3\u30bb\u30eb\u3055\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\n

28. Baggage claim is this way \u2014 baggeji<\/em> kureimu wa kochira desu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30d0\u30c3\u30b2\u30fc\u30b8\u30af\u30ec\u30fc\u30e0\u306f\u3053\u3061\u3089\u3067\u3059\n

29. We have arrived at … Airport \u2014 … kuko ni tochaku shimashita<\/em><\/h3>\n… \u7a7a\u6e2f\u306b\u5230\u7740\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\n

30. We will depart for … Airport \u2014 … kuko e <\/em>shuppatsu shimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n… \u7a7a\u6e2f\u3078\u51fa\u767a\u3057\u307e\u3059\n

31. There is a delay in the flight \u2014 furaito ni okure ga arimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30d5\u30e9\u30a4\u30c8\u306b\u9045\u308c\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\n

32. There are restrictions on carry-on baggage \u2014 kinai mochikomi no nimotsu niwa seigen ga arimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u6a5f\u5185\u6301\u3061\u8fbc\u307f\u306e\u8377\u7269\u306b\u306f\u5236\u9650\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\n

Airport Phrases You’ll Use<\/h2>\n

\"red-passport-tucked-into-baggage-handle\"<\/a><\/p>\n

33. Please tell me how to get to the airport \u2014 kuko e no ikikata o oshiete kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u7a7a\u6e2f\u3078\u306e\u884c\u304d\u65b9\u3092\u6559\u3048\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\n

34. Is this a departure flight? \u2014 korewa<\/em> shuppatsu-bin desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u308c\u306f\u51fa\u767a\u4fbf\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

35. Is this an arrival flight? \u2014 korewa<\/em> tochaku-bin desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u308c\u306f\u5230\u7740\u4fbf\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

36. Where is the boarding gate? \u2014 tojyo-guchi wa doko desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u642d\u4e57\u53e3\u306f\u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

37. I’ll check my baggage \u2014 tenimotsu azukemasu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u624b\u8377\u7269\u9810\u3051\u307e\u3059\n

38. Please call a taxi \u2014 takushii o yonde kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30bf\u30af\u30b7\u30fc\u3092\u547c\u3093\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\n

39. I’d like to rent a car \u2014 rentakaa o karitai desu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30ec\u30f3\u30bf\u30ab\u30fc\u3092\u501f\u308a\u305f\u3044\u3067\u3059\n

40. Where is the gate for the connecting flight? \u2014 noritsugi-bin no geeto wa doko desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u4e57\u308a\u7d99\u304e\u4fbf\u306e\u30b2\u30fc\u30c8\u306f\u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

Asking for Directions<\/h2>\n

\"shoes-on-three-white-arrows-pointing-left-center-and-right\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Asking for directions<\/a> is sort of daunting, especially when the person answers in a whole stream of fast-paced Japanese.<\/p>\n

But you’ll find that Japan is one of the best places to be a lost and hopeless tourist. There’s always someone nearby who’s more than happy to help. I’ve even had people take time out of their days to walk me where I needed to go!<\/p>\n

Simply say wherever it is that you want to go followed by \u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f \u2014 doko desu ka?<\/em> (Where is …?).<\/p>\n

41. I want to go… (here) \u2014 (koko) ni ikitai desu\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n(\u3053\u3053) \u306b\u884c\u304d\u305f\u3044\u3067\u3059\n

Say \u3053\u3053 if you have an address written down or a point marked on a map of where you want to go.<\/p>\n

If you know the name or address of the place where you want to go, simply say the place name followed by \u306b\u884c\u304d\u305f\u3044\u3067\u3059. For example, if you want to go to Shinjuku station, you simply say \u65b0\u5bbf\u99c5\u306b\u884c\u304d\u305f\u3044\u3067\u3059\u00a0 \u2014 Shinjuku eki ni ikitai desu<\/em>. (I want to go to Shinjuku station.)<\/p>\n

42. Where is the…? \u2014 …wa doko desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n… \u306f\u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

43. Can you please show me where we are on the map? \u2014 watashitachi ga doko ni iru no ka, chizu de oshiete kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u79c1\u9054\u304c\u3069\u3053\u306b\u3044\u308b\u306e\u304b\u3001\u5730\u56f3\u3067\u6559\u3048\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 \n

This might seem like an odd question (and a bit of a mouthful), but it can be a lot more helpful than asking for directions from someone who doesn’t know English.<\/p>\n

44. Is it near? \u2014 chikai desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u8fd1\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

45. Is it far? \u2014 tooi desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u9060\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

Receiving Directions<\/h2>\n

\"white-arrow-pointing-right-set-against-blue-circle-circumscribed-with-white-lines-against-blue-background\"<\/a><\/p>\n

46. Go straight ahead \u2014 massugu itte kudasai\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\u307e\u3063\u3059\u3050\u884c\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 \n

47. Turn left \u2014 hidari ni magatte kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u5de6\u306b\u66f2\u304c\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\n

48. Turn right \u2014 migi ni magatte kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u53f3\u306b\u66f2\u304c\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\n

Transportation Phrases<\/h2>\n

\"High,Speed,Train,In,Motion,On,The,Railway,Station\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In Japan, public transportation<\/a> is how most people get around. If you’re not used to taking the bus, train or anything similar, better keep the following phrases handy!<\/p>\n

49. Take me to this address, please \u2014 kono jyusho made tsureteitte kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u306e\u4f4f\u6240\u307e\u3067\u9023\u308c\u3066\u884c\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\n

50. What is the fare? \u2014 ryoukin wa ikura desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u6599\u91d1\u306f\u3044\u304f\u3089\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

51. Stop here, please \u2014 koko de tomatte kudasai<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u3053\u3067\u6b62\u307e\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 \n

52. Does this bus go to (street name)? \u2014 kono basu wa … ni ikimasu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u306e\u30d0\u30b9\u306f … \u306b\u884c\u304d\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

53. Does that train stop at …? \u2014 sono denshya wa … de tomarimasu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u305d\u306e\u96fb\u8eca\u306f…\u3067\u6b62\u307e\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\n

54. A map, please \u2014 chizu o onegai shimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u5730\u56f3\u3092\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 \n

55. This hotel \u2014 k<\/em>ono hoteru<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u306e\u30db\u30c6\u30eb\n

56. The subway \u2014 chikatetsu\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\u5730\u4e0b\u9244 \n

57. The train station \u2014 denshya no eki<\/em><\/h3>\n\u96fb\u8eca\u306e\u99c5\n

58. The bus stop\u00a0 \u2014 basutei<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\u30d0\u30b9\u505c \n

59. The taxi stand \u2014 takushii noriba<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30bf\u30af\u30b7\u30fc\u4e57\u308a\u5834\n

60. The exit \u2014 deguchi<\/em><\/h3>\n\u51fa\u53e3 \n

61. The entrance \u2014 iriguchi<\/em><\/h3>\n\u5165\u53e3 \n

62. The bathroom \u2014 toire<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30c8\u30a4\u30ec\n

Hotel Phrases<\/h2>\n

\"white-bed-and-pillows-in-hotel-room\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Like other service-oriented businesses in the country, Japanese hotels subscribe to the concept of omotenashi<\/em>, which roughly translates to pouring your whole heart into service. That means you can expect employees at Japanese hotels to go above and beyond when it comes to making you feel welcome.<\/p>\n

63. I have a reservation under the name of … \u2014 … no yoyaku o shiteimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n…\u306e\u4e88\u7d04\u3092\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\n

64. I would like to check-in \u2014 chekkuin shitai desu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30c1\u30a7\u30c3\u30af\u30a4\u30f3\u3057\u305f\u3044\u3067\u3059\n

65. What time is check-in? \u2014 chekkuin wa nanji desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30c1\u30a7\u30c3\u30af\u30a4\u30f3\u306f\u4f55\u6642\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

66. Is breakfast included? \u2014 choshoku wa fukumareteimasu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u671d\u98df\u306f\u542b\u307e\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

67. Where is my room? \u2014 watashi no heya wa doko desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u79c1\u306e\u90e8\u5c4b\u306f\u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

68. Please give me a wake-up call at …\u00a0 \u2014 … ni weikuappu kooru onegaishimasu.<\/em><\/h3>\n… \u306b\u30a6\u30a7\u30a4\u30af\u30a2\u30c3\u30d7\u30b3\u30fc\u30eb\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\n

69. Where is the nearest convenience store? \u2014 ichiban chikai konbini wa doko desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u4e00\u756a\u8fd1\u3044\u30b3\u30f3\u30d3\u30cb\u306f\u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

70. Can you recommend a good restaurant nearby? \u2014 chikaku no oishii resutoran o shokaishite moraemasu<\/em>\u00a0ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u8fd1\u304f\u306e\u7f8e\u5473\u3057\u3044\u30ec\u30b9\u30c8\u30e9\u30f3\u3092\u7d39\u4ecb\u3057\u3066\u3082\u3089\u3048\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

71. What time is check-out? \u2014 chekkuauto no jikan wa nanji desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30c1\u30a7\u30c3\u30af\u30a2\u30a6\u30c8\u306e\u6642\u9593\u306f\u4f55\u6642\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

72. Where can I store my luggage? \u2014 nimotsu wa dokoni azukeraremasu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u8377\u7269\u306f\u3069\u3053\u306b\u9810\u3051\u3089\u308c\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

73. Is there Wi-Fi in the hotel? \u2014 hoteru ni wa wai-fai ga arimasu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u30db\u30c6\u30eb\u306b\u306f\u30ef\u30a4\u30d5\u30a1\u30a4\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

74. Where is the nearest ATM? \u2014 ichi-ban chikai ATM wa doko desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u4e00\u756a\u8fd1\u3044ATM\u306f\u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

75. I’d like to have some extra towels, please \u2014 yobun no taoru o kudasai.<\/em><\/h3>\n\u4f59\u5206\u306e\u30bf\u30aa\u30eb\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\n

76. What time is breakfast served? \u2014 choshoku wa nanji kara desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u671d\u98df\u306f\u4f55\u6642\u304b\u3089\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

77. Excuse me, I need an iron and ironing board \u2014 sumimasen, airon to iron-dai ga hitsuyo desu.<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3001\u30a2\u30a4\u30ed\u30f3\u3068\u30a2\u30a4\u30ed\u30f3\u53f0\u304c\u5fc5\u8981\u3067\u3059\u3002\n

Eating and Drinking in Japan: What You’ll Hear<\/h2>\n

\"Traditional,Japanese,Machiya,House,Or,Ryokan,Restaurant,With,Black,Lacquered\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Like Japanese hotels, Japanese restaurants also practice omotenashi. <\/em>Here are some of the more common phrases you’ll hear from Japanese restaurant staff.<\/p>\n

78. Welcome \u2014 Irasshaimase<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b\n

79. How many people in your party? \u2014 Nan mei sama desu ka?<\/em><\/h3>\n\u4f55\u540d\u69d8\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\n

80. This way, please \u2014 Kochira e douzo<\/em><\/h3>\n\u3053\u3061\u3089\u3078\u3069\u3046\u305e\n

81. Certainly (in response to your order) \u2014 Kashikomarimashita<\/em><\/h3>\n\u304b\u3057\u3053\u307e\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\n

82. Thank you for waiting \u2014 Omatase itashimashita<\/em><\/h3>\n\u304a\u5f85\u305f\u305b\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\n

Eating and Drinking in Japan: What You’ll Say<\/h2>\n

\"Beef,Sliced,On,Topped,Rice,(gyuu-don),-,Japanese,Food,Style\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The best restaurants in Japan are the authentic ones that don’t cater to tourists. But these are also the places that have\u00a0no English menus, and sometimes no English-speaking waitstaff.<\/p>\n

Luckily, it’s very common for Japanese menus to feature photos of all the dishes. And many places have models of their dishes on display, so you likely won’t be going in completely blind.<\/p>\n

Use these phrases<\/a>, and you should be in and out of a restaurant without too many hiccups.<\/p>\n

83. A table for two, please \u2014 \u00a0futari you no teeburu o onegai shimasu<\/em><\/h3>\n\u4e8c\u4eba \u7528\u306e\u30c6\u30fc\u30d6\u30eb\u3092\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\n

You can also replace futari <\/em>with the number of people who you need to have seated:<\/p>\n