You can get through a trip to Japan without speaking a word of Japanese. Menus have pictures, plastic food sits in the windows, and staff are endlessly patient with visitors. But a small set of phrases changes the experience completely: instead of pointing and hoping, you understand what the cashier just asked, you can flag down a server, and you can thank the chef in a way that actually lands.
With our home base in Otaru, restaurants and konbini (convenience stores) are where we'll use Japanese most, so this is the short list we're drilling ourselves: 30 phrases, grouped by where you'll need them, and split between what you'll say and what you'll hear. Most phrasebooks skip that second half, and it's the part that trips people up. A konbini cashier's rapid-fire questions are far more stressful than ordering.
How to Use This Page
- Hear plays the phrase in Japanese using your phone or computer's built-in voice. It's not a native speaker, but it gets the rhythm right.
- Show fills your screen with the Japanese, so you can simply hold your phone up to staff. This is especially useful for the allergy phrase.
- The tiny characters above the kanji are their readings (furigana). The grey line after the romaji is a rough English-spelled guide to the sound.
- Phrases with an orange edge are ones staff will say to you, with the reply you'll need.
- Japanese doesn't stress syllables the way English does. Keep every syllable even, and let the “u” in desu and masu nearly disappear (“dess,” “mahss”).
01–06The Essentials
Six phrases that work everywhere
If you learn nothing else, learn these. They cover getting attention, saying thanks, accepting, declining and admitting you're lost — which is most of any interaction.
Excuse me / Sorry
すみません
Sumimasen soo-mee-mah-sen
The most useful word in Japan. Use it to get a server's attention, squeeze past someone, or apologize. Called out across a restaurant, it's completely normal — not rude.
Thank you very much
ありがとうございます
Arigatou gozaimasu ah-ree-gah-toh go-zai-mahss
The polite form. The final “u” in gozaimasu is nearly silent. A small nod with it goes a long way.
Please (yes, I'd like that)
お願いします
Onegaishimasu oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss
Your all-purpose “yes, please.” Point at something and say it. Answer a staff question with it. Tack it onto any request to make it polite.
I'm fine / No, thank you
大丈夫です
Daijoubu desu dye-joe-boo dess
Literally “it's fine,” and the softest way to decline. No bag, no receipt, no chopsticks, no point card — daijoubu desu handles all of it. A small wave of the hand helps.
I don't understand
わかりません
Wakarimasen wah-kah-ree-mah-sen
Staff will often switch to gestures, pointing, or a translation app. Nobody expects visitors to speak Japanese.
One more time, please
もう一度お願いします
Mou ichido onegaishimasu moh ee-chee-doh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss
Asking for a repeat is far better than nodding along. Add yukkuri (yoo-koo-ree, “slowly”) before onegaishimasu if you need it slower.
07–16At the Restaurant
Getting seated and ordering
Most interactions follow the same script: a shouted welcome, a head count, a menu, and an order. Two of these you'll only ever hear — knowing them takes the stress out of the door.
Welcome!
いらっしゃいませ
Irasshaimase ee-rah-shy-mah-seh
Shouted by staff the moment you walk in — sometimes by the whole kitchen.
Your reply Nothing. You don't say it back. A smile or small nod is plenty.
How many people?
何名様ですか？
Nanmei-sama desu ka? nahn-may-sah-mah dess kah
Usually asked at the door, often with fingers held up as a hint.
Your reply Hold up fingers and say the number — see the next phrase.
Two people
二人です
Futari desu foo-tah-ree dess
One is hitori (hee-toh-ree), two is futari, three is sannin (sahn-neen), four is yonin (yoh-neen). Holding up fingers at the same time removes any doubt.
Do you have an English menu?
英語のメニューはありますか？
Eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka? ay-go no meh-new wah ah-ree-mahss kah
Common in cities and tourist areas, rarer in small local places. If the answer is no, picture menus and plastic food displays out front are your friends.
What do you recommend?
おすすめは何ですか？
Osusume wa nan desu ka? oh-soo-soo-meh wah nahn dess kah
Staff will usually point to a house specialty. Also look for おすすめ printed on menus and wall signs — it marks the dishes the shop is proud of.
This one, please
これをください
Kore o kudasai koh-reh oh koo-dah-sai
Point at the menu photo or the display case and say it. Possibly the single most useful ordering phrase there is.
Two of these, please
これを二つください
Kore o futatsu kudasai koh-reh oh foo-tah-tsoo koo-dah-sai
For counting things: hitotsu (1), futatsu (2), mittsu (3), yottsu (4). These general counters work for almost any item you can point at.
Water, please
お水をください
Omizu o kudasai oh-mee-zoo oh koo-dah-sai
Water or tea is normally free and often arrives on its own. In many casual shops there's a self-serve water jug or dispenser — look before you ask.
I'm allergic to shrimp
えびアレルギーがあります
Ebi arerugii ga arimasu Ebi ah-reh-roo-ghee gah ah-ree-mahss
Tap an allergen to swap it in, then use Show to hold the phone up to staff. For a serious allergy, also carry a printed Japanese allergy card — cross-contact isn't always understood, and a card is clearer than any phrase.
That's everything
以上です
Ijou desu ee-joe dess
Tells the server you've finished ordering, so they don't keep waiting for more.
17–22Eating and Paying
From the first bite to the door
Two of these are rituals rather than requests — Japanese diners say them every meal, and staff genuinely light up when visitors do too.
Said before eating
いただきます
Itadakimasu ee-tah-dah-kee-mahss
Roughly “I humbly receive.” Said quietly to yourself, often with hands together, before the first bite.
It's delicious!
おいしいです
Oishii desu oy-shee dess
Say it to the chef at a counter seat and you'll get a smile. Casual version among friends: just oishii!
The check, please
お会計お願いします
Okaikei onegaishimasu oh-kai-kay oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss
At many restaurants you don't pay at the table: take the bill slip left on your table to the register by the door. If there's no slip, say this to a server.
Can I use a card?
カードは使えますか？
Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? kah-doh wah tsoo-kah-eh-mahss kah
Cards are now widely accepted, but small ramen shops, izakaya and rural spots can still be cash only. Ask before you order if you're low on yen.
Separate checks, please
別々でお願いします
Betsubetsu de onegaishimasu beh-tsoo-beh-tsoo deh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss
Splitting the bill is usually fine. For one bill, say issho de (ees-shoh deh, “together”) instead of betsubetsu de.
Thank you for the meal
ごちそうさまでした
Gochisousama deshita go-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tah
Said on your way out — the bookend to itadakimasu. It's the nicest thing you can say to a small restaurant, and you'll often hear arigatou gozaimashita! called back.
23–30At the Convenience Store
7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart and friends
Konbini cashiers run through the same handful of questions at speed. Five of these eight are things you'll hear — recognize them and checkout becomes effortless.
Shall I heat this up?
温めますか？
Atatamemasu ka? ah-tah-tah-meh-mahss kah
Asked when you buy a bento, onigiri or other ready meal. They'll microwave it right at the counter.
Your reply Hai, onegaishimasu (yes, please) or daijoubu desu (no, thanks).
Please heat it up
温めてください
Atatamete kudasai ah-tah-tah-meh-teh koo-dah-sai
For when the cashier doesn't ask, or you want something warmed that they wouldn't normally offer.
Would you like a bag?
袋はご利用ですか？
Fukuro wa go-riyou desu ka? foo-koo-roh wah go-ree-yoh dess kah
Plastic bags cost a few yen in Japan, so you'll be asked. You may also hear reji-bukuro (register bag).
Your reply Onegaishimasu for a bag, or daijoubu desu if you have your own.
Will you be eating here?
店内でお召し上がりですか？
Tennai de omeshiagari desu ka? ten-nai deh oh-meh-shee-ah-gah-ree dess kah
Asked at konbini with an eat-in corner, bakeries and fast-food spots — eating in is taxed at a different rate than takeout, so they need to know.
Your reply Tennai de (eat in) or mochikaeri de (moh-chee-kah-eh-ree deh, to go).
Would you like chopsticks?
お箸はおつけしますか？
Ohashi wa otsuke shimasu ka? oh-hah-shee wah oh-tsoo-keh shee-mahss kah
You may hear supuun (spoon) or fooku (fork) swapped in, depending on what you bought.
Your reply Hai, onegaishimasu, or daijoubu desu if you don't need them.
Do you have a point card?
ポイントカードはお持ちですか？
Pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka? poyn-toh kah-doh wah oh-moh-chee dess kah
Asked at nearly every checkout. Every chain has its own loyalty program.
Your reply Daijoubu desu, or simply shake your head with a smile.
I'll pay with card
カードでお願いします
Kaado de onegaishimasu Kaado deh oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss
Your answer when you hear oshiharai wa? (“how will you pay?”). Tap a method to swap it in. At many konbini you then tap, insert or choose the method yourself on the customer-facing screen.
May I use the restroom?
トイレを借りてもいいですか？
Toire o karite mo ii desu ka? toy-reh oh kah-ree-teh moh ee dess kah
Most konbini have a customer restroom and will happily say yes. Buying a drink on the way out is good manners.
Five Things That Aren't Phrases
Some of the most useful restaurant and konbini knowledge doesn't involve talking at all.
- Don't tip. It isn't expected anywhere, and cash left on the table can send a server running after you to return it. Great service is simply the standard.
- Look for a call button. Many restaurants put a small button on the table (呼び出しボタン, yobidashi botan). Press it instead of calling out sumimasen, and someone will come over.
- Buy a ticket first at ramen and curry shops. Many have a ticket machine (券売機, kenbaiki) by the door. Pay at the machine, take your ticket, and hand it to the staff. Older machines may only take cash.
- The wet towel is for your hands. The oshibori you're handed when you sit down is for cleaning your hands before the meal, not for your face or the table.
- Use the cash tray. At the register, put your cash or card in the small tray on the counter instead of handing it over directly. Your change usually comes back the same way.
Read about Kana Hanko →
The Bottom Line
You don't need all 30 on day one. Start with the six essentials plus okaikei onegaishimasu and gochisousama deshita, then pick up the konbini questions as you hear them. They come in the same order every time, so recognizing the cashier's script quickly becomes second nature.
We're documenting the rest of our Japan move as it happens. Follow along on our Japan series hub, and see the gear and points strategy that get us there.