If you’re planning to visit Japan it’s extremely helpful to have some Japanese phrases under your belt. Unlike many places in Asia, the level of spoken English in Japan is quite low. (Trust me, I’m an English teacher in Japan). So take note of these 17 Japanese phrases for travelling Japan that will make you trip to Japan a lot easier!
If you’re planning to visit popular tourist areas, many people speak great English there so don’t worry! You’ll enjoy your trip with no problems. But incase you find yourself in the countryside, in a small family-owned restaurant, or simply want to make an effort to communicate in the language, these phrases are extremely helpful to know.
The locals will definitely appreciate the effort you put in to speak Japanese. You may even be told ‘Sugoi! Nihongo jouzu!’ (Wow! You’re good at Japanese!)
Essential Japanese Phrases
These phrases are the super basic and essential phrases to know when travelling Japan. If the Japanese language seems too confusing, these few phrases should be enough for you to get you through your trip with no problems.
1. Thank you – arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます）
Extremely useful. While ‘arigatou’ is the well known version of thank you it is casual and used between friends. ‘Arigatou gozaimasu’ is the more polite version you use with people you don’t know.
2. Yes – hai （はい）
3. No – iie （いいえ）
Self-explanatory, right?
4. Excuse me – sumimasen （すみません）
This is used when you need to pass by someone on the train or if you need to get the attention of a staff member in a restaurant.
5. Can you speak English? – eigo wo hanasemasuka? （英語を話せますか）
Helpful Japanese Phrases
These phrases are helpful to know when travelling Japan. They are great if you want to use more of the language during your travels and be more polite with the locals.
6. Good morning – ohayou gozaimasu （おはようございます）
This is used until around 11am.
7. Hello – konnichiwa （こんにちは）
This is used from around 11am until sunset.
8. Good evening – konbanwa （こんばんは）
This is used after sunset.
9. I’m sorry – gomennasai （ごめんなさい）
This is used for something a little more serious than ‘sumimasen’. For example, if you knock someone as you walk past them or step on someones foot on the train.
10. I don’t understand Japanese – nihongo ga wakarimasen （日本語がわかりません）
Use this if you need to specify that you don’t understand Japanese. ‘Wakarimasen’ can be used to get your point across (and is easier to remember). However, it can also be interpreted as you don’t understand the situation or you don’t know something. ‘Nihongo ga wakarimasen’ specifically explains that you don’t understand Japanese.
11. Where is ( )? – ( ) wa doko desuka? （ ）はどこですか？
Use this if you want to ask where something is. For example: Where is the toilet? – toire wa dokodesuka? （トイレはどこですか） Where is the train station? – eki wa doko desuka? （駅はどこですか）
12. This, please – kore wo kudasai （これをください）
This can be used when you want to order or buy something at a store. Point at the object or the item on the menu and say ‘kore wo kudasai’. If you want to order more than one you can say: two of these, please – kore wo futatsu kudasai. Three of this please – kore wo mitsu kudasai. Futatsu means two and mitsu means three.
13. What is your recommendation? – osusume wa nan desuka? (おすすめはなんですか）
Say you’re at a restaurant and you would like to know the most popular dish (or you can’t read the menu at all because it’s all in Japanese). You can ask the shop assistant what their recommendation is.
14. Thank you for the meal – gochisousamadeshita （ごちそうさまでした）
When leaving a restaurant it is polite to say this to the chef or shop assistant as you leave. It literally translates to ‘it was a feast’. I’m sure the restaurant staff will be happy to hear it and impressed by your use of Japanese!
15. I can’t eat ( ) – ( ) wo taberaremasen （ ）を食べられません。
If you have allergies or dietary requirements I recommend using Japanese as well as English to ensure to shop assistants understand your request. For example: I can’t eat pork – butaniku wo taberaremasen (豚肉を食べられません）Another example if you’re vegetarian: I can’t eat meat and fish. I am vegetarian. – niku to sakana wo taberaremasen. bejitarian desu. (肉と魚を食べられません。ベジタリアンです）
16. Do you have wifi? – wifi ga arimasuka? （Wifiがありますか）
Free and easily accessible wifi can be difficult to find in some areas in Japan. So, it’s worth asking the restaurant or hotel that you’re visiting if they have wifi you can use?
17. I want to go to ( ) – ( ) ni ikitaidesu （ ）に行きたいです。
You can use this if you’re in a taxi and need to tell the driver where you’d like to go. You could also use this when talking to train station staff if you’re confused about how to get to a certain station.
When You Need to Talk in English
There will often be times when you need to communicate with a Japanese person that isn’t very confident in English. My number one tip when talking to Japanese people is to be slow and simple!
Break down your sentence into the most simple form possible and say it slowly and clearly. (Generally speaking) Japanese people tend to panic and fixate on small words they don’t understand rather than try to guess the overall meaning of the message. Trust me, I’m an English teacher in Japan.
For example when ordering food don’t say “Hmmmm… Well… I think i’ll take this one”. Instead clearly and slowly say “This one, please”.
Although it’s such a simple tip, many people forget how big of a difference it can make to someone speaking a second language. So, try your best and I’m sure your help will be appreciated!
What are some phrases that you think are super useful when travelling Japan?
