26 Japanese phrases that get things done without a conversation

1. 指定席でお願いします

Shiteiseki de onegai shimasu

Reserved seat, please.

• When to use it: At the ticket counter, after the destination. You get a reserved-seat ticket.
• It answers: 指定席ですか、自由席ですか (Shiteiseki desu ka, jiyuuseki desu ka?).

Lead with the destination: 新大阪まで、指定席でお願いします (Shin-Oosaka made, shiteiseki de onegai shimasu). Show the train time written down.

Tokyo to Shin-Osaka on the Nozomi, regular season, adult: reserved ¥14,720 (US$93), non-reserved ¥13,870 (US$88). The reserved seat is ¥850 (US$5) more. Source: NAVITIME Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen fare table, the same table used on our Tokyo to Osaka post. Last checked 23 October 2026. For cheaper ways to book the same trip, see cheaper Shinkansen tickets and Smart EX for tourists.

2. 自由席でお願いします

Jiyuuseki de onegai shimasu

Non-reserved seat, please.

• When to use it: At the counter, or while you wait for a ticket machine. You get the cheaper ticket and sit in any free seat in the non-reserved cars.

NAVITIME notes that the Nozomi has no non-reserved cars during peak periods, so on holiday dates this option shrinks (NAVITIME Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen fare table, as on our Tokyo to Osaka post, last checked 23 October 2026). The Hayabusa has no non-reserved fare on NAVITIME Tohoku Shinkansen fare table (our Tokyo to Sendai post, last checked 3 November 2026). The Kagayaki shows no non-reserved fare on NAVITIME Hokuriku Shinkansen fare table (our Kanazawa post, last checked 1 November 2026).

3. 窓側でお願いします
通路側でお願いします

Madogawa de onegai shimasu
Tsuurogawa de onegai shimasu

Window seat, please. Aisle seat, please.

• When to use it: When you book a reserved seat and want a side.
• It answers: 窓側と通路側、どちらがよろしいですか (Madogawa to tsuurogawa, dochira ga yoroshii desu ka?).

4. E席でお願いします

Ii-seki de onegai shimasu

Seat E, please.

• When to use it: When you book the Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka) and want the window on the Mount Fuji side.

JR Central: Mount Fuji says that on the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo, Sagami Bay is on the left and Mount Fuji is on the right. Asking for seat E in an ordinary car, or seat D (D席, Dii-seki) in the Green Car, is general traveller advice for the window on that side, in both directions. It is not an official JR Central seat instruction. The mountain is often in cloud.

5. 大きな荷物の席でお願いします

Ookina nimotsu no seki de onegai shimasu

A seat with space for a big suitcase, please.

• When to use it: On the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, when your bag's three sides add up to between 161 and 250 cm.

The seat you are asking for is the oversized-baggage seat, 特大荷物スペースつき座席 (tokudai nimotsu supeesu tsuki zaseki). JR Central calls it a seat with an oversized baggage area. It is a back-row seat with luggage space behind it. The reservation does not add a charge on top of the ticket. Board with a bag of that size and no reservation, and the baggage fee is ¥1,000 (US$6), including tax. Bags whose three sides exceed 250 cm are not allowed on board. Source: JR Central: oversized baggage, last checked 11 November 2026. Our Shinkansen etiquette guide covers the same rule.

6. 袋はいらないです

Fukuro wa iranai desu

I don't need a bag.

• When to use it: At a konbini or shop checkout, before they reach for a bag.
• It answers: 袋はご利用ですか (Fukuro wa goriyou desu ka?).

The opposite is 袋お願いします (Fukuro onegai shimasu), a bag please. Plastic shopping bags have been charged nationwide since 1 July 2020, and each shop sets its own price. METI: plastic shopping bag charge does not state a single national price. Last checked 11 November 2026.

7. 温めてください

Atatamete kudasai

Please heat it up.

• When to use it: When you put a bento, bun or similar item on the counter.
• It answers: こちら温めますか (Kochira atatamemasu ka?).

The opposite is そのままで大丈夫です (Sono mama de daijoubu desu), leave it as it is.

8. お箸なしで大丈夫です

Ohashi nashi de daijoubu desu

No chopsticks needed.

• When to use it: When they are about to add disposable chopsticks.
• It answers: お箸おつけしますか (Ohashi otsuke shimasu ka?).

For a spoon: スプーンください (Supuun kudasai).

9. ポイントカードはないです

Pointo kaado wa nai desu

I don't have a point card.

• When to use it: At the register, before or as they ask. A small wave of the hand works alongside.
• It answers: ポイントカードはお持ちですか (Pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka?).

10. カードでお願いします

Kaado de onegai shimasu

By card, please.

• When to use it: Before you tap or hand the card over. At many registers the clerk selects the payment type first, so say it before you touch the reader.
• It answers: お支払いは (Oshiharai wa?).

Variants: Suicaで (Suika de) and 現金で (Genkin de, cash). Both "Suica" and "IC" are understood. Our IC card guide and money and payments tips cover getting a card.

11. 宛名なしでお願いします

Atena nashi de onegai shimasu

A receipt with no name, please.

• When to use it: When you need a formal receipt, 領収書 (ryoushuusho), and do not want a name on it.
• It answers: 宛名はいかがなさいますか (Atena wa ikaga nasaimasu ka?).

If the shop needs a name and you do not want your own, the alternative people use is 上様 (Uesama).

12. 一人です

Hitori desu

Just one.

• When to use it: At the door, with one finger up. For two: 二人です (Futari desu).
• It answers: 何名様ですか (Nanmei-sama desu ka?).

13. これください

Kore kudasai

This one, please.

• When to use it: Point at the menu photo or the ticket machine. Add a number: これ二つください (Kore futatsu kudasai), two of these.

14. 生ひとつください

Nama hitotsu kudasai

One draft beer, please.

• When to use it: At an izakaya or restaurant, when they are ready for the drink order. For two: 生ふたつ (Nama futatsu).
• It answers: お飲み物は (Onomimono wa?).

15. わさび抜きでお願いします

Wasabi nuki de onegai shimasu

Without wasabi, please.

• When to use it: When you order. The pattern is the item, then 抜きで (nuki de).

ねぎ抜きで (Negi nuki de) is no spring onion. 氷なしで (Kouri nashi de) is no ice.

16. 店内で
持ち帰りで

Tennai de
Mochikaeri de

Eating in. To take away.

• When to use it: Add お願いします (onegai shimasu). Say it when you order, before they ask.
• It answers: 店内でお召し上がりですか (Tennai de omeshiagari desu ka?).

Food and non-alcoholic drinks to take away are taxed at the reduced 8% rate. Eating in is the standard 10% rate. National Tax Agency: consumption tax lists the reduced rate as food and drink, excluding alcoholic drinks and dining out. Last checked 11 November 2026. See also food and convenience stores.

17. お会計お願いします

Okaikei onegai shimasu

The bill, please.

• When to use it: When you are ready to pay. At many ramen shops, cafes and izakaya you pay at the register by the door. Take the bill slip there.

18. 別々でお願いします

Betsubetsu de onegai shimasu

Separate bills, please.

• When to use it: When you are paying with other people and each person wants their own bill. Say it before they ring everything up together.
• It answers: お会計はご一緒でよろしいですか (Okaikei wa go-issho de yoroshii desu ka?).

19. カウンターでお願いします
カウンターで大丈夫です

Kauntaa de onegai shimasu
Kauntaa de daijoubu desu

At the counter, please. The counter is fine.

• When to use it: When you are happy to sit at the counter rather than a table. Either line is a complete answer.

20. ここまでお願いします

Koko made onegai shimasu

To here, please.

• When to use it: Show the address or the map pin on your phone as you say it. You will often hear かしこまりました (Kashikomarimashita), certainly.

21. ここで止めてください

Koko de tomete kudasai

Please stop here.

• When to use it: When you want that corner, not the next one. Softer: この辺で大丈夫です (Kono hen de daijoubu desu), around here is fine.

22. 免税でお願いします

Menzei de onegai shimasu

Tax-free, please.

• When to use it: At a tax-free shop, with your passport and the goods.

From 1 November 2026 you pay the full price in the shop and the consumption tax is refunded at departure, after customs confirms you are taking the goods out of Japan. Purchases must total at least ¥5,000 (US$32) before tax per store per day. Source: JNTO: Japan's new tax-free shopping system, last checked 11 November 2026. The steps are in our tax-free shopping guide.

23. 見てるだけです

Miteru dake desu

Just looking.

• When to use it: When a shop assistant approaches. Slightly more formal: 見ているだけです (Mite iru dake desu).
• It answers: 何かお探しですか (Nanika osagashi desu ka?).

24. 自宅用で大丈夫です

Jitaku-you de daijoubu desu

It's for myself. No gift wrap.

• When to use it: When they ask about wrapping.
• It answers: ご自宅用ですか、プレゼント用ですか (Go-jitaku-you desu ka, purezento-you desu ka?).

The opposite, プレゼント用でお願いします (Purezento-you de onegai shimasu), asks for gift wrapping.

25. 荷物、お願いします

Nimotsu, onegai shimasu

Please hold my luggage.

• When to use it: At a hotel front desk, before check-in or after check-out. Put the bag on the counter as you say it. You should get a claim tag.

26. 大人一枚お願いします

Otona ichi-mai onegai shimasu

One adult ticket, please.

• When to use it: At an onsen, a sento, a museum or a ropeway. For two adults: 大人二枚 (Otona ni-mai).