Top 10 Japanese Phrases Every Traveller Should Know Before Visiting Japan 🇯🇵

Learn From a Native Speaker!

Are you planning your first trip to Japan? You might wonder, "Should I learn a few phrases before I go?"

Or some of you might have visited Japan before, and this time, you might want to connect with locals, which will give you more memorable experiences.

Don’t worry if you're starting from scratch! We've got you covered with some essential Japanese phrases during your travels in Japan.

You'll learn how to pronounce them naturally with a Japanese native teacher, Miki-sensei!

1. Greeting: Thank you

Arigato gozai masu /ありがとう ございます。

Thank you is a magic and powerful word to express your gratitude and respect for local culture.

When you ask something, find food tasty or feel generosity from others, let's say "Arigato gozai masu".

Check the pronunciation of the audio in Japanese!

Arigato gozai masu /ありがとう ございます。

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2. Greeting: Excuse me

Sumi masen / すみません。

This phrase is one of the most useful words because you can use it in a variety of situations. For example, if you want to call staff to order food, we can say "Sumi masen", which means

“Excuse me”. It also means “Sorry” or “Thank you” as well in a different situation.

Sumi masen / すみません。

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3. Greeting: Before eating / After eating

(Before eating) Ita daki masu / いただきます。

(After eating) Gochi so sama deshita / ごちそうさまでした。

This is an important phrase before having food in Japan.

This is one of the most unique Japanese phrases, there is no direct translation in English.

We say this word to express gratitude for food, the chef and the people involved. It is said that this word came from Buddhism. In Buddhism, there is a concept called Fu sesio / ふせっしょう(不殺生) that means not taking lives indiscriminately and cherishing each life.

We cannot live without having something alive, such as animals, fish, rice and vegetables. However, we can cherish life before eating. That’s why, regardless of religion, the Japanese say “Ita daki masu”  before eating.

When you say Ita daki masu, we normally put our hands together.

Ita daki masu / いただきます。Gochi so sama deshita / ごちそうさまでした。

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4. Greeting: Good Morning, Good Evening

(Good Morning) Ohayo gozai masu / おはようございます。

(Good Evening) Kon ban wa / こんばんは。

Most of you know Kon-nichi-wa for saying Hello in Japanese!

However, in reality, this is not used that often.

In the morning, we say “Ohayo gozaimasu”; after dark in the evening, we say “Konban wa”.

These phrases are natural and polite.

If you check in at hotels in the evening, let’s say “Kon ban wa” to the concierge instead of Kon Nichi Wa!

Ohayo gozai masu / おはようございます。 Kon ban wa / こんばんは。

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5. Direction: Where is ~?

~ wa doko desuka? / 〜は どこですか。

I know sometimes it isn't easy to find the place you want to go when you are new to the place.

Especially in Japan, many signs are written in Japanese. Don't worry, these phrases can guide you to the destination.

(Example)

Where is the bathroom? : Otearai wa doko desuka? / お手洗い（おてあらい）はどこですか。

Where is Tokyo Station? ：Tokyo Eki wa doko desuka?/ 東京駅（とうきょうえき）はどこですか。

Where is the breastfeeding/nursing room? ：Jyunyu shitsu wa doko desuka? /

授乳室（じゅにゅうしつ）はどこですか。

~ wa doko desuka? / 〜は どこですか。

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6. Order: ~ Please!!

~ Onegai shimasu！ / 〜 おねがいします！

Ordering something in Japan is not as hard as you expect.

Point out the thing you want to order on the menu, and mention the name and put “Onegai shimasu” in the end.

(Example)

・Takoyaki (Octopus ball), please! ：Takoyaki Onegai shimasu. / たこやき おねがいします。

・Bill, please!：Okai kei one gai shimasu / お会計（おかいけい）おねがいします。

~ Onegai shimasu！ / 〜 おねがいします！

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7. Order: Do you have any recommendations?

Osusume wa ari masuka? / おすすめはありますか。

If you want to try authentic food that local people love, you can always ask for recommendations.

You might get special information when you ask locals in Japanese using this phrase.

Osusume wa ari masuka? / おすすめはありますか。

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8. Order: Do you have ~?

~ wa ari masuka? / 〜は ありますか。

When you want to find the menu or buy particular things, you can say the above words to the staff to find it.

(Example)

・Do you have a Menu? ：Menu wa arimasuka?/ メニューはありますか。

・Do you have Ekiben (=Train Station Bento)?：Ekiben wa arimasuka? / 駅弁（えきべん）はありますか。

・Do you have Wi-Fi? :Wi-Fi wa ari masuka? /  Wi-Fi はありますか。

~ wa ari masuka? / 〜は ありますか。

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9. Order: How much is this?

Ikura desuka? / いくら ですか。

When you want to ask the price, this phrase would be useful.

Ikura desuka? / いくら ですか。

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10. Expression: It’s Tasty!!

Oishii desu! / おいしいです！

You can also say, “It was Tasty!”.

Oishi katta desu. / おいしかったです！

You might encounter tasty Japanese cuisine during the trip to Japan.

Before leaving restaurants, why don’t you say the above words?

The chef or staff will be happy to hear your compliments!

Oishii desu! / おいしいです！ Oishi katta desu. / おいしかったです！

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Miki sensei gives you the most important tips regarding saying something in Japanese!

Lastly, I’ll give you the most important tips! That is a smile! ☺️

Japanese locals would be happy to hear when you are trying to speak Japanese.

Don't worry about your pronunciation or grammar. We are pleased to see your effort and would like to chat with you.

If you forget how to say, smile and ask, "How can I say ~ in Japanese?"!

They will give you natural Japanese phrases!

Check Online Travellers Japanese Course