Essential Japanese Phrases to Know Before Travelling to Japan

Planning & Packing

Apr 5

Planning your escape to the land of cherry blossoms and high-tech toilets? 🗾

Whether you're chasing neon signs in Shinjuku or buying an egg salad sando from the nearest konbini, learning a few key Japanese phrases is the secret weapon for a stress-free trip.

As an anxious girlie who loves comfort and connection, trust me: nothing cuts through the confusion faster than trying to speak the local language — even if you butcher it. ✨

Below are the must-know Japanese phrases for travellers heading to Japan!

🌸 Why Learn Basic Japanese Before Your Trip?

Learning basics shows respect, opens doors to those genuinely wholesome interactions, and gives you a powerful sense of control when you’re navigating the trains or reading a menu!

💬 Essential Japanese Phrases for Travellers

👋 “Hello”
こんにちは (Konnichiwa)

A classic daytime greeting. Friendly, safe, and universally understood. Use liberally. 🌞

🙏“Thank you”
ありがとう (Arigatou)
ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu)

Short version = casual. Long version = polite.
Use it everywhere, especially at konbini checkout counters. 💕

😅 “Excuse me / Sorry”
すみません (Sumimasen)

The Swiss army knife of Japan phrases!
Perfect for:
— Getting attention 🖐️
— Squeezing through crowds 🚇
— Accidentally bumping into someone (it happens a lot!) 😬

🥺 “Do you have English menus?”
英語のメニューはありますか？
(Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?)

A lifesaver when you’re hungry and illiterate in kanji.

😌 “Yes / No”
はい (hai) / いいえ (iie)

Simple. Clear. Surprisingly empowering to say confidently.

🤔 “How much is this?”
これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?)

Great for markets, souvenirs, and that one gachapon machine you will inevitably become obsessed with.

📍 “Where is… ?”
…はどこですか？ (* wa doko desu ka?*)

Fill in:
🚇 駅 (eki) — station
🚻 トイレ (toire) — bathroom
🛒 コンビニ (konbini) — convenience store (your new best friend)

🍜 “I can’t eat… ”
…が食べられません (* ga taberaremasen*)

Useful for allergies & dietary needs.
Examples:
🥜 ナッツ (nattsu) — nuts
🐟 魚 (sakana) — seafood
🍖 肉 (niku) — meat

🥰 “Delicious!”
おいしい！(Oishii!)

Say it with enthusiasm. You’ll make chefs smile.

😄 “Nice to meet you”
はじめまして (Hajimemashite)

Great for meeting hosts, guides, or new friends you collect like Pokémon.

🍡 Bonus: Fun Phrases for Extra Travel Magic

✨ “Let’s take a photo!”
写真を撮りましょう！ (Shashin o torimashou!)

Great for group moments or solo travellers making friends.

💖 “So cute!”
かわいい！(Kawaii!)

Warning: Highly addictive phrase. You will say it 100x a day, especially in Harajuku!

🌈 “I’m excited!”
楽しみ！(Tanoshimi!)

Perfect for theme parks, cafés, and the moment you find the best vending machine drink of your life.

🎏 Tips for Language Confidence

Don't let the anxiety stop you—locals appreciate the effort, not perfection!

Speak Slowly and Clearly: Take your time. You’re practicing, not performing!
The Tiny Bow: Add a slight head nod or small bow when greeting or thanking. Instant politeness bonus!
Your Multilingual Bestie: Keep Google Translate (with Japanese downloaded!) ready for menus and complex signs.
Just Try: Even one word like Arigatou can spark a warmer interaction. Trust me, it transforms your trip from "tourist mode" to "adventure mode" 🌙🌸