Japanese Survival Guide

日本語

Everything you need to navigate Japan — phrases, transit tips, restaurant dialogues, and travel hacks.

Based on notes by Matt Baluyot (MJB)

Essential Phrases

This is mostly what you'll need to make it through your trip. Memorize these and you'll be fine.

English	Japanese (Romaji)	Notes
OK / Alright	DAI-JOU-BU	Secret weapon. Also works as a question: "Shashin, Daijoubu?" = "Photos OK?" or "Eigo, Daijoubu?" = "English OK?"
Yes	HAI
No	II-E
Hello	KON-NI-CHI WA
Excuse me / Sorry	SU-MI-MA-SEN	The most important phrase. You'll use it constantly!
Sorry (Formal)	GO-MEN-NA-SAI	For when you're genuinely sorry about something.
Thank you very much	A-RI-GA-TOU GO-ZA-IM-ASU	Also very important!
Please (Formal)	O-NE-GAI SHI-MASU
Help me, please	TA-SU-KET-E KU-DA-SAI
Water, please	MI-ZU KU-DA-SAI	"Kudasai" = "please" for tangible things.
How much is it?	I-KU-RA DESU KA?	Point to the item when asking.
Where is the toilet?	TOIRE WA DO-KO DESU KA?	Replace "Toire" with anything to ask where it is. You can also just say "Doko Desu Ka?" and point.
English menu?	EI-GO NO MENU WA ARI-MASU KA?
What do you recommend?	O-SUS-UME WA NAN DESU KA?
Thanks for the meal!	GO-CHI-SO-SA-MA	Uncommon for foreigners to know — shop owners love hearing this.

Pre-Trip Prep

Suica / IC Card

💳

You can get a Suica card via Apple Pay. Used for public transport, vending machines, combini, arcades, and more. You can top up straight from your phone.

🐧

Alternatively, get the PASMO card. They function the same — but the penguin mascot is better.

🤖

Android users: Suica mobile pay is only available on phones purchased in Japan. You can buy a physical card at any station.

💡

End-of-trip tip: Use leftover Suica funds on vending machine drinks & snacks at the airport for your ride home!

For iOS: Wallet → "+" icon → Transport Cards → Search "Suica"

If you see this IC symbol, you can use your Suica/PASMO to pay

eSIM & Connectivity

📱

Airalo eSIM recommended. 20 GB for ~$25. Don't forget to turn off your US SIM before arriving — carriers charge ~$12/day for international.

💳

Chase Sapphire Preferred members: free 3 GB via GigSky Visa benefit (as of 3/2026).

📦

Physical SIM cards available at Don Quijote and other shops if your phone doesn't support eSIM.

Packing Tips

🧳

Extra suitcase trick: Pack an empty bag inside a checked bag. Place it upside-down/wheels-up to prevent jostling.

Navigating Transit

Use Google Maps to navigate public transportation. In big cities, you'll mostly use trains.

Google Maps shows station numbers, platform info, suggested entrance, and boarding position

Train Etiquette & Tips

🚈

Transit is tap-on / tap-off. Fare is calculated by distance. If you have problems, visit the station office — an attendant will reset your card.

🤐

Keep quiet on all public transport. Loud chatter is considered rude.

📍

Look at platform floor markings to see where you should stand while waiting for the train.

👵

Priority Seating: Designated for elderly, disabled, pregnant, or parents with small children. You can sit here, but give up the seat when needed. Say "Dozo onegaishimasu" (please go ahead).

💁

Women Only Cars: Look for the pink sign. If you're male and get on by accident, simply move to the next car.

"Realizing that I got on the Woman Only car was the most terrifying revelation of my life"

🚌

Buses: Enter from the rear, exit from the front.

Tourist Transit Discounts

🎫

Tokyo: 24-hour transit ticket for most subway lines. Check details at the station.

🎉

Osaka: Osaka Amazing Pass — transit access + admission/discounts at major attractions.

Random Stuff to Know

🚮

No littering! Public trash cans are rare. Carry your trash until you find a combini or recycling bin at a vending machine.

🧼

Not all public bathrooms have soap. Carry hand sanitizer. Most businesses have some at the door.

🥚

Everyone hypes the onigiri, but combini egg salad sandwiches absolutely slap. Also: smoothies = cheap fruit. Personal rec: Egg Salad & Teriyaki Chicken from Lawson's.

💰

Budget hack: Local supermarkets discount hot food, sushi, and bento boxes around 7 PM. Food as low as ¥200.

🪧

Phone dying? Rent a power bank from a combini. Return it at any other combini. Combinis rock!

🏧

ATMs: 7-Eleven has the most foreigner-friendly ATMs. Minimal service fees, accepts most international cards.

🪙

Too many coins? Use combini self-checkout — dump coins in the slot, pay the difference with your card.

🥤

Vending machines have hot and cold options. Blue = cold, Red = hot.

Luggage Forwarding (Takuhaibin)

Send your luggage to your next accommodation or the airport. Available at hotel front desks, combinis, or the company's main building.

📍

Keep an AirTag in your luggage to track its location for peace of mind.

Yamato Transport (Ta-Q-Bin) — Japan's largest door-to-door delivery service

📸

Photos: Don't just snap photos in public. Ask first — "Shashin Daijoubu?" (Photos OK?). Most people are cool with it.

☂️

Summer is brutal. Buy a UV umbrella — game changer.

🌋

Mt. Fuji weather is volatile. Monitor at: fuji-san.info

🌶️

Spicy in Japan is not very spicy. Don't be afraid of spice warnings.

🕹️

Arcades: Ask staff for help winning prizes — "Sumimasen, tasukete kudasai." Some arcades have vacuum sealers for plushies to save suitcase space!

Restaurant Guide

How to count your party:

🍽️

1 person: "Hitori" • 2 people: "Futari" • 3+: number + "nin" (e.g., 5 = "Gonin"). Or just hold up fingers!

Entering the Restaurant

They're going to shout this at you:

Irasshaimase!

Welcome, please come in!

Reservation Check

Go yoyaku wa sarete irun deshou ka?

Have you made a reservation?

Yoyaku shitemasen

I haven't made a reservation

If you have a reservation, say "Hai" and give the name. You can also just say "Iie" (No).

Getting a Table (No Reservation)

Nanmei sama desu ka?

How many people in your party?

Hitori Desu

For one person

Other examples: "Futari desu" (2 people). 3+: number + "nin". Or just hold up fingers.

Ordering Drinks

O-nomimono kara

Starting from your drinks, sir.

Mizu Kudasai

Water, please!

Other drinks: Water = Mizu • Beer = Biiru • Coffee = Koohii • Coke = Coca Cola. Just say the drink + "Kudasai".

Ordering Food

Sumimasen!

Excuse me! (to get the waiter's attention)

Say it loud, say it proud, say it politely!

Asking for an English menu:

Eigo Menyuu Arimasuka?

Do you have an English menu?

Hai

Yes

If they don't have one, they'll apologize. Then you can scan the page with Google Translate!

Pointing at the menu:

Kore Kudasai!

This, please!

"Like a savage, I usually just point at the menu and say THIS PLEASE."

Leaving & Paying

Before eating

Itadakimasu

Like "bon appetit" but grateful. Everyone does this.

Check, please

Okaikei onegaishimasu

Thanks for the meal, it was delicious

Gochisousama deshita

Say this to the staff when leaving. They'll appreciate it!

That was delicious!

Oishii! / Oishikatta desu

Chefs love hearing this.

Dietary Restrictions

Screenshot these and have them ready to show at restaurants.

🥜 Peanut Allergy Warning 🥜

私は重度のピーナッツアレルギーを持っています。命の危険を伴います。ピーナッツオイルも駄目です。ですので、もし、ここでピーナッツを扱っているのであれば、危ないので、ここが安全かどうか、教えていただけませんか？ご理解、ご協力ありがとうございます

"I have a severe peanut allergy. It is life-threatening. Peanut oil is also no good. So, if you are handling peanuts here, could you please let me know if it is safe or not? Thank you for your understanding and cooperation."

🍞 Gluten Warning 🍞

グルテンが食べられません

"I can't eat gluten" — Guruten ga taberaremasen

これはグルテンフリーですか？

"Is this gluten-free?" — Kore wa guruten-furii desu ka?

More info: Gluten-Free Japan Guide

In-Depth Language

How Japanese sounds: Japanese is a "mora-timed" language — every syllable occupies the same length of time. No syllable is stressed more than another. Think of it as even, steady rhythm, unlike English's "machine-gun" pace of fast and slow.

Greetings & Basics

Hello

Kon'nichi wa

General greeting, any time of day. Literally "Today is".

Good Morning

Ohayou gozaimasu

Translates close to "It's early".

Good Afternoon

Konban wa

Goodbye (Formal)

Sayounara

Formal goodbye — like saying goodbye forever.

See you later (Casual)

Jaa ne / bye-bye

OK / Alright

Daijoubu

Secret weapon! Based on inflection, it can be a question. Ex: paying with card → "Kaado-o Daijoubu?" and they'll say yes or no.

How are you?

O-genki desu ka?

"O" = honorific. "Genki" = energetic/healthy. "Desu" = "to be".

Thank you very much

Arigatou gozaimasu

"Gozaimasu" increases politeness. You'll hear it everywhere.

Thanks / Hello (casual)

Doumo

Jack of all trades. Combo with "Arigatou" for more polish: "Doumo arigatou".

Excuse me / I'm sorry

Sumimasen

Probably the most important phrase you'll use!

I'm very sorry

Gomen nasai

For when you're genuinely sorry. Sumimasen is more common for small things.

You're welcome

Dou itashimashite

Or say "Iie, iie" or "Daijoubu" for "Don't mention it".

Yes / Here you go

Hai

Iie

Please (polite)

Onegai shimasu

Please (for tangible things)

Kudasai

"Kore kudasai" = This, please. "Sore kudasai" = That, please.

My name is ___

Watashi wa ___ desu

Swap out the name!

Nice to meet you

Hajimemashite, Yoroshiku onegai shimasu

Used when meeting someone for the first time.

Please go ahead

Douzo

For holding doors, offering something. "Douzo onegaishimasu" for extra politeness — older people love this.

I don't understand

Sumimasen, wakarimasen

Expand: "Nihongo wa wakarimasen" = "I don't understand Japanese".

Can you say that again?

Mou ichido itte kudasai

Important Questions

Where is the toilet?

Toire wa doko desu ka?

Breakdown: "Toire" (toilet) + "wa" (topic marker) + "doko" (where) + "desu" (is) + "ka" (question marker).

Can you speak English?

Eigo o hanasemasu ka?

"Hanasemasu" = polite "can speak". Or just say "Eigo Daijoubu?" (English OK?).

Other languages

Spanish = Supein-go • French = Furansu-go

I'm American

(Watashi wa) Amerika-jin desu

If already in conversation about yourself, skip "Watashi wa".

I'm from New York

(Watashi wa) New York shusshin desu

"Shusshin" = hometown. People will ask "Shusshin wa doko desu ka?"

Glossary & Numbers

Numbers (1-10)

ichi

san

yon

roku

nana

hachi

kyu

juu

Combine them for larger numbers: 24 = ni juu yon (2 × 10 + 4).

Question Words

Where?

Doko

Who?

Dare

A little / Small

Sukoshi

Useful Adjectives

Cool / Attractive

Kakkoii

Beautiful

Utsukushii

Noisy / Annoying

Urusai

Very

Totemo

Nice / Wonderful

Suteki

Honorifics: The word -sama is an honorific. Never use it when referring to yourself. You would never call yourself "Greg-san".

Yen → USD Conversion

Rate: ~$1 = ¥150. Quick math: drop last two zeros, multiply by 0.67

What Things Cost

Yen	USD	What it buys
¥100	~$0.67	Vending machine drink, konbini onigiri
¥500	~$3.30	Decent konbini lunch, coffee
¥1,000	~$6.70	Bowl of ramen, train ride across Tokyo
¥1,500	~$10	Solid lunch set (teishoku)
¥2,000	~$13	Nice lunch, couple beers
¥3,000	~$20	Mid-range dinner per person
¥5,000	~$33	Good dinner with drinks
¥10,000	~$67	Splurge dinner, Shinkansen ticket
¥15,000	~$100	High-end dinner, nice hotel night
¥50,000	~$333	JR Pass, big shopping haul

📱

iOS Calculator has a built-in currency converter. Tap the menu icon → "Convert".

¥1,000 ≈ $6.26 USD

Beer Guide

Beer Phrases

When	Japanese	Say
Order a beer	ビールください	biiru kudasai "Beer please" — gets you a draft (usually Asahi or Kirin)
Two beers	ビール二つください	biiru futatsu kudasai "Two beers please"
Draft beer	生ビール	nama biiru Draft/tap beer — the good stuff
Large beer	大ジョッキ	dai jokki Large mug — go big
One more	もう一杯ください	mou ippai kudasai "One more please" — you'll use this a lot
Cheers!	乾杯！	kanpai! THE toast — always wait for everyone, clink glasses, say kanpai
All-you-can-drink	飲み放題	nomihoudai Many izakayas offer this — 90-120 min, ~¥1,500-2,000 per person. Incredible deal.
What's on tap?	生は何がありますか？	nama wa nani ga arimasu ka? "What draft beers do you have?"

Beer Tips

🍺 Big 4: Asahi Super Dry, Kirin Ichiban, Sapporo Premium, Suntory Premium Malt's. All solid, all everywhere.

🍺 Craft scene: Look for "クラフトビール" (kurafuto biiru). Shibuya, Shimokitazawa, and Amerikamura in Osaka have good craft bars.

🍺 Konbini beers: 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart all sell cold beer cheap. Tall can Asahi for ~¥250 ($1.67). Legal to drink outside in Japan.

🍺 Nomihoudai: All-you-can-drink for ~¥1,500-2,000 ($10-13) at most izakayas. 90-120 min. Best deal in the country.

🍺 First round rule: At izakayas, everyone orders beer first. "Toriaezu biiru!" (とりあえずビール) means "Beer for now!" — the classic opening move.

Etiquette Cheat Sheet

Do's & Don'ts

✔ No tipping. Ever. It's considered rude.

✔ Slurping noodles is good — it means you're enjoying it.

✔ Wet towel (oshibori) at every restaurant — for hands only, not your face.

✔ Many places are cash only — especially small spots. Keep yen on you.

✔ Drinking outside is legal — konbini beer + park bench is a vibe.

❌ Don't pass food chopstick-to-chopstick — mimics a funeral ritual.

❌ Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice — same reason.

❌ Don't eat while walking — considered rude (markets are the exception).

❌ Don't talk on the phone on trains — text instead.