Japanese Travel Phrases for Japan: 100+ Useful Phrases for Tourists
Japanese Travel Phrases for Traveling in Japan: Useful Japanese Expressions for Tourists
Planning to travel to Japan? You do not need to speak fluent Japanese to enjoy your trip. However, knowing several simple Japanese phrases can make your journey much easier, especially when you need to communicate at an airport, hotel, restaurant, train station, shopping mall, or hospital.
In Japan, simple expressions such as すみません (sumimasen), お願いします (onegaishimasu), and ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) are extremely useful in everyday situations.
This article provides practical Japanese phrases for tourists traveling in Japan. Each section contains Japanese writing, pronunciation, English meaning, and examples that you can use immediately.
You do not need perfect Japanese. Speak slowly, use simple sentences, and do not hesitate to say すみません (sumimasen) when you need someone's attention.
Basic Japanese Phrases You Should Know
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me / Sorry |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you very much |
| お願いします | Onegaishimasu | Please / I would like... |
| はい | Hai | Yes |
| いいえ | Iie | No |
| わかりません | Wakarimasen | I don't understand |
| 英語を話せますか? | Eigo o hanasemasu ka? | Can you speak English? |
| もう一度お願いします | Mou ichido onegaishimasu | One more time, please. |
Japanese Phrases at the Airport
Japanese airports can be confusing for first-time visitors because there are many signs, counters, gates, and procedures. These expressions can help you communicate with airport staff.
Checking In
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| チェックインをお願いします。 | Chekku-in o onegaishimasu. | I'd like to check in, please. |
| 搭乗口はどこですか? | Toujouguchi wa doko desu ka? | Where is the boarding gate? |
| この便はどこから出発しますか? | Kono bin wa doko kara shuppatsu shimasu ka? | Where does this flight depart from? |
| 荷物を預けたいです。 | Nimotsu o azuketai desu. | I'd like to check in my luggage. |
| 手荷物はどこですか? | Tenimotsu wa doko desu ka? | Where is the hand luggage area? |
At Immigration and Customs
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 観光です。 | Kankou desu. | I am here for tourism. |
| 一週間滞在します。 | Isshuukan taizai shimasu. | I will stay for one week. |
| ホテルに泊まります。 | Hoteru ni tomarimasu. | I will stay at a hotel. |
| これは申告する必要がありますか? | Kore wa shinkoku suru hitsuyou ga arimasu ka? | Do I need to declare this? |
Japanese Phrases at a Hotel
Hotels in Japan are generally organized and polite, but knowing a few expressions will make check-in and other requests easier.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| チェックインをお願いします。 | Chekku-in o onegaishimasu. | I'd like to check in. |
| 予約しています。 | Yoyaku shiteimasu. | I have a reservation. |
| 予約名は〇〇です。 | Yoyakumei wa 〇〇 desu. | The reservation is under the name 〇〇. |
| Wi-Fiのパスワードは何ですか? | Wi-Fi no pasuwaado wa nan desu ka? | What is the Wi-Fi password? |
| 荷物を預かってもらえますか? | Nimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka? | Could you keep my luggage? |
| チェックアウトは何時ですか? | Chekku-auto wa nanji desu ka? | What time is check-out? |
| タクシーを呼んでもらえますか? | Takushii o yonde moraemasu ka? | Could you call a taxi for me? |
Japanese Phrases at Restaurants
Eating at a Japanese restaurant becomes much easier when you know how to ask for a table, order food, request the bill, and explain dietary restrictions.
Entering a Restaurant
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 二人です。 | Futari desu. | There are two of us. |
| 席はありますか? | Seki wa arimasu ka? | Do you have a table? |
| 予約しています。 | Yoyaku shiteimasu. | I have a reservation. |
Ordering Food
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| これをお願いします。 | Kore o onegaishimasu. | I'll have this, please. |
| おすすめは何ですか? | Osusume wa nan desu ka? | What do you recommend? |
| 水をお願いします。 | Mizu o onegaishimasu. | Water, please. |
| これは何ですか? | Kore wa nan desu ka? | What is this? |
| 辛くないですか? | Karakunai desu ka? | Is it spicy? |
| お会計をお願いします。 | Okaikei o onegaishimasu. | The bill, please. |
For Dietary Restrictions
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 豚肉は入っていますか? | Butaniku wa haitteimasu ka? | Does this contain pork? |
| 牛肉は入っていますか? | Gyuniku wa haitteimasu ka? | Does this contain beef? |
| アルコールは入っていますか? | Arukooru wa haitteimasu ka? | Does this contain alcohol? |
| 食べられません。 | Taberaremasen. | I cannot eat it. |
Japanese Phrases at Train Stations
Japan's railway system is efficient but can feel complicated for first-time visitors. These phrases are useful when asking about trains, platforms, tickets, and destinations.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 東京駅はどこですか? | Toukyou-eki wa doko desu ka? | Where is Tokyo Station? |
| この電車は東京に行きますか? | Kono densha wa Toukyou ni ikimasu ka? | Does this train go to Tokyo? |
| 何番線ですか? | Nanbansen desu ka? | Which platform is it? |
| 切符はどこで買えますか? | Kippu wa doko de kaemasu ka? | Where can I buy a ticket? |
| この電車は止まりますか? | Kono densha wa tomarimasu ka? | Does this train stop there? |
| 乗り換えはどこですか? | Norikae wa doko desu ka? | Where do I transfer? |
駅 (えき / eki) = station
電車 (でんしゃ / densha) = train
新幹線 (しんかんせん / shinkansen) = Shinkansen bullet train
乗り換え (のりかえ / norikae) = transfer
Japanese Phrases at Shopping Malls and Stores
Shopping in Japan is usually easy, but these expressions are useful when asking about prices, sizes, tax, payment, and products.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| これはいくらですか? | Kore wa ikura desu ka? | How much is this? |
| これをください。 | Kore o kudasai. | I'll take this, please. |
| 試着できますか? | Shichaku dekimasu ka? | Can I try this on? |
| 別のサイズはありますか? | Betsu no saizu wa arimasu ka? | Do you have another size? |
| 免税できますか? | Menzei dekimasu ka? | Can I get a tax refund? |
| カードは使えますか? | Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? | Can I use a card? |
| 袋をお願いします。 | Fukuro o onegaishimasu. | A bag, please. |
Japanese Phrases for Asking Directions
When exploring Japanese cities, you may need to ask for directions to stations, convenience stores, restaurants, tourist attractions, or other locations.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| すみません、〇〇はどこですか? | Sumimasen, 〇〇 wa doko desu ka? | Excuse me, where is 〇〇? |
| ここから近いですか? | Koko kara chikai desu ka? | Is it close from here? |
| 歩いて行けますか? | Aruite ikemasu ka? | Can I walk there? |
| 右ですか? | Migi desu ka? | Is it on the right? |
| 左ですか? | Hidari desu ka? | Is it on the left? |
| まっすぐですか? | Massugu desu ka? | Is it straight ahead? |
Japanese Phrases at Other Public Places
These expressions are useful at tourist attractions, museums, parks, public facilities, convenience stores, and other places.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| トイレはどこですか? | Toire wa doko desu ka? | Where is the restroom? |
| 写真を撮ってもいいですか? | Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka? | May I take a photo? |
| 入場料はいくらですか? | Nyuujouryou wa ikura desu ka? | How much is the admission fee? |
| 営業時間は何時までですか? | Eigyou jikan wa nanji made desu ka? | What time do you close? |
| ここで待ってもいいですか? | Koko de matte mo ii desu ka? | May I wait here? |
| これは何ですか? | Kore wa nan desu ka? | What is this? |
Japanese Phrases at a Hospital or Clinic
If you become sick or need medical assistance during your trip, these Japanese expressions can help you communicate with hospital or clinic staff.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 病院はどこですか? | Byouin wa doko desu ka? | Where is the hospital? |
| 診察を受けたいです。 | Shinsatsu o uketai desu. | I would like to see a doctor. |
| 具合が悪いです。 | Guai ga warui desu. | I feel sick. |
| 熱があります。 | Netsu ga arimasu. | I have a fever. |
| 頭が痛いです。 | Atama ga itai desu. | I have a headache. |
| お腹が痛いです。 | Onaka ga itai desu. | I have a stomachache. |
| 英語が話せる人はいますか? | Eigo ga hanaseru hito wa imasu ka? | Is there someone who speaks English? |
| 保険証を持っています。 | Hokenshou o motteimasu. | I have my insurance card. |
助けてください。
Tasukete kudasai.
Please help me.
Useful Japanese Words for Travelers
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| 空港 | くうこう (kuukou) | Airport |
| 駅 | えき (eki) | Station |
| 電車 | でんしゃ (densha) | Train |
| ホテル | hoteru | Hotel |
| 病院 | びょういん (byouin) | Hospital |
| 薬局 | やっきょく (yakkyoku) | Pharmacy |
| トイレ | toire | Restroom |
| 入口 | いりぐち (iriguchi) | Entrance |
| 出口 | でぐち (deguchi) | Exit |
| 切符 | きっぷ (kippu) | Ticket |
| 荷物 | にもつ (nimotsu) | Luggage |
| 料金 | りょうきん (ryoukin) | Fee / Charge |
The Most Important Japanese Expressions for Tourists
If you cannot memorize everything in this article, start with these expressions. They can be used in many different situations.
すみません。
Sumimasen.
Excuse me / Sorry.
お願いします。
Onegaishimasu.
Please.
ありがとうございます。
Arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you very much.
わかりません。
Wakarimasen.
I don't understand.
もう一度お願いします。
Mou ichido onegaishimasu.
One more time, please.
〇〇はどこですか?
〇〇 wa doko desu ka?
Where is 〇〇?
これはいくらですか?
Kore wa ikura desu ka?
How much is this?
Conclusion
Traveling around Japan becomes much easier when you know a few practical Japanese phrases. You do not need to master Japanese grammar before your trip. Learning expressions for the airport, hotel, restaurant, train station, shopping, public places, and hospital can already make a big difference.
Japanese people also appreciate it when visitors make an effort to use Japanese, even if the pronunciation is not perfect. Start with simple expressions such as すみません, お願いします, and ありがとうございます.
Keep this article on your phone before traveling to Japan so you can quickly check the Japanese phrase you need during your trip.
Japanese vocabulary, grammar, JLPT lessons, and practical Japanese for life in Japan.
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