Japanese Travel Phrases

すみません

Sumimasen

Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you

The most useful word in Japan: to get a server's attention, to squeeze past on a train, or to thank someone who went out of their way.

ありがとうございます

Arigatō gozaimasu

Thank you very much

Said to shop staff, drivers and anyone who helps. Plain arigatō is for friends.

お願いします

おねがいします

Onegai shimasu

Please (I'd like that)

Point at something and add onegai shimasu. It works for food, tickets, taxis and almost any request.

大丈夫です

だいじょうぶです

Daijōbu desu

I'm fine / No thanks

The everyday polite no. When a clerk offers a bag or a receipt you don't need, this is what people say.

ちょっと待ってください

ちょっとまってください

Chotto matte kudasai

Just a moment, please

Useful while you dig out your wallet or pass at a counter.

もう一度お願いします

もういちどおねがいします

Mō ichido onegai shimasu

Once more, please

Ask for a repeat without apologizing at length. Staff will happily say it again.

もう少しゆっくり話してもらえますか？

もうすこしゆっくりはなしてもらえますか？

Mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite moraemasu ka?

Could you speak a little more slowly?

Moraemasu ka is a soft, natural way to ask a favor, and mō sukoshi (a little more) keeps it light.

すみません、ちょっと分からないです

すみません、ちょっとわからないです

Sumimasen, chotto wakaranai desu

Sorry, I don't really understand

Chotto softens it. Wakarimasen alone sounds blunt; this is how people actually say it.

英語を話せる人はいますか？

えいごをはなせるひとはいますか？

Eigo o hanaseru hito wa imasu ka?

Is there anyone who speaks English?

For a pharmacy, a station office or a hotel desk when the conversation gets too detailed.

東京駅に行きたいんですが

とうきょうえきにいきたいんですが

Tōkyō-eki ni ikitai n desu ga

I'd like to get to Tokyo Station

The trailing ga leaves the sentence open, which in Japanese means 'can you help me?'. Swap in any place name.

この電車は渋谷に止まりますか？

このでんしゃはしぶやにとまりますか？

Kono densha wa Shibuya ni tomarimasu ka?

Does this train stop at Shibuya?

Ask this on the platform: rapid and express trains skip stations, and locals ask it too.

何番線ですか？

なんばんせんですか？

Nanbansen desu ka?

Which platform is it?

Platforms are numbered tracks: 1番線 is ichibansen. Announcements and signs use the same word.

銀座線の乗り換えはどこですか？

ぎんざせんののりかえはどこですか？

Ginza-sen no norikae wa doko desu ka?

Where do I transfer to the Ginza Line?

Swap in any line name (sen). Look for 乗換 or のりかえ on station signs.

新幹線の切符を買いたいんですが

しんかんせんのきっぷをかいたいんですが

Shinkansen no kippu o kaitai n desu ga

I'd like to buy a Shinkansen ticket

Say it at the ticket office, marked みどりの窓口 (midori no madoguchi) at JR stations, or use the reserved-seat ticket machines (指定席券売機).

指定席でお願いします

していせきでおねがいします

Shiteiseki de onegai shimasu

A reserved seat, please

The clerk may ask 指定席ですか、自由席ですか? Reserved (shiteiseki) or non-reserved (jiyūseki).

自由席は何号車ですか？

じゆうせきはなんごうしゃですか？

Jiyūseki wa nangōsha desu ka?

Which cars are non-reserved?

Car numbers (gōsha) are painted on the platform floor, so this tells you where to line up.

窓側の席はありますか？

まどがわのせきはありますか？

Madogawa no seki wa arimasu ka?

Is there a window seat?

On the Tokaido Shinkansen toward Kyoto and Osaka, seat E on the right side faces Mount Fuji.

すみません、そこ私の席だと思うんですが

すみません、そこわたしのせきだとおもうんですが

Sumimasen, soko watashi no seki da to omou n desu ga

Excuse me, I think that's my seat

'I think' keeps it gentle. Show your ticket at the same time and it is never awkward.

終電は何時ですか？

しゅうでんはなんじですか？

Shūden wa nanji desu ka?

What time is the last train?

Most lines stop running around midnight, so this matters after a late dinner.

Suicaにチャージしたいんですが

すいかにちゃーじしたいんですが

Suica ni chāji shitai n desu ga

I'd like to top up my Suica

Japanese say chāji (charge) for adding money to a card. The machine button says チャージ too.

チャージはどこでできますか？

ちゃーじはどこでできますか？

Chāji wa doko de dekimasu ka?

Where can I top up?

Ticket machines at any station, and the register at most konbini.

精算機はどこですか？

せいさんきはどこですか？

Seisanki wa doko desu ka?

Where is the fare adjustment machine?

If the gate shuts with a beep, your balance is usually short. Pay the difference at the 精算機 just before the exit gates.

改札が通れないんですが

かいさつがとおれないんですが

Kaisatsu ga tōrenai n desu ga

The ticket gate won't let me through

Say it at the staffed window beside the gates. They fix card problems in a minute.

切符をなくしてしまいました

きっぷをなくしてしまいました

Kippu o nakushite shimaimashita

I've lost my ticket

Shimaimashita adds 'oops, it happened'. Tell the gate staff where you got on.

ICカードは使えますか？

あいしーかーどはつかえますか？

Aishī kādo wa tsukaemasu ka?

Can I use an IC card?

Ask on buses, at lockers and in small shops. Japanese say IC card for Suica, PASMO and friends.

払い戻しできますか？

はらいもどしできますか？

Haraimodoshi dekimasu ka?

Can I get a refund?

For an unused ticket or a canceled reservation, at the ticket office. A small fee is usual.

コインロッカーはどこですか？

こいんろっかーはどこですか？

Koin rokkā wa doko desu ka?

Where are the coin lockers?

Big stations have hundreds, and many now take an IC card instead of coins.

二人です

ふたりです

Futari desu

Two people

The answer to 何名様ですか? (how many?) as you walk in. One person is hitori desu; showing fingers works too.

予約してないんですけど、大丈夫ですか？

よやくしてないんですけど、だいじょうぶですか？

Yoyaku shitenai n desu kedo, daijōbu desu ka?

We don't have a reservation. Is that OK?

Natural spoken form for a busy place. If they say 満席 (manseki), it's full.

英語のメニューはありますか？

えいごのめにゅーはありますか？

Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?

Do you have an English menu?

Many places in cities have one, or a picture menu, even if it isn't on the table.

おすすめは何ですか？

おすすめはなんですか？

Osusume wa nan desu ka?

What do you recommend?

Japanese diners ask this too. Look for おすすめ on menus and boards.

これをください

Kore o kudasai

This one, please

Point at the menu or the display. Kore, onegai shimasu works the same way.

すみません！

Sumimasen!

Excuse me! (calling staff)

Calling out to staff is normal in Japan, not rude. Many tables also have a call button.

お水もらえますか？

おみずもらえますか？

Omizu moraemasu ka?

Could I have some water?

Water and tea are usually free at restaurants. In many places it is self-service from a jug or dispenser.

豚肉が食べられません

ぶたにくがたべられません

Butaniku ga taberaremasen

I can't eat pork

Clearer than explaining a diet. Swap in 肉 (niku, meat), 魚 (sakana, fish) or 卵 (tamago, egg).

いただきます

Itadakimasu

(said before eating)

Said quietly before the first bite, often with hands together, even when eating alone.

お会計お願いします

おかいけいおねがいします

Okaikei onegai shimasu

The check, please

Often you take the bill to the register by the door instead. There is no tipping.

カードで払えますか？

かーどではらえますか？

Kādo de haraemasu ka?

Can I pay by card?

Ask before ordering at small places: some are still cash only.

ごちそうさまでした

Gochisōsama deshita

Thank you for the meal

Said to the staff on your way out. It is the polite way to leave any restaurant.

袋は大丈夫です

ふくろはだいじょうぶです

Fukuro wa daijōbu desu

I don't need a bag

Konbini clerks ask 袋ご利用ですか? Bags cost a few yen, so most people say this.

温めてもらえますか？

あたためてもらえますか？

Atatamete moraemasu ka?

Could you heat it up?

For a konbini bento. Often the clerk asks first: お弁当温めますか? Answer hai, onegai shimasu.

お箸つけてもらえますか？

おはしつけてもらえますか？

Ohashi tsukete moraemasu ka?

Could I get chopsticks?

Konbini only add chopsticks or a spoon if asked or if they ask you: お箸おつけしますか?

チェックインお願いします

ちぇっくいんおねがいします

Chekkuin onegai shimasu

Check in, please

Then give your name with the next phrase.

スミスで予約しています

すみすでよやくしています

Sumisu de yoyaku shite imasu

I have a reservation under Smith

Name + de yoyaku shite imasu is how guests give the booking name at a hotel or restaurant.

荷物を預かってもらえますか？

にもつをあずかってもらえますか？

Nimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka?

Could you keep my luggage?

Before check-in or after check-out. Nearly every hotel does it for free.

朝ごはんは何時からですか？

あさごはんはなんじからですか？

Asagohan wa nanji kara desu ka?

What time does breakfast start?

Kara means 'from'. Ask nanji made for the end time.

Wi-Fiのパスワードは何ですか？

わいふぁいのぱすわーどはなんですか？

Waifai no pasuwādo wa nan desu ka?

What's the Wi-Fi password?

Wi-Fi is said waifai in Japanese. The password is often on the key card sleeve.

チェックアウトは何時ですか？

ちぇっくあうとはなんじですか？

Chekkuauto wa nanji desu ka?

What time is check-out?

Usually 10 or 11 am. Late check-out often costs extra.

タオルをもう一枚もらえますか？

たおるをもういちまいもらえますか？

Taoru o mō ichimai moraemasu ka?

Could I have one more towel?

Mai is the counter for flat things: towels, tickets, sheets of paper.

エアコンがつかないんですが

えあこんがつかないんですが

Eakon ga tsukanai n desu ga

The air conditioner won't turn on

Thing + ga + 'won't work' + n desu ga is how you report any problem at the front desk.

これはいくらですか？

Kore wa ikura desu ka?

How much is this?

Prices on tags usually include tax. 税込 (zeikomi) means tax included, 税抜 (zeinuki) means before tax.

見てるだけです

みてるだけです

Miteru dake desu

I'm just looking

Staff call いらっしゃいませ at everyone. You don't need to answer, but this is useful if they offer help.

試着してもいいですか？

しちゃくしてもいいですか？

Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?

Can I try this on?

Ask before using the fitting room. In many shops, shoes come off before you step in.

もう少し大きいサイズはありますか？

もうすこしおおきいさいずはありますか？

Mō sukoshi ōkii saizu wa arimasu ka?

Do you have a slightly bigger size?

Japanese sizes run small. For smaller, say mō sukoshi chiisai saizu.

他の色はありますか？

ほかのいろはありますか？

Hoka no iro wa arimasu ka?

Do you have other colors?

Staff may check the back room, so give them a minute.

免税できますか？

めんぜいできますか？

Menzei dekimasu ka?

Can I buy this tax-free?

Look for the Japan. Tax-free Shop sign. From November 1, 2026 the shop refunds the tax after customs checks the goods at departure.

パスポートは必要ですか？

ぱすぽーとはひつようですか？

Pasupōto wa hitsuyō desu ka?

Do I need my passport?

For tax-free you do. Carry the real passport, not a photo of it.

別々に包んでもらえますか？

べつべつにつつんでもらえますか？

Betsubetsu ni tsutsunde moraemasu ka?

Could you wrap these separately?

For omiyage (souvenir gifts). Shops will often add a small bag for each one too.

助けて！

たすけて！

Tasukete!

Help!

Shout it. This is the word people use in a real emergency.

救急車を呼んでください

きゅうきゅうしゃをよんでください

Kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai

Please call an ambulance

Here kudasai, not a soft request, is right: it is direct and urgent.

警察を呼んでください

けいさつをよんでください

Keisatsu o yonde kudasai

Please call the police

For smaller things, walk to the nearest 交番 (kōban), the neighborhood police box.

気分が悪いです

きぶんがわるいです

Kibun ga warui desu

I feel sick

Means unwell or nauseous. Useful in heat, on boats and on winding bus rides.

ここが痛いです

ここがいたいです

Koko ga itai desu

It hurts here

Point at the spot. Doctors and pharmacists use itai all the time.

近くに病院はありますか？

ちかくにびょういんはありますか？

Chikaku ni byōin wa arimasu ka?

Is there a hospital nearby?

Byōin covers clinics and hospitals. For medicine, ask for a 薬局 (yakkyoku), a pharmacy.

財布をなくしました

さいふをなくしました

Saifu o nakushimashita

I've lost my wallet

Say it at a kōban or the station office. Lost wallets in Japan are very often handed in.

道に迷いました

みちにまよいました

Michi ni mayoimashita

I'm lost

Show the address or map on your phone. Kōban officers give directions every day.

避難所はどこですか？

ひなんじょはどこですか？

Hinanjo wa doko desu ka?

Where is the evacuation shelter?

For an earthquake, typhoon or tsunami warning. Look for green 避難所 signs; schools are often shelters.