15 Essential Japanese Phrases Every Tourist Should Know

Don’t worry if it’s your first time in Japan! Master basic expressions you can use while traveling

For foreign tourists visiting Japan, knowing a few Japanese phrases is a great help. Here are 15 basic Japanese phrases with romanized characters that are particularly useful while traveling. Please remember them and try using them when you’re in Japan!

Konnichiwa

Romaji: Konnichiwa
Meaning: Konnichiwa/Konnichiwa (daytime greeting)
Usage: A basic greeting used when entering a store or talking to someone.

Arigatou

Romaji: Arigatou
Meaning: Thank you
Usage: When expressing gratitude. If you want to be polite, say “Arigatou ga arigatou”.

Sumimasen

Romaji: Sumimasen
Meaning: Sumimasen/Excuse me/Thank you (depends on the situation)
Usage: Can be used all-purpose when calling someone, asking for directions, apologizing, etc.

Yes / No

Romaji: Hai / Iie
Meaning: Yes / No
Usage: Used to respond to simple questions.

How much is it?

Romaji: Ikura desu ka?
Meaning: How much is it?
Usage: When asking the price of a product or service.

Please give me this

Romaji: Kore o kudasai
Meaning: Please give me this
Usage: Useful when ordering by pointing at a restaurant or shop.

Where is the toilet?

Romaji: Toire wa doko desu ka?
Meaning: Where is the toilet?
Usage: An essential phrase when looking for a toilet while out and about.

Can you speak English?

Romaji: Eigo o hanasemasu ka?
Meaning: Can you speak English?
Usage: When you’re not sure about the conversation, this is a good first question to ask.

I don’t understand

Romaji: Wakarimasen
Meaning: I don’t understand
Usage: Used when you can’t understand what the other person is saying or what is displayed.

Help!

Romaji: Tasukete!
Meaning: Help!
Usage: When you are in an emergency or in trouble, and you want to ask for help from those around you.

Oishii!

Romaji: Oishii!
Meaning: Delicious!
Usage: If the food is delicious, you can tell the waiter how you feel about it, and he or she will be happy too.

What do you recommend?

Romaji: Osusume wa?
Meaning: What do you recommend?
Usage: When you’re not sure what to choose from the menu or a tourist spot.

Can I take a picture?

Romaji: Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?
Meaning: Can I take a picture?
Usage: A useful phrase when you want to ask if it’s okay to take a picture.

It’s ok

Romaji: Daijoubu desu
Meaning: It’s ok/It’s fine
Usage: When you want to politely decline or say that there is no problem.

I’ll come again!

Romaji: Mata kimasu!
Meaning: I’ll come again!
Usage: Use this when saying goodbye at a place or store you like to make a good impression.

Bonus: More useful expressions to remember

Menu o kudasai (When you want a menu)

Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka? (When asking if you can use a credit card)

Chekkuin onegaishimasu (When checking in at a hotel)

Summary

Even if you can’t speak Japanese, just learning a few phrases will make your trip much more comfortable.
Just by using basic expressions such as “hello” and “thank you,” you will be able to communicate smoothly with Japanese people and experience Japanese culture more deeply.