Basic Japanese Phrases for Travelers

Learn the essential Japanese phrases for travelers, from greetings and thank-yous to ordering food and asking for help, with simple pronunciation tips.

Published October 18, 2026 at 3:28 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Learn Konnichiwa (hello), Arigato gozaimasu (thank you), Sumimasen (excuse me or sorry), Onegaishimasu (please), Kore o onegaishimasu (this one, please) and Toire wa doko desu ka (where is the restroom). Japanese vowels are simple, and polite forms ending in desu or masu are always safe.

You do not need to speak Japanese to enjoy Japan, but a handful of well-chosen phrases can turn a good trip into a warm one. Staff in shops, restaurants and hotels appreciate even a simple greeting, and locals often respond with generous smiles and patience. This guide covers the essential phrases for greetings, thanks, shopping, dining, transport and asking for help, with easy pronunciation tips and a few cultural notes so that you sound polite and feel confident.

How Hard Is Japanese Pronunciation for Beginners?

It is easier than many people expect. Japanese has five vowel sounds, a, i, u, e and o, and they are pronounced consistently, much like in Spanish: "ah," "ee," "oo," "eh," "oh." The rhythm is steady and even, with each syllable getting about the same time, so avoid putting heavy stress on a single part of a word. One thing to watch is vowel length, since a long vowel can change a word's meaning, so say long sounds a little longer. The Japanese "r" is a quick tap of the tongue, somewhere between English "r," "l" and "d."

The writing system looks intimidating, with kanji (Chinese-derived characters), plus two syllabaries called hiragana and katakana, the latter mainly used for foreign loanwords. Fortunately, you do not need to read it to travel. Station names and many signs in cities also appear in Roman letters, and tourist areas often include English. Learning to recognize katakana for common loanwords, such as the word for "coffee," can be an enjoyable bonus. You can read more in the Wikipedia article on the Japanese language.

What Are the Most Useful Greetings and Polite Words?

Start with Ohayo gozaimasu (good morning), Konnichiwa (hello or good afternoon) and Konbanwa (good evening). To say thank you, use Arigato gozaimasu, which is polite and works everywhere. Sumimasen is the most versatile word of all: it means "excuse me," "sorry" and a polite "thank you" in some situations, and it is also how you get a waiter's attention. Gomennasai is a more direct apology.

Add Onegaishimasu (please, or "I would like this, please") when you ask for something, and Hai (yes) and Iie (no) for basic answers. Daijobu desu means "I'm okay" or "it's fine," and is a gentle way to decline an offer. Finally, Sayonara means goodbye, although in daily life people often say Mata ne (see you) with friends. Adding a small bow along with the greeting is a lovely touch, though not required from visitors.

Which Phrases Help With Shopping and Eating?

At restaurants, staff often greet you with Irasshaimase (welcome), and you do not need to reply. To order, point to the menu and say Kore o onegaishimasu ("this one, please"). If you want to ask for a recommendation, try Osusume wa nan desu ka? ("What do you recommend?"). Before you eat, it is traditional to say Itadakimasu, a phrase of gratitude for the meal, and after you finish, Gochisosama deshita ("thank you for the meal"). To ask for the bill, say Okaikei onegaishimasu.

In shops, ask Ikura desu ka? ("How much is it?") and listen for the number, or look at the price tag. Kore wa ikura desu ka? adds "this" to the question. If you want to try something on or look around, Mite mo ii desu ka? ("May I look?") is polite. Kanpai means "cheers" when you raise a glass with friends.

How Do You Get Around and Ask for Help?

For directions, the key question is Doko desu ka? ("Where is it?"), placed after the place you are looking for. For example, Toire wa doko desu ka? means "Where is the restroom?" and Eki wa doko desu ka? means "Where is the station?" Station staff and police at a koban (a neighborhood police box) are usually patient, and showing a map on your phone or the name written in Japanese will help a lot. You can also say Kono basho ni ikitai desu ("I want to go to this place") while pointing at your screen.

When you do not understand, use Wakarimasen ("I don't understand"), and if someone speaks too fast, ask Yukkuri onegaishimasu ("slowly, please") or Mo ichido onegaishimasu ("once more, please"). Ask Eigo o hanasemasu ka? ("Do you speak English?") if you need an English speaker. For urgent help, Tasukete means "help" and Kyukyusha o yonde kudasai means "please call an ambulance." In a real emergency, dial 110 for police or 119 for fire and ambulance, and remember that the Japan Visitor Hotline offers 24-hour help in English, Chinese and Korean.

At a hotel, you can say Chekku-in onegaishimasu ("check-in, please") when you arrive, and show your booking on your phone if needed. If you need to store your bags before or after your stay, ask Nimotsu o azukete moraemasu ka? ("Could you keep my luggage?"). To ask for something in your room, such as another towel, say the item and then onegaishimasu. Most front desk staff in tourist areas also speak some English, so these phrases work as friendly openers rather than a test of your Japanese.

What Etiquette Should Go With Your Phrases?

Japanese has an elaborate system of politeness, and the safe choice for visitors is always the polite form. Words ending in desu and masu are polite, which is why most phrases in this guide end that way. When addressing someone by name, add -san, a gender-neutral title that works for almost anyone, as in "Tanaka-san." Avoid adding it to your own name, and avoid casual endings like -chan or -kun with strangers.

Tone matters as much as words. Speak softly, smile, and keep gestures modest. Do not worry about mistakes, because effort is warmly received, and people will often help you finish a sentence. A translation app on your phone is also a perfectly good backup, particularly for menus and signs, and many travelers combine a few spoken phrases with a quick screen check for the harder moments.

Quick Takeaways: Ten Phrases To Learn First

If you only memorize a few, choose Konnichiwa, Arigato gozaimasu, Sumimasen, Onegaishimasu, Kore o onegaishimasu, Ikura desu ka?, Toire wa doko desu ka?, Eigo o hanasemasu ka?, Wakarimasen and Gochisosama deshita. That small set covers greetings, thanks, getting attention, ordering, shopping, directions and a graceful goodbye at the end of a meal. Practice them aloud a few times before your flight.

You will be surprised how far a friendly attempt goes. Japan is a country where small courtesies are noticed and returned, and a few words of Japanese will open conversations, smiles and little moments that become the best memories of your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to speak Japanese to travel in Japan?

No. Station names and many signs in cities appear in Roman letters, and tourist areas often include English. Still, a few polite phrases such as konnichiwa, arigato gozaimasu and sumimasen are warmly appreciated and make shops, restaurants and hotels more pleasant.

What does sumimasen mean?

Sumimasen is a very flexible polite word. It can mean excuse me, I am sorry, or a gentle thank you, and it is the usual way to get a waiter's attention. It works in almost any situation, so it is one of the most useful words to learn.

How do I ask where something is in Japanese?

Say the place name followed by wa doko desu ka. For example, Toire wa doko desu ka means where is the restroom, and Eki wa doko desu ka means where is the station. Showing a map on your phone also helps.