Japanese Phrases for Travel: Essential Guide with Pronunciation

Greetings in Japanese change depending on time of day and relationships between speakers. For travelers, using polite versions is always the safest choice. Japanese speakers bow slightly when greeting. Even a subtle head nod shows respect and will be warmly received.

Greetings by Time of Day

These phrases work in every situation, from checking into hotels to thanking shopkeepers. Match your greeting to the time:

• Morning (until 11am): ohayou gozaimasu (good morning, polite)
• Afternoon (11am-6pm): konnichiwa (hello)
• Evening (6pm+): konbanwa (good evening)

Polite Expressions for Every Situation

These phrases smooth every interaction and show respect to locals.

Core Politeness Phrases

Master these first. They apply everywhere:

• sumimasen: Excuse me, I'm sorry (the universal opener)
• arigatou gozaimasu: Thank you very much (formal gratitude)
• onegaishimasu: Please (when requesting something)
• daijoubu desu: I'm fine, it's okay, no thanks

Term	Definition	Phonetic	Example
こんにちは	Hello / Good afternoon	konnichiwa	こんにちは、元気ですか? (Konnichiwa, genki desu ka?) Hello, how are you?
おはようございます	Good morning (polite)	ohayou gozaimasu	おはようございます、チェックインお願いします。(Ohayou gozaimasu, chekku-in onegaishimasu.) Good morning, I'd like to check in.
こんばんは	Good evening	konbanwa	こんばんは、二人です。(Konbanwa, futari desu.) Good evening, table for two.
ありがとうございます	Thank you very much (polite)	arigatou gozaimasu	ご親切にありがとうございます。(Goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimasu.) Thank you for your kindness.
すみません	Excuse me / I'm sorry	sumimasen	すみません、道を教えてください。(Sumimasen, michi o oshiete kudasai.) Excuse me, could you show me the way?
お願いします	Please (when requesting something)	onegaishimasu	水をお願いします。(Mizu o onegaishimasu.) Water, please.
はい / いいえ	Yes / No	hai / iie	はい、そうです。(Hai, sou desu.) Yes, that's right.
よろしくお願いします	Nice to meet you / Please treat me kindly	yoroshiku onegaishimasu	初めまして、よろしくお願いします。(Hajimemashite, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.) Nice to meet you.
さようなら	Goodbye (formal)	sayounara	さようなら、また明日。(Sayounara, mata ashita.) Goodbye, see you tomorrow.
英語を話せますか	Do you speak English?	eigo o hanasemasu ka	すみません、英語を話せますか? (Sumimasen, eigo o hanasemasu ka?) Excuse me, do you speak English?
わかりません	I don't understand	wakarimasen	ごめんなさい、わかりません。(Gomennasai, wakarimasen.) I'm sorry, I don't understand.
もう一度お願いします	Please say that again	mou ichido onegaishimasu	すみません、もう一度お願いします。(Sumimasen, mou ichido onegaishimasu.) Sorry, could you say that again?
ゆっくり話してください	Please speak slowly	yukkuri hanashite kudasai	ゆっくり話してください、お願いします。(Yukkuri hanashite kudasai, onegaishimasu.) Please speak slowly.
大丈夫です	I'm fine / It's okay / No thanks	daijoubu desu	いえ、大丈夫です。(Ie, daijoubu desu.) No, I'm fine, thanks.
どういたしまして	You're welcome	dou itashimashite	ありがとう。どういたしまして。(Arigatou. Dou itashimashite.) Thank you. You're welcome.
お元気ですか	How are you?	ogenki desu ka	久しぶりですね、お元気ですか? (Hisashiburi desu ne, ogenki desu ka?) Long time no see, how are you?

Dining out is one of the highlights of visiting Japan. Options range from conveyor-belt sushi to hole-in-the-wall ramen shops. Most restaurants have plastic food displays or picture menus, so pointing combined with kore o kudasai (this please) always works.

Restaurant Ordering Basics

These phrases handle most dining situations. Point at the menu item and use the phrase to order.

Etiquette and Phrases Around Meals

Tipping is not customary in Japan. Instead, say gochisousama deshita (thank you for the meal) when leaving. This polite phrase is the proper gesture and shows appreciation.

Handling Dietary Restrictions

If you have allergies or dietary needs, state them clearly. Use alerugii ga arimasu (I have an allergy) followed by the ingredient.

Term	Definition	Phonetic	Example
メニューをお願いします	Menu, please	menyuu o onegaishimasu	すみません、メニューをお願いします。(Sumimasen, menyuu o onegaishimasu.) Excuse me, menu please.
これをください	This one, please (while pointing)	kore o kudasai	これをください、二つ。(Kore o kudasai, futatsu.) I'll have this, two please.
おすすめは何ですか	What do you recommend?	osusume wa nan desu ka	今日のおすすめは何ですか? (Kyou no osusume wa nan desu ka?) What's today's recommendation?
いただきます	Said before eating (gratitude for the meal)	itadakimasu	いただきます! (Itadakimasu!) Let's eat! / Thanks for the food!
ごちそうさまでした	Thank you for the meal (said after eating)	gochisousama deshita	美味しかったです、ごちそうさまでした。(Oishikatta desu, gochisousama deshita.) It was delicious, thank you for the meal.
美味しいです	It's delicious	oishii desu	このラーメンは美味しいです。(Kono raamen wa oishii desu.) This ramen is delicious.
お会計お願いします	The check, please	okaikei onegaishimasu	すみません、お会計お願いします。(Sumimasen, okaikei onegaishimasu.) Excuse me, check please.
ベジタリアンです	I am vegetarian	bejitarian desu	私はベジタリアンです、肉はだめです。(Watashi wa bejitarian desu, niku wa dame desu.) I'm vegetarian, no meat please.
アレルギーがあります	I have an allergy	arerugii ga arimasu	ピーナッツアレルギーがあります。(Piinattsu arerugii ga arimasu.) I have a peanut allergy.
水をください	Water, please	mizu o kudasai	お水をください。(Omizu o kudasai.) Water, please.
ビール	Beer	biiru	生ビールを一つください。(Nama biiru o hitotsu kudasai.) One draft beer, please.
乾杯	Cheers! (toast)	kanpai	乾杯! (Kanpai!) Cheers!
持ち帰り	Takeaway / To go	mochikaeri	持ち帰りでお願いします。(Mochikaeri de onegaishimasu.) To go, please.
店内で食べます	I'll eat in the store	tennai de tabemasu	店内で食べます。(Tennai de tabemasu.) I'll eat here.
辛いですか	Is it spicy?	karai desu ka	これは辛いですか? (Kore wa karai desu ka?) Is this spicy?

Japan's public transportation is world-class but can feel overwhelming with its dense rail networks. Train station staff are generally helpful even with limited English. These phrases help you buy tickets, confirm platforms, and ask for directions.

Buying Train Tickets

Always show the kanji or destination name written down. Staff may not recognize English city names. This simple step eliminates confusion.

Getting Directions

Know these direction terms to navigate cities. Combine them with landmarks you see or write down on your phone.

Using Taxis and Taxis Stands

For taxis, show your destination address on your phone or write it down. Most drivers have GPS navigation.

Term	Definition	Phonetic	Example
駅はどこですか	Where is the station?	eki wa doko desu ka	すみません、駅はどこですか? (Sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka?) Excuse me, where is the station?
切符を買いたいです	I want to buy a ticket	kippu o kaitai desu	東京までの切符を買いたいです。(Toukyou made no kippu o kaitai desu.) I want to buy a ticket to Tokyo.
何番線ですか	Which platform number?	nanbansen desu ka	大阪行きは何番線ですか? (Oosaka yuki wa nanbansen desu ka?) Which platform is for Osaka?
次の電車は何時ですか	What time is the next train?	tsugi no densha wa nanji desu ka	次の電車は何時ですか? (Tsugi no densha wa nanji desu ka?) What time is the next train?
新幹線	Shinkansen (bullet train)	shinkansen	新幹線に乗ります。(Shinkansen ni norimasu.) I'll take the Shinkansen.
タクシー乗り場	Taxi stand	takushii noriba	タクシー乗り場はどこですか? (Takushii noriba wa doko desu ka?) Where is the taxi stand?
ここで止めてください	Please stop here	koko de tomete kudasai	あそこのコンビニの前で止めてください。(Asoko no konbini no mae de tomete kudasai.) Please stop in front of that convenience store.
右に曲がってください	Please turn right	migi ni magatte kudasai	次の信号で右に曲がってください。(Tsugi no shingou de migi ni magatte kudasai.) Please turn right at the next light.
左に曲がってください	Please turn left	hidari ni magatte kudasai	左に曲がってください。(Hidari ni magatte kudasai.) Please turn left.
まっすぐ	Straight ahead	massugu	まっすぐ行ってください。(Massugu itte kudasai.) Please go straight.
地図を見せてください	Please show me on the map	chizu o misete kudasai	地図を見せてください。(Chizu o misete kudasai.) Please show me on the map.
道に迷いました	I'm lost	michi ni mayoimashita	すみません、道に迷いました。(Sumimasen, michi ni mayoimashita.) Excuse me, I'm lost.
空港	Airport	kuukou	空港までお願いします。(Kuukou made onegaishimasu.) To the airport, please.
ホテル	Hotel	hoteru	このホテルまでお願いします。(Kono hoteru made onegaishimasu.) To this hotel, please.
いくらかかりますか	How much does it cost?	ikura kakarimasu ka	新宿までいくらかかりますか? (Shinjuku made ikura kakarimasu ka?) How much to Shinjuku?

Japan is still largely a cash-based society, especially in smaller shops and rural areas. Credit cards work at major retailers, but always carry yen. These phrases cover everyday shopping, asking for prices, and handling emergencies.

Shopping and Payments

Learn these phrases to navigate shops confidently. Many smaller vendors do not accept cards.

Emergency Phrases

Memorize the emergency phrases. You hopefully will not need them, but they are essential to have ready. These phrases can be lifesaving.

Common Shopping Situations

Use these when trying items on, asking about sizes, or inquiring about tax-free purchases.

Term	Definition	Phonetic	Example
いくらですか	How much is it?	ikura desu ka	これはいくらですか? (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) How much is this?
高いです	It's expensive	takai desu	ちょっと高いですね。(Chotto takai desu ne.) It's a bit expensive.
安いです	It's cheap / inexpensive	yasui desu	これは安いです。(Kore wa yasui desu.) This is inexpensive.
クレジットカードは使えますか	Can I use a credit card?	kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka	クレジットカードは使えますか? (Kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?) Do you accept credit cards?
現金	Cash	genkin	現金でお願いします。(Genkin de onegaishimasu.) I'll pay in cash.
領収書をください	Please give me a receipt	ryoushuusho o kudasai	領収書をください。(Ryoushuusho o kudasai.) Please give me a receipt.
試着してもいいですか	Can I try this on?	shichaku shitemo ii desu ka	これ、試着してもいいですか? (Kore, shichaku shitemo ii desu ka?) Can I try this on?
別のサイズはありますか	Do you have another size?	betsu no saizu wa arimasu ka	別のサイズはありますか? (Betsu no saizu wa arimasu ka?) Do you have another size?
免税	Tax-free	menzei	免税にできますか? (Menzei ni dekimasu ka?) Can this be tax-free?
助けてください	Please help me	tasukete kudasai	助けてください! (Tasukete kudasai!) Please help!
病院はどこですか	Where is the hospital?	byouin wa doko desu ka	一番近い病院はどこですか? (Ichiban chikai byouin wa doko desu ka?) Where is the nearest hospital?
警察を呼んでください	Please call the police	keisatsu o yonde kudasai	警察を呼んでください。(Keisatsu o yonde kudasai.) Please call the police.
救急車を呼んでください	Please call an ambulance	kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai	救急車を呼んでください! (Kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai!) Please call an ambulance!
パスポートをなくしました	I lost my passport	pasupooto o nakushimashita	パスポートをなくしました。(Pasupooto o nakushimashita.) I lost my passport.
大使館	Embassy	taishikan	アメリカ大使館はどこですか? (Amerika taishikan wa doko desu ka?) Where is the American embassy?
気分が悪いです	I feel sick	kibun ga warui desu	ちょっと気分が悪いです。(Chotto kibun ga warui desu.) I feel a bit sick.

Mastering Japanese phrases for travel requires the right study approach, not just more hours. Research in cognitive science shows three techniques produce the best learning outcomes.

Three Science-Backed Study Techniques

1. Active recall: Test yourself rather than re-read.
2. Spaced repetition: Review at scientifically-optimized intervals.
3. Interleaving: Mix related topics rather than studying one in isolation.

FluentFlash is built around all three. When you study Japanese travel phrases with our FSRS algorithm, every term is scheduled for review at exactly the moment you are about to forget it. This maximizes retention while minimizing study time.

Why Active Recall Beats Passive Review

The most common mistake students make is relying on passive review methods. Re-reading notes, highlighting textbook passages, or watching lecture videos feels productive. Studies show these methods produce only 10-20% of the retention that active recall achieves. Flashcards force your brain to retrieve information, which strengthens memory pathways far more than recognition alone.

Pair this with spaced repetition scheduling, and you can learn in 20 minutes a day what would take hours of passive review.

Your Practical Study Plan

Start by creating 15-25 flashcards covering the highest-priority concepts. Review them daily for the first week using our FSRS scheduling. As cards become easier, intervals automatically expand from minutes to days to weeks. You are always working on material at the edge of your knowledge. After 2-3 weeks of consistent practice, you will find Japanese concepts become automatic rather than effortful to recall.

Flashcards are not just for vocabulary. They are one of the most research-backed study tools for any subject, including Japanese. The reason comes down to how memory works. When you read a textbook passage, your brain stores that information in short-term memory. Without retrieval practice, it fades within hours.

Flashcards force retrieval, which is the mechanism that transfers information from short-term to long-term memory.

The Testing Effect

The "testing effect" is documented in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies. Students who study with flashcards consistently outperform those who re-read by 30-60% on delayed tests. This is not because flashcards contain more information. It is because retrieval strengthens neural pathways in a way that passive exposure cannot.

Every time you successfully recall a Japanese concept from a flashcard, you are making that concept easier to recall next time.

FSRS Spaced Repetition Amplifies Results

FluentFlash amplifies this effect with the FSRS algorithm, a modern spaced repetition system. It schedules reviews at mathematically-optimal intervals based on your actual performance. Cards you find easy get pushed further into the future. Cards you struggle with come back sooner.

Over time, this builds remarkable retention with minimal time investment. Students using FSRS-based systems typically retain 85-95% of material after 30 days. Compare this to roughly 20% retention from passive review alone.