While major train stations, airports, and hotels feature clear English signage and announcements, everyday English proficiency varies widely once you step outside international transit hubs. Making an effort to speak basic Japanese is met with genuine warmth and appreciation. Translation apps with offline capabilities and photo text translation work well for complex menus, but keeping a few essential everyday phrases on hand makes daily interactions smooth and polite:
- Konnichiwa (kohn-nee-chee-wah) — Hello / Good afternoon
- Arigatou gozaimasu (ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zy-mas) — Thank you very much (polite)
- Sumimasen (soo-mee-mah-sen) — Excuse me / Sorry (use to get a server’s attention or apologize)
- Onegaishimasu (oh-neh-guy-shee-mas) — Please (when asking for something, e.g., “Kore o onegaishimasu” — This one, please)
- Kore wa ikura desu ka? (koh-reh wah ee-koo-rah des kah) — How much is this?
- Eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (ay-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mas kah) — Do you speak English?
- O-kaikei o onegaishimasu (oh-kye-kay oh oh-neh-guy-shee-mas) — The bill/check, please
- Hai / Iie (hye / ee-eh) — Yes / No
- Sayounara (sah-yoh-nah-rah) or Ja, mata (jah mah-tah) — Goodbye / See you later
