Useful Japanese Words & Phrases for Travelers

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, learning a few basic Japanese words will make your life so much easier. You don’t need to be fluent. Just knowing how to say “thank you” goes a long way.

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.

Basic Japanese greetings

Whether you’re checking into your hotel, buying coffee, or just saying hello to a local, these simple greetings can help.

Polite Japanese words

Ever worry about sounding rude by accident? Don’t! Japanese people are incredibly forgiving when you try, and just knowing a few polite Japanese phrases will help you blend right in.

Essential Japanese travel phrases

These are the lifesavers that’ll help you find the train station, ask for directions, or figure out where the restroom is (trust me, I’ve needed that one a lot).

If you only learn one phrase from this section, make it ___ wa doko desu ka? (Where is ___?).

I’ve used it everywhere: Toire wa doko desu ka? (Where’s the bathroom?) or Osaka Eki wa doko desu ka? (Where’s Osaka Station?).

Japanese words for food and eating out

Half the reason I travel to Japan is for the food. If you’re the same, these Japanese words will come in handy every single day.

Whether you’re ordering ramen, picking up snacks from a convenience store, or eating at a fancy ryokan dinner, these are the ones I use the most.

If you remember just one word, make it oishii! (delicious). People love hearing it, and you’ll get the biggest smiles.

When I’m not sure what something is, I usually ask “Kore wa nan desu ka?” (What is this?). It’s such a simple phrase but super useful when you’re trying new dishes.

And here are a few dishes you’ll see almost everywhere in Japan:

• 寿司 (sushi) – Vinegared rice with fish or vegetables
• ラーメン (ramen) – Noodle soup in a rich broth
• 焼き鳥 (yakitori) – Grilled chicken skewers
• 天ぷら (tempura) – Lightly battered fried seafood or vegetables
• カレーライス (karē raisu) – Japanese-style curry rice
• うどん (udon) – Thick wheat noodles, served hot or cold
• そば (soba) – Buckwheat noodles, often eaten chilled
• お好み焼き (okonomiyaki) – Savory cabbage pancake
• たこ焼き (takoyaki) – Fried octopus balls, a must-try in Osaka
• 抹茶 (matcha) – Green tea made from powdered tea leaves
• 酒 (sake) – Japanese rice wine, often served warm or chilled

Japanese shopping words and phrease

Shopping in Japan is seriously fun, whether you’re hunting for souvenirs in Kyoto or getting lost in a Don Quijote store in Tokyo.

Japanese words for hotels, ryokans, and onsens

Checking into a hotel or ryokan in Japan soon? You’ll love how polite and peaceful the whole experience is! It definitely helps to know a few basic Japanese words for hotel stay.

If you’re visiting an onsen, remember: “Kashikiri buro” means a private bath, and “daiyokujou” is the big shared one.

Japanese numbers

Numbers are everywhere in Japan, so learning a few basics will save you a ton of confusion.

How to tell time in Japanese

And when it comes to time, here are a few basics that come in handy for trains, tours, and reservations:

You’ll often hear times like gozen juu-ji (10 a.m.) or gogo san-ji (3 p.m.).

Japan runs on schedules, trains especially! So once you get the hang of these, you’ll feel like a local pro at navigating timetables.

Japanese emergencies and medical phrases

Hopefully, you’ll never need these, but it’s always better to be prepared, right? Knowing a few Japanese emergency phrases can make a stressful moment a lot easier.

I’ve had to look for a pharmacy once in Kyoto. And even though my Japanese was far from perfect, people were incredibly kind and quick to help.

Fun cultural expressions and cute Japanese words

You’ll hear them everywhere, on TV, in shops, even from the staff at a café when they hand you a cute latte. I probably overuse kawaii! It just fits everything in Japan 😂

How to learn Japanese fast

If you’re heading to Japan soon, don’t stress about memorizing every word in this list. You really don’t need to sound fluent to travel comfortably here.

Even knowing a few basic Japanese words for beginners makes a huge difference.

Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way:

• Start with the essentials. Focus on greetings, thank-yous, and restaurant words first. You’ll use them every single day.
• Use Google Translate. It can instantly translate menus, signs, and even conversations. I still use them all the time.
• Listen for familiar sounds. Once you know simple words like arigatou or sumimasen, you’ll start hearing them everywhere, and it’s so satisfying when you recognize one in the wild.
• Save screenshots of key phrases. I keep a few travel phrases on my phone in case I don’t have internet. Super helpful for taxis or local restaurants.
• Learn through food! Reading menus is one of the easiest (and most fun) ways to practice. Try spotting words like ramen, udon, or sushi when you’re out.

Before you go

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

If you’re still planning your trip, my Japan eSIM guide is a good place to start. It covers how to stay connected easily while you’re exploring.

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.

You can also browse through Japan’s best festivals, or take a peek at the best family onsen towns in Japan if you’re traveling with kids. And when you’re ready to unwind, I’ve shared a few favorite ryokans in Tokyo that blend traditional charm with modern comfort.