Essential Japanese Phrases for Travellers
The Japanese phrases you will actually use on a trip: greetings, thank yous, ordering food, shopping, getting around and emergencies, with simple pronunciation tips and useful signs.
Quick answer
- Most useful word: sumimasen, which means excuse me, sorry and thank you.
- Thank you: arigatou gozaimasu.
- Please: onegaishimasu when asking for something, kudasai after naming it.
- Pronunciation: say every vowel clearly, a as in father, i as in see, u as in food, e as in get, o as in go.
- Do you need it?: no, but a few words go a long way and people really appreciate it.
You can travel around Japan speaking only English, thanks to signs, apps and helpful people. But learning a handful of phrases makes everything smoother and friendlier. These are the ones you will use every single day.
Greetings and basics
| Japanese | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Konnichiwa | Hello | During the day |
| Ohayou gozaimasu | Good morning | Until about 10am |
| Konbanwa | Good evening | After dark |
| Arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you | All the time |
| Sumimasen | Excuse me, sorry | To get attention, apologise or squeeze past |
| Gomen nasai | I am sorry | For a real apology |
| Hai / Iie | Yes / No | Though people rarely say a blunt no |
| Daijoubu desu | It is fine, no thank you | To decline a bag or offer |
| Wakarimasen | I do not understand | When you are lost in the conversation |
| Eigo wa daijoubu desu ka? | Is English okay? | Before starting a conversation |
Eating out
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nanmei sama desu ka? | How many people? Staff ask this. Show fingers to answer. |
| Eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka? | Do you have an English menu? |
| Kore o kudasai | This one, please. Point at the menu. |
| Osusume wa nan desu ka? | What do you recommend? |
| Niku to sakana wa tabemasen | I do not eat meat or fish |
| ... no arerugii ga arimasu | I am allergic to ... |
| Itadakimasu | Said before eating |
| Oishii! | Delicious! |
| Kanpai! | Cheers! |
| Okaikei onegaishimasu | The bill, please |
| Gochisousama deshita | Thank you for the meal, said as you leave |
Shopping
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ikura desu ka? | How much is it? |
| Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? | Can I pay by card? |
| Fukuro wa irimasen | I do not need a bag |
| Menzei dekimasu ka? | Can I shop tax-free? |
| Mite iru dake desu | I am just looking |
Getting around
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ... wa doko desu ka? | Where is ...? |
| Toire wa doko desu ka? | Where is the toilet? |
| Eki | Station |
| Kono densha wa ... ni ikimasu ka? | Does this train go to ...? |
| ... made onegaishimasu | To ..., please. Use this in a taxi. |
| Migi / Hidari / Massugu | Right / Left / Straight on |
Emergencies
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tasukete! | Help! |
| Byouin wa doko desu ka? | Where is the hospital? |
| Kibun ga warui desu | I feel unwell |
| Keisatsu | Police |
| Michi ni mayoimashita | I am lost |
Our tip: In an emergency, call 110 for the police and 119 for an ambulance or fire. The Japan Visitor Hotline, run by JNTO, answers in English 24 hours a day on 050 3816 2787.
Useful signs to recognise
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 入口 | Entrance |
| 出口 | Exit |
| 男 | Men |
| 女 | Women |
| 駅 | Station |
| 禁煙 | No smoking |
| 営業中 | Open |
| 準備中 | Closed, preparing |
Tips for speaking Japanese
- Japanese has no strong stress. Say each syllable evenly.
- The u at the end of desu and the i in many words are often barely spoken, so desu sounds like dess.
- Adding san after a name is polite, but never use it about yourself.
- A small bow with your thank you is natural and appreciated.
- Translation apps with camera mode are brilliant for menus and signs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak Japanese to travel in Japan?
No. Signs in big cities are in English and staff in tourist areas often speak some. A few phrases still help a lot.
What is the most useful Japanese word?
Sumimasen. It means excuse me, sorry and even thank you, depending on the situation.
How do you say thank you in Japanese?
Arigatou gozaimasu is polite and works everywhere. Arigatou alone is more casual.
Is it rude to speak English in Japan?
Not at all. Starting with a Japanese greeting and then asking if English is okay is a friendly way to begin.
We checked this guide against the 3 official sources listed below. Last updated 31 October 2026. Basis: researched from official sources. Written and edited by Delfin, with AI-assisted research (how we work). Prices, hours and rules change, so confirm before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
