Five phrases go a long way.
Start with sumimasen (excuse me), arigatō gozaimasu (thank you), kore o kudasai (this one, please), wakarimasen (I don’t understand) and mō ichido onegaishimasu (once more, please). Practise those before trying to memorise the whole page.
You do not need to learn a speech before your first Japan trip. A short, polite phrase can help you ask for a menu, find a station or say thank you. This guide gives you 24 useful expressions in Japanese and roman letters, with a note about when each one fits. Save it for your trip or take screenshots of the sections you expect to use.
How to read the pronunciation
The bold roman-letter line is romaji: Japanese written with the alphabet. Say it steadily, without a strong English-style stress on one syllable. As a rough guide, a sounds like “ah”, i like “ee”, u like a short “oo”, e like “eh” and o like “oh”. These are approximations; listening helps more than English spelling alone.
A line over a vowel means hold it a little longer: ō in arigatō and ū in menyū. The Japanese r is a light tongue tap, rather than a strong English r. You may hear the final u in desu or masu become very quiet. Don’t worry about sounding perfect: speak clearly and give the other person time to respond.
For recorded examples, try the Japan Foundation’s free Irodori Starter lessons and audio. Lesson 2 is particularly useful for asking someone to repeat or slow down.
Greetings and polite basics
1. Excuse me / sorry
すみません。
Sumimasen.
Use this to get someone’s attention politely, such as a member of staff. It also works for a small apology, for example if you bump into someone.
2. Thank you
ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
A polite everyday thank-you for shop staff, hotel teams and people who help you. The shorter arigatō is more casual.
3. Hello / good afternoon
こんにちは。
Konnichiwa.
A daytime greeting. The final character is written は but pronounced wa in this expression.
4. Good morning
おはようございます。
Ohayō gozaimasu.
A polite morning greeting, useful at breakfast or when you meet your guide.
5. Good evening
こんばんは。
Konbanwa.
Use when greeting someone in the evening. Like konnichiwa, its final は is pronounced wa.
6. Yes / no
はい。／いいえ。
Hai. / Iie.
Useful basics, but hai can also acknowledge that someone is listening. It does not always mean they have agreed to a request.
When you don’t understand
7. I don’t understand
わかりません。
Wakarimasen.
Add sumimasen at the beginning if you like: “Excuse me, I don’t understand.” It is better to say this than agree to something unclear.
8. Once more, please
もう一度お願いします。
Mō ichido onegaishimasu.
A short way to ask someone to repeat what they said.
9. Please speak slowly
ゆっくり話してください。
Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.
Useful when you recognise a little Japanese but cannot follow the speed. The doubled k in yukkuri has a brief pause before it.
10. Do you speak English?
英語を話せますか。
Eigo o hanasemasu ka?
Ask politely rather than assuming. If needed, show a short written question or the Japanese text on this page.
Restaurants and cafés
11. This one, please
これをください。
Kore o kudasai.
Point to the item on the menu. The particle を is pronounced o. This is useful in shops as well as restaurants.
12. Do you have an English menu?
英語のメニューはありますか。
Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?
The long ū in menyū is held slightly longer. If no English menu is available, pictures and pointing may help.
13. Water, please
お水をお願いします。
Omizu o onegaishimasu.
A polite request for water. Onegaishimasu is useful when asking for something, but it is not a word-for-word substitute for every English “please”.
14. The bill, please
お会計をお願いします。
Okaikei o onegaishimasu.
Ask when you are ready to pay. Follow the restaurant’s payment arrangement; you may be directed to a counter.
15. Thank you for the meal
ごちそうさまでした。
Gochisōsama deshita.
A phrase to use after eating. You can say it to the staff as you finish or leave.
Keep your first order simple: get a staff member’s attention with sumimasen, point and say kore o kudasai, then thank them with arigatō gozaimasu. You can practise that short sequence before your trip.
Stations and directions
16. Where is the toilet?
トイレはどこですか。
Toire wa doko desu ka?
A useful question in stations, shops and visitor attractions. Doko means “where”.
17. Where is the station?
駅はどこですか。
Eki wa doko desu ka?
Eki means “station”. Show the exact station name on your map if there is more than one nearby.
18. Does this train go to Kyoto?
この電車は京都に行きますか。
Kono densha wa Kyōto ni ikimasu ka?
Ask staff before boarding if unsure. Replace Kyōto with your destination, and show your ticket so they can check the specific service.
19. To here, please
ここまでお願いします。
Koko made onegaishimasu.
Useful in a taxi while showing the exact destination on your phone or a written address. The address is more useful than relying on pronunciation alone.
Language is only one part of a smooth journey. Our Tokyo-to-Kyoto guide covers booking and boarding, while the Tokyo and Kyoto guides help you plan each city.
Shops and hotels
20. How much is it?
いくらですか。
Ikura desu ka?
Point to the item you mean. If you do not catch the answer, ask to see the price written down.
21. Can I pay by card?
カードで払えますか。
Kādo de haraemasu ka?
Useful before you commit to a purchase. Kādo has a long ā sound.
22. I have a reservation
予約しています。
Yoyaku shite imasu.
Follow with your name and show your booking confirmation. This works at a hotel or a restaurant.
23. Please look after my luggage
荷物を預かってください。
Nimotsu o azukatte kudasai.
Use at your hotel’s desk to request luggage storage. Staff still need to confirm whether they can offer it and for how long.
24. May I take a photo?
写真を撮ってもいいですか。
Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?
Ask before photographing a person or a place where permission is unclear. Respect posted restrictions and the answer.
For prices, keep our yen currency converter handy. For the rest of your pre-trip preparation, return to Japan travel essentials.
A five-minute practice plan
- Choose five: use the five phrases at the top of this guide.
- Say each one aloud: read it slowly, then try without looking.
- Add a situation: imagine ordering lunch or asking staff to repeat something.
- Listen to a recording: compare your rhythm with the Japan Foundation’s beginner audio.
- Save a small phrase list: keep the Japanese text available to show someone when speaking is difficult.
You do not need to fill every silence. A clear request, a moment to listen and a sincere thank-you are a useful place to start.
Sources and learning notes
Prepared on 24 September 2026 using JNTO’s Japanese language guidance, the Japan Foundation’s Irodori Starter Lesson 2, and Mishima’s visitor phrase guide. The selection, travel examples and practice plan are Japan Sorted’s editorial work. Romanisation is presented consistently here with long-vowel marks; pronunciation notes are beginner approximations, not a substitute for listening practice.