Japanese Phrases for Travel: 30 That Cover 90% of Situations

Quick facts:

• Five phrases cover 90% of tourist interactions in Japanese cities
• Sumimasen (excuse me / sorry / thank you) is the single most useful word
• Politeness matters more than grammar accuracy
• Tokyo and Osaka require minimal Japanese; rural areas benefit from 25-30 phrases
• Japanese has only 5 vowel sounds, making pronunciation straightforward for English speakers
• Translation apps handle most gaps, but basic phrases earn genuine goodwill

You don't need to learn Japanese phrases for travel in Japan. That's the honest truth, and any guide telling you otherwise is overselling the problem. In Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, English signage is everywhere, most hotel staff speak enough English to help, and Google Translate's camera mode reads menus in real time.

But here's what changes when you learn even a handful of phrases: strangers smile wider, restaurant staff visibly appreciate the effort, and small interactions stop feeling transactional. The difference between a tourist who says nothing and one who manages a simple "sumimasen" is the difference between being tolerated and being welcomed.

This guide organizes 30 Japanese travel phrases by the situations you'll actually face. Not by grammar. Not alphabetically. By the moment you're standing in a restaurant wondering how to ask for the bill, or staring at a train platform trying to figure out which train goes where. Each phrase includes the Japanese characters, romaji (romanized spelling), and a pronunciation guide built for English speakers. These are the phrases for travel in Japan that actually matter today. Not textbook drills, but words that mean something in real situations.

Start with the five essential phrases and add situation-specific ones based on your itinerary.

The 5 Phrases That Cover Almost Everything

Before you memorize 30 phrases, know this. Five of them handle the vast majority of tourist interactions. Travelers who've spent weeks in Japan consistently say the same thing: these few words got them through 90% of daily life.

Sumimasen deserves special attention. It works as "excuse me" when you need to get past someone, "sorry" when you bump into someone, and even a casual "thanks" when someone holds a door. You'll use it dozens of times a day, and Japanese people use it just as often. If you learn one word, make it this one.

Arigatou gozaimasu is the polite form of thank you. The shorter "arigatou" works in casual settings, but the full version shows respect and costs you nothing extra. A slight bow while saying it goes a long way.

The other three are practical lifelines. Pointing at a menu item and saying "kore o kudasai" gets you fed. Adding a place name before "wa doko desu ka" gets you directions. And "wakarimasen" saves you from nodding along to something you didn't catch.

At a Restaurant

Eating in Japan is one of the best parts of any trip, and ordering food in Japanese requires less effort than you'd expect. Many restaurants have picture menus or plastic food displays outside. Some have English menus. And at a lot of ramen shops and casual places, you order from a vending machine. Push a button, hand over the ticket, get your food. Zero Japanese required.

But when you do need words, these cover the full restaurant experience from walking in to walking out:

When you enter a restaurant, the staff will likely ask "Nan-mei sama?" (How many people?). You don't need to answer in Japanese. Just hold up fingers. They'll seat you.

"Osusume wa arimasu ka?" works well at places without English menus. Staff will point you to their best dishes, and you can pick from there.

"Gochisousama deshita" is the phrase that separates tourists who are just getting by from those who leave an impression. Say it to the staff as you walk out. It means "thank you for the meal" and carries genuine gratitude. Restaurant workers light up when they hear it from a foreign visitor.

Japan has moved toward cashless payments quickly, but some smaller restaurants and izakayas remain cash-only. "Kaado ii desu ka?" saves you from the awkward moment of pulling out a credit card only to be waved off.

If you have food allergies, learn the Japanese word for your specific allergy and pair it with "arerugii ga arimasu." Common ones: tamago (egg), komugi (wheat), gyuunyuu (milk), ebi (shrimp), piinattsu (peanuts).

At the Train Station

The Japanese train system looks intimidating at first, but in practice it's one of the most straightforward in the world. Most station signage is bilingual, IC cards like Suica or PASMO eliminate the need to buy individual tickets, and train apps show routes in English. The moments where Japanese actually helps are narrower than you'd think. You'll mainly need it when asking a platform attendant which train to board, or figuring out if you're on the right line.

You'll also hear announcements you can learn to recognize without speaking them:

• "Mamonaku [station name]" = arriving soon at [station]
• "Tsugi wa [station name]" = next stop is [station]
• "Doa wa migigawa/hidarigawa hirakimasu" = doors open on the right/left

Recognizing these announcements is surprisingly useful. When you're deep in your phone and hear "mamonaku" followed by your station name, you know it's time to stand up. No GPS check required.

One practical tip: if you're confused about which train to take, walk up to a station attendant, show them your destination on your phone, even in English, and say "sumimasen, __ ni ikitai." They'll point you to the right platform. Japanese station staff are trained to help tourists, and most will go out of their way to make sure you're on the correct train.

At Your Hotel

Most hotels in Japan have English-speaking staff, at least in major tourist areas. Where these phrases actually matter is at ryokans, budget business hotels in smaller cities, and guesthouses with Japanese-only check-in procedures.

"Yoyaku ga arimasu" plus showing your booking confirmation on your phone covers 95% of check-in situations. Many hotels now use tablet-based systems with English language options, so the interaction might be even simpler than expected.

At a ryokan, knowing "ofuro wa doko desu ka?" helps you find the communal bath. And if you need anything during your stay, combining "sumimasen" with pointing at your phone's translation app works reliably.

While Shopping

Shopping in Japan ranges from high-end department stores where staff often speak English to tiny local shops and convenience stores where they usually don't. The phrases below cover the full range.

The convenience store situation deserves its own mention because you'll visit konbini (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) multiple times daily. Staff fire off questions quickly at the register, and most tourists just freeze.

Here's what they're asking.

• "Fukuro wa ii desu ka?" = Do you need a bag? (bags cost 3-5 yen)
• "Otemoto wa?" = Chopsticks? (when you buy a bento or onigiri)
• "Atatamemasu ka?" = Shall I heat this up? (for bento meals)

You don't need to answer in full sentences. "Hai" (yes) or "daijoubu desu" (I'm fine / no thanks) handles all three. Just knowing what they're asking takes the stress out of the interaction.

Getting Help and Emergencies

Japan is one of the safest countries for travelers, and serious emergencies are rare. Still, knowing a few phrases for when things go sideways gives peace of mind.

Japan's koban (police box) system is uniquely useful for tourists. Small police stations sit on nearly every major street corner, and the officers inside routinely help with directions, not just crime reports. If you're lost, finding a koban and saying "sumimasen, __ wa doko desu ka?" is often faster than pulling out your phone.

Emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for ambulance and fire. In major cities, interpreter services are available through these lines.

"Daijoubu desu" is worth memorizing beyond emergencies. It politely declines things. A bag you don't need, a receipt you don't want, help you've already sorted. It translates roughly to "I'm fine" and works in dozens of casual situations.

Social Phrases That Earn Goodwill

These aren't survival phrases. You won't starve or get lost without them. But they're the phrases that turn interactions into connections, and they're what people remember about travelers who made an effort.

"Oishii" said with genuine enthusiasm after taking a bite makes restaurant staff beam. It's one of those small moments that both sides remember. "Sugoi" works the same way for scenery, temples, or anything that impresses you. It's a natural reaction word that sounds right coming from anyone.

One thing to expect: if you string together a few phrases, Japanese people will often respond with "Nihongo ga jouzu desu ne!" (Your Japanese is good!). It's a compliment, but also partly encouragement. The polite response is a slight bow and "arigatou gozaimasu." Don't worry about being truly "good" at Japanese. The bar for impressing people is lower than you think, and that works in your favor.

A quick note on "sayonara." You probably know this word, but Japanese people rarely use it in daily life. It carries a sense of finality, almost like saying farewell permanently. For casual goodbyes, "mata ne" (see you) or "ja ne" (later) are what people actually say.

Pronunciation That Actually Works for English Speakers

Japanese pronunciation is easier than almost any other Asian language for English speakers. There are no tones, no aspirated consonants to master, and the entire sound system is built on just five vowels that never change. Compare that to Mandarin or Thai where a wrong tone changes the meaning entirely.

The five vowels:

These five sounds stay consistent across every word in Japanese. Once you internalize them, you can pronounce any phrase in this guide correctly. Compare that to English, where "ou" sounds different in "through," "though," "thought," and "tough."

Three things to watch for:

Double vowels matter. "Obasan" (aunt) and "obaasan" (grandmother) are different words. When you see a long vowel, hold the sound slightly longer. Don't rush through it.

The "u" sometimes disappears. At the end of "desu" and "masu," the "u" is nearly silent. "Desu" sounds more like "dess." "Masu" sounds more like "mahs." Most Japanese speakers barely voice that final "u."

The "r" sits between English "r" and "l." Think of the way you'd quickly tap your tongue behind your upper teeth when saying "butter" in American English. That quick tap is close to the Japanese "r." Don't roll it, don't make it a hard "l."

That's it. No tones to memorize, no sounds that don't exist in English. The learning curve for pronunciation is genuinely gentle, which is why travelers who study phrases from videos for even an hour before their trip can be understood by locals.

How Much Japanese Do You Actually Need?

The real question is where you're going. How many Japanese travel phrases you need comes down to one thing: how far off the tourist trail you wander.

Major cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto): Five phrases and a translation app. English signage covers train stations, tourist sites, and most restaurants. Hotel front desks speak English. You'll be comfortable with minimal Japanese, though learning more makes the experience richer.

Regional cities (Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Sendai, Fukuoka): Fifteen to twenty phrases become genuinely helpful. English signage exists but thins out. Restaurant staff may not speak English. Your effort will be noticed and appreciated more than in Tokyo.

Rural areas and small towns: Twenty-five to thirty phrases transform the trip. English signage is rare. Locals will be surprised and delighted that you're trying. These are also the places where Japan feels most authentic, and where a few words of Japanese open doors that translation apps can't.

The 80/20 rule applies cleanly here. About 20% of the phrases in this guide will cover 80% of your daily interactions. The remaining phrases handle edge cases like emergencies, specific dietary needs, and hotel situations that matter when they matter.

One thing every traveler notices: Japan opens up differently when you make the effort. A "konnichiwa" at a small-town shop gets you a warmer reception than any translation app could. A "gochisousama deshita" leaving a restaurant earns a genuine smile. These moments don't show up in travel logistics, but they're what people talk about when they get home.

Whether you memorize five travel phrases or all thirty, the goal isn't fluency. It's simply showing that you care enough to try. Around Japan, that effort means something, and it's rewarded generously.

FAQ

Do you need to speak Japanese to travel in Japan?

No. Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto have English signage everywhere, and translation apps fill most gaps. But knowing even five basic phrases, especially sumimasen and arigatou gozaimasu, shows respect and earns goodwill that makes the trip better.

What is the most useful Japanese word for travelers?

Sumimasen. It means "excuse me," "sorry," and a soft "thank you" depending on context. You can use it to get someone's attention, apologize for a mistake, or express gratitude. It works in nearly every situation a tourist faces.

How do you order food in Japanese?

Point to the menu item and say "kore o kudasai" (this one, please). For the bill, say "okaikei onegai shimasu." At many ramen shops and casual restaurants, you order from a vending machine, so no Japanese is needed at all.

Is Japanese hard to pronounce for English speakers?

Japanese pronunciation is straightforward. There are only five vowel sounds (a, i, u, e, o) that stay consistent, no tones to worry about, and most consonants match English. The main learning curve is the "r" sound, which falls between an English "r" and "l."

Can you get by in Japan with only English?

In major tourist cities, yes. Most hotel and restaurant staff in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto speak basic English. Rural areas and small towns have less English, and knowing twenty to thirty phrases makes a real difference there.

What Japanese phrases do I need for restaurants?

The essentials: "kore o kudasai" (this one, please), "okaikei onegai shimasu" (bill, please), "osusume wa arimasu ka?" (any recommendations?), and "kaado ii desu ka?" (is card okay?). For dietary restrictions, learn your specific allergy word plus "arerugii ga arimasu" (I have an allergy).