Japanese Travel Phrases

No grammar terms here. Just real words and phrases grouped by the situations you'll actually run into on a trip to Japan. Notice how words like "iku" and "ikitai," or "kau" and "kaitai," follow the same pattern. Once you see that pattern twice, you can apply it to almost any verb.

When You're Stuck

"I don't understand"
Say this first when you're lost, then point or gesture at what you need.
"One more time, please"
Use when someone spoke too fast and you need it repeated.
"Please speak slowly"
Pairs well with the phrase above.
"Can you speak English?"
Your last resort before switching to gestures.

Shopping and Payment

"buy" / "want to buy"
Say plus an item name and staff will point you there. Works for anything: "kippu wo kaitai" for a ticket, "kore wo kaitai" for whatever you're holding.
"Can I use a card?"
Ask before you're standing at the register empty-handed.
"Cash only?"
The flip side of the same question.
"How much is it?"
Point at the item while you say it.
"Do you have it?" / "There isn't any"
Ask if a size, flavor, or item is in stock.
"Receipt, please"
Most shops don't hand one over automatically.

Restaurants and Food

"What is this?"
For any dish or package you can't read.
"eat" / "want to eat"
Say plus a food name to order it.
"drink" / "want to drink"
Same pattern, for drinks.
"What do you recommend?"
Great when the menu is all in Japanese.
"Is it spicy?"
Ask before you commit.
"Menu, please"
Simple and direct.
"Water, please"
Simple and direct.
"Check, please"
Say this when you're ready to pay.

Getting Around

"go" / "want to go"
Say plus a place name at a station or to a taxi driver.
"ride / board" / "want to ride"
The base word behind train and bus questions. Say plus a train or bus name to say what you want to board.
"Does this train go to (place)?"
Ask before boarding if you're not sure.
"Do I get off here?"
Ask a neighbor if you're unsure of your stop.
"Where do I get off?"
Ask when you don't know your stop at all, not just confirming this one.
"Please call a taxi"
Useful at a hotel front desk or restaurant.
"To the airport, please"
Say this the moment you get in the taxi.
"Where's the bathroom?"
Useful everywhere, always.
"Could you take a photo for me?"
Hand over your phone after asking.

Hotels

"I'd like to make a reservation" / "I have a reservation"
The second one is what you say walking up to the front desk.
"I'd like to check in" / "check out"
Say at the front desk.
"Is there Wi-Fi?"
Ask at check-in.
"Towel, please"
Call the front desk or say it in person.
"I lost my key"
Report this immediately at the front desk.
"Is it okay to come in?"
For room service or being let into a space.