Real Japanese
for Tourists
旅行者のための実用日本語
Master the 20% of phrases that cover 80% of real interactions — the authentic language actual Japanese people use, not textbook stiffness.
The Absolute Core
Five phrases that do everything. These are the ones you will use dozens of times every single day. Master these before anything else.
"Sumimasen + Daijoubu + pointing will solve almost any situation. Everything else is a bonus."
— Core insight from experienced Japan travelers
すみません
Sumimasen
"Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you"
Getting attention, apologizing, soft thank-you. Used 200+ times per day.
ありがとうございます
Arigatou gozaimasu
"Thank you very much"
Use with strangers and service staff. Casual: ありがとう (arigatou). Quick: どうも (domo).
お願いします
Onegai shimasu
"Please / I'd like this"
Point at any menu item, product, or option and say this. Transaction complete.
大丈夫です
Daijoubu desu
"I'm fine / No thank you"
Polite refusal (no bag needed), reassurance (I'm okay), or confirmation (all good).
はい / ええ
Hai / Ee
"Yes"
Hai is formal. Ee is natural in conversation. Sou sou (そうそう) means 'right, right.'
At the Konbini
The convenience store checkout involves a predictable script. Understanding it transforms a stressful experience into a smooth one.
コンビニ — The cornerstone of daily life in Japan
Pro Tip
これをください
Kore o kudasai
"This one, please" — point at anything and say this. Works everywhere.
What the cashier will say — and how to respond
| Japanese | Romaji | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| いらっしゃいませ | Irasshaimase | Welcome | Slight nod — no reply needed |
| 袋はいりますか？ | Fukuro wa irimasu ka? | Do you need a bag? | はい (Hai) / 大丈夫です (Daijoubu desu) |
| 温めますか？ | Atatamemasu ka? | Shall I heat this up? | はい (Hai) / いいえ (Iie) |
| ポイントカードはありますか？ | Pointo kaado wa arimasu ka? | Do you have a loyalty card? | ないです (Nai desu) — I don't have one |
| お支払い方法は？ | Oshiharai houhou wa? | How would you like to pay? | カードで (Kaado de) / 現金で (Genkin de) |
Click any row to copy the romaji
At Restaurants
Japanese dining has its own social rituals. Using them correctly signals cultural awareness and is genuinely appreciated by staff.
いただきます
Itadakimasu
I humbly receive (before eating)
Said before every meal. Expresses gratitude for the food, farmers, and cooks. Locals love hearing tourists say this.
ごちそうさまでした
Gochisousama deshita
Thank you for the feast (after eating)
Said after finishing a meal, especially leaving a small restaurant. Chefs genuinely light up.
これをお願いします
Kore o onegai shimasu
This one, please
Point at the menu item. Works everywhere.
おすすめは何ですか？
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
What do you recommend?
Ask the chef or waiter. They will be delighted.
美味しい！
Oishii!
Delicious!
Say this genuinely when food is good. One of the most appreciated compliments a tourist can give.
とりあえず生！
Toriaezu nama!
Let's start with a draft beer!
The classic izakaya opener. Exactly what locals say. Earns an immediate smile.
お会計お願いします
Okaikei onegai shimasu
The check, please
Say after Sumimasen to get the waiter's attention first.
居酒屋 — The heart of Japanese social dining
Cultural Insight
Saying いただきます before eating and ごちそうさまでした after — especially in a small, family-run restaurant — is one of the most culturally resonant things a tourist can do. Chefs genuinely light up.
Transport & Navigation
The universal location question and key direction words will get you anywhere in Japan.
新幹線 — Japan's legendary bullet train network
The Universal Question
〜はどこですか？
[Place] wa doko desu ka?
🚻 トイレ (Toire) — Toilet
🚉 駅 (Eki) — Train station
🏧 ATM (ATM) — ATM
🏨 ホテル (Hoteru) — Hotel
When someone gives you directions — listen for these
まっすぐ
Massugu
Straight ahead
右
Migi
Right
左
Hidari
Left
曲がる
Magaru
Turn
出口
Deguchi
Exit
入口
Iriguchi
Entrance
駅
Eki
Train station
トイレ
Toire
Toilet
When communication breaks down
英語分かりますか？
Eigo wakarimasu ka?
Do you understand English?
日本語分かりません
Nihongo wakarimasen
I don't understand Japanese
もう一度お願いします
Mou ichido onegai shimasu
Once more, please
ゆっくり話してください
Yukkuri hanashite kudasai
Please speak slowly
ここに書いてください
Koko ni kaite kudasai
Please write it here
At the Shops
Japanese retail staff are highly attentive. A few phrases will make shopping much more comfortable.
見てるだけです
Miteru dake desu
I'm just looking
Politely signals you don't need assistance from attentive staff.
これはいくらですか？
Kore wa ikura desu ka?
How much is this?
Point at the item while asking.
これにします
Kore ni shimasu
I'll take this one
Natural way to commit to a purchase.
試着してもいいですか？
Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?
May I try this on?
Ask before entering a fitting room.
カードで払います
Kaado de haraimasu
I'll pay by card
Or simply say カードで (Kaado de).
Tax-Free Shopping
If your purchase exceeds ¥5,000 at a participating store, you may be eligible for tax-free shopping. The cashier may ask: パスポートはありますか (Pasupōto wa arimasu ka?) — "Do you have your passport?"
Phrases That Create Connection
Not strictly necessary for logistics, but these are the phrases that transform a transaction into a human moment.
Phrases that will delight locals
すごい！
Sugoi!
Amazing! / Wow!
High-frequency admiration. Use for scenery, food, craftsmanship.
かわいい！
Kawaii!
Cute!
Used constantly — animals, products, children, anything adorable.
はじめまして
Hajimemashite
Nice to meet you
Use when meeting someone for the first time.
よろしくお願いします
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu
Please treat me well
No direct English equivalent. Said when introduced or starting a tour. Deeply appreciated.
結構です
Kekkou desu
No, thank you (polite)
Softer and more natural than iie. Use when declining persistent vendors.
Phrases you'll hear — and what they mean
| Japanese | Meaning & Response |
|---|---|
| いらっしゃいませ | Welcome — entering any shop No reply needed. A slight nod is fine. |
| ありがとうございました | Thank you (past tense — transaction complete) どうも (Domo) or a nod. |
| お待たせしました | Sorry to have kept you waiting No reply needed. |
| 少々お待ちください | Please wait a moment はい (Hai) — Yes, understood. |
| お疲れ様です | Thanks for your hard work (general social greeting) お疲れ様です (same phrase back). |
The Practical Minimum
Numbers are essential for prices, quantities, and times. The good news: Japanese numbers are highly logical.
Core numbers
1
一
Ichi
2
二
Ni
3
三
San
4
四
Shi / Yon
5
五
Go
6
六
Roku
7
七
Shichi / Nana
8
八
Hachi
9
九
Ku / Kyuu
10
十
Juu
100
百
Hyaku
1,000
千
Sen
10,000
万
Man
For ordering quantities (more natural for small numbers)
1 item
一つ
Hitotsu
2 items
二つ
Futatsu
3 items
三つ
Mittsu
Example
ビールを二つお願いします
Biiru o futatsu onegai shimasu
"Two beers, please."
Pronunciation Quick Guide
a
ah
i
ee
u
oo
e
eh
o
oh
Vowels are always consistent. No tonal system — unlike Mandarin or Thai. Even imperfect pronunciation is understood in context.
Textbook Traps
Several phrases taught in standard textbooks are unnatural, rarely used, or can cause confusion in real interactions.
| ❌ Textbook Version | ✓ Natural Alternative |
|---|---|
| いいえ (Iie) | 大丈夫です (Daijoubu desu) or 結構です (Kekkou desu) |
| さようなら (Sayonara) | じゃ、また (Ja, mata) — See you later |
| 私は〜です (Watashi wa ... desu) | Simply say [Name] desu |
| お元気ですか？ (O genki desu ka?) | こんにちは (Konnichiwa) is fine |
| どうも (Domo) alone | ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) is always safe |
早見表
The 15 phrases that cover 80% of your interactions. Click any row to copy the romaji.
Click any row to copy the romaji pronunciation to your clipboard