Updated: July 2026
Before you even board the plane, a handful of Japanese words can go a long way. From polite greetings to everyday phrases you will hear in train stations, restaurants, and shops, knowing a few key words can make traveling in Japan smoother, more respectful, and a lot more fun. This guide covers the essential Japanese words you should know before traveling, so you can navigate with confidence, avoid awkward moments, and connect more easily with locals along the way.
If you are still in the planning stages of your trip, Japlanning 101: Your Crash Course to an Epic Trip is the best place to start.
Basic Greetings & Polite Phrases
Learning a few basic Japanese greetings and polite phrases will instantly make your interactions smoother and more respectful. Even a simple thank you or excuse me in Japanese is often met with a smile and extra kindness, especially from locals who appreciate the effort.
- Hello · Konnichiwa
- Good morning · Ohayō gozaimasu
- Good evening · Konbanwa
- Thank you · Arigatō gozaimasu
- Excuse me / Sorry · Sumimasen
- Please · Onegaishimasu
- Yes / No · Hai / Iie
- Nice to meet you · Hajimemashite
- Goodbye · Sayōnara
Getting Around & Travel Essentials
From airports to hotels and everything in between, these travel-related words will help you move through Japan with confidence. You will hear many of them repeatedly on signs, announcements, and in everyday conversations, making them especially useful for first-time visitors.
- Airport · Kūkō
- Hotel · Hoteru
- Check-in · Chekku-in
- Taxi · Takushī
- Bus · Basu
- Train · Densha
- Entrance · Iriguchi
- Exit · Deguchi
- Restroom / Toilet · Toire
- Where is…? · … wa doko desu ka?
Trains, Stations & Transportation
Japan’s train system is famously efficient, though it can feel overwhelming at first. Knowing a few key words related to trains and stations will help you read signs, understand announcements, and move through stations with far less stress. My Train Etiquette in Japan: Everything You Need to Know Before You Ride covers the unspoken rules that will help you blend in once you are on board.
- Train · Densha
- Station · Eki
- Platform · Hōmu
- Ticket: ·Kippu
- IC Card · IC kādo
- Transfer · Norikae
- Last train · Shūden
- Express / Rapid · Kyūkō
- Local train · Kakutei
Eating Out & Food Phrases
Whether you are ordering ramen from a vending machine, dining at a cozy izakaya, or grabbing snacks from a convenience store, a few food-related Japanese words will go a long way. These phrases make ordering easier and help you show appreciation for the meal. Once the food arrives, knowing your way around chopsticks matters too, the Ultimate Guide to Chopstick Etiquette in Japan covers the dos and don’ts worth knowing before you dig in.
- Menu · Menyū
- This one, please · Kore o kudasai
- Delicious · Oishii
- Water · Mizu
- Check, please · Okaikei onegaishimasu
- Vegetarian · Bejitarian
- Allergy · Arerugī (
- Thank you for the meal (before eating) · Itadakimasu
- Thank you for the meal (after eating) · Gochisōsama deshita
Shopping & Money
in Japan is easy and enjoyable, especially when you know a few key words. These phrases will help you browse stores, ask about prices, and handle payments smoothly, whether you are in a department store, souvenir shop, or local market.
- How much is this? · Kore wa ikura desu ka?
- Cash · Genkin
- Credit card · Kurejitto kādo
- Receipt · Ryōshūsho
- Tax-free · Menzei
- Open · Aiteimasu
- Closed · Shima
- Do you need a bag? · Fukuro irimasu ka?
Directions & Navigation
Finding your way around Japan is much easier when you know a few essential words for directions and locations. Whether you are exploring busy cities or wandering quaint neighborhoods, these terms will help you ask for and understand directions with confidence.
- Left · Hidari
- Right · Migi
- Straight / Go straight · Massugu
- Near / Close · Chikai
- Far · Tōi
- Here · Koko
- There · Soko / Asoko
- Map · Chizu
- Where is…? · … wa doko desu ka?
Emergencies & Important Words
Even if you hope to have a smooth trip, knowing a few emergency words can be a lifesaver. These key phrases help you ask for help, find medical assistance, or communicate urgent needs quickly and clearly.
- Help · Tasukete
- Hospital · Byōin
- Pharmacy · Yakkyoku
- Police · Keisatsu
- Lost / Missing · Nakushimashita
Cultural Words You’ll Hear Often
Beyond practical phrases, Japan has a host of words and expressions tied to its culture, etiquette, and everyday life. Knowing these will not only help you understand locals but also show respect for their customs, making your trip more immersive and enjoyable.
- Welcome / Thank you for coming · Irasshaimase – often heard when entering shops or restaurants
- Excuse me / Pardon me (when passing through or getting attention) · Sumimasen
- Thank you for the meal (before eating) · Itadakimasu
- Thank you for the meal (after eating) · Gochisōsama deshita
Japan Close
A few words go further than you would think. Ordering with a little Japanese, thanking a shopkeeper properly, or asking for directions without pulling up a translation app changes how a trip feels, and often how people respond to you along the way. Save this list, practice a few before you land, and let the rest come naturally once you are there.
— izzy