This article is the gateway to a series designed to take your Japanese out of the textbook and into the streets, shops, and social settings of Japan. Forget dry vocabulary lists; we’re focusing on practical, scenario-based communication. From ordering ramen like a local to navigating the beautiful complexities of a traditional hot spring, we’ll explore the phrases, vocabulary, and cultural etiquette you need.
Join us as we journey through various facets of Japanese life, providing you with the linguistic confidence to not just visit Japan, but to truly experience it.
The Foundations: Culture, Etiquette, and Politeness
Before diving into specific scenarios, it’s crucial to understand the cultural bedrock upon which the Japanese language is built: respect, harmony, and a deep sense of social context. The concept of omotenashi—wholehearted, selfless hospitality—is a genuine cultural value you’ll encounter everywhere.
A simple act like giving or receiving a gift (omiyage) is rich with unspoken rules. Gifts are always presented and received with two hands, accompanied by a slight bow. The giver will often downplay the gift’s value, while the receiver expresses gratitude profusely. Similarly, understanding when to use a formal “Arigatou gozaimasu” versus a casual “Arigatou” can make a significant difference. Apologizing is also a nuanced art. The word “sumimasen” is a versatile tool, used to say “excuse me,” “sorry,” and even “thank you” depending on the context. Mastering these social basics will provide a strong foundation for every interaction you have.
これをどうぞ。つまらないものですが…
これをどうぞ。つまらないものですが…
Kore o dōzo. Tsumaranai mono desu ga…
Please have this. It’s just a small thing, but… (when giving a gift)
これ (これ) = This
どうぞ (どうぞ) = Please / Go ahead
つまらないもの (つまらないもの) = Insignificant thing
わざわざありがとうございます。
わざわざありがとうございます。
Wazawaza arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you for going to the trouble.
わざわざ (わざわざ) = Specially / Going out of one’s way
ありがとうございます (ありがとうございます) = Thank you (formal)
Essential Vocabulary
お土産 (おみやげ) = Omiyage (Souvenir gift)
すみません (すみません) = Sumimasen (Excuse me / Sorry)
お願いします (おねがいします) = Onegaishimasu (Please)
失礼します (しつれいします) = Shitsurei shimasu (Pardon me)
お辞儀 (おじぎ) = Ojigi (A bow)
Japanese you need when Shopping and the Almighty ‘Konbini’
Staff will greet you with a loud, welcoming “Irasshaimase!” (Welcome!), to which you don’t need to reply. When you want to buy something, you can point and say, “Kore o kudasai” (This one, please). However, the true heart of daily Japanese life is the konbini (convenience store). Here, you might be asked if you need a bag (“Fukuro wa irimasu ka?”) or if you’d like your bento box heated (“Atatamemasu ka?”). The konbini is a low-stakes environment perfect for practicing your transactional Japanese.
これを温めてください。
これをあたためてください。
Kore o atatamete kudasai.
Please heat this up.
これ (これ) = This
温めて (あたためて) = To heat up (te-form)
ください (ください) = Please (requesting an action)
袋は要りません。
ふくろはいりません。
Fukuro wa irimasen.
I don’t need a bag.
袋 (ふくろ) = Bag
要りません (いりません) = Don’t need / Not necessary
Essential Vocabulary
いらっしゃいませ (いらっしゃいませ) = Irasshaimase (Welcome)
いくらですか (いくらですか) = Ikura desu ka? (How much is it?)
レジ (レジ) = Reji (Cash register)
お弁当 (おべんとう) = Obentō (Boxed lunch)
唐揚げ (からあげ) = Karaage (Fried chicken)
Japanese in Public Transport and Driving
Japan’s public transportation system is a marvel. At the station, you can buy tickets from a machine (券売機, kenbaiki) or a ticket office. The maps are usually bilingual in major cities, but knowing a few phrases is invaluable. Don’t be afraid to ask station staff for help—they are incredibly helpful. For those driving, recognizing key kanji for “Stop” (止まれ), “Entrance” (入口), and “Exit” (出口) is essential for safety.
この電車は渋谷に行きますか。
このでんしゃはしぶやにいきますか。
Kono densha wa Shibuya ni ikimasu ka?
Does this train go to Shibuya?
この (この) = This
電車 (でんしゃ) = Train
渋谷 (しぶや) = Shibuya
行きますか (いきますか) = Does it go?
次の駅で乗り換えます。
つぎのえきでのりかえます。
Tsugi no eki de norikaemasu.
I will transfer at the next station.
次 (つぎ) = Next
駅 (えき) = Station
乗り換えます (のりかえます) = To transfer
Essential Vocabulary
切符 (きっぷ) = Kippu (Ticket)
乗り場 (のりば) = Noriba (Platform)
出口 (でぐち) = Deguchi (Exit)
入口 (いりぐち) = Iriguchi (Entrance)
止まれ (とまれ) = Tomare (Stop sign)
Sights and Serenity: Tourist Attractions, Temples, and Onsen
At temples (お寺, otera) and shrines (神社, jinja), your language needs are minimal, but understanding the context is key. A quintessential Japanese experience is visiting an onsen (hot spring). The key rule is to wash yourself thoroughly in the shower area before entering the baths. If you’re staying at a ryokan (traditional inn), you might ask the staff about the onsen hours to make the most of this deeply relaxing cultural ritual.
御朱印をお願いします。
ごしゅいんをおねがいします。
Goshuin o onegaishimasu.
I would like to receive a temple/shrine stamp, please.
御朱印 (ごしゅいん) = Goshuin (Shrine/temple stamp)
お願いします (おねがいします) = Onegaishimasu (Please)
温泉は何時までですか。
おんせんはなんじまでですか。
Onsen wa nanji made desu ka?
Until what time is the hot spring open?
温泉 (おんせん) = Onsen (Hot spring)
何時 (なんじ) = Nanji (What time)
まで = Made (Until)
Essential Vocabulary
入場券 (にゅうじょうけん) = Nyūjōken (Entrance ticket)
旅館 (りょかん) = Ryokan (Traditional inn)
浴衣 (ゆかた) = Yukata (Light cotton kimono)
露天風呂 (ろてんぶろ) = Rotenburo (Open-air bath)
Japanese in Restaurants and Drinking Culture
When dining out, you’ll be asked, “Nan-mei sama desu ka?” (How many people?). To order, state the item name followed by “o onegaishimasu.” When you’re finished, it’s customary to say “Gochisōsama deshita” (Thank you for the meal). The evening often revolves around the izakaya (Japanese pub). A key piece of etiquette is to never pour your own drink; you pour for others, and they will pour for you. The universal word to kick things off is, of course, “Kanpai!” (Cheers!).
おすすめは何ですか。
おすすめはなんですか。
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
What do you recommend?
おすすめ (おすすめ) = Osusume (Recommendation)
何 (なん) = Nan (What)
お会計をお願いします。
おかいけいをおねがいします。
Okaikei o onegaishimasu.
The bill, please.
お会計 (おかいけい) = Okaikei (The bill/check)
お願いします (おねがいします) = Onegaishimasu (Please)
Essential Vocabulary
注文 (ちゅうもん) = Chūmon (Order)
乾杯 (かんぱい) = Kanpai! (Cheers!)
居酒屋 (いざかや) = Izakaya (Japanese pub)
生ビール (なまびーる) = Nama bīru (Draft beer)
ごちそうさまでした = Gochisōsama deshita (Thank you for the meal)
Entertainment: Music, Anime, and Karaoke
Japan’s influence on global pop culture is immense. Being able to ask “Ano shirīzu no manga wa arimasu ka?” (Do you have the manga from that series?) can help you find hidden gems. But for a truly Japanese experience, try karaoke. It involves renting a private room for your group, and you’ll use a tablet-like device to select songs. Even if you can’t read Japanese, these machines almost always have an English language option and a vast library of English songs. It’s the perfect place to let loose.
英語の曲はありますか。
えいごのきょくはありますか。
Eigo no kyoku wa arimasu ka?
Are there English songs?
英語 (えいご) = Eigo (English language)
曲 (きょく) = Kyoku (Song)
ありますか (ありますか) = Arimasu ka? (Are there / Do you have?)
このアニメが好きです。
このアニメがすきです。
Kono anime ga suki desu.
I like this anime.
この (この) = Kono (This)
アニメ (アニメ) = Anime
好きです (すきです) = Suki desu (To like)
Essential Vocabulary
音楽 (おんがく) = Ongaku (Music)
コンサート (コンサート) = Konsāto (Concert)
予約 (よやく) = Yoyaku (Reservation)
フリータイム (フリータイム) = Furītaimu (All-you-can-sing karaoke package)
人気 (にんき) = Ninki (Popular)
Practical Needs: Health, Emergencies, and Self-Care
While no one plans to get sick, knowing a few essential phrases can be a lifesaver. You can visit a drugstore (ドラッグストア, doraggusutoa) and describe your symptoms simply. And perhaps the single most useful travel phrase is, “Toire wa doko desu ka?” (Where is the toilet?). For a more pleasant scenario, you might visit a Japanese hair salon. To explain what you want, pictures are your best friend, but you can supplement them with key vocabulary.
頭が痛いです。
あたまがいたいです。
Atama ga itai desu.
I have a headache.
頭 (あたま) = Atama (Head)
痛いです (いたいです) = Itai desu (It hurts)
この写真みたいにしてください。
このしゃしんみたいにしてください。
Kono shashin mitai ni shite kudasai.
Please make it like this photo.
写真 (しゃしん) = Shashin (Photo)
みたいに = Mitai ni (Like / Similar to)
してください = Shite kudasai (Please do)
Essential Vocabulary
薬 (くすり) = Kusuri (Medicine)
病院 (びょういん) = Byōin (Hospital)
トイレ (トイレ) = Toire (Toilet)
美容院 (びよういん) = Biyōin (Beauty/Hair salon)
カット (カット) = Katto (Haircut)
Read More:
