Essential Japanese Conversation for Travelers

12/27/2025

Understanding Japanese Society: The Concept of 「迷惑」(Meiwaku)

One of the most fundamental concepts in Japanese society is 「迷惑」(meiwaku), which broadly translates to "trouble," "bother," or "inconvenience." The cultural emphasis on avoiding meiwaku for others profoundly influences daily behavior and social interactions in Japan.

Why is Meiwaku Important?

  • Harmonious Society: Japanese society highly values group harmony (和 wa). Avoiding meiwaku contributes to a peaceful and considerate environment for everyone.
  • Respect for Others: It reflects a deep respect for the personal space, time, and comfort of those around you, even strangers.
  • Collective Responsibility: Individuals often feel a strong sense of responsibility to not disrupt the collective order, whether it's on a crowded train or in a quiet neighborhood.

Practical Implications for Travelers

  • Noise Levels: Be mindful of your volume, especially in public transport, restaurants, and residential areas.
  • Littering: Always dispose of trash properly. Public trash cans can be scarce, so you might need to carry your trash until you find one or take it back to your accommodation.
  • Public Etiquette: Avoid blocking pathways, keep conversations discreet, and queue patiently.
  • Asking for Help: While Japanese people are generally very helpful, try to minimize imposing on others. For example, have addresses written down or use navigation apps to reduce the burden of asking for complex directions.

1. The Basics

These essential phrases can handle the vast majority of social interactions in Japan.

  • すみません (Sumimasen): Excuse me / Sorry. Use this to get attention or apologize.
  • ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu): Thank you (Formal). Always use the full version with staff.
  • お願いします (Onegaishimasu): Please. Use when requesting a service or handing something over.
  • はい / いいえ (Hai / Iie): Yes / No.
  • 大丈夫です (Daijoubu desu): I'm fine / It's okay / No thank you.
    • Note: This is incredibly useful for politely declining things like bags, receipts, or refills.

Other useful phrases:

  • わかります / わかりません (Wakarimasu / Wakarimasen): I understand / I don't understand.
  • 英語は話せますか？ (Eigo wa hanasemasu ka?): Can you speak English?
  • トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?): Where is the bathroom?
  • 写真を撮ってもいいですか (Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?): May I take a photo?
  • 助けてください (Tasukete kudasai): Please help me. Use in emergencies.
  • すみません、よくわかりませんでした (Sumimasen, yoku wakarimasen deshita): Sorry, I didn't understand well.
    • Follow up with: もう一度お願いします (Mou ichido onegaishimasu): Please say it one more time.
    • Last Resort: 英語でもいいですか？ (Eigo demo ii desu ka?): Is English okay?

2. Transport & Getting Around

  • [Location] はどこ / どちら ですか？ (...wa doko / dochira desu ka?): Where is [Location]?
    • Note: どちら (dochira) is the more polite/formal way to ask for the direction or location.
  • [Location] までお願いします (...made onegaishimasu): To [Location], please. (Useful for taxis).
  • この電車は [Location] に止まりますか？(...ni tomarimasu ka?): Does this stop at [Station]?
    • 「すみません、この電車は新宿駅に止まりますか？」 (Excuse me, does this train stop at Shinjuku Station?)

Note: In Taxis, do not touch the doors. They are operated remotely by the driver and open/close automatically.

3. Dining: Ordering & Staff Phrases

  • これをください (Kore o kudasai): I’ll have this, please.
  • メニューをお願いします (Menyuu o onegaishimasu): Menu, please.
  • お水をください (Omizu o kudasai): Water, please.
  • おいしいです (Oishii desu): It’s delicious.
  • 英語のメニューはありますか？ (Eigo no menyu wa arimasu ka?): Do you have an English menu?
  • お会計をお願いします (O-kaikei o onegaishimasu): Check, please.

What you might hear from staff:

  • いらっしゃいませ！ (Irasshaimase!): Welcome! (You don't need to reply, just a nod is fine).
  • 何名様ですか？ (Nan-mei sama desu ka?): How many people?
    • 一人です (Hitori desu) - One person.
    • 二人です (Futari desu) - Two people.
  • ご注文はお決まりですか？ (Gochuumon wa okimari desu ka?): Have you decided on your order?
    • はい、これをください - Yes, I’ll have this.
    • ちょっと待ってください - Please wait a little longer.

Etiquette phrases:

日本の食事作法

  • いただきます (Itadakimasu) - Said before eating, meaning "I humbly receive" literally.
  • ごちそうさまでした (Gochisōsama deshita) - Said after eating, meaning "Thank you for the meal".

Yakiniku (焼肉) - Grilled meat (Japanese BBQ)

Common vocabulary:

  • The Seasoning
    • たれ (Tare): Sauce for dipping grilled meat.
    • 塩 (Shio): Salt, often used for seasoning grilled meat.
  • Popular Meat Cuts
    • カルビ (Karubi): Short ribs, a popular cut of beef for grilling.
    • ロース (Ro-su): Loin, another common cut of beef for grilling.
    • タン (Tan): Beef tongue. Usually eaten first with salt and lemon (Tan-shio).
    • ヘレ (Here): Tenderloin/Fillet. Note: In Tokyo, this is called Hire (ヒレ), but in the Kansai region, it is called Hele.
    • ホルモン (Horumon): Offal or organ meats, often grilled.
  • Sides & Drinks
    • ご飯 (Gohan): Rice, typically served as a side dish.
    • ビール (Bi-ru): Beer, a common beverage choice with yakiniku.
    • レモンサワー (Remon sawā): Lemon sour, a popular alcoholic drink made with shochu and lemon juice.
    • チューハイ (Chūhai): A shochu-based highball, often available in flavors like lime, grape, or plain.

How to Order:

  1. Getting Attention
    • Raise your hand and say: 「すみません！」 (Sumimasen!) — "Excuse me!"
  2. The "Point and Order" Method If you have a menu or a photo, point and say:
    • 「これを [Quantity] お願いします。」
    • (Kore wo [Quantity] onegaishimasu) — "This one, [Quantity], please."
  3. Ordering Multiple Items (Natural Flow) The particle と (to) is used like "and."
    • 「カルビ一つと、ロース一つと、レモンサワー一つお願いします。」
    • (Karubi hitotsu to, rōsu hitotsu to, remon sawā hitotsu onegaishimasu.)
  4. The Flavor Choice The waiter will often ask: 「タレか塩、どちらにしますか？」 (Tare ka shio, dochira ni shimasu ka?)
    • Response: 「タレで。」 (Tare de) or 「塩で。」 (Shio de).

Ramen (ラーメン)

  • 替え玉 (Kaedama): Extra noodles. You can order more noodles to add to your remaining soup.
  • 濃いめ (Koime): Stronger flavor. You can request a stronger broth flavor.
  • 薄め (Usume): Lighter flavor. You can request a lighter broth flavor.
  • 固め (Katame): Firm noodles. You can request firmer noodles.

4. Convenience Store (Konbini) & Shopping

  • これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?): How much is this?
  • カードは使えますか？ (Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?): Can I pay by card?
    • Alternative: クレジットカードでお願いします (Kurejitto kaado de onegaishimasu): I'll pay by credit card, please.
  • 袋はいりません (Fukuro wa irimasen): I don't need a bag.
  • レシートはいりません (Reshiito wa irimasen): I don't need a receipt.
    • Or just say: 大丈夫です (Daijoubu desu) - It's okay / No thank you.

What you might hear at the register:

  • 袋はご利用ですか？ (Fukuro wa go-riyou desu ka?): Do you need a bag?
  • お箸はご利用ですか？ (O-hashi wa go-riyou desu ka?): Do you need chopsticks?
  • 温めますか？ (Atatamemasu ka?): Would you like this heated up? (For bentos/meals).
  • 少々お待ちください (Shou-shou omachi kudasai): Please wait a moment.

5. Hotel & Luggage Management

  • 予約をしています (Yoyaku o shite imasu): I have a reservation.
  • 今、チェックインできますか？ (Ima, chekku-in dekimasu ka?): Is check-in possible now?
  • WiFiのパスワードは何ですか？ (WiFi no pasuwaado wa nan desu ka?): What is the WiFi password?

Early Arrival / Luggage Storage Conversation:

  • チェックインの前に、荷物を預けてもいいですか？ (Chekku-in no mae ni, nimotsu o azukete mo ii desu ka?):
    • Can I leave my luggage here before check-in?
  • チェックインの前に、荷物を預かっていただけますか？ (Chekku-in no mae ni, nimotsu o azukatte itadakemasu ka?):
    • Could you please hold my luggage before check-in?
  • はい、何時ごろに戻られますか？ (Hai, nan-ji goro ni modoraremasu ka?): Yes, what time will you be back?
  • 3時ごろに戻ります (San-ji goro ni modorimasu): I will be back around 3:00.
    • If you want to say 3 hours later, you can say 3時間後に戻ります (San-jikan go ni modorimasu)
  • こちらが番号札です (Kochira ga bangou-fuda desu): Here is your numbered tag/claim check.

If you forgot your room key in the room:

  • 部屋に鍵を忘れました (Heya ni kagi o wasuremashita): I forgot my key in the room.

6. Social Rules to Remember

  • Escalators: Observe the flow. Usually, you stand on one side. In Tokyo, stand on the left; in Osaka, stand on the right.
  • Trash: Public bins are rare. Keep a small plastic bag in your pack to carry your trash until you return to your hotel. I remember one time I took the package of a ice cream all the way back to my hotel from the Expo 2025 site.
  • Shoes: If you see a raised floor or a change in flooring, take your shoes off. Never step on Tatami (straw mats) with shoes or slippers—socks only.
  • Payments: Place cash or cards on the small tray provided at the counter instead of handing them directly to the staff.