Essential Japanese Travel Phrases You Actually Need in Japan

Worried you won't be able to communicate during your trip to Japan? I get it. Landing in a country where you can't read the signs or order food sounds intimidating. But here's the thing: you absolutely don't need fluent Japanese to have an amazing trip. You just need the right phrases for the right situations.

I'm going to walk you through the essential Japanese travel phrases that'll actually make your trip smoother. These aren't random vocabulary lists from a textbook. These are the specific phrases you'll use multiple times every single day while getting around, eating, shopping, and interacting with locals.

Do Japanese People Speak English?

Let's be real about this. In major tourist areas like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, you'll find English signage and some English speakers, especially among younger people and hotel staff. But outside those bubbles? English becomes pretty rare, pretty fast.

Even in big cities, many restaurant staff, taxi drivers, and shop owners speak minimal English. That doesn't mean they're unfriendly. Most Japanese people are incredibly helpful and patient with travelers. They'll often go out of their way to assist you, pulling out translation apps or drawing maps. But relying entirely on English will limit your experiences and add unnecessary stress.

The good news? You don't need to be learning Japanese seriously to navigate Japan. A handful of well-chosen phrases will open up your trip in ways you wouldn't expect.

Basic Japanese Greetings and Politeness Phrases

Japanese culture places huge emphasis on politeness. Using even basic greeting phrases shows respect and almost always gets you better service and warmer interactions.

Konnichiwa (こんにちは) means "hello" or "good afternoon." This is your go-to greeting from late morning through evening. Pronunciation: kohn-nee-chee-wah. You'll use this constantly when entering shops, restaurants, or starting any interaction.

Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます) means "good morning." Pronunciation: oh-hah-yoh goh-zah-ee-mahs. The casual version is just ohayou (おはよう), but stick with the full phrase to be polite with strangers.

Konbanwa (こんばんは) means "good evening." Pronunciation: kohn-bahn-wah. Use this after the sun goes down instead of konnichiwa.

Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) means "thank you very much." Pronunciation: ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs. This phrase alone will get you surprisingly far. Japanese people really appreciate when foreigners make the effort to say thank you properly. The casual version is arigatou (ありがとう), but again, stick with the formal version for people you don't know.

Sumimasen (すみません) is incredibly versatile. It means "excuse me" or "I'm sorry." Pronunciation: soo-mee-mah-sen. Use it to get someone's attention, apologize for bumping into someone, or call a waiter. You'll say this phrase dozens of times per day.

Onegaishimasu (お願いします) means "please" or more literally "I humbly request." Pronunciation: oh-neh-guy-shee-mahs. You'll often pair this with other phrases when making requests.

Here's a phrase that'll make you sound like a local: Shitsurei shimasu (失礼します), which means "excuse me for being rude" or "pardon me." Pronunciation: shee-tsoo-ray shee-mahs. Use this when entering someone's space, like a small shop or when leaving a conversation.

Sayonara (さようなら) technically means "goodbye," but Japanese people rarely use it in daily life because it feels very final. Instead, use ja mata (じゃまた), meaning "see you later" (pronunciation: jah mah-tah), or shitsurei shimasu when leaving a shop.

Getting Around Japan

Transportation phrases are crucial because you'll navigate trains, subways, buses, and taxis constantly.

Koko wa doko desu ka? (ここはどこですか?) means "Where am I?" or "Where is this place?" Pronunciation: koh-koh wah doh-koh deh-soo kah? Super useful when you're lost, which will probably happen at least once in Tokyo's massive train stations.

Place name wa doko desu ka? (Place nameはどこですか?) means "Where is place?" Just insert your destination. Pronunciation: wah doh-koh deh-soo kah? You can point at a map or show someone the written name on your phone while saying this.

Place name ni ikitai desu (Place nameに行きたいです) means "I want to go to place." Pronunciation: nee ee-kee-tai deh-soo. This works great in taxis when you show the driver an address.

Eki (駅) means "station." Pronunciation: eh-kee. Combine this with place names to find train stations.

Kore wa ikura desu ka? (これはいくらですか?) means "How much is this?" Pronunciation: koh-reh wah ee-koo-rah deh-soo kah? Essential for shopping and confirming taxi fares.

Actually, let me give you the pronunciation breakdown for that last one since it's super important: ee-koo-rah deh-soo kah? Practice this a few times because you'll use it constantly.

Kippu (切符) means "ticket." Pronunciation: keep-poo. Point at ticket machines and say kippu onegaishimasu when you need help buying tickets.

Toire wa doko desu ka? (トイレはどこですか?) means "Where is the bathroom?" Pronunciation: toy-reh wah doh-koh deh-soo kah? Memorize this one early. Japanese toilets are famously high-tech, but first you need to find them.

Food and Drinks Phrases

Eating in Japan is one of the best parts of traveling there, but restaurant situations can get awkward fast without basic phrases.

Kore o kudasai (これをください) means "This one, please." Pronunciation: koh-reh oh koo-dah-sai. Point at a menu item or the plastic food displays outside restaurants and say this. Works every single time.

Mizu o kudasai (水をください) means "Water, please." Pronunciation: mee-zoo oh koo-dah-sai. Some restaurants automatically bring water, but not all.

Oishii (おいしい) means "delicious." Pronunciation: oy-shee. Say this after eating something good. The chef or server will genuinely appreciate it, and you'll often get a big smile.

Okaikei onegaishimasu (お会計お願いします) means "Check, please." Pronunciation: oh-kai-kay oh-neh-guy-shee-mahs. In Japan, you don't usually get the check automatically. You need to request it. Also, you typically pay at the register near the entrance, not at your table.

Gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした) means "Thank you for the meal." Pronunciation: goh-chee-soh-sah-mah deh-shee-tah. Say this when leaving a restaurant. It's a gesture of gratitude that Japanese people always use.

Osusume wa nan desu ka? (おすすめは何ですか?) means "What do you recommend?" Pronunciation: oh-soo-soo-meh wah nahn deh-soo kah? Great for when you can't read the menu and want to try something local.

Food item wa arimasu ka? (Food itemはありますか?) means "Do you have food item?" Pronunciation: wah ah-ree-mahs kah? Useful for dietary restrictions or finding specific dishes.

Biru kudasai (ビールください) means "Beer, please." Pronunciation: bee-roo koo-dah-sai. Because sometimes you just need a drink after a long day of sightseeing.

Shopping and Money Phrases

Shopping in Japan ranges from high-end department stores to quirky 100-yen shops, and these phrases work everywhere.

Kore (これ), sore (それ), and are (あれ) mean "this," "that," and "that over there." Pronunciation: koh-reh, soh-reh, ah-reh. Point and use these words constantly when shopping. Combine with kudasai (ください) to say "this, please."

Motto yasui no wa arimasu ka? (もっと安いのはありますか?) means "Do you have anything cheaper?" Pronunciation: moht-toh yah-soo-ee noh wah ah-ree-mahs kah? Useful in souvenir shops.

Motto ookii/chiisai saizu wa arimasu ka? (もっと大きい/小さいサイズはありますか?) means "Do you have a bigger/smaller size?" Pronunciation: moht-toh oh-kee/chee-sai sai-zoo wah ah-ree-mahs kah?

Mite mo ii desu ka? (見てもいいですか?) means "May I look?" Pronunciation: mee-teh moh ee deh-soo kah? Some smaller shops prefer you ask before touching items.

Kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? (クレジットカードは使えますか?) means "Can I use a credit card?" Pronunciation: koo-reh-jeet-toh kah-doh wah tsoo-kai-mahs kah? Many small shops and restaurants in Japan still only take cash.

Emergency and Help Phrases

Hopefully you won't need these, but having them ready gives peace of mind.

Tasukete (助けて) means "Help!" Pronunciation: tah-soo-keh-teh. The more formal version is tasukete kudasai (助けてください).

Eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (英語が話せますか?) means "Can you speak English?" Pronunciation: ay-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah? Useful for finding someone who can help with complex issues.

Byouin (病院) means "hospital." Pronunciation: byoh-een. Byouin wa doko desu ka? asks where the hospital is.

Michi ni mayoimashita (道に迷いました) means "I'm lost." Pronunciation: mee-chee nee mah-yoy-mah-shee-tah. People will usually try very hard to help you if you say this.

Wakaranai (わからない) or wakarimasen (わかりません) means "I don't understand." Pronunciation: wah-kah-rah-nai or wah-kah-ree-mah-sen. The second version is more polite. This phrase is incredibly useful because it signals to people that you need a different approach, like gestures or writing things down.

Pronunciation Tips That Actually Matter

Japanese pronunciation is generally easier than you'd think. The language has only five vowel sounds, and they're consistent. Here's what you need to know:

A sounds like "ah" in "father" I sounds like "ee" in "see"
U sounds like "oo" in "food" E sounds like "eh" in "bed" O sounds like "oh" in "go"

Unlike English, these sounds never change. The "a" in arigatou sounds exactly like the "a" in sayonara.

Japanese doesn't have strong stress accents like English. Keep your pronunciation relatively flat and even. Don't emphasize syllables dramatically.

The "r" sound in Japanese falls somewhere between an English "r" and "l." It's actually more like a soft "d" tap. Don't worry too much about perfecting this. Your English "r" or "l" will be understood fine.

Double consonants matter. Itte (行って, "go") and ite (いて, "being") are different words. When you see double consonants, pause slightly before saying them.

Long vowels also matter. Ojisan (おじさん) means "uncle" while ojiisan (おじいさん) means "grandfather." The extra "i" sound changes the meaning. Hold the vowel sound slightly longer.

That said, Japanese people are incredibly forgiving of pronunciation mistakes from foreigners. Making the effort matters way more than perfect execution.

Going Beyond Basic Phrases Like a Local

Once you've got the essential phrases down, a few cultural gestures will make your interactions even smoother.

Bowing is standard in Japan, but as a foreigner, a slight nod is perfectly acceptable. Match the depth of bow you receive. Deeper bows show more respect or apology.

When receiving something with both hands, like a business card, menu, or change, it shows respect. This gesture is more important than you'd think in Japanese culture.

Pointing at yourself, Japanese people touch their nose rather than their chest. It's a small thing, but it looks more natural.

Remove your shoes when entering someone's home, many traditional restaurants, some temples, and any room with tatami mats. You'll see a genkan (entryway) or shoe racks as a clear signal.

Speaking quietly in public spaces, especially trains, is expected. You'll notice how quiet Japanese trains are compared to other countries. Match that energy.

Do You Really Need to Speak Japanese to Travel Around Japan?

Honestly? You can absolutely travel around Japan without speaking Japanese. Millions of tourists do it every year. Major cities have enough English signage, and translation apps work pretty well for reading menus and signs.

But your experience will be so much richer with even basic phrases. You'll eat at tiny local restaurants instead of just chains with English menus. You'll have actual interactions with people instead of awkward pointing and nodding. You'll navigate situations smoothly instead of feeling stressed and confused.

Plus, Japanese people genuinely appreciate when you try. Even butchering the pronunciation of arigatou gozaimasu gets you smiles and better service. The effort matters more than perfection.

I've seen travelers transform their Japan trips by learning just 15 to 20 phrases. They go from feeling like confused outsiders to feeling somewhat comfortable and connected. That confidence makes everything better, from asking directions to trying new foods.

Making These Phrases Stick

Reading this list is fine, but you'll forget most of these phrases by tomorrow unless you actually practice them. Here's what works:

Write out the phrases you'll use most on a small card or in your phone's notes app. Review them daily for a week before your trip. Say them out loud. Seriously, pronunciation only improves when you actually move your mouth.

Watch YouTube videos of these phrases being used in context. Hearing native speakers use them in real situations helps way more than just reading romanization.

Practice common scenarios in your head. Imagine ordering food, asking for directions, or buying train tickets. Walk through the conversation using these phrases. This mental rehearsal makes the real situations feel familiar.

When you arrive in Japan, use these phrases immediately and constantly. Don't be shy. The first few times feel awkward, but it gets natural fast. Every interaction is practice.

If you're interested in going deeper with Japanese beyond just travel phrases, immersion learning works incredibly well. Watching Japanese shows, reading manga, or following Japanese social media teaches you how the language actually works in real contexts.

Anyway, if you want to level up your Japanese learning beyond travel basics, Migaku's browser extension lets you look up words instantly while watching Japanese shows or reading articles. Makes immersion learning way more practical for actually retaining what you study. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.