100 Japanese Words Every Traveller Should Know

Learning a few Japanese words for travel can make your trip smoother, friendlier and far more rewarding. Many people in Japan speak some English, especially in big cities, but a polite greeting or a simple question in Japanese often makes interactions easier and shows respect for local culture.

Below are 100 essential Japanese words and phrases, grouped by situation. Each entry shows the word in romaji (Latin letters), the Japanese script, the English meaning and a short usage note. Long vowels are written with doubled letters, such as “ou” and “uu”, to help with pronunciation.

Greetings and Everyday Basics

Start with these. Polite basics go a long way in Japan, and even a simple greeting is usually met with a warm response.

1. Konnichiwa (こんにちは) – hello, good afternoon. The standard daytime greeting for shops, hotels and strangers.
2. Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます) – good morning. Polite form, used until roughly late morning.
3. Konbanwa (こんばんは) – good evening. Use after dark when entering a restaurant or meeting someone.
4. Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) – thank you. The polite version; suitable for staff, hosts and strangers.
5. Sumimasen (すみません) – excuse me, sorry. Useful for getting a waiter’s attention or squeezing past people.
6. Gomen nasai (ごめんなさい) – I’m sorry. A more personal apology, such as when bumping into someone.
7. Hai (はい) – yes. Also used to show you are listening, not always agreement.
8. Iie (いいえ) – no. Often softened in practice; a polite “no thanks” is usually “daijoubu desu.”
9. Onegaishimasu (お願いします) – please. Add after a request, for example “Biiru, onegaishimasu” (a beer, please).
10. Kudasai (ください) – please give me. Follows an item: “Kore o kudasai” means “This one, please.”
11. Douzo (どうぞ) – go ahead, here you are. You will hear this when staff hand you something or invite you in.
12. Sayounara (さようなら) – goodbye. Sounds quite final; staff often say “arigatou gozaimashita” instead.
13. Oyasumi nasai (おやすみなさい) – good night. Said before going to bed, not as an evening greeting.
14. Hajimemashite (はじめまして) – nice to meet you. Used the first time you meet someone, often with a small bow.
15. Wakarimasen (分かりません) – I don’t understand. Say it calmly; people will often try gestures or simpler words.
16. Wakarimashita (分かりました) – I understand, got it. A handy way to confirm directions or instructions.
17. Eigo (英語) – English. Ask “Eigo o hanasemasu ka?” to check if someone speaks English.
18. Daijoubu (大丈夫) – okay, fine, no thanks. “Daijoubu desu” can mean “I’m fine” or politely decline an offer.
19. Mou ichido (もう一度) – once more. “Mou ichido onegaishimasu” asks someone to repeat what they said.
20. Chotto matte kudasai (ちょっと待ってください) – please wait a moment. Useful while you look for your ticket or wallet.

Getting Around: Transport and Directions

Japan’s public transport is efficient but busy. These words help with stations, signs and asking for directions.

1. Eki (駅) – station. “Eki wa doko desu ka?” means “Where is the station?”
2. Densha (電車) – train. The general word for local and commuter trains.
3. Chikatetsu (地下鉄) – subway, underground. Major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka have extensive subway lines.
4. Basu (バス) – bus. On many local buses you board at the back and pay at the front when getting off.
5. Takushii (タクシー) – taxi. Rear doors often open automatically, so let the driver operate them.
6. Kippu (切符) – ticket. Paper tickets for trains; many travellers use rechargeable IC cards instead.
7. Shinkansen (新幹線) – bullet train. Seats can be reserved (shiteiseki) or unreserved (jiyuuseki).
8. Kuukou (空港) – airport. Add the name, as in “Narita kuukou” for Narita Airport.
9. Deguchi (出口) – exit. Large stations have many numbered exits, so check the one you need.
10. Iriguchi (入口) – entrance. Look for this sign at shops, museums and car parks.
11. Migi (右) – right. “Migi ni magatte” means “turn right.”
12. Hidari (左) – left. “Hidari ni magatte” means “turn left.”
13. Massugu (まっすぐ) – straight ahead. Common in directions, often with a pointing hand gesture.
14. Chizu (地図) – map. Showing a map on your phone and saying “koko” (here) works well.
15. Doko (どこ) – where. Pattern: “[place] wa doko desu ka?” (Where is [place]?)
16. Norikae (乗り換え) – transfer, change trains. Follow the transfer signs in stations to reach connecting lines.
17. Hoomu (ホーム) – platform. Platform numbers are written with 番線 (bansen), as in 3番線.
18. Kaisatsu (改札) – ticket gate. Tap your IC card or insert your ticket here to enter or exit.
19. Chikai (近い) – near, close. “Chikai desu ka?” asks “Is it close?”
20. Tooi (遠い) – far. If someone says “tooi desu,” a taxi or train might be the better option.

Food and Dining

Eating out is one of the highlights of any trip to Japan. These words will help you order, ask questions and show your appreciation.

1. Itadakimasu (いただきます) – let’s eat (said before a meal). A polite expression of gratitude before you start eating.
2. Gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした) – thank you for the meal. Say it to staff or your host when you finish.
3. Oishii (おいしい) – delicious. A simple compliment that chefs and hosts appreciate.
4. Mizu (水) – water. Water or tea is often served free in restaurants.
5. Ocha (お茶) – tea (usually green tea). Unsweetened green tea is the default in most restaurants.
6. Biiru (ビール) – beer. Draft beer is “nama biiru,” often shortened to “nama.”
7. Kanpai (乾杯) – cheers. Wait until everyone has a drink before raising your glass.
8. Gohan (ご飯) – cooked rice, meal. Can mean rice specifically or a meal in general.
9. Okaikei (お会計) – the bill, the check. “Okaikei onegaishimasu” asks for the bill; tipping is not customary.
10. Osusume (おすすめ) – recommendation. “Osusume wa?” asks staff what they recommend.
11. Niku (肉) – meat. Combine with animals: gyuuniku (beef), butaniku (pork), toriniku (chicken).
12. Sakana (魚) – fish. Useful for spotting seafood dishes or asking about ingredients.
13. Yasai (野菜) – vegetables. Vegetarians may find dashi (fish stock) in many dishes, so ask first.
14. Tamago (卵) – egg. Often served raw or soft-cooked with rice or ramen.
15. Arerugii (アレルギー) – allergy. For example, “Ebi arerugii desu” means “I have a shrimp allergy.”
16. Karai (辛い) – spicy, hot. Ask “Karai desu ka?” if you want to check the heat level of a dish.
17. Amai (甘い) – sweet. Useful for desserts, drinks and sauces.
18. Hashi (箸) – chopsticks. Never stand them upright in rice, as this is linked to funeral customs.
19. Yoyaku (予約) – reservation. Popular restaurants may require one; “yoyaku shiteimasu” means “I have a booking.”
20. Nanmei-sama (何名様) – how many people? (asked by staff). Answer with hitori (one), futari (two) or san-nin (three).

Shopping and Money

From convenience stores to department stores, these words make paying and shopping much smoother.

1. Ikura (いくら) – how much. “Ikura desu ka?” asks for the price.
2. En (円) – yen. Prices are shown with ¥ before or 円 after the number.
3. Okane (お金) – money. A general word you will hear in many contexts.
4. Kaado (カード) – card. “Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?” asks “Can I use a card?”
5. Genkin (現金) – cash. Some smaller shops and restaurants still accept cash only.
6. Kore (これ) – this (near me). Point and say “kore” when ordering or shopping.
7. Sore (それ) – that (near you). Use for an item close to the person you are speaking to.
8. Fukuro (袋) – bag. Shops often charge for bags; “fukuro wa daijoubu desu” means you don’t need one.
9. Reshiito (レシート) – receipt. Usually handed over automatically with your change.
10. Menzei (免税) – tax-free. Eligible visitors can shop tax-free at participating stores; bring your passport.
11. Takai (高い) – expensive (also tall, high). Context tells you whether it is about price or height.
12. Yasui (安い) – cheap, inexpensive. Look for this word on sale signs.
13. Konbini (コンビニ) – convenience store. Great for snacks, ATMs, tickets and quick meals.
14. Mise (店) – shop, store. Appears in many shop names and signs.
15. Omiyage (お土産) – souvenir, gift. Edible regional gifts are a popular choice to bring home.

Hotels and Accommodation

Whether you stay in a modern hotel or a traditional inn, these words cover the essentials.

1. Hoteru (ホテル) – hotel. Business hotels are a common, good-value choice in cities.
2. Heya (部屋) – room. “Heya bangou” means room number.
3. Kagi (鍵) – key. Many hotels use card keys, but some inns still use metal keys.
4. Chekku-in (チェックイン) – check-in. Have your passport ready, as hotels usually need to record it.
5. Chekku-auto (チェックアウト) – check-out. Check-out times are often around 10 or 11 am.
6. Nimotsu (荷物) – luggage. Hotels can usually store luggage before check-in or after check-out.
7. Wai-fai (ワイファイ) – Wi-Fi. Ask for the “pasuwaado” (password) at reception.
8. Ryokan (旅館) – traditional Japanese inn. Expect tatami rooms, futon bedding and often set meals.
9. Onsen (温泉) – hot spring. Wash thoroughly before entering, and note that some baths restrict tattoos.
10. Toire (トイレ) – toilet. “Toire wa doko desu ka?” is one of the most useful sentences you can learn.

Emergencies and Health

Hopefully you will never need these, but they are worth knowing. In Japan, dial 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance.

1. Tasukete (助けて) – help!. Shout this in a real emergency to get attention.
2. Byouin (病院) – hospital. “Byouin ni ikitai desu” means “I want to go to a hospital.”
3. Kusuri (薬) – medicine. Bring a note of any regular medication you take.
4. Yakkyoku (薬局) – pharmacy. Drugstores (doraggusutoa) also sell many everyday remedies.
5. Isha (医者) – doctor. You may hear “o-isha-san,” a more polite form.
6. Keisatsu (警察) – police. The emergency number for police is 110.
7. Kouban (交番) – police box. Small local police posts that can help with directions and lost items.
8. Itai (痛い) – it hurts, painful. Point to the area and say “itai” to show where the pain is.
9. Kibun ga warui (気分が悪い) – I feel unwell. Useful for nausea, dizziness or general discomfort.
10. Kyuukyuusha (救急車) – ambulance. Call 119 and say “kyuukyuusha onegaishimasu.”
11. Kaji (火事) – fire. Also reported by calling 119.
12. Abunai (危ない) – dangerous, watch out. Often shouted as a warning, so stop and look around.
13. Michi ni mayoimashita (道に迷いました) – I’m lost. Staff at a kouban or station can usually help.
14. Taishikan (大使館) – embassy. Note your embassy’s address before you travel.
15. Pasupooto (パスポート) – passport. Foreign visitors are required to carry their passport at all times.

Tips for Learning Japanese Travel Words

• Focus on politeness first. Sumimasen, onegaishimasu and arigatou gozaimasu will cover a surprising number of situations.
• Learn sentence patterns, not just words. “[Thing] wa doko desu ka?” and “[thing] o kudasai” let you combine dozens of words from this list.
• Practise pronunciation slowly. Japanese syllables are fairly even in stress, and long vowels can change meaning, so take your time.
• Recognise key signs. Knowing the characters for exit (出口), entrance (入口) and toilet (トイレ) is very helpful in stations.
• Use gestures and your phone. Pointing at a map or a menu photo while saying a key word is perfectly acceptable.
• Don’t worry about mistakes. Most people appreciate the effort and will be patient with visitors.

Final Thoughts

You do not need to be fluent to enjoy Japan, but a handful of useful words can turn a confusing moment into a friendly exchange. Save this list of Japanese words for travel, practise a few each day before your trip and enjoy putting them to use once you arrive.