A Japanophile who has survived 15 solo trips to Japan. His visits focus on discovering the country’s lesser-known attractions.

Japanese travel phrases and words to equip yourself with when visiting Japan. All images by Scribbling Geek

Even if you are an expert in Japanese grammar, you are going to find it hard to communicate in the Land of the Rising Sun without a rich vocabulary of Japanese travel phrases and words. This is not helped by the fact that Japanese kanji, or logographic characters, inevitably have multiple pronunciations.

Fortunately, travel phrases and words that are “useful to know” for visitors are largely limited to the names of places, facilities, objects, and so on. The following is a selection of words and phrases you are most likely going to need or encounter when visiting Nihon. Each section also contains suggestions on usage and pronunciation.

Notes

This list of Japanese Phrases for travelers and tourists is divided into the standard categories of food, locations, transportation, etc. Categories are arranged alphabetically.

You do not need to learn all to have a great trip. Pick and choose based on your needs.

The language is largely pronounced as it reads in romanized form, with each syllable spoken clearly. Syllables are also always paired with a vowel and never contain clusters of three or more consonants.

Japanese vowels are always clearly pronounced. Sake is therefore not as we would say it in English but sa-ke. Sodenashi is so-de-na-shi.

Although there are many exceptions, the syllables of most Japanese words generally receive equal emphasis. The word katakana is thus uniformly stressed when spoken.

All textbooks spell the Japanese present affirmative verb stem as masu, although the “u” is frequently very softly pronounced. For example, ikimasu is not pronounced as i-ki-ma-su but i-ki-mass. The same goes for the formal sentence copula desu.

Sentences are transformed into questions when they end with ka.

Some textbooks also spell the “ou” sound as “ō” or simply as “o.” For this list, the extended spelling is used.

To learn basic Japanese words and phrases for general situations, such as greetings and numbers, please refer to the appendix of this list.

Most if not all service personnel in the country will not expect tourists to speak perfect Japanese, or to possess impressive vocabulary. By experience, they can discern what you need with one or two keywords.

One of the biggest hurdles to learning Japanese travel phrases is the unfortunate fact that many Japanese words have at least two very different pronunciations. This stems from the difference between kunyomi and onyomi. The former is the “Japanese reading,” while the latter is the “sound” or “Chinese reading.” Generally, kunyomi is used when the word or kanji character is read by itself. Onyomi is used when the character is paired with others. (Note that there are frequent exceptions)

Basic Applications

The simplest way of asking for directions in Japanese is ________ wa doko desu ka? Fill in the blank with names of places from this list.

The simplest way to request for something in Japanese is ________ onegaishimasu. You could also use ________ kudasai. Both onegaishimasu and kudasai mean “please.”

________, arimasu ka could be used to inquire whether a certain facility is available, or whether an object is on sale. Note that this cannot be used to inquire about humans.

Additional Pronunciation Guide

To reiterate, the language pronounces every syllable. Thus: sake is pronounced as sa-ke.

In short, any consonant following a vowel is the start of a new syllable. When a consonant follows “n,” it is also the start of a new syllable.

Some additional examples of such pronunciation parsing are:

Chiekkuin = Chi-e-Ku-in (brief emphasis and pause on the double k)

Mise = Mi-se

Ryougae = Ryo-u-ga-e

Zutsu = Zu-tsu

Aregugi = A-re-gu-gi

Chintsuzai = Chin-tsu-za-I

Shinzou = Shin-zo-u

Shoten = Sho-te-n

Mokuyoubi = Mo-ku-yo-u-bi

Mayonaka = Ma-yo-na-ka

Like English, there are also five vowels in the Japanese language. Individually, vowels are pronounced as:

A = “Ah”

I = “Yi”

U = “Oo”

E = “Ay”

O = “Oh”

Thus, “Ka” is pronounced as “Kah.” “Jou” is pronounced as “Jo-oo.” And so on.

255 Essential Japanese Travel Phrases and Words for Travelers

A. Accommodation

B. Attractions

C. Clothing

D. Colors

E. Facilities

F. Food

G. General

H. Medicine

I. Shopping

J. Time

K. Transportation

L. Travel Necessities

M. Weather

Appendix

A. Accommodation

To highlight a damaged or non-functioning facility, use ________ ga kowarete imasu.

To highlight a missing item, use ________ ga arimasen.

Bed: Beddo (ベッド). Blanket: Buranketto (ブランケット) or moufu (毛布). Ceiling: Tenjou (天井). Chair: Isu (椅子). Check In / Check Out: Chiekkuin (チェックイン) and chiekkuauto (チェックアウト). Courier: Takuhaibin (宅配便). Door: Doa (ドア). Dormitory: Ryou (寮). Note that this word could also mean hostel. Floor: Furoa (フロア). The traditional Japanese word for floor is actually yuka (床). However, as this word also means several other things, it might be best to avoid using it when in a hotel. Fridge: Reizouko (冷蔵庫). Hostel: Hosuteru (ホステル). Hot Spring: Onsen (温泉). Hot Water: Oyu (お湯). Hotel: Hoteru (ホテル). Internet: Intaneto (インターネット). WiFi is pronounced as it is. Iron: Airon (アイロン). Japanese Traditional Inn: Ryokan (旅館). Kettle: Ketoru (ケトル). Laundromat (Coin Operated): Koin randori (コインランドリー). Laundry Facilities: Randori (ランドリ). Lights: Raito (ライト). Luggage: Nimotsu (荷物). Smaller items could be referred to as tenimotsu (手荷物). Microwave: Denshi renji (電子レンジ). Pillow: Makura (枕). Public Bath (Hotel): Yokujou (浴場). Note that this actually means “bathing space,” and refers to the common bathing facility of a hotel. Reception: Furonto (フロント). At other facilities, receptions are also known as uketsuke (受付). Room: Heya (部屋). Room Service: Rumu sabisu (ルームサービス). Shower: Shiyawa (シャワー). Sink: Sinku (シンク). Table: Teburu (テーブル). Television: Terebi (テレビ). Traditional Japanese Bed: Futon (布団). This is the type unfolded on tatami floors. Vending Machine: Jidou hanbaiki (自動販売機). Window: Mado (まど).

As you can see, many Japanese travel phrases and words used in the hospitality industry are transliterations from English. Traditional terms and names are generally avoided.

B. Attractions

Amusement Park: Yuenchi (遊園地). Theme parks are called tema paku (テーマパーク). Art Gallery: Bijitsukan (美術館). Beach: Hamabe (浜辺). Note that kaigan (海岸) is sometimes translated as “beach” too, but actually means seaside/coast. Bridge: Hashi (橋). When paired with other words, the pronunciation becomes bashi. Castle: This is a tricky one. When paired with other words or names, it is pronounced as jou (城). By itself, however, the word is pronounced as shiro. The kanji doesn’t change. Castle Keep: Tenshukaku (天守閣). Downtown: Hankagai (繁華街). Garden: Niwa (庭). Note that the names of many famous Japanese gardens use the kanji en (園) instead. Market: Shijou (市場). Mountain: Yama (山). Museum: Hakubutsukan (博物館). Observatory: Tenboudai (展望台). Pagoda: Tou (塔). Palace: Goten (御殿). Park: Koen (公園). River: Kawa (川). When paired with other words, the pronunciation sometimes changes to gawa. River Cruise: Kawa kudari (川下り). Ruins: Iseki (遺跡). Shopping Street: Shoutengai (商店街). Shops: Mise (店) Shrine: Jinja (神社). Stadium: Sutajiamu (スタジアム). Statue: Zou (像) Temple: Again, this is a tricky one. By itself, the kanji is pronounced as tera (寺). Paired with other words, it sometimes becomes ji. Other times, the pronunciation changes slightly, becoming dera. For example, yamadera (山寺). Tower: Tawa (タワー). Tawa is used for modern structures, whereas tou (see above) refers to historical pagodas. Town: Machi (町). Valley: Tani (谷).

Trivia: Some travel phrasebooks erroneously include the title of facilities in translations of popular attraction names. For example, Kiyomizudera Temple actually translates back to "Kiyomizu Temple Temple."

C. Clothing

This section does not contain names of parts of traditional attire. To learn Japanese travel phrases and words regarding those, please refer to specific write-ups on the subject.

Belt: Beruto (ベルト). This differs from obi (帯) which refers to the waist sash used when wearing kimonos. Blouse: Burausu (ブラウス). Cap/Hat: Boshi (帽子). Coat: Uwagi (上着). This could mean jacket too. Dress: Doresu (ドレス). Shirt: Shatsu (シャツ). Tees are t-shatsu. Shoes: Kutsu (靴). Shorts: Pantsu (パンツ). Skirt: Skirto (スカート). Sleeve: Sode (袖). Hansode (半袖) and nagasode (長袖) are short-sleeve and long-sleeve respectively, while sodenashi (袖無し) means sleeveless. Socks: Kutsushita (靴下). Sweater: Seta (セーター). Trousers: Trousers (ズボン). Underwear: Shitagi (下着).

D. Colors

In Japanese grammar, adjectives are always followed by different suffixes or particles. For most tourist situations, though, these could be omitted. An example would be when choosing the colors of a purchase.

As in English, there are also multiple ways to describe a color. The following are the most commonly used Japanese words for colors. More or less, the vocabulary travelers need to know too.

Black: Kuro (黒). Blue: Aoi (青). Brown: Chairo (茶色). Gray: Gure (グレー). Green: Midori (緑). Orange: Orenji (オレンジ). Pink: Pinku (ピンク). Purple: Murasaki (紫). Red: Aka (赤). White: Shiro (白). Yellow: Kiiro (黄色).

E. Facilities

Names of public facilities commonly used by tourists.

Bank: Ginkou (銀行). Embassy: Taishikan (大使館). Evacuation Shelter: Hinansho (避難所). Front Desk: Uketsuke (受付). Hospital: Byouin (病院). Money Exchange: Ryougae (両替). Police Station: Keisatsusho (警察署). Post Office: Yubinkyoku (郵便局). Tourist Information: Kankou annaijo (観光案内所).

F. Food

Restaurants staff will heartily greet customers with the world-famous Japanese phrase, irasshaimase (いらっしゃいませ) on seeing them. The same goes for many shops. The phrase simply means, welcome.

To indicate takeout instead of dining in, use the phrase, mochikaeri (持ち帰り). A smoking table is kitsuen (喫煙) while a non-smoking table is kinen (禁煙).

Beef: Gyu Niku (牛肉). Many restaurants would also use befu (ビーフ), or in the case of Japanese beef, wagyu (和牛). Breakfast: Asa gohan (朝ごはん) or choushoku (朝食). Cake: Keki (ケーキ). Chicken: Tori niku (鶏肉). Crab: Kani (カニ). Dessert: Dezato (デザート). Dinner: Yushoku (夕食). Egg: Tamago (卵). Fish: Sakana (魚). Fried: Age … (揚…). Usually, the name of the food ingredient that’s fried follows the kanji. Fruits: Kudamono (果物). Lunch: Chushoku (昼食). Meat: Niku (肉). Mutton: Youniku (羊肉). Pastry/Sweets: Kashi (菓子). Pork: Butaniku (豚肉). Prawn: Ebi (海老). Rice: Gohan (ご飯). Snack: Otsumami (おつまみ). Soup: Supu (スープ). Steamed: Mushi (蒸し). Supper: Yashoku (夜食). Vegetables: Yasai (野菜).

Japanese Names of Common Fruits

Apple: Ringo (りんご). Banana: Banana (バナナ). Grapes: Budou (ブドウ). Lemon: Remon (レモン). Melon: Meron (メロン). Orange: Orenji (オレンジ). Pear: Nashi (梨). Pineapple: Painapuru (パイナップル). Watermelon: Suika (西瓜).

Japanese Names of Seafood Popularly Used for Sashimi



Eel: Unagi (鰻). Mackerel: Saba (鯖). Octopus: Tako (たこ). Pacific Saury: Sanma (秋刀魚). Roe: Igura (イクラ). Salmon: Sake (鮭). Scallop: Hotate (帆立). Sea Bream: Tai (鯛). Sea Urchin: Uni (うに). Skipjack Tuna/Bonito: Katsuo (鰹). Squid: Ika (いか). Surf Clam: Hokkigai (北寄貝). Tuna: Maguro (鮪).

A great Japanese travel phrase to recognize is お買得品 (0-kaidokuhin). Grocers and shops throughout the country use this to mean “bargain” or “worthwhile buy.”

G. General Vocabulary

Adult: Otona (大人). Child: Kodomo (子供). Family: Kazoku (家族). Female: Josei (女性). “Woman” is onna (女), with the difference between the two words roughly the same as the difference between female and women in English. Left: Hidari (左). Male: Dansei (男性). “Man” is otoko (男), with the difference between the two words roughly the same as the difference between male and man in English. Old: Toshiyori (年寄り). Right: Migi (右). Young: Wakai (若い).

H. Medicine

While it wouldn’t always be grammatically correct, it is fine to use ________ ga arimasu to indicate a malady.

Allergy: Aregugi (アレルギー). Clinic: Shinryousho (診療所). Constipation: Benpi (便秘). Cough: Seki (咳). Cuts/Injury: Kega (怪我). Diarrhea: Geri (下痢). Vomiting is otou (嘔吐). Disinfectant: Shoudoku zai (消毒剤). Drugstore: Dorakkustoa (ドラッグストア). Often called yakkyoku (薬局) too. Fever: Netsu (熱). Flu: Kaze (風邪). Gastric Medication: Igusuri (胃薬). Giddiness: Kura kura (くらくら). Headache: Zutsu (頭痛). Lozenges: Jouzai (錠剤). Medical Examination: Shinsatsu (診察). Medicine: Kusuri (薬). Painful: Itai (痛い). Painkillers: Chintsuzai (鎮痛剤). Runny Nose: Hana mizu (鼻水).

Parts of the Body

To highlight an area of pain, use ________ ga itai.

Chest: Mune (胸). Ears: Mimi (耳). Eyes: Me (目). Feet: Ashimoto (足下). Hands: Te (手). Head: Atama (頭). Heart: Shinzou (心臓). Legs: Ashi (脚). Nose: Hana (鼻). Stomach: Onaka (お腹). Throat: Nodo (喉).

I. Shopping

To request for help when searching for something, use ________ o sagashite imasu.

________ ga arimasu ka, which means “do you have … ,” is fine too.

Bakery: Pan ya (パン屋). Big: Ookii (大きい). “Too big” is ooki sugiru (大きすぎる). The suffix sugiru itself meaning “in excess” and could be tagged to other adjectives to denote the same meaning. Books: (本). Bookstore: Shoten (書店). Cheap: Yasui (安い). The kanji often appears by itself on sales material. Cigarettes: Tabaco (タバコ). Convenience Store: Konbini (コンビニ). Department Store: Depato (デパート). Electronic appliances: Denshi kiki (電子機器). Expensive: Takai (高い). “Too expensive” is taka sugiru (高いすぎる). Greengrocer: Yaoya (八百屋). Liquor Store: Sakaya (酒屋). Pastry Shop: Yougashiya (洋菓子屋). Shop: Mise (店). Small: Chiisai (小さい). “Too small” is chiisa sugiru (小さすぎる). Supermarket: Supa (スーパー).

Shopping is one area that doesn’t require knowledge of many Japanese travel phrases. The country’s legendary salespeople will do whatever they can to understand you.

J. Time

To specify a month, simply take the corresponding number and put it before the Japanese word for month. January is therefore ichi gatsu (一月). October is juu gatsu (一月), and so on. (Refer to appendix for Japanese numbers)

For days of the month, replace gatsu with nichi (日). The same applies for hours and minutes, which are ji (時) and fun (分).

Note

There are specific names for several days of the month, this being a system based on the native pronunciations of Japanese words. The pronunciation for “minute” also varies depending on the number before it.

Unless you are interested in learning Japanese full-time and not just equipping yourself with basic travel phrases for a holiday, it is unnecessary to fret about these. No one is going to laugh at you for referring to the fifth of January as go-nichi instead of itsuka, even though it is linguistically simplistic.

Afternoon: Gogo (午後). AM/PM: Gozen (午前)/Gogo (午後). Last Night: Sakuya (昨夜). Midnight: Mayonaka (真夜中) or hanya (半夜). Morning: Asa (朝). Kesa refers to “this morning.” Noon: Shougo (正午). Today: Kyou (今日). Tomorrow: Ashita (明日). News reports and weather forecasts often use asu (あす) instead. Tonight: Konban (今晩). Yesterday: Kinou (昨日).

Days of the Week

Monday: Getsuyoubi (月曜日). Tuesday: Kayoubi (火曜日). Wednesday: Suiyoubi (水曜日). Thursday: Mokuyoubi (木曜日). Friday: Kinyoubi (金曜日). Saturday: Doyoubi (土曜日). Sunday: Nichiyoubi (日曜日).

In conversations, “bi” is often omitted. In many cases, just the first syllable is pronounced too.

K. Transportation

Adding the particle (で) after a mode of transportation conveys the meaning of “by.” For example, densha de means “by train.”

Airplane: Hikouki (飛行機). Airport: Kuukou (空港). Arrival Time: Touchaku jikan (到着時間). Bus Stop: Basu noriba (バス乗り場). Noriba means “stop” and “platform,” and can be tagged to other forms of transportation. Departure Time: Shuppatsu jikan (出発時間). Disruption: Miawasete imasu (見合わせています). This phrase actually means “out of service,” and could appear in many forms. However, the first two characters will always be present. Ferry Terminal: Fueri taminaru (フェリーターミナル). Flight: Bin (便). Harbor: Minato (港). Ship: Fune (船). Station: Eki (駅). Subway: Chikatetsu (地下鉄). Taxi: Takushi (タクシー). Ticket: Kippu (切符) or chiketto (チケット) or ken (券). Ken is typically used when paired with other Japanese travel phrases and words. For example, a limited express ticket is called tokkyuuken (特急券). Ticket Sales: Kippu uriba (切符売り場). Train: Densha (電車).

L. Travel Necessities

Japanese travel phrases and words for the most commonly needed items by travelers.

Cellphone: Keitai (携帯). Charging Terminal: Juuden tanshi (充電端子). Clock: Tokei (時計). The word also means watch. Comb: Kushi (櫛). Detergent: Senzai (洗剤). Nail Cutter: Tsumekiri (爪切り). Power Bank: Pawa Banku (パワーバンク). Could also be referred to as mobairu battori (モバイルバッテリー). Razor: Kamisori (カミソリ). Sanitary Napkin: Seiri napukin (生理ナプキン). Shampoo: Shiyanpu (シャンプー). SIM Card: Directly transliterated as SIM Cardo (SIMカード). Soap: Sekken (石鹸). Body wash is usually called bodi sopu (ボディソープ). Suitcase: Sutsukesu (スーツケース). Toothbrush: Ha burashi (歯ブラシ). Toothpaste: Ha migaki (歯磨き). Towel: Taoru (タオル). Travel Adaptor: Ryokou Adaputa (旅行アダプター).

M. Weather

If you’re visiting Japan during bad-weather months such as August and September, it is imperative to know at least some of these words. Also, to visually recognize some of the Kanji and Kana writings involved.

Clear: Hare (晴). Cloudy: Kumori (曇り). Fog: Kiri (霧). Heatwave: Mou shou (猛署). The word literally means “fierce heat.” Rain: Ame (雨). Goou (豪雨) and Ooame (大雨) mean heavy rain. Snow: Yuki (雪). Thunder: Kaminari (雷). While there is a separate word for lightning, kaminari is frequently used to denote both lightning and thunder. Typhoon: Taifuu (台風). Wind: Kaze (風). Boufu (暴風) is a windstorm.

Travel tip: Kanji such as those for rain and snow are often shown on board trains. They give a preview of what to expect at destinations.

Appendix: Additional Useful Japanese Travel Phrases and Words to Know for a Great Holiday

Common Greetings, Questions, and Responses

Good Morning : Ohaiyou

: Ohaiyou Good Day/Afternoon : Konnichiwa

: Konnichiwa Good Evening : Kombanwa

: Kombanwa Good Night : Oyasumi Nasai

: Oyasumi Nasai Goodbye : Sayounara

: Sayounara Excuse Me: Sumimasen

Sumimasen Thank You : Arigatou

: Arigatou Sorry: Gomenasai

Gomenasai Bill, Please: O kanjou

O kanjou Do you speak English : Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?

: Eigo ga hanasemasu ka? I do not understand Japanese : Nihongo ga wakarimasen

: Nihongo ga wakarimasen I’m okay: Daijoubu desu.

Emergencies

Help : Tasukete

: Tasukete Please call an ambulance : Kyukyusha o yonde kudasai

: Kyukyusha o yonde kudasai Please call the police: Keisatsu o yonde kudasai

Numbers

One : Ichi

: Ichi Two : Ni

: Ni Three : San

: San Four : Shi/Yon

: Shi/Yon Five : Go

: Go Six : Roku

: Roku Seven : Shichi/Nana

: Shichi/Nana Eight : Hachi

: Hachi Nine : Kyuu/Ku

: Kyuu/Ku Ten : Juu

: Juu Eleven : Juu Ichi

: Juu Ichi Twelve : Juu Ni

: Juu Ni Twenty: Ni juu

Ni juu Thirty: San juu

San juu Hundred : Hyaku

: Hyaku Thousand : Sen

: Sen Ten Thousand: Man

The Seasons

Spring : Haru

: Haru Summer : Natsu

: Natsu Autumn : Aki

: Aki Winter: Fuyu

The 5W and 1H

What : Nani

: Nani When : Itsu

: Itsu Where : Doko

: Doko Who : Dare/Donata

: Dare/Donata Why : Naze

: Naze How: Douyatte

© 2018 Scribbling Geek

Scribbling Geek (author) from Singapore on June 10, 2019:

Dare ga TASUKETE!!!! :)

Nofi on June 10, 2019:

Oh my God, i love this. Extremely useful, i will save it for when i travel to Japan. I have been watching anime and i can recognize some of them, my favourite is TASUKETEEEEEE! I always here that on One Piece, i love it.

Scribbling Geek (author) from Singapore on October 08, 2018:

I'm glad to be of help!!

Liz Westwood from UK on October 08, 2018:

Definitely an article to bookmark. You have turned an indecipherable (for me) language into one which is much more accessible to me.

Scribbling Geek (author) from Singapore on October 02, 2018:

Hey Mary, thanks!

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on October 02, 2018:

This is really useful especially when you have Japanese friends. Your list is easy to follow.