Flying in, out, or within Japan is an experience in seamless efficiency. From impeccably clean airports (空港, kūkō) to the polite and professional service of its airline staff, Japanese air travel is designed to be as stress-free as possible. While English is widely used in international terminals, knowing key Japanese phrases can be incredibly helpful, especially for domestic flights or if you encounter any issues that require specific communication.
This comprehensive guide provides all the Japanese you need for every step of your journey by airplane (飛行機, hikōki). We will guide you through check-in, security, boarding, the in-flight experience, and arrival, ensuring you can navigate any situation with confidence and ease.
Chapter 1: At the Airport – Check-in and Bag Drop
Your airport journey begins at the check-in counter (チェックインカウンター, chekkuin kauntā). Even if you’ve checked in online, you’ll need to visit the counter to drop off your checked baggage (預け荷物, azuke nimotsu). This is also your chance to confirm your seat preference and ask any initial questions about your flight.
— At the Check-in Counter —
窓側の席をお願いします。
まどがわのせきをおねがいします。
Madogawa no seki o onegai shimasu.
A window seat, please.
窓側 (madogawa) = Window side
の (no) = ‘s (possessive particle)
席 (seki) = Seat
を (o) = Object marker
お願いします (onegai shimasu) = Please
預ける荷物は二つです。
あずけるにもつはふたつです。
Azukeru nimotsu wa futatsu desu.
I have two bags to check.
預ける (azukeru) = To check (a bag)
荷物 (nimotsu) = Luggage/Baggage
は (wa) = Topic marker
二つです (futatsu desu) = (It) is two.
— Essential Check-in Vocabulary —
空港 (くうこう) – Kūkō (Airport)
航空会社 (こうくうがいしゃ) – Kōkū-gaisha (Airline)
便 (びん) – Bin (Flight number, e.g., JL123便)
パスポート – Pasupōto (Passport)
搭乗券 (とうじょうけん) – Tōjōken (Boarding pass)
預け荷物 (あずけにもつ) – Azuke nimotsu (Checked baggage)
機内持ち込み (きないもちこみ) – Kinai mochikomi (Carry-on baggage)
通路側 (つうろがわ) – Tsūro-gawa (Aisle seat)
Chapter 2: Security and Immigration
After check-in, you’ll proceed to the security checkpoint (保安検査場, hoan kensajō). Here, you’ll need to place your carry-on luggage, electronic devices, and any liquids in trays for screening. For international flights, you will also go through departure immigration (出国審査, shukkoku shinsa). The process is highly organized, and staff will guide you through with gestures and simple instructions.
— At the Security Checkpoint —
パソコンはバッグから出しますか。
ぱそこんはばっぐからだしますか。
Pasokon wa baggu kara dashimasu ka?
Do I need to take my laptop out of the bag?
パソコン (pasokon) = PC / Laptop
は (wa) = Topic marker
バッグから (baggu kara) = From the bag
出しますか (dashimasu ka) = Do I take it out?
この水は持ち込めますか。
このみずはもちこめますか。
Kono mizu wa mochikomemasu ka?
Can I bring this water with me?
この水 (kono mizu) = This water
は (wa) = Topic marker
持ち込めますか (mochikomemasu ka) = Can I carry it on?
— Security & Immigration Vocabulary —
保安検査場 (ほあんけんさじょう) – Hoan kensajō (Security checkpoint)
金属探知機 (きんぞくたんちき) – Kinzoku tanchiki (Metal detector)
液体 (えきたい) – Ekitai (Liquids)
出国審査 (しゅっこくしんさ) – Shukkoku shinsa (Departure immigration)
入国審査 (にゅうこくしんさ) – Nyūkoku shinsa (Arrival immigration)
税関 (ぜいかん) – Zeikan (Customs)
申告書 (しんこくしょ) – Shinkokusho (Declaration form)
Chapter 3: At the Gate and Boarding
Once you’re through security, check your boarding pass for your gate number (搭乗口, tōjōguchi) and boarding time (搭乗時間, tōjō jikan). Airport monitors will display updated flight information, including any delays (遅延, chien) or gate changes. Boarding is typically done in groups, with priority given to passengers with children and those needing assistance, followed by business/first class, and then economy passengers by row number.
— At the Boarding Gate —
搭乗は何時に始まりますか。
とうじょうはなんじにはじまりますか。
Tōjō wa nanji ni hajimarimasu ka?
What time does boarding begin?
搭乗 (tōjō) = Boarding
は (wa) = Topic marker
何時に (nanji ni) = At what time
始まりますか (hajimarimasu ka) = Does it start?
この便は遅れていますか。
このびんはおくれていますか。
Kono bin wa okurete imasu ka?
Is this flight delayed?
この便 (kono bin) = This flight
は (wa) = Topic marker
遅れていますか (okurete imasu ka) = Is it delayed?
— Boarding Vocabulary —
搭乗口 (とうじょうぐち) – Tōjōguchi (Boarding gate)
搭乗時間 (とうじょうじかん) – Tōjō jikan (Boarding time)
出発 (しゅっぱつ) – Shuppatsu (Departure)
到着 (とうちゃく) – Tōchaku (Arrival)
遅延 (ちえん) – Chien (Delay)
最終案内 (さいしゅうあんない) – Saishū an’nai (Final call)
優先搭乗 (ゆうせんとうじょう) – Yūsen tōjō (Priority boarding)
Chapter 4: In the Air – Onboard the Plane
Once you’re on the plane (機内, kinai), find your seat and store your carry-on luggage. The flight attendants (客室乗務員, kyakushitsu jōmuin) are exceptionally attentive. Don’t hesitate to ask them for assistance. During the beverage and meal service, they will ask for your choice, and it’s also fine to politely press the call button if you need something during the flight.
— Communicating with Flight Attendants —
お水をいただけますか。
おみずをいただけますか。
O-mizu o itadakemasu ka?
Could I have some water, please? (A polite way to ask)
お水 (o-mizu) = Water (polite form)
を (o) = Object marker
いただけますか (itadakemasu ka) = Could I receive?
毛布はありますか。
もうふはありますか。
Mōfu wa arimasu ka?
Do you have blankets?
毛布 (mōfu) = Blanket
は (wa) = Topic marker
ありますか (arimasu ka) = Do you have?
— In-Flight Vocabulary —
機内 (きない) – Kinai (Onboard the plane)
客室乗務員 (きゃくしつじょうむいん) – Kyakushitsu jōmuin (Flight attendant)
シートベルト – Shītoberuto (Seatbelt)
飲み物 (のみもの) – Nomimono (Drinks)
食事 (しょくじ) – Shokuji (Meal)
毛布 (もうふ) – Mōfu (Blanket)
イヤホン – Iyahon (Earphones)
気分が悪いです (きぶんがわるいです) – Kibun ga warui desu (I feel sick)
Chapter 5: Arrival and Baggage Claim
Upon landing, you will proceed to immigration (for international flights) and then to the baggage claim area (手荷物受取所, tenimotsu uketorijo). Look for the monitors that display your flight number to find out which carousel (ターンテーブル, tāntēburu) your luggage will arrive on. If your luggage doesn’t appear, go to the airline’s baggage service counter immediately to file a report.
— At Baggage Claim —
私の荷物が出てきません。
わたしのにもつがでてきません。
Watashi no nimotsu ga dete kimasen.
My luggage has not come out.
私 (watashi) = I / My
の (no) = ‘s
荷物 (nimotsu) = Luggage
が (ga) = Subject marker
出てきません (dete kimasen) = Does not come out
どこで税関申告書を出しますか。
どこでぜいかんしんこくしょをだしますか。
Doko de zeikan shinkokusho o dashimasu ka?
Where do I submit the customs declaration form?
どこで (doko de) = Where at
税関申告書 (zeikan shinkokusho) = Customs declaration form
を (o) = Object marker
出しますか (dashimasu ka) = Do I submit?
— Arrival Vocabulary —
手荷物受取所 (てにもつうけとりじょ) – Tenimotsu uketorijo (Baggage claim area)
ターンテーブル – Tāntēburu (Carousel)
手荷物引換証 (てにもつひきかえしょう) – Tenimotsu hikikaeshō (Baggage claim tag)
紛失 (ふんしつ) – Funshitsu (Lost item)
破損 (はそん) – Hason (Damaged item)
乗り継ぎ (のりつぎ) – Noritsugi (Transit / Connecting flight)
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