Not a dictionary. A confidence builder. Phrases for your actual
situation — with phonetics that actually help you say them.
すみませんSumimasen · soo-mee-mah-senExcuse me / sorry — the single most useful word in Japan. Use it constantly.
ありがとうございますArigatou gozaimasu · ah-ree-gah-toh go-zah-ee-masThank you — formal. Say it to every shop worker, every time, without exception.
いらっしゃいませIrasshaimase · ee-rah-shy-mah-sehWelcome! — said to you on entering any shop or restaurant. You don't need to respond.
これ、くださいKore, kudasai · koh-reh, koo-dah-sighThis one please — point at anything. Works in konbini, markets, restaurants, everywhere.
わかりませんWakarimasen · wah-kah-ree-mah-senI don't understand — honest and polite. Locals will immediately try to help.
〜はどこですか~ wa doko desu ka · ~ wah doh-koh des-kaWhere is ~? — fill in the place name. Works with a map or written destination.
〜まで、一枚お願いします~ made, ichimai onegaishimasu · ~ mah-deh, ee-chee-my oh-neh-gah-ee-shmasOne ticket to ~ please — point at the destination if needed.
この電車は〜に止まりますかKono densha wa ~ ni tomarimasu ka · koh-no den-sha wa ~ nee toh-mah-ree-mas-kaDoes this train stop at ~? — essential on local lines with limited English signage.
ここで降りますKoko de orimasu · koh-koh deh oh-ree-masI'm getting off here — useful on buses and local trains when passing the stop.
タクシーをお願いしますTakushii wo onegaishimasu · tah-koo-shee woh oh-neh-gah-ee-shmasA taxi please — doors open and close automatically; don't touch them.
いただきますItadakimasu · ee-tah-dah-kee-masSaid before every meal — always say it. It acknowledges the food and everyone involved in making it.
おすすめは何ですかOsusume wa nan desu ka · oh-soo-soo-meh wah nan des-kaWhat do you recommend? — locals genuinely love being asked this. Use it.
一人ですHitori desu · hee-toh-ree desJust one — hold up one finger. Essential at ramen counters and small izakaya.
〜アレルギーがあります~ arerugii ga arimasu · ~ ah-reh-roo-gee gah ah-ree-masI'm allergic to ~ — say the ingredient name clearly. Carry an allergy card for serious needs.
ごちそうさまでしたGochisousama deshita · go-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tahSaid after every meal — the phrase that always gets a genuine smile. Never skip it.
いくらですかIkura desu ka · ee-koo-rah des-kaHow much is it? — though most places have clear prices. Useful at markets.
カードで払えますかKaado de haraemasu ka · kah-doh deh hah-rah-eh-mas-kaCan I pay by card? — Japan is still largely cash. Always have yen ready.
袋はいりませんFukuro wa irimasen · foo-koo-roh wah ee-ree-mah-senNo bag needed — said at the konbini counter. Well received by staff everywhere.
見ているだけですMite iru dake desu · mee-teh ee-roo dah-keh desJust looking — polite way to decline assistance in a shop without dismissing the staff.
レシートをくださいReshiito wo kudasai · reh-shee-toh woh koo-dah-sighReceipt please — important for tax-free shopping and expense records.
チェックインをお願いしますChekkuin wo onegaishimasu · chek-in woh oh-neh-gah-ee-shmasI'd like to check in please — most front desks speak some English, but this opens warmly.
よろしくお願いしますYoroshiku onegaishimasu · yoh-roh-shee-koo oh-neh-gah-ee-shmasI'm in your care — said on arrival at a ryokan. Warm, respectful, always appropriate.
温泉は何時までですかOnsen wa nanji made desu ka · on-sen wah nan-jee mah-deh des-kaUntil what time is the onsen open? — essential at any ryokan with a bath.
タオルをもう一枚くださいTaoru wo mou ichimai kudasai · tah-oh-roo woh moh ee-chee-my koo-dah-sighOne more towel please — works for any extra item at a hotel or ryokan.
ごちそうさまでしたGochisousama deshita · go-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tahAfter a ryokan dinner — say it directly to the staff who served you. It means everything.
助けてくださいTasukete kudasai · tah-soo-keh-teh koo-dah-sighPlease help me — for urgent situations. Say it clearly and people will respond immediately.
病院はどこですかByouin wa doko desu ka · byoh-in wah doh-koh des-kaWhere is the hospital? — Japan's hospitals are excellent; don't hesitate to go.
気分が悪いですKibun ga warui desu · kee-boon gah wah-roo-ee desI feel unwell — said to anyone nearby or at a pharmacy counter.
道に迷いましたMichi ni mayoimashita · mee-chee nee mah-yoy-mah-shtahI'm lost — say this with your map showing and someone will help within seconds.
警察を呼んでくださいKeisatsu wo yonde kudasai · kay-sah-tsoo woh yon-deh koo-dah-sighPlease call the police — emergency numbers: 110 police, 119 ambulance.
48 phrases across 8 situations — including skiing, outdoor adventures, and being polite.
I'd planned Japan trips twice before and abandoned them. Too many options,
too many conflicting guides. Komichi asked me three questions and built
something I actually wanted to do. We leave in September.
Travelling with a partner · First Japan trip · May 2026
小道
Your Japan trip starts with a conversation.
Free to use. No booking fees. Just a better way to plan.