Travel Japanese — Essential Phrases for Your Japan Trip | Nihongo to Japan

Learning a few dozen useful phrases makes independent travel in Japan go so much more smoothly. Here we've gathered the situations you'll run into most — from all-purpose basics for your first trip to drugstore shopping, tax-free purchases, taxis and emergencies — each with real-life examples and clear explanations. Even beginners can be ready before they leave.

The most basic all-purpose phrases

• すみません。 (すみません) — Excuse me / sorry (all-purpose attention-getter)
• ありがとうございます。 (ありがとうございます) — Thank you
• わかりません。 (わかりません) — I don't understand
• 日本語があまり上手じゃないです。 (にほんごがあまりじょうずじゃないです) — My Japanese isn't very good
• 英語は話せますか？ (えいごははなせますか) — Can you speak English?
• もう一度言ってください。 (もういちどいってください) — Please say that again
• ゆっくり話してください。 (ゆっくりはなしてください) — Please speak slowly
• 〜はどこですか？ (〜はどこですか) — Where is ~?

Travel tips

• Screenshot before you go: save your key phrases on your phone so you can check them even with poor signal
• Ask them to slow down: if you're unsure what someone said, try 「もう一度、ゆっくり言ってください」 (please say it again slowly)
• Camera translation: Google Translate's camera feature translates menus and signs instantly — a travel must-have
• Japanese people are friendly: even if you make mistakes, the effort to communicate comes through, and people are usually happy to help

FAQ

What Japanese should I learn first for my first trip to Japan?

Start with 5 all-purpose phrases: すみません (excuse me), ありがとうございます (thank you), 〜をください (please give me ~), いくらですか (how much?), and 〜はどこですか (where is ~?). These five cover most travel situations. After that, learn restaurant ordering (our most-viewed scene) and train/station phrases.

Can I travel independently in Japan without knowing Japanese?

Absolutely. Modern Japan's transport signs are largely bilingual, and Google Maps and translation apps are handy. But knowing basic phrases makes communication smoother at local restaurants, traditional inns and drugstores, and tends to draw a warmer response. Prepping 20–30 common phrases before you go beats arriving with nothing.

What are the most common phrases for ordering at a Japanese restaurant?

The most common openers are 「〜人です」 (there are ~ of us), then 「メニューをお願いします」 (menu, please), 「おすすめは何ですか？」 (what do you recommend?), 「〜をください」 (~, please) to order, 「以上です」 (that's all) to finish, and 「お会計お願いします」 to pay. These six cover many common restaurant situations.

Which phrases do I need to ask for directions on the train?

The handiest are 「〇〇駅へ行きたいです」 (I want to go to ~ Station), 「この電車は〇〇に行きますか？」 (does this train go to ~?), 「何番線ですか？」 (which platform?), and 「乗り換えはどこですか？」 (where do I transfer?). If a ticket machine stumps you, ask a station attendant 「すみません、〇〇まで一枚お願いします」 (excuse me, one ticket to ~, please).

Is travel Japanese related to the JLPT?

Yes. Most travel Japanese sits in the JLPT N5–N4 range: N5's basic patterns (〜です, 〜があります, 〜ください) come up in nearly every travel scene, and N4's potential form (食べられますか, 飲めますか) and て-form (食べてみる, 写真を撮ってもいいですか) are common too. Learning travel Japanese effectively builds your JLPT N5 foundation.