Essential Japanese Phrases for Traveling You Need to Memorize

Planning your first trip to Japan? Bags packed, visa done, flights booked, but aren’t you missing something to get your trip to the next level? Your missing piece of the puzzle may be a quick guide to spoken Japanese – travel edition! Hammer down these essential Japanese phrases for travel. 

You can’t learn Japanese overnight, but you memorize these essential Japanese phrases for travel before your trip to Japan! 

Speaking Japanese during your trip will not only be an excellent practice but also bring down the language barrier with the local residents. Speaking Japanese as a tourist in Japan is not mandatory but can be helpful to learn more about Japanese culture and traditions.  

So, let’s make the most of your trip by using this list of important Japanese phrases to use during your trip. These phrases will make sure that you fulfil your bucket list right from eating the tastiest ramen to exploring hidden spots! 

Must-Know Japanese Phrases 

These are the Japanese phrases that form the base of everyday conversations.  

1. はい（Hai）- Yes 
2. いいえ（Iie）- No 
3. わかりました（Wakarimashita）- I understand 
4. わかりません（Wakarimasen）- I don’t understand 
5. 知りません（Shirimasen）- I don’t know 
6. 大丈夫です（Daijoubu desu）- It’s okay 
7. 手伝ってください（Tetsudatte kudasai）- Help me 

Basic Japanese Greetings 

When you land in Japan, you will notice greetings all the time, in restaurants, in hotels and even in convenience stores!  

1. おはようございます (Ohayou Gozaimasu)- Good morning 
2. こんにちは (Konnichiwa)- Good day/good afternoon 
3. こんばんは (Konbanwa)- Good evening 
4. ありがとうございます or ありがとう (Arigatou Gozaimasu/Arigatou)- Thank you 
5. すみません (Sumimasen)- Sorry/Excuse me 

BONUS: いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase)- Welcome 

You will hear this phrase every time you enter a shop. How do you respond to this phrase? Surprisingly, nothing! It’s just a phrase to welcome customers in a shop, so you don’t need to reply. If you feel awkward not replying, just nod or do a short bow to respond to the staff.  

In a Restaurant 

Many restaurants in popular sightseeing areas have English menus as well as English-speaking staff for help, but you can use these phrases to level up your Japanese conversations when ordering your favourite ramen or the best sushi.  

1. 何名ですか？ (Nan mei desu ka?)- How many people? 
   • You will hear this phrase every time you enter a restaurant. Just say Number + 名 (mei) 
   • For example: 2 名（Ni mei）- Two people 
2. 英語のメニューはありますか？（Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?）- Do you have an English menu?
3. ハラールですか？（Harāru desu ka?）- Is this halal?
4. これは○○が入っていますか？（Kore wa ○○ ga haitte imasu ka?）- Does this have ○○?
   • For example: これは牛肉が入っていますか？（Kore wa gyūniku ga haitte imasu ka?）- Does this have beef?
   • If you’re on a diet for allergy or religious reasons, chain restaurants will indicate key ingredients in menu items or you can ask staff as well. Key ingredients you may be concerned about:
     • 豚肉 (butaniku) – pork
     • 牛肉（gyūniku）- beef
     • 魚（sakana）- fish
     • アルコール（arukōru）- alcohol
     • ピーナッツ（pīnattsu）- peanuts
     • 肉（niku）- meat
5. クレジットカードは使えますか？（Kurejitto kādo wa tsukaemasu ka?）- Do you accept credit cards?
6. ○○をください (○○ wo kudasai)- Give me ○○  
   • Just point to the item on the menu for easier communication.  
7. 注文します (Chūmon shimasu)- I will order 
8. ○○がありますか？（○○ ga arimasu ka）- Do you have ○○? 
9. 禁煙席（Kinenseki）/ 喫煙席（Kitsuen seki）- Non-smoking / Smoking 
10. いただきます（Itadakimasu）- Expression of gratitude for food you are about to eat 

BONUS: ごちそうさまでした（Gochisousama deshita)

Expression of gratitude for food you have eaten. Say this to the staff or chef while exiting the restaurant and earn brownie points! 

While Travelling 

Going to different sightseeing spots is fun! But going there can be troublesome even when consulting an app for directions. Use these phrases to ask people around you about the place you want to go to. 

1. ○○どこですか？（○○ doko desu ka）- Where is ○○? 
   • For example:  
     • 駅、どこですか？（Eki, doko desu ka）- Where is the station? 
     • ホテル、どこですか？（Hoteru, doko desu ka）- Where is the hotel? 
     • お手洗い、どこですか？（Otearai, doko desu ka）- Where is the washroom? 
2. ○○に行きたいです（○○ ni ikitaidesu）- I want to go to ○○ 
3. Words for directions 
   • 右（Migi）- Right 
   • 左（Hidari）- Left 
   • 前（Mae）- In front 
   • 後ろ（Ushiro）- Behind 
   • 横（Yoko）- Beside, next to 
4. 何時にありますか？（Nan ji ni arimasu ka）- At what time is it (held/available)? 
5. いくらですか？（Ikura desu ka）- How much is it? (for money) 
6. どの○○ですか？ (Dono ○○ desu ka?) – Which ○○ is it?  
   • For example: 
   • どのレストランですか？（Dono resutoran desu ka）- Which restaurant? 
   • どの電車ですか？（Dono densha desu ka）- Which train? 

Try to keep these phrases handy on your phone, create tiny flashcards or keep a translation app ready for emergency cases. While you may need to switch to English for more complex conversations, your efforts to speak basic Japanese will be appreciated by people you meet during your trip. Most importantly, enjoy your much-awaited Japan trip to the fullest and have fun!  

Other Lessons from Your AtoJ Hirameki Sensei

• CEFR vs JLPT: Comparing Japanese Proficiency Standards  
• 10 Useful Tips on How to learn Kanji
• Helpful JLPT Tips to Pass the Exams Beyond Your Japanese Skills
• 5 Ways Japanese Is a High-Context Language
• 11 Apps to Practice Speaking Japanese Without Living in Japan
• 5 Creative Ways to Practice Speaking Japanese Without Living in Japan

Read tips from our success stories!  

• Things You Need To Know About JLPT N1 
• JLPT N1 Tips for Success 
• Strategies Useful for JLPT N5 to N2 Preparation 

About Your AtoJ Hirameki Sensei 

Hello! My name is Amogh, and I’m a Japanese language Trainer at AtoJ Hirameki. 

I have always enjoyed reading books and creating videos—both shooting and editing them. A few years ago, I decided to learn a language that did not use Roman characters. That curiosity led me to Japanese, and since then, I have stayed deeply connected with the language and culture. 

At AtoJ Hirameki, we welcome students from across India who want to learn and explore Japanese. Our programs cover every level of proficiency, from JLPT N5 to JLPT N1, helping learners build strong language skills step by step. 

We also offer special career-focused courses for qualified individuals who aspire to work in Japan. These programs are conducted in partnership with FAST OFFER International, providing students with guidance and opportunities to pursue professional careers in Japan. 

Whether you are learning Japanese for personal interest, academic goals, or career opportunities, Hirameki and FAST OFFER are here to support your journey. Learn more about AtoJ Hirameki’s services here.