Traveling in Japan can be confusing if you can't read the signs or understand the instructions you're given. Learning a few useful travel-related words and phrases in Japanese before you travel can save you time and reduce your frustration level.
Here are a few general travel-related terms that everyone should know before making the big trip.
pasupōto (pah-soo-pohh-toh) (passport)
sūtsukēsu (sooo-tsoo-kehh-soo) (suitcase)
bakkupakku (backpack)
chiketto (chee-keht-toh) (ticket)
yoyaku (yoh-yah-koo) (reservation)
ryokō-gaisha (travel agency)
eki (train station)
densha (train)
kūkō (airport)
hikōki (airplane)
fune (boat)
basu (bus)
kuruma (car)
chikatetsu (subway)
takushī (taxi)
furaitoatendanto (flight attendant)
While traveling in Japan, you often need to make or change your travel arrangements. Whether you are scheduling a flight or a train trip, the following words can help you with the reservation and ticket-buying process.
Chiketto o yoyaku shitai n-desu ga (she-tie-een-des-gah). (I would like to reserve a ticket.)
Shichi-ji no bin wa dō desu ka. (How about a 7 o'clock flight?)
Tōkyō made no chiketto o ni-mai onegaishimasu. (I would like to purchase two tickets to Tokyo.)
Sūtsukēsu ga mit-tsu to handobaggu ga futa-tsu arimasu. (We have three suitcases and two handbags.)
Chōka tenimotsu wa arimasen. (I do not have any excess baggage.)
Kore wa kinai mochikomi tenimotsu ni dekimasu ka. (Can this be a carry-on?)
Gakusei waribiki wa arimasu ka. (Do you have any discounts for students?)
Chiketto wa ikura desu ka. (How much does the ticket cost?)
Although many of the larger hotels in Japan have English-speaking staff, you rarely find that in the smaller hotels and in the smaller towns. The following words can help you when booking a hotel.
Shinguru rūmu (single room)
kagi (key)
beddo (bed)
rūmu (room)
hoteru (hotel)
Rūmu sābisu (room service)
arimasu (air conditioning)
terebi (TV)
The following phrases can help you make or change your hotel reservations.
Dore gurai mae ni tsukanakute wa ikemasen ka. (How early should I arrive?)
Hoteru wa eki kara dore gurai tōi desu ka. (How far is the hotel from the train station?)
Dono hoteru ga yasui desu ka. (Which hotel is cheaper?)
Donna taipu no heya ga arimasu ka. (What rooms do you have available?)
Shinguru rūmu o onegaishimasu. (I'd like a single room.)
Furu saizu no beddo o onegaishimasu. (I'd like a full bed.)
Eakon wa arimasu ka. (Does it have air conditioning?)
Chekku-auto wa jūni-ji made desu. (You need to check out by 12 o'clock.)
Yoyaku o kyanseru shitai n-desu ga. (We want to cancel our reservation.)
Jimu wa doko ni arimasu ka. (Where is the gym located?)
Resutoran wa nan-ji ni shimarimasu ka. (What time does the restaurant close?)
Rūmu sābisu o onegaishimasu. (Room service, please.)
Sandoicchi o onegaishimasu. (I'd like to order a sandwich.)
Konsheruju ga mamonaku mairimasu. (The concierge will be down shortly.)
Tadaima kūshitsu wa gozaimasen. (We don't have any rooms available right now.)
