Japanese Travel Phrases: 40 Essentials for Your Trip (Audio)

The short answer

Three phrases do half the work: すみません (excuse me), 〜はどこですか (where is…?), 〜をください (…please).
Point and say これ (this one) when you don’t know the word.
Most staff appreciate any attempt at Japanese, even a simple ありがとうございます.
Emergency numbers: 110 police, 119 ambulance and fire.

The survival kit

すみませんsumimasen
Excuse me / Sorry
ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu
Thank you
えいごはだいじょうぶですかeigo wa daijōbu desu ka
Is English okay?
にほんごがすこしわかりますnihongo ga sukoshi wakarimasu
I understand a little Japanese.
もういちどおねがいしますmō ichido onegai shimasu
Once more, please.
これkore
this onePoint and say これをください.

At the hotel

チェックインおねがいしますchekkuin onegai shimasu
Check-in, please.
よやくしていますyoyaku shite imasu
I have a reservation.
にもつをあずかってもらえますかnimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka
Could you keep my luggage?
ワイファイのパスワードはなんですかwaifai no pasuwādo wa nan desu ka
What’s the Wi-Fi password?
チェックアウトはなんじですかchekkuauto wa nanji desu ka
What time is check-out?

Trains and taxis

このでんしゃはきょうとにいきますかkono densha wa Kyōto ni ikimasu ka
Does this train go to Kyoto?
つぎのえきはどこですかtsugi no eki wa doko desu ka
What’s the next station?
なんばんせんですかnanbansen desu ka
Which platform?
ここまでおねがいしますkoko made onegai shimasu
To here, please.Show the address to the taxi driver.
ここでとめてくださいkoko de tomete kudasai
Please stop here.

More in our guide to transport in Japanese and asking for directions.

Sightseeing

しゃしんをとってもいいですかshashin o totte mo ii desu ka
May I take a photo?
しゃしんをとってもらえますかshashin o totte moraemasu ka
Could you take a photo of us?
にゅうじょうりょうはいくらですかnyūjōryō wa ikura desu ka
How much is the entrance fee?
なんじまでですかnanji made desu ka
Until what time are you open?

Eating out

ふたりですfutari desu
Two people.
えいごのメニューはありますかeigo no menyū wa arimasu ka
Do you have an English menu?
おすすめはなんですかosusume wa nan desu ka
What do you recommend?
おかいけいおねがいしますokaikei onegai shimasu
The bill, please.

Full food vocabulary: Japanese food words.

Shopping

いくらですかikura desu ka
How much is it?
カードはつかえますかkādo wa tsukaemasu ka
Can I pay by card?
これにしますkore ni shimasu
I’ll take this one.
ふくろはいりませんfukuro wa irimasen
I don’t need a bag.

More: shopping in Japanese.

Help and emergencies

たすけて！tasukete!
Help!
みちにまよいましたmichi ni mayoimashita
I’m lost.
さいふをなくしましたsaifu o nakushimashita
I lost my wallet.
びょういんはどこですかbyōin wa doko desu ka
Where is a hospital?
きゅうきゅうしゃをよんでくださいkyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai
Please call an ambulance.
こうばんはどこですかkōban wa doko desu ka
Where is the police box?Kōban: small neighbourhood police posts, very helpful for lost travellers.

Ready to travel?0/3

You want to ask if you can take a photo:
You’re lost. Say:
Ambulance number in Japan:

Frequently asked questions

What Japanese phrases should I learn before traveling?

Start with すみません (excuse me), ありがとうございます (thank you), 〜はどこですか (where is…?), これをください (this one, please), いくらですか (how much?) and えいごはだいじょうぶですか (is English okay?).

Do people in Japan speak English?

In tourist areas, hotels and big stations, staff often speak some English, and signs are usually bilingual. Outside major areas, basic Japanese phrases help a lot.

What is the emergency number in Japan?

Dial 110 for the police and 119 for an ambulance or the fire brigade.