Japan Trip 2026

JP Phrases - Bill and Kiyoko's Guide

jpphrases.com

Bill and Kiyoko built this site as a Japanese phrase reference for travelers - and went further and personalized it specifically for this trip. Jeff, Jeannette, and Ana’s names are already in the introduction phrases. Every phrase has an audio button so you can hear the pronunciation spoken naturally, not phonetically guessed.

Open it before a meal. Bookmark it on your phone. The audio makes a real difference when you’re standing at a counter and want to say something right.

Introductions

These are personalized. Use whichever fits - or just smile and say Hajimemashite.

PhraseJapaneseNotes
Hajimemashite, Fowler desu初めましてファウラーです。“Nice to meet you, I’m Fowler” - the family introduction
Watashi no namae wa Ana desuわたしのなまえはアナです。“My name is Ana”
Watashi no namae wa Janetto desuわたしのなまえはジャネットです。“My name is Jeannette”
Watashi no namae wa Jefu desuわたしのなまえはジェフです。“My name is Jeff”
O-namae wa nan desu ka?お名前は何ですか。“What is your name?”
Amerika-jin desuアメリカじんです。“I am American” - useful at guesthouses or if someone’s curious

Expressions of Gratitude

Arigatou gozaimasu is the phrase you’ll say most. Use it freely - after receiving your food, when someone holds a door, when a staff member helps you.

PhraseJapaneseNotes
Arigatou gozaimasuありがとうございます。Thank you (most common, formal)
Arigatou gozaimashitaありがとうございました。Thank you (past tense - said after receiving something)
Arigatouありがとう。Thank you (casual - fine with peers, less so with service staff)
Dou itashimashiteどういたしまして。You’re welcome

Yes and No

PhraseJapaneseNotes
HaiはいYes
IieいいえNo - Japanese people often avoid direct iie; a hesitant chotto… signals “no” more gently

Greetings and Goodbyes

Time-of-day greetings go a long way. Use the right one when entering a shop or ryokan.

PhraseJapaneseWhen
Ohayou gozaimasuおはようございます。Good morning - until ~10–11 AM
Konnichiwaこんにちは。Good afternoon/hello - daytime
Konbanwaこんばんは。Good evening - from ~6 PM
Oyasuminasaiおやすみなさい。Good night
Sayounaraさようなら。Goodbye (formal, final)
Ja mataじゃあまた。See you later (casual)

Mealtime Expressions

These are the ones that matter most and will make the biggest impression.

PhraseJapaneseWhen
Itadakimasuいただきます。Said before eating - always, every meal. Roughly “I humbly receive.”
Oishiiおいしい。Delicious - say it genuinely and watch the chef’s face
Gochisousama deshitaごちそうさまでした。Said after finishing a meal - “thank you for the feast.” Say it to the staff on the way out.

At a Japanese Eatery or Bar

SituationJapaneseNotes
Do you have an English menu?えいごのメニューがありますか。Most places in tourist areas do; smaller local spots probably don’t - use Google Lens
The check, pleaseおかいけいおねがいします。Or just make a cross with your index fingers - universal in Japan
Where is the bathroom?トイレはどこですか。Works everywhere

Other Useful Expressions

PhraseJapaneseNotes
Wakarimashitaわかりました。I understand
Wakarimasenわかりません。I don’t understand - say this and they’ll usually try English or point
Chotto matteちょっとまって。Please wait a moment - useful when fumbling with your wallet or phone

Useful Adjectives

These come up naturally and land well when used genuinely.

PhraseJapaneseUse
KawaiiかわいいCute / pretty - Ana will use this constantly
KireiきれいBeautiful (scenes, places, people)
AtsuiあついHot (weather) - April shouldn’t need this much
SamuiさむいCold (weather/air)
TsumetaiつめたいCold (to the touch - cold drinks, cold water)
IiいいGood
SugoiすごいWow / amazing - versatile, says a lot with one word
SubarashiiすばらしいGreat / wonderful - a step up from sugoi
KakkoiiかっこいいCool - Jeff and Matt, this one’s yours at the watch shops

These aren’t for daily conversation but are worth knowing - they describe ideas that shape how Japan feels.

PhraseJapaneseMeaning
Ichi-go ichi-e一期一会”One time, one meeting” - every encounter is unique and unrepeatable. A guiding philosophy for how to travel.
Mottainai勿体無い”What a waste” - a deep cultural discomfort with waste of any kind. You’ll see it in how carefully things are wrapped, repaired, and reused.

Graph View

Backlinks