Useful Japanese Words & Phrases for Travelers

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, learning a few basic Japanese words can make everything feel much easier. You don’t need to speak fluently. Even knowing how to say “thank you” and “excuse me” can help a lot.

In this guide, I’ll share the most useful Japanese words and phrases for travelers. The ones you’ll actually use every day. From greetings to ordering food, this list will help you feel more confident (and polite) wherever you go.

Most useful Japanese phrases for first-time travelers

If you only learn a handful of Japanese words before your trip, I’d start with these.

If I had to narrow it down even more, I’d learn arigatou gozaimasu, sumimasen, and ___ wa doko desu ka? first. Those three go a long way, especially if this is your first time in Japan.

Basic Japanese greetings and polite words

You don’t need a big vocabulary to come across well in Japan. A few simple greetings and polite words go a long way.

You can use sumimasen when you want to get someone’s attention, when you need help, or when you want to politely say sorry. And that one word alone is one of the most useful Japanese phrases for travelers to know.

Japanese words for trains and stations

If you’re using trains in Japan, these are the words I’d learn first. They come up all the time in stations, on signs, and when asking for help.

And these are the phrases I’d keep handy:

If you only learn one pattern, make it ___ wa doko desu ka? (where is___). You can use it for the station, exit, toilet, and pretty much anything else.

Japanese phrases for ordering food in Japan

If you eat out a lot in Japan, these are the food words I think are most useful. They help with menus, simple orders, and questions.

A few extra phrases can help too:

Japanese phrases for checking into a hotel or ryokan in Japan

If you’re staying in a hotel or ryokan, these are the words I’d focus on first. They’re especially useful for a ryokan stay in Japan or an onsen ryokan with private baths.

These are the phrases I’d keep on my phone:

Japanese words for onsen etiquette

If you’re visiting an onsen in Japan, these are the words I’d learn first. They come up often at ryokan, bath entrances, and private bath signs.

These phrases are useful too:

If you’re staying at an onsen ryokan in Japan, I’d remember kashikiri buro first. That’s one of the most useful words if you want a private bath.

Useful Japanese phrases for emergencies and health

I hope you never need these, but I still think they’re worth saving. A few basic Japanese emergency phrases can make things much easier if you feel unwell.

How to learn Japanese fast

Here’s what helps me most:

• Start with greetings, thank you, and excuse me.
• Save the most useful phrases on your phone.
• Use Google Translate for menus, signs, and quick questions.
• Learn the words that match your trip, like ryokan, onsen, or train station.

And this is where having mobile data helps a lot. I use it for Google Translate, maps, train times, and saved phrases when I’m in Japan.

If you have not sorted that yet, I’d look at a Japan eSIM like Airalo before your trip.

Before you go

If you enjoyed learning these Japanese words and phrases, there’s so much more to explore.

If you’re planning to visit an onsen, it helps to read up on onsen etiquette and how to use a Japanese onsen before you go, especially if it’s your first time.

And if you’re dreaming of a relaxing soak, you might love my guide to couple onsen in Japan. It’s all about quiet, private hot springs that are perfect for two.