Not a language course - a quick card for the situations you’ll actually be in. The etiquette notes are in Japan Etiquette Quick Reference; this is for practical use at counters, restaurants, and transit.
Google Translate camera mode (Google Lens) handles menus and signs in real time. Use it first. These phrases are for when your phone is buried or you want to be direct.
Universal
Phrase
Japanese
Pronunciation
Excuse me / Sorry (to get attention)
すみません
Soo-mee-mah-sen
Thank you
ありがとうございます
Ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zai-mah-ss
Yes / No
はい / いいえ
Hai / Ee-eh
I understand
わかりました
Wah-kah-ree-mah-shta
I don’t understand
わかりません
Wah-kah-ree-mah-sen
Please (requesting something)
お願いします
Oh-neh-gai-shee-mah-ss
At a Restaurant
Situation
Japanese
Pronunciation
”I’ll have this” (pointing at menu)
これをください
Koh-reh wo koo-dah-sai
”Two of this” (hold up fingers)
これを二つ
Koh-reh wo foo-tah-tsoo
”Do you have an English menu?”
英語のメニューはありますか？
Ay-go no meh-nyoo wah ah-ree-mah-ss kah?
”The check, please”
お会計をお願いします
Oh-kai-keh oh-neh-gai-shee-mah-ss
”Delicious!”
おいしい！
Oh-ee-shee
”No meat / I don’t eat meat”
肉は食べません
Nee-koo wah tah-beh-mah-sen
”Water, please”
お水をください
Oh-mee-zoo wo koo-dah-sai
”Beer, please”
ビールをください
Bee-roo wo koo-dah-sai
”One more of the same”
おかわり
Oh-kah-wah-ree
Ordering tip: At most Japanese restaurants, you can simply point at the menu photo and say “kore wo kudasai”. No pronunciation required - this works everywhere.
At the Register / Shopping
Situation
Japanese
Pronunciation
”How much is this?”
いくらですか？
Ee-koo-rah deh-ss kah?
”Do you have tax-free?”
免税はできますか？
Men-zeh wah deh-kee-mah-ss kah?
”I’ll pay by card”
カードで払います
Kah-doh deh hah-rai-mah-ss
”I’ll pay cash”
現金で払います
Gen-kin deh hah-rai-mah-ss
”A bag, please”
袋をください
Foo-koo-roh wo koo-dah-sai
”No bag needed”
袋は要りません
Foo-koo-roh wah ee-ree-mah-sen
Getting Around
Situation
Japanese
Pronunciation
”Where is [place]?” (show the name on phone)
これはどこですか？
Koh-reh wah doh-koh deh-ss kah?
”I want to go here” (show address on phone)
ここに行きたいです
Koh-koh nee ee-kee-tai deh-ss
”Which platform?”
何番ホームですか？
Nan-ban hoh-moo deh-ss kah?
”Is this the train to [X]?” (show station)
これは[X]行きですか？
Koh-reh wah [X] yoo-kee deh-ss kah?
”Where is the exit?”
出口はどこですか？
Deh-goo-chee wah doh-koh deh-ss kah?
”Where is the toilet?”
トイレはどこですか？
Toh-ee-reh wah doh-koh deh-ss kah?
At Accommodation / Checking In
Situation
Japanese
Notes
”I have a reservation”
予約があります
Yoh-yah-koo gah ah-ree-mah-ss
”Early check-in is possible?”
早めのチェックインはできますか？
Ask the host in English first; they’ll usually understand
”My bags arrived?”
荷物が届きましたか？
For takkyubin confirmation
If Something Goes Wrong
Situation
Japanese
Notes
”Help!”
助けてください！
Tah-soo-keh-teh koo-dah-sai
”Call the police”
警察を呼んでください
Keh-sah-tsoo wo yon-deh koo-dah-sai
”Call an ambulance”
救急車を呼んでください
Kyoo-kyoo-shah wo yon-deh koo-dah-sai
”I am sick”
気分が悪いです
Kee-boon gah wah-roo-ee deh-ss
”I want to go to the hospital”
病院に行きたいです
Show this on your phone to any staff
”I lost my [bag/passport/phone]“
[バッグ/パスポート/電話]をなくしました
Bag: bah-goo / Passport: pah-ss-poh-toh
Menu Reading Shortcuts
Use Google Lens (point camera at menu → tap Translate). Works offline with Japanese language pack downloaded. Essential for small local restaurants with no English menus.
Common menu words:
Japanese
Meaning
定食 (teishoku)
Set meal (main + rice + soup + side)
日替わり (higawari)
Daily special
大盛り (oomori)
Large portion (usually same price or small upcharge)