Learn Japanese for your Japan trip
You can travel Japan with English and a translation app, but a few polite phrases go a long way. Here are the ones visitors use most, with romaji (Japanese in the Latin alphabet), the Japanese script and what each one means. Last checked 2026-10-23.
Essential travel phrases
Greetings and basics
| Romaji | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Konnichiwa | こんにちは | Hello (daytime) |
| Arigatou gozaimasu | ありがとうございます | Thank you (polite) |
| Sumimasen | すみません | Excuse me / sorry. Also used to get a server's attention. |
| Onegaishimasu | お願いします | Please (when asking for something) |
| Daijoubu desu | 大丈夫です | I'm fine / no thank you |
| Eigo wa hanasemasu ka? | 英語は話せますか？ | Do you speak English? |
| Wakarimasen | わかりません | I don't understand |
Shopping and paying
| Romaji | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ikura desu ka? | いくらですか？ | How much is it? |
| Kore o kudasai | これをください | This one, please |
| Kaado de haraemasu ka? | カードで払えますか？ | Can I pay by card? |
| Fukuro wa irimasen | 袋はいりません | I don't need a bag |
Eating out
| Romaji | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Futari desu | 二人です | Two people (use hitori for one, sannin for three) |
| Okaikei onegaishimasu | お会計お願いします | The bill, please |
| Itadakimasu | いただきます | Said before eating |
| Gochisousama deshita | ごちそうさまでした | Said after eating, to thank the cook or host |
Getting around and help
| Romaji | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ... wa doko desu ka? | …はどこですか？ | Where is ...? |
| Toire wa doko desu ka? | トイレはどこですか？ | Where is the toilet? |
| Eki | 駅 | Station |
| Tasukete! | 助けて！ | Help! |
Romaji uses common Hepburn-style spelling, so long vowels are written out (arigatou, daijoubu). Adding "desu" or "onegaishimasu" keeps most requests polite.
Where these phrases help most
- Paying and tax-free shopping: see money and payments tips.
- Restaurant manners, from itadakimasu to tipping: see etiquette and culture and food and convenience stores.
- Translation apps and data: see phones, Wi-Fi and apps.
- In an emergency, call 110 (police) or 119 (fire and ambulance): see safety and emergencies.
Books by the site owner
These books are written by Thomas Leeming, who runs this site. They are listed on Amazon under the name Tom Leeming. The series is called Japanese, Osaka Style and teaches Japanese with a focus on the Osaka dialect, through comics and stories. These are plain links with no affiliate tag; prices vary by Amazon store.
Book 1 of 3
Japanese for Beginners: Osaka Dialect: Learn Hiragana, Katakana, Grammar and Casual Conversation Through Funny Comics and Stories
By Tom Leeming. Kindle edition on Amazon.
Book 2 of 3
Intermediate Japanese: Osaka Dialect: Build Everyday Conversations, Make Friends and Explore Osaka Culture Through Funny Comics and Stories
By Tom Leeming. Kindle edition on Amazon.
Book 3 of 3
Advanced Japanese: Osaka Dialect: Build Natural Conversations and Social Confidence Through Funny Comics, Stories and Osaka Culture
By Tom Leeming. Kindle edition on Amazon.
