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Se souvenir de/Se rappeler (de) = To remember something in French

To express remembering [something/someone] in French, there are  two main phrases  you can use.

Learn how to use "se souvenir de" and "se rappeler (de)" in French

Se souvenir de [quelque chose/quelqu'un].

Je  me souviens de  cet été merveilleux. I remember this wonderful summer.

Tu  te souviens de  ton professeur de maths ? Do you remember your math teacher?

Elle  se souvient  du premier cadeau que tu lui as fait. She remembers the first gift you gave her.

Nous  nous souvenons d'une nuit pluvieuse, il y a quelques années. We remember a rainy night, a few years ago.

Vous  vous souvenez   des frères Jackson ? Do you remember the Jackson Brothers?

Elles  se souviennent d' Alice. They remember Alice.

Remember that de becomes d' in front of a vowel or mute h, and contracts into du or des if followed by le or les .

Se rappeler (de) [quelque chose/quelqu'un]

Je  me rappelle de  cet été merveilleux. I remember this wonderful summer.

Tu  te rappelles ton professeur de maths ? Do you remember your math teacher?

Oui, elle  se rappelle d' Henri. Yes, she remembers Henri.

Nous  nous rappelons  la première fois que nous t'avons rencontré. We remember the first time we met you.

Vous vous rappelez du  petit restaurant italien de Romorantin ? Do you remember the little Italian restaurant in Romorantin?

Ils se rappellent leur voyage à Toulouse. They remember their trip to Toulouse.

Cases with stress pronouns = to remember me, you, him...

Je me souviens  de lui. I remember him.

Tu te souviens de moi ? Do you remember me?

Enzo  se rappelle  d' elle. Enzo remembers her.

See how to conjugate  souvenir   Conjugate venir/tenir and derivatives in the present tense in French (Le Présent) and  rappeler Conjugate -eter and -eler verbs in the present tense in French (Le Présent) - main rule (ll / tt) in the present tense.

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Learn more about these related French grammar topics

• Pronom disjonctif
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• French Idioms

How to say To Remember in French [+ 9 Examples]

• Sam Denishin
• January 9, 2021

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In this grammar lesson you will learn how to say to remember in French.

In this lesson you will learn about:

• how to say to remember in French
• how the idiom is used in sentences
• how you can quiz yourself on how to say to remember in French
• how to practice with flashcards on how to say to remember in French
• how and why you should use the courses of Language Atlas to learn French

Please refer to the French A2 Curriculum to get a better overview of French grammar, if you are curious about this idiom fits in French A2 grammar.

By the end of the lesson you will know all about how to say to remember in French!

Table of Contents

Se souvenir de.

If you want to say “to remember” in French, then you will use the following idiom:

• se souvenir de [quelque chose] = to remember [something]

Je me souviens de tout . I remember everything .

Tu te souviens de nos vacances en France ? Do you remember our vacation in France ?

Elle ne se souvient de rien . She doesn’t remember anything .

Nous nous souvenons de ce que vous avez fait la dernière fois. We remember what you did last time.

Vous souvenez -vous de mon frère Henry ? Do you remember my brother Henry ?

De quoi vous souvenez -vous ? What do you remember ?

Also, if you want to say remember me/you/him/her/us/them, then you will use stress pronouns :

• se rappeler de [moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux, elles]

Tu te souviens de moi  ? Do you remember me ?

Je crois que je me souviens de lui . I think I remember him .

Il se souvient d’ eux . He remembers them .

If you have some difficulties reflexive verbs, then please go over the lesson on reflexive verbs conjugation .

Sentences Overview of To Remember in French

The final section of this lesson on to remember in French is about seeing the idiom in action.

This is valuable because you can improve your understanding on to remember in French through examples.

Here you can find the sentences of the previous chapters, neatly stored in one place.

Quiz Yourself on To Remember in French

At the end of every lesson you can do a small quiz.

You will see the sentences of the previous chapter.

You will either need to fill in the blanks, choose the correct multiple choice option, or both.

Once you are done the correct answer will be shown.

You can redo the quiz as many times as you want!

How to Practice With Flashcards for This Lesson

Using flashcards is an absolute necessity when it comes to learning a language!

It is the best way to memorize what you learn, you can personalize your progression because it adapts to your actions, and all flashcards have audio to improve your hearing and pronunciation.

Please read our article on how to learn a new language for more information on flashcards and the best way to learn a new language.

There are two ways to practice with Flashcards for this lesson.

• The Flashcards in our Courses

Anki is a free software with which you can create and practice flashcards.

After you have downloaded Anki , you can get our French A2 Anki Deck .

This Anki Deck contains 3,816 flashcards with which you can practice absolutely everything for French A2.

All the flashcards have text, images, explanations, and audio.

You can also use our courses that have flashcards integrated alongside lessons with audio, quizzes and much more!

However, I am sure you are wondering, what are your courses, and why should I take them?

The Courses of Language Atlas

Have you ever wondered what the best way is to learn a new language?

I have been learning languages for over 20+ years and I was always frustrated with books, courses, and classes that I had tried.

It never really seemed to work for me.

I wanted to learn a language in the most effective and efficient way, and there was nothing out there for me.

So I thought, “ why not make something myself? “.

Using my experience and by doing research I created Language Atlas, a platform where people can learn French and Spanish in the most effective and efficient way.

I created free lessons and quizzes so that there would always be a easy and accessible way for people to learn or brush up on their language skills.

However, I also created courses that are much more comprehensive and in-depth.

These courses are easy to follow, clear, and allow you to become fluent in the most effective and efficient way.

The courses of Language Atlas have:

• 800+ Lessons with audio
• 800+ Quizzes
• 10,000 Flashcards with explanations, images, and audio
• A gamified way of learning a new language
• A vibrant community (including support from me)

You can register for free and try the French A0/A1 and Spanish A0/A1 Courses for free!

This includes over 60 lessons and quizzes, 500 flashcards that adapt to how you learn, and access to the community (including support from me).

All you have to do is study 30 minutes a day and you will be fluent in no time!

Don’t miss out – register for free and start learning!

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Home » Articles » 60+ Essential French Phrases for Beginners to Start Speaking Now

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. ?

written by Benny Lewis

Language: French

Reading time: 18 minutes

Published: Jan 11, 2021

Updated: Jun 6, 2024

60+ Essential French Phrases for Beginners to Start Speaking Now

What are some French sayings? What are the most common phrases in French? And can learning a few powerful French phrases really help you start speaking right away?

Absolutely!

Even if you'll only be spending a short time in the country, learning a few basic French phrases can be very rewarding and make a big difference to your trip.

Let’s start by mastering some of the most common French phrases you need to know as a beginner:

I've long advocated that set phrases are the best thing for beginners to learn when starting out.

After all, isn't the goal of language learning to communicate?

How do you expect to communicate with anybody if the only thing you've learned so far is a verb table?

So whether you're planning to travel to Paris for a week or move to Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha! for the rest of your life, here are the most important and useful French phrases that you should learn A.S.A.P.

Listen to the French Phrases:

Here's a quick “French phrases” video I made that will help you with pronunciation for most of the phrases in this article:

Before we get started, if you’re looking for an online French course, here’s the course I recommend: French Uncovered – Learn French Through the Power of Story, a course with a fascinating new method by my friend Olly.

French Greetings and Polite Phrases

Bonjour – “hello”.

There are many ways in French to say “hello” , but bonjour is undoubtedly the most well-known. It's universally polite and friendly, whether the situation is formal or informal.

Bonjour is a combination of the words bon (“good”) and jour (“day”).

In the evening, you could also say bonsoir (“good evening”). A more casual way to greet people is salut , which can mean either “hi!” or “bye!”.

S'il vous plaît / s'il te plaît – “Please”

As a tourist, the last thing you want to be is rude. So when in France, remember what your mother taught you, and say s'il vous plaît (“please”) when making a request.

You can also say s'il te plaît. What's the difference? It's all about “you”:

In French there are two ways of saying “you”.

Tu is what you'd use when addressing a friend. Vous is a more polite and formal version, best used when talking to a stranger or older person.

( Vous is also what you should use when addressing a group of people in any situation, similar to saying “you guys” or “you all” in English).

So s'il vous plaît and s'il te plaît both mean “please” (literally, “if it pleases you”), but s'il vous plait is the more polite version. If in doubt, use s'il vous plaît .

(Why is it s'il te plait and not s'il tu plait ? It's a grammatical thing that you don't need to worry about as a beginner. Just learn the phrase as a whole for now, and things will become clear later.)

In fact, when asking for something in French – e.g. asking a stranger for directions or asking to see a menu in a restaurant, you should start with “ Bonjour. S'il vous plaît… ” It literally means “Hello, please…”, which would sound a bit strange in English, but it's the normal way to start a polite request in French.

Comment vous appelez-vous? / Comment t'appelles-tu? – “What’s your name?”

When meeting anyone, one of the first things you'll want to know is their name.

In French, you can find it out by asking “ Comment vous appelez-vous? ” (formal) or “ Comment t'appelles-tu? ” (informal).

Literally, these questions mean “what do you call yourself?”. You could also ask “ c'est quoi ton nom? ” – which is a more literal translation of “what's your name?”

If you're on the receiving end of this question, answer with “ Je m'appelle… ” (“my name is”, literally “I call myself”) or a simple “ Je suis… ” (“I am…”).

Oui/Non/Si – “Yes/No”

Two essential words to learn in any language are “yes” and “no”. In French, “yes” is oui and “no” is non .

Informally, it's also common to say ouais or ouaip instead of oui – like saying “yeah” or “yep” in English.

Then you have si . This is a handy little word that has no direct equivalent in English. Use it to say “yes” when someone asks you a negatively phrased question.

To illustrate what I mean, imagine that someone asks you, in English, “haven't you been to Paris?”

If you reply “yes”, it's not exactly clear what you're saying. Do you mean “yes, I have been to Paris – contrary to your assertion” or “yes, you're correct: I haven't been to Paris”?

French avoids this confusion with the word si . It means “yes”, but more specifically it contradicts the assertion in the question. In the above example, if you say si , it clearly conveys that you have, in fact, been to Paris.

Si is one of many linguistic features that I sorely miss when I speak English.

Comment allez-vous? – “How are you?”

This is the polite way of saying “how are you?” in French. Note the use of the polite vous rather than the informal tu .

Another, more informal way to say “how are you?” is ça va ? This phrase is extremely common – when in France you'll likely hear it several times per day.

If someone asks you “ ça va? ”, you can respond with a simple “ ça va bien ” – “it's going well”.

Excusez-moi – “Excuse me”

To get someone's attention, whether they're a waiter in a restaurant or a stranger on the street, say “ excusez-moi ”, “excuse me”.

This is also the polite way to ask someone to get out of your way. For example, if you're trying to exit a crowded train, a soft “ excusez-moi ” should (hopefully) be enough to make people step aside.

Pardon – “Sorry”

Picture getting off a crowded train, being careful you don't bump into anyone as you walk through the crowded metro station. But if a collision does occur, it's fine. Just say pardon , “sorry”, and all will be forgiven.

“ Pardon? ” is also how you'd ask someone to repeat themselves if you didn't hear or understand what they said. In this case, you should say it with a rising tone to indicate that it's a question.

Another way to say this is “ pourriez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?” – “Could you repeat, please?”

Merci beaucoup – “Thanks a lot”

And of course, don't forget to say thank you!

The French word for “thank you” is merci . Or you can make it stronger by saying merci beaucoup – “thanks very much”.

Use merci in all the same situations you'd say “thank you” in English.

Other Must-Know French Greetings and Polite Phrases:

• Nice to meet you – Enchanté
• How’s it going? – Comment ça va?
• And you? – Et toi?
• Are you well? – Vous allez bien?
• What’s new? / What’s up? – Quoi de neuf?
• Good, thanks! – Bien, merci!
• So-so / It’s okay – Comme ci, comme ça (Literally: “like this, like that”)
• Same as always – Comme d’hab
• It could be worse – Ça pourrait être pire
• You’re welcome – Je t'en prie
• Don’t mention it / You’re welcome – De rien
• Goodbye – Au revoir
• See you soon – À bientôt!

French Phrases for Maintaining a Conversation

Je voudrais parler français – “i would like to speak french”.

The French are famously protective of their language. Sometimes they can be a bit impatient with us anglophones, and reply in English to your imperfect French questions.

It's frustrating when this happens, but if you ever want to make progress in a foreign language, you absolutely must stop speaking English !

Be polite but firm when someone tries to speak English with you – tell them “ Je voudrais parler français ” – “I'd like to speak French.”

Note that, unlike in English, names of languages are not written with a capital letter in French.

Je ne comprends pas – “I don’t understand”

Sometimes pardon doesn't quite cut it. If you really can't figure out what the other person is saying, try telling them “ je ne comprends pas ” – “I don't understand.”

There's no shame in being a beginner! Just remember not to fall back to English when the going gets tough. If you don't understand something, persevere in French anyway – it's the only way you'll learn.

Que veut dire ça? – “What does that mean?”

Maybe the reason you didn't understand is because there was a specific word you didn't recognise. If that's the case, say “ que veut dire X? ” – “What does X mean?”

You can also phrase this as “ ça veut dire quoi? ” – “What does that mean?”

Plus lentement – “More slowly”

Sometimes, vocabulary isn’t the problem. You’d know the words if you could make them out, but you can't because the other person is talking too fast!

In this case, try saying plus lentement – “more slowly”.

Better yet, say a full sentence: “ Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s’il vous plaît? ” – “Can you speak more slowly, please?”

Comment dit-on __ en français? – “How do you say __ in French?”

What if you need to say something in French, but the exact word escapes you?

Just fill in the blank in the above sentence: “ Comment dit-on X en français? ” means “How do you say X in French”?

A side note: the pronoun on , seen above, is an interesting one. It’s a colloquial alternative to nous (“we”). However, on is also used to refer to an unspecified person or people in general, like the word “one” is sometimes used in formal English. (If you speak German, note that on in this sense is like the German word man .)

One doesn't use the word “one” very much in modern English – one finds it rather old-timey and stuffy. These days you normally use “you” when you're talking about people in general.

Comment ça s'écrit? – “How do you spell that?”

If you learn a new French word using the phrase above, you might want to write it down before you forget it.

Unfortunately, French spelling isn't the easiest.

The relationship between spelling and French pronunciation can be complicated. Generally, it's easier to figure out a word's pronunciation from its spelling than it is to know its spelling from its pronunciation. I wrote a guide to help you with French pronunciation here .

So if you're not sure, ask someone “ comment ça s'ecrit? ” – “How do you spell that?” Literally: “How does that write itself?”

Or if you don't trust your own transcription abilities, try asking them to write it for you: say “ Est-ce que vous pouvez l'écrire? ” – “Can you write it (down)?”

Other Helpful Phrases for Maintaining a French Conversation:

• Can you speak more slowly please? – Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement s'il vous plaît?
• Can you say it one more time? – Pouvez-vous le dire une fois de plus?
• Do you speak French? – Parlez-vous français?
• Do you understand? – Comprenez vous?
• What do you do for a living? – Qu’est-ce que tu fais dans la vie?
• How old are you? – Quel âge as-tu?
• I’m _ years old – J’ai _ ans
• Where are you from? – D'où êtes-vous?
• I’m from… – Je viens…
• Are you married? – Es-tu marié?
• Are you single? – Es-tu célibataire?
• When can we meet? – Quand pouvons-nous nous rencontrer?
• What’s your phone number? – Quel est ton numéro de téléphone?

French Phrases for Getting Around

Où est… – “where is…”.

Struggling to find your way around? Not to worry. Just get a stranger's attention (remember what phrase would you use to do this?) and ask “ où est X ” – “Where is X?”

“X” could be many things: la Tour Eiffel, le Louvre, Notre Dame … or perhaps something less exotic, like le metro or un restaurant .

Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche? – “Where is the closest metro station?”

Another way of saying “where is it?” is où se trouve , literally “where is (it) found”.

Here's an example of où se trouve combined with another handy phrase to know: la station de métro la plus proche means “the closest metro station”.

One more piece of useful vocabulary: once you're in the metro station, you might want to ask someone “ où est le guichet? ” – “Where is the ticket window?”

Je voudrais acheter un billet – “I would like to buy a ticket”

Now that you've found the guichet , you probably want to buy a billet – a ticket. But what type of ticket do you want?

• un billet aller simple – a one-way ticket
• un billet aller retour – a round-trip ticket

Make your decision, and tell the assistant “ je voudrais un billet aller simple/retour pour X ” – “I would like to buy a one-way/round-trip ticket to X”, where X is your destination.

C'est combien? – “How much is it?”

France isn't the cheapest of countries – so whether you're at the guichet or elsewhere, it doesn't hurt to be price-conscious.

To ask how much something costs, say “ c'est combien? ” – “how much is it?” You can also say “ Combien ça coûte? ” – literally, “how much does it cost?”

Où sont les toilettes? – “Where are the toilets?”

It's worth learning this phrase, because you might need it in a hurry! Où sont les toilettes means “where are the toilets?”

Although if you want to use a public toilet, you could be searching for a long time.

They aren't very common in France – and if you do find one, you'll probably have to pay to use it. You're probably better off buying something in a café and using their toilets instead.

(Why is it “ où sont “, when previously we used “ où est “? Easy: sont means “are” while est means “is”. Since toilettes is plural, you must use sont , not est – “where are the toilets?”, rather than “where is the toilets”, which wouldn’t make sense.)

À quelle heure est-ce qu’il faut régler la note? – “What time is check out?”

If you're checking into a hotel in a French-speaking country, one useful thing to know the checkout time.

One way to find this out is to ask “ à quelle heure est-ce qu’il faut régler la note? ” – “What time must we check out?”

Another similar expression is: “ quelle est l'heure limite d'occupation? ” (Lit: “What is the occupancy cut-off time?”

La carte/le menu, s’il vous plaît. – “The menu, please.”

France is famous for its food, so while you're there, you'll probably want to dine in a restaurant or two!

When dining out in any language, there are usually a few subtleties around how to order. Here I'll explain one of the more important things to know in French: the words for “menu”.

I say “words” because there are two main ways to say “menu” in French.

The general word is carte , which you may recognise from the expression à la carte .

A carte is what you typically think of when you hear the word “menu”. It's a list of individually-priced options; you pick and choose what you want, then add up the prices to get your total bill.

But you can also ask for a menu , which is usually called a “fixed-price menu” in English. When ordering from a menu , you pick an option for each course (starter, main course, etc.) and pay the same, fixed price no matter what you selected.

Whichever option you choose, inform the serveur/serveuse (“waiter/waitress”) by saying “ la carte/le menu, s’il vous plaît ” – “the menu/fixed-price menu, please.”

Je ne peux pas manger… – “I can’t eat…”

This doesn't apply to everybody, but for those to whom it does apply, it's very important: informing the waiter about your dietary restrictions.

The simplest way to do this is to say “ je ne peux pas manger de X ” – “I can't eat X”. Here are some of the more common ways to fill in the blank:

• cacahuètes – peanuts
• noix – nuts
• gluten – gluten
• fruits de mer – shell fish
• œufs – eggs
• poisson – fish
• produits laitiers – dairy products
• viande – meat

If you're vegetarian, say so with “ je suis végétarien ” (for men) or “ végétarienne ” (for women.)

A vegan is a “ végétalien(ne) “, although végan/végane is sometimes used too.

You could also explain “ je ne consomme pas de produits animaux .” – “I don't consume animal products”

Nous voudrions commander maintenant. – “We would like to place an order now.”

To “order” in French is commander , when you're talking about ordering something in a restaurant.

Don't confuse this with ordonner , which is used in the sense of “to order a person to do something”, such as in the military.

After receiving the carte or the menu , and perhaps informing the waiter of your dietary restrictions, you may be given some time to make a decision. When you're ready, say “ nous voudrions commander maintenant ” – “we'd like to order now.”

It’s also acceptable in nearly any restaurant to use on instead of nous for we, as I mentioned earlier: On voudrait commander maintenant.

Or if you're by yourself, say je voudrais (I'd like) instead of nous voudrions (we'd like). Bon appétit!

L’addition, s’il vous plaît. – “The bill, please”

One final bit of restaurant-related vocabulary – the bill (or “check” if you're American) is l'addition .

So when you're ready to leave, say l’addition, s’il vous plaît – “the bill, please”.

You’ll often hear la facture used in Quebec instead of l’addition – however both are perfectly understandable to waitstaff.

Other French Phrases for Out and About in France:

• Can you help me please? – Pouvez-vous m'aider s'il vous plaît?
• I would like… – Je voudrais…
• I’d like one of those please – J'en voudrais un s'il vous plait
• Three: Trois
• Four: Quatre
• Five: *Cinq

Learn more: French Numbers: Counting in French from 1 – 100+

Romantic French Phrases

Je t'aime – “i love you”.

Finally, let’s talk about love.

They say that French is a romantic language, so maybe in your travels you'll find love on the road? Or maybe after you get home, you'll want to use your newfound French skills to woo that special someone.

So how do you say “I love you” in French?

The French word for “to love” is adorer – but you generally only use this word when talking about things rather than people, for example to say that you love a place, book, or song.

When talking to a person, say je t'aime . Aimer usually means “like”, but in this context it means “love” in the most romantic of senses. Use it wisely!

Here are some other romantic French phrases:

• My heart – Mon cœur
• My love – Mon amour
• You’re beautiful – Tu es belle (to a woman); Tu es beau (to a man)
• You’re too cute – Tu es trop mignon
• I like you (Lit: “You please me”) – Tu me plais

Bonus: French Slang

Wondering what a famous French saying is that you could use in everyday life? Or how do you say “cool” in French slang?

Here are some bonus French sayings and slang to level up your French:

• Cool – Cool (yes, really! Just say it with a French accent 😉)
• Awesome – Génial
• That sucks – C’est nul
• That’s great – C’est top
• Don’t worry – T'inquiète
• Losing my mind – Perdre la tête

Over to You

Can you think of any other useful French phrases for tourists? What are the most important words and phrases for beginners to know? Let us know in the comments.

And if you’re ready to learn more French, check out the 111 core French words that are commonly used. Or learn some more fun French slang !

Benny Lewis

Founder, Fluent in 3 Months

Fun-loving Irish guy, full-time globe trotter and international bestselling author. Benny believes the best approach to language learning is to speak from day one .

Speaks: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Esperanto, Mandarin Chinese, American Sign Language, Dutch, Irish

Have a 15-minute conversation in your new language after 90 days

Discover Japan in France

© David Emrich, Unsplash

If you like Japan, if you are waiting for your first trip to the archipelago or if you want to pass the time between two stays, we have some addresses that offer you a glimpse of Japanese culture, without leaving France!

Traveling to Japan in Paris

Rue sainte anne, a japanese street in the heart of paris.

Japan Experience is located on rue Sainte Anne, the main street of the Japanese quarter in the heart of Paris. Between the Opéra Garnier and the Louvre Museum, it's a little corner of Japan where you can unearth Japanese treasures 9700 kilometers from Tokyo. You will find restaurants especially but also shops selling jewelry, pottery, traditional clothing and various Japanese objects.

Do not hesitate to visit us in our Parisian space to organize your next trip to Japan!

• Address of Japan Experience : 30 rue Sainte Anne, 75001 Paris
• Access : by metro by line 3 (stop 4 Septembre) and lines 7 and 14 (stop Pyramide)
• Discover this epicenter of Japanese culture in France, the "Little Tokyo" of Paris .

Japanese gardens in Paris

Coming from ancestral traditions, Japanese gardens seduce visitors coming to the archipelago. It is a real art that seeks to interpret nature and create an idealized miniature version of Japanese landscapes with hills, rivers, waterfalls and bodies of water.

You can get a taste of it in Ile-de-France in the Japanese gardens of Paris and its surroundings :

• Annex of the Guimet Museum, the National Museum of Asian Arts, the Heidelbach Hotel Garden is a small corner of Japanese paradise in the 16th arrondissement of Paris,
• The Garden of the Albert Kahn museum in the west of Paris hosts a Japanese village, created in 1898, and a modern Japanese garden,
• The Château de Courances (in Essonne) houses an Anglo-Japanese garden as magnificent in spring as in autumn.

Japanese culture in Paris

Many aspects of Japanese culture are accessible from Paris. Discover the evolution of Japanese art and its culture through the centuries in the museums of the capital.

Between permanent exhibitions and exceptional events, some of them have impressive collections:

• The Musée Guimet (the museum of Asian arts in Paris) and its annexes, the Musée d'Ennery and the garden of the Hôtel d'Heidelbach
• The Cernuschi Museum , dedicated to the arts of the Far East: Japan, China, Vietnam and Korea
• The Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris introduces everyone to traditional and contemporary Japanese culture

Traveling to Japan in France

• Japanese gardens in France

But Japanese culture is also accessible outside of Ile de France!

In particular, you can enjoy the art of Japanese gardens, which have been popular in the West since the 19th century, in various French regions. Japanese enthusiasts have indeed created small Japanese paradises in different corners of France:

• The Garden of the Albert Kahn Museum , created in 1898 in the city of Boulogne-Billancourt,
• The Oriental Park of Maulévrier , in Maine-et-Loire, is the largest Japanese garden in Europe,
• Erik Borja's Zen Garden , created in 1973 in Beaumont-Monteux in Drôme,
• The Jardin du Soleil-Levant in the botanical park of Haute-Bretagne located in Ille-et-Vilaine,
• The Pierre-Baudis Japanese Garden in Toulouse.

Discover Japanese gardens in France...

Japanese culture in France

Experience Japan all over France ... discover our guides for Japanese getaways in Bordeaux and Burgundy:

• Traveling to Japan in Burgundy
• Traveling to Japan in Bordeaux

Japanese cooking workshop

Renowned throughout the world, gastronomy is a key element of Japan's heritage.

Why not create Japanese specialties yourself, starting with simple and delicious dishes? Put yourself in the kitchen and indulge yourself with a bowl of donburi or ramen , cook fried meats like tonkatsu or karaage , or even start designing sushi or the delicious specialty of Osaka, the okonomiyaki , an improved and garnished omelet!

Less known but just as delicious, there are recipes for Japanese sweets that are easy to make at home. Try, for example, a taiyaki waffle, a dorayaki filled pancake or even mochi , the dessert made from rice!

Food lovers, now is the time to get started!

• Read also: Japanese cuisine: recipes, restaurants and tips for eating well in Japan

Share your Japanese experiences

Do you have a favorite Japanese restaurant? A shop in which you love browsing the shelves in search of treasures straight from Japan? A bookstore whose shelves are overflowing with the best Japanese manga and artbooks? Any upcoming events that you are looking forward to? Magical moments that transported you to the archipelago?

Share your tips, your favorite places and moments of paradise with us on our Facebook page or by tagging us on Instagram!

For further :

• Japanese gardens in Paris and the Paris region
• Rue Sainte-Anne: the Japanese district of Paris
• The Guimet Museum and its annexes, the Ennery Museum and the garden of the Hôtel d'Heidelbach
• The Cernuschi Museum in Paris
• The House of Culture of Japan in Paris
• The life and works of Tsuguharu Foujita (1886-1968) known as Léonard Foujita

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8 phrases for your trip to Japan

There's good reason to visit Japan 🇯🇵 From a robust food scene, to an outstanding creative heritage, and stunning nature preserves, there’s something for every traveler. (Perhaps literally!)

Want to try out your Japanese with locals? Here are 8 key phrases to help make the most of your time in Japan.

すみません Romaji: Sumimasen Translation: Pardon me Japan is a country that operates on politeness , so sumimasen is your new best friend: for asking a question, bumping someone on public transit, or even gently announcing it in restaurants to get service. (Unlike calling garçon in France, firmly calling this out is not considered rude.)

もう一度言ってください Romaji: Mou ichido itte kudasai Translation: Can you please repeat that? Use this phrase early and often! Asking a person to repeat themselves is a traveler’s rite of passage, and while it might seem awkward at first, you’ll find that most people are more than willing to help you understand.

に行きたいのですが Romaji: ___ ni ikitai no desuga Translation: I want to go ____ This is an easy way to ask someone directions. Make sure you have a map (phone or paper) handy. Unsure if it’s a walking, taxi, or public transit situation? Try asking 近いですか (chikai desu ka) for "Is it near?" or   遠いですか (tooi desu ka) for "Is it too far?"

あなたのお勧めのレストランはどこですか Romaji: Anata no osusume no resutoran wa dokodesuka Translation: Which restaurants do you recommend? Japan is a great place to eat! (See: their galaxy of Michelin star restaurants and amazing convenience store culture for starters.) Rather than risk getting stuck at a tourist trap, use this question to get a more personally approved recommendation.

いただきます Romaji: Itadakimasu Translation: Loosely translated it means “I humbly receive.” This phrase is an expression of gratitude spoken before the first bite. It springs from a Buddhist practice of giving thanks for everyone involved in the creation of your meal, while also reflecting on your own blessings. You'll typically see Japanese people say it with their hands folded together in front of them with their head slightly bowed. If you’re dining alone, you can say it to your server, bar person, or even to yourself—while not obligatory or expected from foreigners, it is always welcome. You can also add ごちそうさま(でした) (gochisousama (deshita)) at the end of a meal to show your appreciation—it means "thank you for the food."

お手洗いはどこですか Romaji: Otearai wa dokodesu ka Translation: Where is the toilet? Sometimes you’ve just gotta go. The good news: Bathrooms across Japan are almost uniformly spotless. Just be sure to keep things tidy for the next visitor.

すごい Romaji: Sugoi! Translation: Awesome, brilliant, great, amazing, wow, incredible! This exclamation is your shortcut to expressing excitement and joy for life in all its forms. Just avoid using it when you’re speaking with someone older or in a position of authority as it lacks the honorifics of more formal phrases—the polite form is すごいですね (sugoi desune).

乾杯 Romaji: Kanpai Translation: Cheers! If your Japanese takes leave after a few whiskey highballs (arguably one of Japan’s favorite cocktails), kanpai is the quickest shortcut to making friends. Be sure to give everyone at your table a chance to receive their drink before saying kanpai —and *then* you can have a sip!

Flight? ✅ Hotel? ✅ Japanese phrases? ✅

Using Japanese while traveling adds to your experience abroad! Take your time, speak with kindness, and your vacation will be absolutely すごい.

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Dear duolingo: why are the words for 11 and 12 weird in so many languages, essential english vocabulary for u.s. restaurants.

• Tokyo Cheapo (繁體中文)

10 Key Phrases to Get You Through a Trip to Japan

Learning any language can be tricky, but Japanese has a reputation for being one of the most difficult in the world.

While no one expects you to be fluent when you step off the plane, a few carefully chosen (and practiced) phases can go a long way. Although English is studied in Japan from an early age, a combination of reasons (from an outdated learning system to near-universal shyness) mean it isn’t as widely spoken as you might expect. Luckily, it’s a land with set phrases for every scenario—from sitting down to dinner to leaving work early. This means that with a little studying, you can move through a lot of situations with ease, and displaying good manners, a very important factor in Japanese culture.

If you have the time, learning the two phonetic alphabets, hiragana (for Japanese words) and katakana (for foreign words) can really help. Especially since the former is often found on station signs and menus for children. Check our article on apps for suggestions. When it comes to speaking, however, a few Japanese travel phrases can make a world of difference, as well as showing a good dose of goodwill to your hosts.

1. Sumimasen | Excuse me

One of those phrases that has a dozen different uses, sumimasen is a great word to start with. It is mainly to get someone’s attention or to apologize, much as the English expression in it’s traditional sense (please excuse my behavior). You’ll find you use it a lot. While polite phrases are rarely said at volume, there is one occasion where you’ll have to turn it up.

In an izakaya , the rowdy bar-restaurants of Japan (as well as some normal restaurants and bars), and unless you have a table buzzer, calling “SUMIMASEN!” into the ether is how you call servers. Unlike the US or UK, waiters in busy restaurants won’t come to the table unless asked, so you will have to call out your new-found phrase when you’re ready to order. If you’re uncertain, see if your neighbors are doing it first.

When to use it : To catch someone’s attention, apologize for comething slight, when you’re getting into a busy train, or to call a waiter in an izakaya (and some restaurants or bars). When not to use it : If you do more than slightly knock someone, sumimasen should be upgraded to a proper apology: Gomennasai .

2. Arigato gozaimasu | Thank you

A simple and well-known phrase, thank you is common courtesy and should be in the vocab of any visitor. A casual “ arigato ” is ok in an informal situation, while the full arigato gozaimasu is better for shops and if the person you’re thanking is older than you.

When to use it : Always! When not to use it : Never!

3. Sumimasen, wakarimasen | Sorry, I don’t understand

If you’re struggling with some complex instructions (and there are a lot of those in Japan), this is a good way to be clear that you’re not following. You can specify to “ Nihongo ga wakarimasen ” which means “I don’t understand Japanese” if needed. The two phrases coming up are handy if you think you might understand, but need a second go.

When to use it : When someone is explaining something to you and you can’t follow.

4. Mou ichido/ikkai onegaishimasu | Could you repeat that please?

Great if you think you understood something but aren’t sure, this is a simple way to get a second go. If the person is speaking too fast (also pretty common), then you can say “Yukkuri onegaishimasu”, which means “More slowly, please”. As well as getting an actual repetition, this usually signals you need a little help, so they may well choose simpler words or add some gestures.

When to use it : When you have partially understood something and need another go to get it for sure. When not to use it : If you’ve no hope. Just go straight for Wakarimasen (#3 on the list), so it can explained to you (hopefully) a different way.

5. (Toire) wa, doko desu ka? | Where is the (toilet) ?

Often used to ask for the toilets in restaurants, this easily adapted phrase can be used for almost anything. Compared to the next phrase (Do you have…), this is better for things you know exist, but cannot find—like toilets in a restaurant, or sugar in a convenience store. Often, someone will take you to the destination or give easy instructions, often just pointing.

Remember to use “ Sumimasen, wakarimasen chotto ” if you don’t understand their instructions!

When to use it : When looking for something you are pretty sure exists.

6. (Wifi) ga arimasuka? | Do you have (wifi)?

Great for anything from wifi to towels to chocolate, this is a good question to have stored away. If you’re looking for something in a supermarket, your hostel or in a restaurant, you’ll be able to find out pretty easily as hosts will usually take you over and show you the item (good old omotenashi —the Japanese values of hospitality).

When to use it : If you can’t find something you’re looking for and aren’t completely sure if it’s available (like a toilet, which is a given).

7. Eigo ga, hanasemasu ka? | Do you speak English?

Pretty self-exlanatory. You’ll be hoping for either a yes , or if not, the staff member may go to find a bilingual person instead. If they say no (quite likely), then you have at least signaled that your Japanese level is low, so you can try to figure it out together.

When to use it: If you’re in a situation where you know you need to work in English, and muddling through won’t do. For example, when renting a car , in a medical situation or on the phone (since you’ll not have the help of gestures). When not to use it : If you’re in a casual setting, try out your Japanese. It can be fun and a good way to get some practice in (assuming the other person involved doesn’t mind).

8. Ikura desu ka? | How much is it?

Great when shopping, this is a simple phrase that’s pretty easy to remember. Unfortunately, questions expect answers, so it will help if you know the numbers too. Alternatively, shopkeepers often show numbers on a calculator, or will know the English. And there’s always pen and paper too! Remember, unless you’re at a flea market , haggling isn’t done in Japan, so once a price has been named, stick with it. Also, tax in Japan is usually added seperately, as in America, so don’t worry if someone names a price and you later find a label with a slightly different price listed—it’s just the tax price.

When to use it : When shopping, in a restaurant or bar without prices.

10. Gochisousama deshita! | Thank you for the delicious meal!

When you’ve finished a delicious meal, this is a great phrase for the chefs, who are often visible to diners. More specific than “thank you”, and more formal than “ oishii ” (delicious), it’s a respectful way to thank them for the delicious feast they’ve prepared (a soft translation). Usually said as you leave, you’ll probably here other diners say it as they head out of the door, often with a slight bow.

Before you begin eating, you may hear “ itadakimasu ” which is similar to the French bon appetit . If you’re eating alone, don’t worry about this, but in groups with Japanese people, it’s polite to wait until everyone says this to begin eating.

‘Oishii’ is great during the meal and you can round it off with gochisousama at the end—the perfect polite meal!

When to use it : As you leave a restaurant, directed towards the chef(s) rather than the waiting staff. When not to use it: During the meal. Instead you can say oishii which means “delicious”.

Need more language help? Read our post on grocery shopping in Japan if you don’t know any Japanese .

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Visiting Japan: The Essential Language Guide For First-Timers

Bookmark this essential language guide for your first trip to Japan, because trust us - you'll be happy to have it on hand.

Nihon e youkoso! (Welcome to Japan!) where futuristic cities, rolling countryside, magnificent mountains, stunning beaches and beautifully traditional old-world temples and towns attract travelers from around the world to experience the real essence of what this vibrant and cultural nation has to offer (as well as a few bizarre things thrown in for good measure!)

With so many different things to see, do and explore in Japan, it's impossible to take it all in during one stay - which explains why so many tourists come back to savor Japan's magical scenery, fascinating history and culture, and epic city skylines time and time again. Whether folks want to see the gorgeous temples, castles, and traditional towns in Kyoto and Osaka, the bustling metropolises of Tokyo, the stunning countryside of Kyushu and Hokkaido, or the tropical paradises of Okinawa - Japan is a breathtaking land of contrasts that truly has it all.

For first-timers, communicating in Japanese may be hard - after all, it's not known to be one of the easiest languages in the world! However, to help Japan-bound travelers get the most out of their stay, this language guide is sure to be useful. And, to get help with reading and pronunciation (Japanese is read and spoken very literally and phonetically), copy and paste any of the Japanese words and phrases in this guide (the hiragana, katakana, and kanji symbols) into Google Translate and click on the audio button to hear an accurate and clear reading.

Related:  These Are Japan's Top Tourist Attractions (AKA The Most-Visited Places In The Country)

Introductions And Greetings

It goes without saying that any tourist to Japan will benefit from knowing a few basic introductions, greetings, and etiquette words and phrases. Hellos, goodbyes, pleases, and thank yous always get visitors much further than those who say nothing, or who simply speak in English. Whilst many Japanese people - particularly those in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka - might know a little bit of English, it's not common for most people to do so, and since they're known for being quite a modest nation of people, many can be hesitant to speak English.

But travelers can make it easy for everyone by learning a few basics, which serves not only to provide better communication, but also is great for making new friends and having a good time with the locals, and it makes most Japanese people extremely impressed and appreciative of the effort put into speaking their language. With this in mind, here are a few words and phrases that bode well when making first acquaintance.

• Konnichiwa - こんにちは (Hello) - you can use this to say hello throughout the whole day
• Ohayou gozaimasu -おはようございます (Good morning)
• Konbanwa -こんばんは (Hello/good evening)
• Youkoso - ようこそ (Welcome)
• Watashi no namae wa _____ desu -私の名前は＿＿＿です (My name is_____)
• Anata no namae wa nan desu ka? -あなたの名前は何ですか? (What is your name?)
• O genki desu ka? - お元気ですか? (How are you?)
• Genki desu - 元気です (I'm fine)
• _____ o kudasai - をください (I would like _____ please )
• Onegaishimasu / kudasai - お願いします /ください (Please)
• Arigatou -ありがとう(Thank you) - note that this alone is very informal and should only be used with friends
• Arigatou gozaimasu - ありがとうございます (Thank you very much) - this is the formal and polite way of showing gratitude
• Douitashimashite -どういたしまして (You're welcome)
• Sumimasen -すみません (Excuse me/sorry)
• Gomen nasai -ごめんなさい (Sorry)
• Sayonara -さよなら (Goodbye)
• Jya mata! - じゃあまた (See you!)
• Jya mata ato de! -じゃあまた後で (See you later!)
• Jya mata ashita! -じゃあまた明日 (See you tomorrow!)
• Hai - はい (Yes)
• Iie - いいえ (No)

Related:  20 Mythical Sites So Legendary They're Worth Planning A Trip To Japan

Useful Words And Phrases For Everyday Use

These next few place-related words are super handy for any traveler who intends to see all that Japan has to offer , from mega-cities and malls to the country's stunning beaches, mighty mountains, historic temples and Shinto shrines, and lush green countryside. Japan as a whole really does offer everything, so whether tourists are keen on exploring the nation's traditional and historic side, its unbeatably beautiful rural and nature hotspots, or its beaming metropolises of ultra-modern futurism, every traveler will be kept well-entertained during their stay.

• Kouen - 公園 (Park)
• Mooru -モール (Shopping mall)
• Resutoran -レストラン (Restaurant)
• Kafe -カフェ(Cafe)
• Kyoukai - 教会 (Church)
• Keisatsushou - 警察署 (Police station)
• Byouin - 病院 (Hospital)
• Hoteru - ホテル (Hotel)
• Eki - 駅 (Train station)
• Densha - 電車 (Train)
• Basutei - バス停 (Bus station)
• Basu - バス (Bus)
• Kuuko - 空港 (Airport)
• Hikouki - 飛行機 (Airplane)
• Takushii -タクシー (Taxi)
• Shinkansen - 新幹線 (Bullet train)
• Biichi - ビーチ (Beach)
• Umi - 海 (Sea)
• Inaka - 田舎 (Countryside/rural area)
• Machi - 町 (The city)
• Otera - お寺 (Temple)

Related:  The Do's And Don'ts Of Preparing For A Trip To Japan

Basic Verbs

In addition to the handy vocabulary above, it's worth learning a few basic verbs as well. Combining these everyday verbs with words in this guide will help visitors to Japan be more understood, and will serve to be useful when trying to communicate wants and needs.

Japanese verbs are very easy to identify - they typically always come after the noun or at the end of the sentence (which is the opposite of how English verbs work), and they all end in "masu," (pronounced mass ) which is helpful when memorizing the following:

• Shimasu -します(Do/make) - note that this verb can combine with many words to create an action, for example: kaimono o shimasu 買い物をします(go/do shopping)
• Ikimasu - 行きます (Go)
• Kimasu - 来ます (Come)
• Tabemasu - 食べます (Eat)
• Nomimasu - 飲みます (Drink)
• Nemasu - 寝ます (Sleep)
• Kaerimasu - 帰ります (Return/Go home) - you can say kaerimasu when you intend to go back to the hotel for example
• Kaimasu - 買います (Buy)
• Yomimasu - 読みます (Read)
• Kakimasu - 書きます (Write)

Time-related Words And Phrases

It's never harmful to know a few time-related words and phrases in Japanese either. Whilst travelers probably won't go around asking folks what time it is in the modern-day, these following words and phrases may prove to be helpful when specifying certain times - particularly in further sections of this language guide.

• Ima nanji desu ka? - 今何時ですか (What time is it now?)
• Nanji ni? - 何時に (At what time?)
• Ima - 今 (Now)
• Asa - 朝 (Morning)
• Kyou - 今日 (Today)
• Ashita - 明日 (Tomorrow)
• Konshuu - 今週 (This week)
• Raishuu - 来週 (Next week)
• Itsu? - いつ (When?)

Related:  10 Shinto Shrines In Japan Worth Visiting

Transportation And Getting Around

Japan's transportation is one of the most efficient in the world, with the train systems being used every day to move millions of people around. Visitors can get the highly useful JR pass to use the railways with minimal fuss (whilst saving too!) or simply pay for each journey every time. There are also buses in operation and taxis, which serve tourists equally well. And for those who are feeling confident, car rental is also possible, although visitors will have to carry an international driver's license to rent and drive vehicles.

What's more, bicycling in Japan is extremely common and very safe, with plenty of bike lanes for cyclists to use - particularly in large cities. It's also possible to walk to many areas within a city, which can be a fun experience for those who want to take in the scenery at their own pace and people-watch along the way.

Whatever mode of transport, and for those in need of directions, these next few words and phrases should prove useful for tourists who need to get around Japan. Japanese people can sometimes be quite shy if asked for directions by a foreigner, however, as long as they're asked politely and clearly, most are delighted to help a tourist in need and will be very appreciative (and impressed) that a visitor has made the effort to speak their language.

• Sumimasen, michi wo kiite mo ii desu ka? - すみません、道を聞いてもいいですか? (Excuse me, may I ask you for directions?)
• Sumimasen, tasukete kudasaimasen ka? - すみません、助けてくださいませんか? (Excuse me, please can you help me?)
• Asoko - あそこ (Over there)
• Soko - そこ (There)
• Koko - ここ (Here)
• Doko - どこ (Where)
• Doko desu ka? - どこですか? (Where is it?)
• Massugu - まっすぐ (Forwards/straight ahead)
• Hidari - 左 (Left)
• Migi - 右 (Right)
• Sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka? - すみません、駅はどこですか? (Excuse me, where is the train station?)
• Sumimasen, otera wa doko desu ka? - すみません、お寺はどこですか ? (Excuse me, where is the temple?)
• Sumimasen, resutoran wa doko desu ka? - すみません、レストランはどこですか?(Excuse me, where is a restaurant?)
• Sumimasen, mooru ni ikitai desu - すみません、モールに行きたいです (Excuse me, I want to go to the mall)
• Sumimasen, kafe ni ikitai desu - すみません、カフェに行きたいです (Excuse me, I want to go to a cafe)
• Tooi desu ka? - 遠いですか? (Is it far?)
• Chikai desu ka? - 近いですか? (Is it nearby?)
• Masssugu desu - まっすぐです (It's straight ahead)
• Hidari gawa desu - 左側です (It's on the left side)
• Migi gawa desu - 右側です (It's on the right side)
• Tonari  -となり (Next)
• Mae - 前 (In front of)
• Ushiro - 後ろ (Behind)
• Kita - 北 (North)
• Minami - 南 (South)
• Higashi - 東 (East)
• Nishi - 西) (West)
• Michi - 道 (Street/road/path)
• Hashi - 橋 (Bridge)
• Kado - 角 (Corner)
• Kousaten - 交差点 (Interchange/crossing)
• Chuushajou - 駐車場 (Car park/parking lot)

At The Train Station

Whether or not a visitor has the handy Japan Rail Pass (which is a convenient railway pass designed for tourists who want to explore Japan and save money on train and bullet train costs), chances are, they'll get around by train. Japan's railway system is one of the best in the world and is the cheapest, fastest, and most convenient way to get around - both in cities and across the country.

Every city has its own outstanding and well-organized train network, but for slightly longer cross country journeys (from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka for example), riding the world-famous shinkansen (bullet train) is the way to go - plus there's nothing like tucking into a fresh bento  (a special kind of Japanese lunchbox that looks almost too pretty to eat) on board when zooming by Japan's glorious cities, mountains and countryside scenery on the bullet train. Top tip: when traveling by bullet train, ask the steward for an ekiben  (train station lunchbox) - a delicious, traditional packed lunch bought on trains and in train stations designed to be compact and to fill busy commuters on the move. Train riders can also find tempting  ekiben in any train station as well.

• Densha - 電車 (Train)
• Shinkansen - 新幹線 (Bullet train)
• Sen - 線 (Line)
• Kippu/chiketto - 切符 (Ticket)
• _____ made no kippu/chiketto wo kudasai - _____までのチケットをください (Can I have a ticket to _______ please?
• Osaka made no kippu/chicketto wo kudasai - 大阪までのチケットをください (Can I have a ticket to Osaka please?)
• Dono densha? -どの電車? (Which train?)
• Densha wa nanji ni touchaku shimasu ka? - 電車は何時に到着しますか? (What time does the train arrive?)
• Densha wa nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka? - 電車は何時に出発しますか? (What time does the train depart?)
• Dono kurai kakarimasu ka? - どのくらいかかりますか (How long does it take?)
• Norikae wa arimasu ka? - 乗り換えはありますか (Is there a transfer?)

Related:  Why It's Rude To Talk On Japan's Trains, And More Travel Don'ts

Taking A Taxi

Trains are the most convenient and popular way to get around in Japan, but they can be intimidating to first-timers, especially those who aren't confident with navigating the networks or trying to speak Japanese. Fear not, for there are indeed taxi services to use, although they do typically cost a bit more than trains. Most cities have taxis in service, and many areas have taxi stands where they drive up in a line to wait for customers. Wait in line, and when a driver approaches, that's the cue to hop on board.

It's also important to be aware that most taxis in Japan are fitted with an automated button that opens and closes the vehicle door, so it's advised to remember not to open or close it - the driver should do this for the customer. It's also worth noting that paying with cash is more the norm in Japan than paying by credit card, so don't forget to carry plenty of cash, and if intending to pay with a card, be sure to ask the driver if they take card payments before accepting a ride.

• _____ made onegaishimasu - までお願いします (I'd like to go to _____ please)
• Ikura desu ka? - いくらですか (How much does it cost?)
• Kurejitto kaado de ii desu ka? - クレジットカードでいいですか ? (Can I pay by credit card?)

Related: This Is Why So Many People Are Falling In Love With Kyoto, Japan

Restaurants, Food, And Drink

Now, here's the juicy part - Japan's cuisine is among the world's most unique and delicious, with a stunningly beautiful presentation to match. Whilst you can find plenty of international restaurants in Japanese cities, why wouldn't folks take advantage of enjoying real Japanese food in real Japan? There's lots of variety with Japanese food, from fried delicacies, sumptuous stews, and pristine rice and noodle bowls, to tasty sushi , exquisite seafood, prime meats (Okinawan and Kobe beef, in particular, are amazing!) and an entourage of pretty desserts, ice creams, and cakes that look far too cute to devour. Also, any tourist's Japan escapade would be incomplete without a visit to a kissaten - a traditional Japanese coffee shop serving a range of delicious hot drinks and irresistible snacks.

Plus, for booze-lovers, Japan offers just as much alcohol variation, including traditional Japanese sake, Japanese whisky, shochu , tasty Japanese beers and wines, and no shortage of other traditional alcoholic beverages. It's also common practice in many authentic Japanese restaurants and izakaya (a kind of Japanese pub) for customers to sit or kneel on low-down tables and cushions when tucking into a meal and enjoying a drink or five. No matter where visitors wine and dine in this fascinating country of contrasts, these following words and phrases should be useful for hungry tummies and thirsty tongues in Japan.

• Itadakimasu - いただきます – (An expression of gratitude for the meal you’re about to eat - it kind of means "let's eat" and "thank you for the meal" all in one)
• ____ onegaishimasu -お願いします (I'll have _____ please) - Just add onegaishimasu to politely ask for any item
• Sakana - 魚 (Fish)
• Niku - 肉 (Meat)
• Yasai - 野菜 (Vegetables)
• Vejitarian - ベジタリアン (Vegetarian)
• Biiru - ビール
• Koohii - コーヒー (Coffee)
• Mizu - 水 (Water)
• Ocha - お茶 (Tea)
• Mizu onegaishimasu - 水お願いします (I'll have some water, please)
• Ocha onegaishimasu -  お茶お願いします(I'll have tea, please)
• Eigo no menyuu arimasu ka? - 英語のメニューありますか - (Do you have an English menu?)
• Omakase de - お任せで  (Say this to order the chef’s recommendation)
• O-sake - お酒 – (The general term for alcohol)
• Nihonshu - 日本酒 – (Japanese sake)
• Kinen Seki - 禁煙席 ( Non-smoking seat)
• Okaikei kudasai - お会計ください (Could I have the bill, please? )
• Kurejitto kaado de daijoubu desu ka? - クレジットカードで大丈夫ですか (Can I pay by credit card?)

Related:  Japanese Food Etiquette: The Dos And Don'ts Of Dining In Japan

Accommodation

Accommodation in Japan is just as varied as the culture, with no lack of well-known chain accommodations, boutique hotels of varying stars, pretty guesthouses, and authentic homestays. There really is something for every kind of traveler on every kind of budget.

Those with a bit more cash to spare should not skip out on an authentic stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan - a beautiful and cultural kind of hotel with stunning Japanese décor and architecture (think lovely tatami flooring, futons, and sliding doors), as well as sumptuous onsen hot springs where guests can unwind and enjoy a warm dip in naturally heated waters.

And for those that really want to experience something unique yet somewhat bizarre, Japan's famous capsule hotels are definitely something to consider for a night or two. Wherever a visitor stays, the language doesn't change - so have these next accommodation-related words and phrases handy when staying in a Japanese hotel.

• Kagi - 鍵 (Key)
• Chouba / furonto desuku - 帳場 / フロントデスク (Reception/front desk)
• Robii - ロビ (Lobby)
• Shokudou - 食堂 (Dining room)
• Shinguru ruumu - シングルルーム (Single room)
• Daburu ruumu -  ダブルルーム (Double room)
• Shinguru beddo - シングルベッド (Single bed)
• Daburu beddo - ダブルベッド (Double bed)
• Chekku auto - チェックアウト (Check out)
• Chekku in - チェックイン (Check in)
• Chekku in wo onegaishimasu - チェックインをお願いします (I'd like to check in please)
• Chekkku auto wo onegaishimasu - チェックアウトをお願いします (I'd like to check out please)
• Chekku auto wa nanji desu ka - チェックアウトは何時ですか (What time is check out?)
• Yoyaku - 予約 (Reservation/booking)
• Yoyaku wo shitai desu -予約をしたいです (I'd like to make a reservation)
• Onsuiito - オンスイート (Ensuite bathroom)
• Toire -トイレ (Toilet/bathroom/restroom)
• Shawaa - シャワー (Shower)
• Basutabu - バスタブ (Bathtub)
• Taoru -タオル (Towel)
• Kaji-gakari かじがかり (Housekeeping)
• Sentaku 選択 (Laundry)
• Nimotsu - にもつ (Luggage)
• Ha burashi - 歯ブラシ (Toothbrush)
• Ha migaki - 歯磨き (Toothpaste)
• Sekken/soopu - 石鹸 / ソープ (Soap)
• Shanpu - シャンプ (Shampoo)
• Kondishonaa - コンディショナー (Conditioner)
• Kamisori - かみそり (Razor)
• Terebi -テレビ (Television)

Japan's shopping scene is truly something to behold. There's nowhere quite like it on Earth, with plenty of mind-blowing malls, shopping strips, markets, and stalls selling all kinds of stuff. Shopaholics can buy everything from Japanese foods and delicacies, handmade items, and second-hand goods and fashion, to high-end designer fashion, touristic souvenirs, and beautiful Japanese items (such as yukatas, kimonos, and other gorgeous and traditional clothing, shoes, accessories, and souvenirs). There's also a konbini (convenience store) seemingly on every street corner, so nobody can ever be caught short on essentials in Japan.

Also, whenever someone enters a shop or any kind of business, it's normal to be greeted with irasshaimase , which is a formal welcome and a "hello" and "thank you for shopping" to any customer entering the premises. It's not necessary to reply, however it's polite as a foreigner to smile and acknowledge a store clerk who greets and welcomes them. Wherever shopping takes you, keep these next words and phrases handy.

• Kaimono - 買い物(Shopping)
• Kaimono o shimasu - 買い物をします (Do shopping)
• Kaimono ni ikimasu - 買い物に行きます(Go shopping)
• Kaimono ni ikimashou! - 買い物に行きましょう(Let's go shopping!)
• Konbini - コンビニ (Convenience store)
• Suupaamaaketto - スーパーマーケット (Supermarket)
• Ikura desu ka? - いくらですか？(How much is it?)
• Takai desu - 高いです (It's expensive)
• Yasui desu - 安いです (It's cheap)
• Mooru wa doko desu ka? - モールはどこですか？(Where is the mall?)
• Kurejitto kaado de daijoubu desu ka? - クレジットカードで大丈夫ですか ? (Can I pay by credit card?)
• Henkin o shite kuremasu ka? - 返金をしてくれますか ? (Can I have a refund?)
• Sumimasen, kore henpin dekimasu ka? -すみません、これ，返品できますか? - Can I return this?)
• Sumimasen, kore koukan dekimasu ka? -すみません、これ、交換(こうかん)できますか? (Can I exchange this for a different one?)

As far as this extensive language guide goes, all these words and phrases should be enough to help most travelers with their trip to Japan . By learning some of the basics (or keeping them handy), budding Japanophiles can easily communicate their wants and needs when navigating this incredible country overflowing with fascinating culture, breathtaking scenery, jaw-dropping urbanization, magical temples, and traditional towns. Whether one's first time or 50th time in Japan, these indispensable words and phrases are invaluable for those who wish to get the most out of their visit.

Next:  Wondering What To Prepare For A Japan Trip? Here's Where To Start

• Travel Tips
• Manners & ettiquette

12 Common Questions Asked by Travelers to Japan

If it's your first time visiting Japan, check out these 12 questions frequently asked by other first-time travelers. This isn't an extensive list, but hopefully it will assure you a bit. It's always a bit nerve-wracking visiting a new country, so arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can for a smooth journey!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

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JR Pass for Whole Japan

Explore Japan in the most convenient and economical way with a Japan Rail Pass! It is valid for the majority of railways and local buses operated by JR. 

Public Utilities and Transport in Japan

Trash cans are not easy to find in public. how do i get rid of rubbish.

You may notice how clean and free of rubbish most of the streets are when you travel to Japan, and yet trash cans are nearly nowhere to be found. So, where do they throw the trash away? Actually, after a terrorist attack in 1955, the government removed trash cans in a lot of public places. So, if you need to throw away garbage while you're outside, you have to go to places like station platforms, convenience stores, and shopping malls to find a garbage bin. Some locals will bring a small bag with them to take the garbage back home.

Should I stay on the left or right side when walking on the road or standing on an escalator?

Commuters in Osaka stand on the right side, while it is the norm in Tokyo to stand on the left. So, where should you actually be standing on an escalator in Japan? Well, actually, there are no written regulations regarding this matter! Most people end up following the status quo, so if you do the same, you should be fine.

How about which side to walk on the road? Well, it is said that in the old days, there were many warriors in Kanto and they all wore their swords on the left. To avoid unnecessary conflicts caused by accidental collision of weapons, people used to walk on the left side of the road. This habit may not be that obvious nowadays, but there are still personnel or signs at some stations telling passengers which side to stay on in order to ensure smooth passenger flow. Remember to look out for the above when you're in Japan!

For more differences between the Kanto and Kansai regions, take a look at the article below.

I heard that taxis in Japan are very expensive. Can I get an Uber ride instead?

Trains are the most common type of transport in Japan, but the complex subway maps in metropolises like Tokyo can be terrifying. Besides, when your legs are sore from walking all day and you are exhausted from carrying all your bags and luggage, a taxi is just too hard to resist.

According to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the starting fare of a taxi in Tokyo, for example, has dropped from 720 yen to 410 yen since January 1st, 2017. So, if you are traveling a short distance (within 2 kilometers) or if the fare is split between four people, taking a taxi can, in fact, be quite a bargain. 

While we'd like to recommend Uber, the truth is that peer-to-peer ride hailing is banned in Japan, as Japanese regulations prohibit non-professionals from providing paid transport services. While Uber is implemented in some parts of Japan (mainly the big cities), they have taken a more cab-hailing approach by working with local taxi companies, so it might make more sense to just book a regular taxi.

Can I rent a car for a self-drive tour around Japan?

If you are bringing children, the elderly, or a person with impairments with you to Japan, you will probably want to rent a car for a self-drive tour around Japan. Fortunately, Japanese drivers are quite law-abiding and there are not many speeding and traffic law violations, so you should be able to drive with peace of mind.

If you already have an international driving permit, all you need to do is bring your passport and original permit to the car rental place in order to rent a car. If you don't have one and you come from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland, or Taiwan, you can go to your local Japanese embassy or consulate and acquire a Japanese translation of your driving license. Bring your passport, original driving license, and Japanese translation of your driving license, and you should be able to legally rent a car in Japan!

Dining in Japan

What if the restaurants only offer iced water how can i get some warm water.

If you come from a country where warm water is normally served at restaurants, you'll find it hard to believe that Japanese establishments offer their guests iced water no matter what season it is. The reason behind this practice is that in the old days, ice was not easy to produce and was therefore quite precious. Offering iced water thus became a way to treat honored guests and has been passed down for years. It might be hard for people who are used to drinking warm water to ask the restaurant for some, which is why we suggest always bringing a thermos. You may pour in hot water before leaving your hotel room or refill in the nursery rooms of large-scale shopping malls.

Can I take away my leftover food?

Your country may already have a lot of tasty Japanese cuisine, but the food looks even better when you are actually in Japan, so it is understandable if you order too much! Although certain restaurants in Japan have takeout and delivery options, most of them do not offer pack-to-go services for leftovers. So, keep that in mind when you order to avoid wasting the delicious food.

Is it okay to eat inside a train?

Although most trains do not have "no drinking and eating" as an actual written rule, you can seldom see anyone eating openly on them. That being said, it is generally acceptable to have some odorless food such as biscuits and bread. For long-distance buses and trains like shinkansen (bullet trains), eating is usually allowed. Some stations and trains even sell special railway bento (Japanese box lunches) known as "ekiben" or in English, train station bento. Don’t miss out if you are taking any form of long-distance transport in Japan!

For more things you should keep in mind when riding a train in Japan, the article below can come in useful.

What if I am a vegetarian? Is it easy to find vegetarian restaurants in Japan?

Due to religious or health reasons, the number of people identifying as vegetarians has been growing in recent years. In Japan, being a Buddhist does not necessary mean following a no-meat diet, so it might be quite hard to find a vegetarian restaurant here. Luckily, with the increase in foreign tourists and residents, more and more vegetarian places have been popping up in city centers.

In case there are no such restaurants nearby, you may look for places that offer fried tempura, udon noodles, and soba noodles. These places may not be completely vegetarian, but you can still order non-meat dishes. Alternatively, you can just buy bread from a bakery, or plum or brown rice onigiri (Japanese rice balls) or salads from a convenience store.

Shopping in Japan & Other Common Questions

Is every shop in japan tax-free.

In recent years, as tourists' expenditures on shopping keep soaring, a lot of shops have launched various tax-free promotions in hopes of getting a piece of the action. However, not every shop is tax free, so look for the “Tax Free” sign before shopping at a particular store! Also, note that while many stores automatically deduct tax for you, this is not true for many department stores. You might have to bring all your receipts to a tax refund counter to claim the tax refund, so do remember to keep your receipts and go to the counter during opening hours!

How can I withdraw more money in Japan? Do most shops accept credit cards?

While most tourists do exchange their money for Japanese yen before actually traveling to Japan, the country is such a shopping paradise - what with its high-quality goods, low prices, and tax-free promotions - that it is easy to spend all your yen if you are not careful. Aside from currency exchange counters, if you have an ATM card that supports overseas withdrawal, you can simply withdraw yen at a convenience store. In addition, many large department stores, hotels, tourist centers, and some banks offer currency exchange services. Some ticket resellers also offer money exchange services, with one popular example being the famous Daikokuya.

What if I lose my passport by accident?

Losing things is probably your biggest fear when vacationing abroad. It's easy to get help from your travel buddies if you lose your wallet or phone, but it's not that simple if you lose your passport. If this does happen to you, head to the nearest police station at once. The police will file a loss/robbery report and issue a certificate of loss. Take that to your nearest embassy to have your passport re-issued. It should take just around 30 minutes (note: time varies depending on embassy) before you are given a certificate that will act as your temporary passport until you return to your home country. When you check in at the airport, tell the ground staff about the incident and remember to use a check-in counter with an inspection officer.

Other situations you need to be aware of when traveling around Japan are written in the article below.

Do I have to be naked when using onsen (hot spring)?

A lot of tourists come to Japan to try its hot springs of various sizes, such as Kusatsu Onsen and Hakone Onsen. While you may be required to wear a swimsuit in your home country, it is the norm to get completely naked before entering a hot spring in Japan. 

If you are not used to being nude in the public, you may instead rent a private onsen or go to large hot spring facilities, such as OEDO-ONSEN MONOGATARI and Hakone Kowakien YUNESSUN, where swimsuits are allowed. It may take some courage to get naked for the first time, but you will soon find out that nudity is not really a big deal. Bathing naked is also so much more comfortable than wearing a swimsuit! So, why don’t you give it a try?

Taking some time to learn more about Japan beforehand not only ensures a smooth journey, but also avoids causing trouble to the locals, ensuring that foreign visitors will continue to be warmly welcomed to Japan in the future. There may be some unexpected incidents during your trip, but we hope this article can help you deal with them in a better way so that you have a safe and happy journey!

Japan Shinkansen, Narita Express (N'EX) & Express Train Tickets

Plan ahead by booking your shinkansen, airport train, and express train tickets online in English. Have the tickets sent to you by mail or collect them at the station once you're in Japan.

The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.

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Traveling to Japan for the First Time: Planning a 1-2 Week Trip Making your first trip to Japan an awesome one

May 8, 2012 • words written by Koichi • Art by Aya Francisco

Traveling to Japan for the first time can be overwhelming. I understand! There's a lot to see and do. That's why I put together a "first-timers" Japan travel itinerary, built on my 20+ years of traveling to and from Japan.

This sample trip is for people heading to Japan for 1 to 2 weeks (which seems like the standard visit time for most people). Of course, there are so many things to see in Japan besides those featured on this trip itinerary. That's why I broke the travel plan into a 2 week stint so you can customize your vacation, removing and adding things as necessary.

That said, I hope this is helpful to those of you visiting Japan for the first time.

Things To Know

There are a few important things to know that have nothing to do with the actual places. They are:

Whether you travel to Japan for one week or one-point-five weeks or two weeks, the general route stays the same. You'll do Tokyo area, then Kyoto, then Nara, then Koya, and then back to Tokyo. Throughout the route, I'll mark things as "optional" as well. If you're only staying a week, I'd recommend cutting out these things (unless you really want to go to them, then cut something else out). If you're staying for two weeks, you should be able to go to all of these places, and maybe even diverge off to other places. In fact, I highly encourage this! Go where you want – this route is merely a suggestion.

Also keep in mind that I'm just going to be providing locations. You'll have to do your own research as to how to get to them. Google and Google Maps helps a lot with this. I believe in you.

Whether you stay a week or two weeks, I'd recommend getting the JR Pass . This is like a magical golden ticket that gives you unlimited JR train rides (bullet train too) to anywhere around Japan. Not all things are free (for example, non JR trains as well as most subways), but if you take three rides on the Shinkansen that will usually make it worthwhile. You can get a JR Pass at jrpass.com (where I got my last one). Just be sure to take into account the time change when you schedule your ticket dates. Going to Japan involves traveling through both space and time.

Finding Places To Stay

I don't really cover places to stay in this article, just the places to go to. Finding someplace to stay is up to you, though there are plenty of resources out there that will help you. I recommend hostels for adventurers / students / people with no money (they're fun, cheap, and way less sketchy than other hostels I've been to). Guest houses are also great if you can find them. They tend to be a little cheaper than hotels, but the food / environments are a lot more interesting. And interesting is what you want when you travel to Japan.

Since this is a pretty standard trip, most of the places are going to be pretty bag friendly. I wouldn't bring a ton (lots of hotels have washing machines too), and would definitely recommend a backpack or something with wheels. Don't make the mistake of bringing something you're not comfortable carrying up and down long flights of stairs. You will run into a lot of these getting on and off trains, so if your biceps are tiny, only pack whatever you can lift (preferably less). Also, bring a lightweight duffel bag (or you can buy one) for the optional shopping you can do at the end of your trip.

That being said, let's get started! You have some traveling to plan.

Day 1: Fly Into Tokyo

Flying into Tokyo isn't terrible, but it isn't great either. Depending on where you're coming from, you may also be terribly jet lagged. If that's you and you're on the 2-week schedule, you get an extra day to take it easy in Tokyo. Nice. If that's not you, you better be ready to go. No rest for the weary. After getting to the airport, you'll need to go pick up your JR Pass (should be included with your ticket). If your flight comes in too late (and the ticket place is closed) I'd recommend shelling out the $30 or so to go into Tokyo without the JR Pass and get it the next day in the city.

Optional: You can also pick up a 3g hotspot / internet dongle for your computer if you'd like. Finding free wifi in Japan is a huge pain, and getting one of these will pay for itself if you need to do a lot of work, or something.

Once you've gotten your ticket, hop on the JR Narita Express (NEX) to Tokyo. When you get to Tokyo, check into wherever you're staying and scope things out. It's probably evening by now anyways, so do your best to unjetlag yourself and go to bed so you can wake up early.

Day 2, 3, & 4: Tokyo

*If you're only staying for one week, cut out days 3 and 4 and then skip to Day 7. Alternatively, you could skip Day 2 as well and choose to do Day 5 or Day 6 (then your Tokyo time will be your shopping time on your way back). If you don't really care about big cities like Tokyo, skipping this section won't be too bad! :)

For the first few days, you'll be exploring Tokyo. So many people. So many things. Hopefully by the end of your Tokyo time you'll feel so tired of it you want to go somewhere nice and peaceful (don't worry, you will!). There are various areas of Tokyo worth visiting, and they're all quite easy to get to via the subway system. As long as you're not hitting it during rush hour, you'll probably have a great time scooting around. Since there are so many different tastes out there, I thought I'd list out the main places worth visiting in Tokyo, and then you can pick and choose what you like. I'll even sort them by areas.

Central Tokyo

Akihabara: This area should be on every nerd's Japan itinerary. It's famous for its electronic shops and otaku culture. So, if you're into either of these, this is a fun place to be. Make sure you look up, too. Lots of multi-story buildings filled with all kinds of weird things. You can spend a while walking around here.

Northern Tokyo:

Asakusa: Asakusa has the feeling of an "old" Tokyo, I think. You can visit the Sensoji (famous Buddhist Temple) and Asakusa Shrine or hit up some of the various shopping lanes.

Ueno Park: Ueno Park is probably one of Japan's most well known parks. Besides being parkish, it's full of museums, shrines, temples, as well as the Ueno Zoo. Definitely the kind of place you fancier folks will enjoy. You can spend a whole day here, if you're into this kind of thing.

Roppongi Hills: Want to see Tokyo from somewhere up high? Come to Roppongi Hills. You can go up into the Mori tower and look down on all those tiny people. Pro Tip: They don't like it when you try to throw pennies off the observation deck. Also worth noting is the Mori Art Museum.

Kappabashi: Do you know how a lot of Japanese food places have fake foods outside showing you what the food looks like? There's a chance they got it at Kappabashi, the kitchen capital of Tokyo. You can buy things for your restaurant, but the best part is the fake food, I think. It's surprisingly expensive, too.

Western Tokyo

Shibuya: Shibuya is just a ward of Tokyo, but it's particularly known for all its fashion and culture. Fashionistas should put it on their Japan itinerary. A lot of shopping can be found here, but there's also the Hachiko Dog Statue as well. Scope it out but come back in the "shopping days" at the end of your trip.

Love Hotel Hill: Technically this is part of Shibuya, but it's worth noting on its own. This is just an area with a lot of love hotels. Pro tip: They won't let three people in at a time, so if you want to check one out as a group, you'll have to break up into pairs or bring a body pillow.

Shinjuku: Shinjuku's kind of the party district, though that may be because of Kabukicho (northeast of Shinjuku Station) which is Tokyo's big red light district. If you're into nightclubs, bars, pachinko, neon, and other ahem things, this will be a place you'll enjoy.

Harajuku: Love crazy outfits? You'll fit in right here. Harajuku is home to Tokyo's teen fashion and cosplay (if you visit on a Sunday). There's also plenty of shopping and crepe stands as well (yum).

Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park: These two places are pretty close to each other, so I'm putting them together here too. It's also a good place to go from Harajuku, since you'll use the same train station. The Meiji Shrine is just one of many shrines in Japan, but it's particularly interesting if you're into modern Japanese history. Yoyogi Park, on the other hand, is just a really big park. Both are nice, though, if you're looking to get out of the cement jungle known as Tokyo.

Day 5: Monkey Park, Jigokudani

Have you heard of those Japanese monkeys that hang out in the hot springs? This is one of those places, though depending on the time of year, they may not be spending too much time in the hot springs. I like this place in Winter, but other times are good as well. Summer means baby monkeys, after all. To get here, you'll have to go North of Tokyo to Nagano (Shinkansen it!). From Nagano Station, take Nagano Dentetsu to Yudanaka. From there, you can take a bus to the Kanbayashi Onsen, which has the entrance to the Jigokudani Yaen-Koen. It'll be a 30+ minute walk (depending on how much you stop) to get to the actual monkey area, though you may start seeing monkeys before then if you're lucky. Check out the livecam , too!

If you're going to Jigokudani, I'd maybe recommend heading up here at the end of Day 4 and staying the night in Nagano. There's some interesting things up there too (that's where they did the Winter Olympics in 1998!), so feel free to head up a bit earlier and check things out. Then, the next morning (Day 5) you can head out bright and early to Jigokudani and take your time with the monkeys and possibly hit the onsen. It's a nice place. Then, you can head on back to Tokyo the same night.

Day 6: Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

Nikko is the mausoleum for Tokugawa Ieyasu. Basically, he and his relatives ruled over Japan as Shogun for 250 years (until the Meiji Restoration). That means he got a pretty sweet shrine. There are over a dozen Shinto and Buddhist buildings here, and it's in a very beautiful setting. Need some peace from Tokyo? You'll for sure get it here.

This can be a day trip (it's really close to Tokyo) with some extra time left over. I'd recommend coming here, then either checking out other things in this area or heading straight to Tokyo in the afternoon or evening. Just be sure to give yourself 3-4 hours to travel, so don't leave too late from here. Another option would be to leave the morning of Day 7 and get to Kyoto in the late morning or early afternoon. It's totally up to you.

Day 7 & 8: Kyoto

*If you're on the 1-week plan, skip day 8 and go to Nara instead.

Kyoto's going to be your shrine and temple time while visiting Japan. Since it was the place where the emperor lived for over a thousand years, it's full of cool, historical things. Take your pick and enjoy. Also be sure to just walk around at random. You'll run into so many temple, castles, and shrines just by accident. It doesn't hurt to explore, some. Oh, and bring your walking shoes. Things are about to get… walky.

Central Kyoto

Nijo Castle: This was where Tokugawa Ieyasu lived (remember his shrine, up above?). Later it switched to an imperial palace (after the Shogunate went down), and then later opened to the public. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is supposedly a big deal.

Kyoto Imperial Palace: When the Shogunate was in power, this is where the imperial family lived. You can even take tours in English, here.

Northern Kyoto

Kinkakuji: Also known as the golden pavilion, this is a building covered in gold .

Western Kyoto

Kokedera: Also known as Saihoji, this is another UNESCO World Heritage Site (way to go, Kyoto). This temple is mainly known for its moss, and apparently has over 120 different varieties.

Southern Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine: This shrine is known for its thousand torii gates. They're bright orange and absolutely incredible to walk through. Highly recommended.

Eastern Kyoto

Kiyomizudera: One of the must sees, I think (and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This temple is high up on a hill and has a balcony that offers an awesome view.

Higashiyama District: You'll run into this on your way up to Kiyomizudera, actually. Think of this area as a "historic shopping district." Kind of touristy, but a lot of fun nonetheless. Grab something to take home!

Sanjusangendo: The building itself it's amazing, but the inside is pretty remarkable. There are 1001 statues of Kannon in here, which is… well… kinda remarkable.

Gion: Like Geisha? this is Kyoto's Geisha District. You will have to try pretty hard to get in to see a geiko, though, but good luck trying (hint: apparently some travel agencies will hook you up if you've got the yen).

Day 9: Nara

You can leave the morning of Day 9 or leave the evening of Day 10 and spend the night in Nara. Either is fine. You can even spend the night in Nara on Day 9 as well then move on early in the morning of Day 10. It all depends on how much you like temples and Deer.

While there's some neat temples, shrines, castles, and other similar things here in Nara, I'd say you're coming for deer. The deer here are pretty tame and will actually attack you if you have food (kinda fun to run from deer). Don't worry, they have their horns cut off, though (it's a religious thing), so you won't be stabbed through, most likely.

Places you'll want to go in Nara:

• Todaiji Temple: Largest wooden structure in the world with Japan's largest Buddha statues inside. Basically, think super sized. Definitely one of the best places to visit in Nara.
• Nara Park: Has a lot of deer. Go buy deer food, the deer will thank you.
• Kofukuji Temple: Basically a big temple. Very pretty, though.
• Nara National Museum: If you're interested in Japanese Buddhist Art, this will be a fun place for you. The building is also surrounded by ferocious, wild deer.

Consider this a day to walk around but not as much as when you were in Kyoto. Nara's a lot like Kyoto in a lot of ways, though, so I'd recommend mainly hitting up the deer and then hitting up Todaiji Temple. Depending on how worn out you are on temples, though, you can stay here longer or shorter, deciding where you stay this night based off of that.

Day 10: Mt. Koya aka Koyasan

You'll want to make sure you leave early this day, whether you're leaving from Kyoto or Nara. You have a ways to go to get to Koya-san, quite possibly one of the most beautiful places in Japan (just my opinion). This might be one of the best places you go in your Japan travels.

There are a hundred temples here, many of which you can stay the night at. When you spend the night, you get the best vegetarian meal you've ever had (guaranteed), a room to stay in, and even the option to wake up (really) early to go watch the monks do their morning rituals. It's so peaceful, a lot of fun, and one of my favorite places on earth. You'll want to go to the Koyasan website for more information on lodging.

I'd recommend getting here as early as you can on Day 10, dropping off your things at the place you're staying, then just walk around. You'll be able to fill a good amount of time just exploring. The best place to walk, though? Probably the giant cemetery, which also happens to be the largest in Japan. Although some may find a graveyard creepy, it really is quite peaceful.

This, I think, will be one of your best days in Japan, so don't skimp out on it if possible! Just be sure to get back to your temple in time for dinner.

Day 11: Travel Day / Osaka / Fuji

*If you're on the 1-week schedule, you'll need to get back to Tokyo. You're running out of days.

Day 11 is mostly travel. You'll want to leave Koya either late morning or early afternoon, depending on where you're going next. If you like shopping a lot, you'll want to get back to Tokyo on this day.

If you don't need the extra time, consider stopping in Osaka (it's on the way from Koyasan). You can visit the Glico Man, Osaka Tower, play some Pachinko, and eat some Takoyaki / Okonomiyaki (both famous in Osaka). It's a bit different than Tokyo, but it's still a big city. I'll leave this one up to you, though. Osaka's a lot of fun to just walk around and check out.

Alternatively, you could stop at Mt. Fuji on the way back too. I recommend the amusement park Fuji-Q Highland over climbing the mountain itself (it looks better from afar, you'll have to trust me on this one) if you do this. Definitely don't miss the horror house there, it's top notch.

Whatever you end up doing, you're reaching the end of your trip. Just make sure you're back in Tokyo in time to do your shopping before you get on the airplane to leave. Of course, if you don't shop, then you have more time to go to more places. If you do shop, get back to Tokyo.

Day 12 & 13: Shopping In Tokyo / Last Minute Visits

Hopefully you scoped out all the places you wanted to shop at, because this is your shopping time. Get the things you want for yourself and for your friends / relatives. Fill up that duffel bag you brought / bought and have fun. This is also a good time to just go around to the places you missed.

Either way, it's good to be back in Tokyo a day or two before your flight leaves, that way you won't miss your flight (unless you want to "accidentally" miss it, wink wink nudge nudge).

Day 14: Go Home

Hope you had traveling to Japan. This is only your first trip, though. Now that you've gotten all the normal / main stuff out of the way, your next trip can be filled with strange, exciting places. Be sure to check out TofuguTV for some of those, and keep reading Tofugu for more in the future. There are certainly many, many "off-the-beaten-track" locations worth visiting, but we'll save that for next time !

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83 Must-Know Japanese Travel Phrases For Your Next Trip To Japan

If you're learning Japanese and considering a trip to Japan, you'll probably want to learn some Japanese travel phrases so you can make the most of your trip.

Getting a feel for which expressions will be most important to you can vary depending upon your specific interests and goals while traveling. But some vocab is particularly useful no matter what.

If you spend time learning any basic Japanese phrases and words, start with these 83 Japanese travel phrases so that you can head into Japan on the right foot!

Regardless of where you are or what you’re doing, two of the most important words you’ll need to know are arigatou gozaimasu and sumimasen .

Arigatou (gozaimasu ) means “thank you,” and it’s very polite; you can use it with anyone. Sumimasen means “excuse me” (when trying to get someone’s attention) or “I’m sorry” (if you’ve inconvenienced someone, such as by misunderstanding or taking up time).

Let's discover the other Japanese travel phrases that will be a must on your next trip to Japan.

By the way, if you want to learn Japanese fast and have fun while doing it, my top recommendation is  Japanese Uncovered  which teaches you through StoryLearning®. 

With  Japanese Uncovered  you’ll use my unique StoryLearning® method to learn Japanese naturally through story… not rules. It’s as fun as it is effective.

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At The Airport

So you have arrived in Japan, and you’re in the airport. Depending on how your travels went and what you’re planning on doing next, you might have multiple places you need to visit.

To start, review your vocab and see if any of these locations apply to you for your next stop:

#1 currency exchange ( ryougaejo 両替所) #2 toilet ( toire トイレ) #3 customs ( zeikan 税関) #4 immigration ( nyuukoku shinsa 入国審査) #5 information ( desksougou annaijo 総合案内所) #6 souvenir shop ( omiyageya お土産屋) #7 Seat ( seki 席) #8 Train ( densha 電車) #9 Taxi ( takushi タクシー)

These are the most likely places you’ll need to stop next once you arrive. If you need to locate a certain establishment or find where to go, you can always ask someone:

#10 Where is the ______? (____ ha doko desu ka? ＿＿はどこですか。)

After you conclude your business wandering around the airport, you’ll probably be heading out into the city. In order to do that, you’ll most likely need to take a train out of the airport. If you feel confident using the airport’s self-service ticket machines, you can buy your own ticket.

However, if you have a JR Pass or need to use special train services, or if you don’t know how to use the machines, you can approach the manned ticket counter and ask:

#11 Can I have a ticket to _______ please? (____ made no chiketto wo kudasai. ＿＿までのチケットをください。)

If you are concerned that you may have to change trains during the process, you can ask about this too by saying:

#12 Is there a transfer? ( Norikae ha arimasu ka? 乗り換えはありますか。)

Taking A Taxi

Taxis in Japan are much more economical options than people give them credit for, so if you’re overwhelmed about navigating by yourself, a taxi can be a great option. The vocabulary for taking a taxi is simple, and drivers typically go above and beyond to help you.

#13 Taxi ( takushi タクシー)

When you have located the taxis, you will see that they typically drive up in a line. Wait your turn, and when one drives up, approach. Remember: do not open or close the taxi doors yourself; the driver has an automated button to do this for you.

#14 I’d like to go to _____, please. (____ made onegaishimasu ＿＿までお願いします) #15 How much does it cost? ( Ikura desu ka? いくらですか。)

One important thing to remember is that Japan is a very cash-centric society . The use of credit cards is much rarer than you may be used to, so you should plan to carry larger than normal amounts of cash with you in general. This also means that you should be prepared to ask your taxi driver if he or she accepts credit cards at all.

#16 Is paying by credit card okay? ( Kurejitto kaado de ii desu ka? クレジットカードでいいですか。)

Checking Into Your Hotel

So you have taken a taxi or train, and you’ve arrived at your hotel. Hotels have a wide array of commodities that you can take advantage of, which means that you’ll also get to use a lot of unique vocabulary.

Check out some of the words you’re most likely to use:

#17 Key ( kagi 鍵) #18 Front desk ( chouba (but furonto desuku is more common) 帳場 (フロントデスク)) #19 Lobby ( robii ロビー) #20 Dining room ( shokudou 食堂) #21 Hall ( rouka 廊下) #22 Towel ( taoru タオル) #23 Soap ( sekken 石鹸) #24 Toothbrush ( ha-burashi 歯ブラシ) #25 Toothpaste ( ha-migaki 歯磨き) #26 Razor ( kamisori かみそり) #27 Television ( terebi テレビ) #28 Housekeeping ( kaji-gakari かじがかり) #29 Laundry ( sentaku 選択)

If you are looking to do laundry at a hotel, be aware that Japanese dryers are not as powerful as most countries’, so you may need to run the dryer multiple times or simply hang your clothes to dry.

When you are ready to check in, you can approach the front desk. Depending on what you need to do next, you can use phrases such as:

#30 I’d like to check in. ( Chekku in wo onegaishimasu .チェックインをお願いします。) #31 My name is _______. ( Namae wa _____desu .名前あ＿＿＿です。) #32 I’d like to make a reservation. ( Yoyaku wo shitai desu .予約をしたいです。) #33 Is there wifi? ( Wi-Fi ga arimasu ka? WIFIがありますか。) #34 What time is checkout? ( Chekku auto wa nanji desu ka? チェックアウトは何時ですか。`) #35 Can you hold my luggage for me? ( Nimotsu wo koko ni oite itte mo ii desu ka? 荷物はここに置いていってもいいですか。)

Japanese Greetings

Now that you have settled into Japan a little bit, you’ll probably enjoy going for a walk to see the sights. As you interact with other people, the phrases you’re most likely to hear them say are:

#36 Ohayou/konnichiwa/konbanwa

These are the “daily” greetings that mean “hello.” Ohayou (good morning) is typically used until about 11:30 or noon, then people switch to konnichiwa (good afternoon). At about 5pm, most people will switch to konbanwa (good evening).

#37 Itterasshai/Okaeri

When you leave and return for the day, you may be greeted with unique phrases. Itterasshai means “have a safe trip” or simply “goodbye for the day,” said as you leave. Your hotel staff may say this to you. They may also greet you with okaeri (welcome back) when you return.

#38 Irasshaimase

Whenever you enter a business, you’ll likely be greeted with irasshaimase , a very formal welcome. You are not expected to say anything in response; it’s sort of like the staff saying hello while also thanking you for shopping or visiting.

Buying Coffee

If you can’t go a day without your morning brew, take heart—Japanese coffee shops are everywhere, and the vocabulary is actually almost identical to what you may be used to ordering.

#39 Coffee shop ( kissaten 喫茶店) #40 Hot coffee ( hotto kohi ホットコーヒー) #41 Iced coffee ( aisu kohi アイスコーヒー) #42 Cafe latte ( kafe rate カフェラテ) #43 Drip coffee ( dorippu kohi ドリップコーヒー) #44 Soy milk ( soi miruku ソイミルク)) #45 Espresso ( Esupuresso エスプレッソ)

When it comes time to order your drink, you can specify what you want via the following format:

#46 I’d like to order [number] of [item]. ([item] wo [number] onegaishimasu .[item] を [number]お願いします。)

The [item] can be kohi, mizu (water), or any other item you would like to order. If you don’t know how to say what you want to order, you can point to a menu and simply say “kore” (this) in the [item] place. You can fill the [number] slot with the quantity you would like; the words hitotsu, futatsu , and mitsu mean one, two, and three, respectively.

For example:

• I’d like one hot coffee, please. ( Hotto kohi wo hitotsu onegaishimasu. )

After this, the waitress may ask what size you would like. You can typically choose from small (S), medium (M), and large (L).

Use the letter to indicate which size you would like:

#47 Size ( saizu サイズ) #48 Medium M ( saizuM サイズ)

In A Japanese Restaurant

If you’ve decided to stop by a Japanese restaurant instead of a café, you might need a wider variety of words to make sure you can get by.

The good news is that many restaurants—especially in large cities—have pictures on their menus, and no one will be upset if you point and simply say “this, please.”

To start, the vocabulary you’re most likely to need include:

#49 Fish ( sakana 魚) #50 Meat ( niku 肉) #51 Vegetables ( yasai 野菜) #52 Vegetarian ( begitarian ベジタリアン) #53 Beer ( biiru ビール) #54 Water ( mizu 水) #55 Tea ( ocha お茶)

As you enter a restaurant, you will likely be asked how many people are in your party. Using basic Japanese numbers 1-10, you can create the following sentence:

#56 There are [number] people. ([number] mei desu .___名です)

Once you have been seated, you may need to use some of the following phrases:

#57 Do you have an English menu? ( Eigo no menyu arimasu ka? 英語のメニューありますか。) #58 What is this [while pointing]? ( Kore ha nan desu ka? これは何ですか。)

When you have decided what you would like to order, you can simply state:

#59 [item] please. (____ onegaishimasu .＿＿お願いします。)

If you do not know the name of the item and would like to order just by pointing at the menu, you can use:

#60 I’d like to order [number] of [item]. ([item] wo [number] onegaishimasu .[item] を [number]お願いします。)

When your meal is over, your next step is to pay. Important phrases that can get you through this phase of the interaction include:

#61 Could we have the bill, please? ( Okaikei kudasai. お会計ください。) #62 Can I pay with a credit card? ( Kurejitto kaado de daijoubu desu ka? クレジットカードで大丈夫ですか。)

In A Convenience Store

If you don’t feel like stopping by a restaurant, or if you’d just like a quick bite to eat or other item, the thousands of convenience stores (called konbini , short for konbiniensu sutoa , “convenience store”) that appear on nearly every street corner are ready to serve you.

The easiest meals in terms of simplicity will be bento boxes, or small boxes (in the cold section) that serve as a whole meal. If you pick one of those up and stand in line, you will almost always hear the following three phrases (to which you can answer yes or no, which keeps things simple):

#63 Next in line, please! ( Otsugi no kata douzo! お次の方どうぞ。) #64 Do you have a point card [a rewards card for the convenience store]? ( Pointo ka-do ha omochi desu ka? ポイントカードはお持ちですか。) #65 Would you like your bento warmed up? ( Obento atatamemasu ka? お弁当温めますか。)

Getting Directions And Getting Lost

Almost inevitably, you’ll find yourself turned around once you start exploring. That’s not such a bad thing! Japan is full of small, tucked away secrets, and the people are eager to help you get back to a familiar place much more often than not.

If you need to ask directions, the phrases that will serve you best are:

#66 Where is [place]?( ____ ha doko desu ka? ＿＿ はどこですか。) #67 Can I ask you for directions? ( Michi wo kiite mo ii desu ka? 道を聞いてもいいですか。) #68 Can you help me? ( Tasukete kudasaimasen ka? 助けてくださいませんか。)

In response, Japanese people are likely to use the following words:

#69 Next ( totonari となり) #70 In front of ( mae 前) #71 Behind ( ushiro 後ろ) #72 Nearby ( chikaku 近く) #73 North ( kita 北) #74 South ( minami 南) #75 East ( higashi 東) #76 West ( nishi 西) #77 Right ( migi 右) #78 Left ( hidari 左) #79 Street/road/path ( michi 道) #80 Bridge ( hashi 橋) #81 Corner ( kado 角)

Thanks to the consistent presence of trains and other forms of public transport, you should feel emboldened to explore as much as you like. There will always be a train station or bus nearby where you can ask directions or head back to a familiar place!

Japanese Travel Phrases

So there you have it – 83 Japanese travel phrases to hit the ground running on your next trip to Japan. From the airport to the convenience store and from the hotel to Japanese restaurants these knowing these Japanese travel phrases will help you feel less like a tourist.

And who knows, maybe getting started with these Japanese travel phrases will be your gateway into learning the language.

By the way, if you'd like to learn some more Japanese phrases before your trip, make sure you check out this post on basic conversational Japanese for your first chat with a native speaker. You might also like this list of Japanese conversation starters.

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See what documents a child needs to travel to or from the U.S. alone or with a parent or relative.

Children traveling to the U.S.

All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents such as a passport or document from a Trusted Traveler Program to enter the U.S. If you travel or are going to travel with a child, consider taking the following documents:

• If the child is traveling with only one of their custodial parents, they must have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both parents. The letter should say "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."
• If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.
• Parents who frequently cross the border by land with a minor must always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.

U.S. citizen children traveling abroad

Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent international child abduction . If you are traveling alone with your child, you may be required to present documentation proving you are the parent or legal guardian. You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel. 

If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian. If a minor is traveling abroad and is not accompanied by both parents or a legal guardian, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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Why the French Adore Japan: A Deep Dive into Traditional Culture

更新日： 2023.08.24

投稿日： 2022.07.03

The number of French visitors to Japan from 2014 to 2019, just before the Corona Vortex, had surged 1.9 times during that period.

In fact, the French love Japan! I want to visit Japan! I have been living in France for 20 years, and everywhere I go I meet people who have a good impression of Japan.

As of 2022, Japan has been ranked as the best country that foreigners would like to visit.

Of course, the French are included in the survey.

Among them, I met many French people, young and old, both men and women, who have respect and admiration for Japan, which makes me happy as a Japanese.

Even those who have a rough interpretation of Japan as “a country in East Asia” seem to have a very positive image of the country.

So why is it that people from one country have a favorable impression of one country and want to visit it? Why do people from one country have such a good impression of Japan and want to visit it?

In this article, I would like to answer the question, “Why do French people like Japan?” We will discuss the question, “Why do French people like Japan?

Let’s look for hints to promote the inbound effect.

・What do French people like about Japan?

・What is popular Japanese culture in France?

・What is the appeal of Japanese culture from the French point of view?

・The 10 most popular Japanese cultural experiences among French people

Here are some of the various perspectives!

Why are French people interested in Japanese culture?

France, a country that values its history and culture.

France is the birthplace of Japonism, a movement that has had a profound influence on modern European culture.

Click here to read a past article detailing Japonism.

Many artists were inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e prints and crafts, which gave birth to the Japonism movement.

Western countries were deeply impressed by Japan’s unique history, religion, culture, art, and philosophy.

Even today, France places great importance on history, tradition, and culture, which are the most respected aspects of Japanese culture.

This is the French way of thinking.

This is also a part of the French identity, where they feel respect and admiration for their own country.

Among French people, there is an awareness that “Japan is a country with a history and culture as deep as that of France,” and out of this respect comes the feeling of “I love Japan.

Of course, as in other countries, there is a high level of trust in Japanese products, and the brand power of products made in Japan is still strong.

The late former President Jacques Chirac, a Japan lover

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Among dignitaries from various countries, there are sometimes people who say, “I have a special love for the country of Japan! I have a special fondness for Japan!

One of the most famous pro-Japan people is the late former French President Jacques Chirac.

He visited Japan more than 40 times as a public visitor and more than 100 times as a private visitor.

He is said to have visited Japan more than 40 times in public, and more than 100 times in private.

In the chapter about Japan in the first volume of his memoirs, he says, “When I am in Japan, I feel completely at home.

President Chirac had a deep knowledge of Japanese culture and history, and there are many episodes in which he could tell the difference between Yayoi and Jomon earthenware just by looking at them, and other episodes that made Japanese experts roll their eyes.

President Chirac, who was a great lover of sumo, created the Grand Sumo Presidential Cup, which is now awarded to the winning wrestler as the Jacques Chirac Japan-France Friendship Cup, along with a giant macaron.

Like President Chirac, there are many French Japan lovers who have a wealth of knowledge about Japan and a deep understanding and respect for the culture.

This shows the French people’s respect for history and culture.

Reference link: Memoirs of former French President Jacques Chirac

Philosopher Roland Barthes, Empire of Symbols and Café Philo (café philosophique)

Empire of Signs” (L’Empire des signes) is a book written by the French semiotician Roland Barthes.

From 1966 to 1968, Roland Barthes visited Japan several times as a member of the French Cultural Envoy, spending several months in Japan in total.

Based on his impressions of Japan, he developed his own theory of Japanese culture from the standpoint of semiotics.

This book, described by Barthes as “a novel without a story,” unravels the everyday life of the Japanese from the perspective of Western philosophy.

This book, Empire of Symbols, is easy to read for those unfamiliar with philosophy, and Japanese readers will be surprised by its novelty.

The analysis that Japan is an “empire of symbols” while the Western world is an “empire of meanings” is very interesting.

If you are interested in learning more about Japan from a foreigner’s perspective, I highly recommend picking up a copy.

This is a book about ecriture.

I used Japan to write about the issues of ecriture that interest me.

Japan has given me poetic material, and I have used it to develop my ideas about symbols.

Tempura, gardens, Kabuki onnagata, pachinko, the student movement… I marvel at the various aspects of “Japan,” the faraway country of Garabagne,

While marveling at the various aspects of “Japan,” the faraway country of Garabagne, he deconstructs these common practices to “zero,” reading them as texts for symbols, relations, and perceptions, and vividly developing his own philosophy on the expressive form (écriture) and the signifier (signe).

（ Kinokuniya Bookstore:

In France, where philosophy is very popular, it is a little more accessible than in Japan.

In France, there are café philosophique (philosophical cafes) where people gather to discuss philosophy.

The philosopher Marc Sautet (1947-1998) held the first philosophy café at the Café des Phares (Lighthouse Café) in the 4th arrondissement side of Place de la Bastille in Paris, France.

His philosophy was to return to the “basic principles of reasoning,” which he addressed to the general public, not to the pompous upper classes,

Every Sunday he would gather some friends in his philosophy café for a two-hour philosophical debate (“conceptual fisticuffs”).

The first meeting attracted about 10 people, but was gradually followed by college students, eccentric citizens of the city, after-hours cab drivers, and bored, well-to-do women.

This became a regular weekly event, swelling to about 200 people at each meeting.

The subjects discussed at the café could be anything from the legend of Santa Claus to truth, beauty, sex, and death.

Although Sautet brought philosophy back to the general public attending the philosophy cafes, he was ostracized by scholars because he was seen as not being faithful to the usual philosophy taught in higher education.

Thanks to his work, however, caféphilo for the general public lives on in France today.

Today’s Café Philo is centered on cafes, but it is also held in community centers, libraries, and culture centers, where people interested in philosophy gather,

There are also places where people interested in philosophy gather to read philosophy books with lecturers and discuss a single question, and if interested, they can actively participate.

There is also a Café Philo for children, so there are opportunities for children of all ages to experience philosophy.

From the academic side, there are many thinkers and specialists, such as Barthes, who are doing research on Japan, so there are people who get their philosophical ideas from the country of Japan.

Japanese culture is profound, and people respect and are interested in this aspect of Japanese culture.

Popular Japanese culture currently attracting attention in France

The French have always been interested in Japanese traditions, history, and culture.

So what are some of the popular images of Japan today?

Let’s take a look at how the French enjoy Japanese pop culture.

Japanese neighborhood in the Paris Opera House area

Paris is a melting pot of people from so many different countries and regions that it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a melting pot of races.

Small communities from every country in the world are concentrated in every corner of Paris.

However, such “neighborhoods with a strong national or regional flavor” inevitably attract only people from that country, making it difficult for those unfamiliar with the area to drop in.

However, the Japanese quarter is special in that it is used by as many or more French people as Japanese people, which shows the special nature of Japan in France.

In the beautiful streets of Paris, just a few steps off the beaten path, you will find the Japanese quarter.

The Japanese quarter is the area between the Paris Opera House and the Louvre Museum.

During the high-growth period when Japan was a very rich country, the Japanese community was built in the best cartier in Paris.

Thanks to this, Japanese living in France today can enjoy Japan in the most beautiful places in Paris.

There are Japanese grocery stores, ramen stores, bookstores, sake stores, Japanese bakeries, delicatessens, UNIQLO, etc….

Every Japanese living in France stops by when they visit Paris and miss Japan.

It is said that this is one of the biggest Japanese communities in Europe, where you can get quite a few Japanese things.

The Opera House area is a favorite haunt of Japanese residents in France.

In fact, it is very popular among French people and is always crowded with French people.

The restaurants, especially the ramen shops, have lines of customers just like in Japan, and on Saturday lunchtime and Friday night, you have to wait for a long time to get a good bowl of ramen.

Junkudo, a Japanese-language bookstore, is always crowded with more French than Japanese customers.

At lunch time, businessmen line up at the bento shop to buy their lunch boxes, and at the Japanese food store, French people can be seen earnestly shopping for Japanese foodstuffs.

Reference URL : Articles on Japanese culture in France

NINJA Parkour and NINJA Warrior

The popularity of the ninja in France has a different fan base from that of other foreigners.

One of them is the street sport of parkour, which is popular among young people.

Parkour is a sport that originated in French military training, in which ninjas run around freely on top of tall buildings and rooftops.

In 2001, the sport was introduced to the world by Luc Besson’s YAMAKASHI ! in 2001, the sport became internationally recognized.

Their appearance has always been likened to that of ninja, and in fact, the Ninja Parkour World Championships are held every year in Kanazawa, which is famous as the land of ninja.

Official website:

The new image of NINJA is taking root in France, partly due to the influence of the popular French TV program “Ninja Warrior”.

Ninja Warrior” is the French version of the Japanese TBS TV program “SASUKE,” which is aired on TF1, a French commercial broadcaster.

Official site:

Each country’s remake of the “SASUKE” series is so popular that it is broadcast in 165 countries around the world, including the U.S. and the U.K. It is also very popular in France, where it will be broadcast in season 6 in 2021.

It is also very popular in France, where it is one of the longest-running programs, with season 6 scheduled to begin in 2021.

Reference URL : Articles related to SASUKE

There is also something called “Parkour Ninja,” which was born out of the sport of parkour and the TV show “NinjaWarrior,” and which can be enjoyed by children as well.

It is a form of exercise based on bouldering, in which the entire body is used to overcome various obstacles, and is recommended for health as a form of physical balance and full-body exercise.

Of course, adults can also enjoy this exercise, and there are parks in public spaces where parkour ninjas can play for their health, and you can see people stopping to enjoy it while running for their daily health.

Map of parks in Paris related to ninja:

In France today, the popularity of Ninjas is not only as an image or character, but also as a sport.

JAPAN Culture Dedicated Program

One of the French TV channels is called J-ONE.

It broadcasts all day long about Japanese animation, games, music, and Japanese and Japanese culture.

It is supported by an audience of mainly young people interested in Japanese culture, and has been on the air without interruption since its launch in 2013.

Some French TV channels specialize in various countries, but these are programs for people from those countries.

Only in Japan can you find a channel that continuously introduces the culture of a country to the French people, and not to the people of that country.

JAPAN Expo PARIS

And JAPAN Expo PARIS is held every year in the suburbs of Paris.

It is the world’s largest Japan festival, attracting more than 250,000 visitors every year.

This event, which began in 2000 and is dedicated exclusively to Japanese culture, is one of the largest and most exciting events of its kind in the world every year.

The JAPAN Expo not only showcases manga, anime, and Japanese music, but also Japanese culture in general, attracting people from all over Europe who are interested in Japan.

Many Japanese companies and tourism companies also participate in the event, and each year they introduce new Japanese attractions to the French public.

Various international festivals and Japanese productions in France

Every year, France hosts the Cannes Film Festival, the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, and the Angoulême International Bandcine Festival.

These festivals attract attention from all over the world and are very important in France, a country that values culture.

Here we would like to introduce the Japanese interest in France that these international festivals provide.

International Cannes Film Festival and Japanese Cinema

France, a country of the arts, holds festivals in a variety of genres to honor outstanding works internationally every year.

Among them are films, animation, manga, and other forms of cultural expression in which Japan excels, and every year numerous Japanese films win awards in France and attract worldwide attention.

Japanese films participate in the international Cannes Film Festival, the world’s premier film festival.

The French people’s curiosity about Japanese cinema has never changed, as many Japanese films are introduced at the annual Cannes Film Festival.

In France, the birthplace of cinema, movies are still very important in the lives of French people.

Even in casual conversation, French people often exchange information with each other about films they have recently seen or enjoyed.

Unlike American films, French films are often literary and express delicate human emotions, which are similar to Japanese films.

Japanese films popular in France are slightly different from those popular in the U.S., and poetic works such as Yasujiro Ozu and Kenji Mizoguchi are still popular, which Japanese people can feel Japan even when watching them.

This is one of the reasons why French people are particularly attracted to Japan.

Annecy International Animated Film Festival

Near the border between France and Switzerland, there is a small town called Annecy with a beautiful lake.

The annual Animation Film Festival is held here and many animated films from all over the world are submitted each year, as prizes are awarded to the best films.

Among them, many films from Japan participate, and many awards are given to Japanese films every year.

In particular, films that have participated in the Cannes Film Festival and the Annecy Animation Festival are screened even in small towns, making it easy to see Japanese films.

One of the reasons behind the French love of cinema is the fact that French people are often exposed to movies outside the home from childhood.

There are many cinemas throughout France that offer weekend movie programs with snacks for children.

After an animated film for children is shown, fruit, baked goods, juice and syrup are served in the hall, and the children are free to enjoy themselves and discuss their impressions of the movie with their friends.

Then, there are days when the students go to the movies at school, either at public or private schools, and everyone goes to a movie theater in town as if it were a field trip, and the theater is rented out to all the students to watch the movie.

Many of the movies are animated films, as they are for children, and many Japanese films introduced at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival are also screened, both in the movie program with snacks and on school movie days.

Many Japanese films introduced at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival will also be screened.

Angoulême International Cartoon Festival and Manfra, a bande dessinée x cartoon born in France.

In France and Belgium, there is something called bande dessinée (bande dessinée), which is different from both American comics and manga.

It is also called B.D., which stands for bande dessinée, and is one of the three major comics in the world, following American comics and manga.

In France, there are various genres of art, and comics are called “le neuvième art” (the ninth art), and are officially treated as a subject of study in the academic and art worlds.

Although in a different form than in Japan, manga is also recognized as an important and valuable cultural element in French society.

And in the 21st century, a mixture of Japanese-style manga and bande dessinée styles of expression has emerged.

The French original Japanese-style bandes dessinées, called manfra or franga, were influenced by Japanese manga and have become a new market for bandes dessinées.

This bande dessinée has its own international bande dessinée festival, like the Festival de Cannes and the Annecy Animation Festival, which celebrates the best films.

The “Angoulême International Bande dessinée Cartoon Festival”, held in the city of Angoulême near the Atlantic Ocean, is a cultural festival that attracts much attention every year.

The official website of the Angoulême International Cartoon Festival:

Although the festival is dedicated to bande dessinée (bande dessinée), Japanese and American comics translated in France are also eligible for nomination, and many Japanese works are now entered in the competition.

The Angoulême International Manga Festival also holds a competition to award the best work, with Japanese artists Shigeru Mizuki and Katsuhiro Otomo winning the Grand Prix for the first time in 2007 and 2015, respectively.

With this background, French people have more opportunities to come into contact with a variety of Japanese works than in other countries, and may have a better image of Japan as a country.

The library has a large number of translated Japanese manga as well as band cine, and children can enjoy them for free anytime.

In libraries, children can relax on sofas or large cushions while reading manga.

It is in this country that many people have an image of Japan through its works.

Japanese food attracting attention in France

In France, a country known for its gastronomy, there is no shortage of interest in Japanese cuisine.

From everyday Japanese dishes to kaiseki and vegetarian cuisine, French people are interested in a wide range of topics.

Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting Japanese foods for the French.

Japanese ingredients placed in macrobiotic and BIO organic food stores

Macrobiotics first came to France in the 1960s, around the same time as the U.S., during the hippie era.

Macrobiotics is a diet that originated in Japan, with brown rice as the staple food and a menu based on beans and vegetables, and which considers the balance of yin and yang in the human body and food.

Nowadays, it has spread all over the world with great enthusiasm among health-conscious people and those interested in natural remedies.

Of course, there are many people in France who practice macrobiotics.

French people as a whole have a very high awareness of food, and many of them actively incorporate healthy, pesticide-free, and organically grown foods into their daily lives.

There are many more stores specializing in organic foodstuffs than in Japan, and even in ordinary supermarkets, you can easily find products labeled “BIO”.

These organic food specialty stores carry a wide variety of Japanese food ingredients.

Since more people who consciously incorporate natural remedies into their diet visit BIO organic food specialty stores than other stores, Japanese ingredients necessary for macrobiotics can be found at these stores.

The wide selection of basic Japanese ingredients such as soy sauce, miso, umeboshi, tofu, seaweed, etc., is similar to that of a Japanese food ingredients specialty store.

Kaiseki Cuisine and Nouvelle Cuisine

French cuisine has evolved from the court cuisine to the present day, and has wowed gourmets around the world.

Among these, there is a movement that began in the 1970s, a genre known as nouvelle cuisine.

At that time, Paul Bocuse, Roger Verger, and the food critics Henri Gault and Christian Millot launched a cuisine that broke with the conventional wisdom of grand cuisine.

Until then, the basic French fishing season had been based on sauces that perfectly matched tender, stewed ingredients, but nouvelle cuisine overturned the conventional wisdom of the crunchiness, color, and freshness of the ingredients.

The nouvelle cuisine of Kaiseki, a traditional Japanese dish, has greatly influenced the Nouvelle Cuisine.

Japanese spices such as yuzu, sansho, and wasabi, as well as basic seasonings such as soy sauce, miso, kelp, and bonito flakes, which are the foundation of Japanese cuisine, are used in abundance in Nouvelle Cuisine.

The chef’s attention to detail, including the use of utensils and the temperature at which the food is served, has given birth to a new Japonism in France.

Click here for related articles

Popular in France! What is French cuisine with a Japanese taste? What is Japanese cuisine?

Japanese Home Cooking and French Popular Mochi

More and more French people are enjoying Japanese home cooking at home.

Many people are posting Japanese recipes on Youtube and SNS, and Japanese food that can be easily prepared in France is attracting attention.

Among the most popular dishes are those with a sweet and spicy soy sauce flavor, such as ginger yaki and teriyaki chicken.

You can find thickened sweet soy sauce, which is not available in Japan, in ordinary French supermarkets.

And for those who are a little more interested in Japan, curry is also popular.

It is easy to make with a simple roux and can be found in most supermarkets in large cities.

Another hot item among French people is rice cake.

Where can I buy rice cakes? I have actually been asked by several French people recently, “Where can I buy rice cakes?

I answered, “Maybe at a Japanese grocery store. But later on, I found that they are usually sold in large supermarkets.

The boxed type like this is the easiest to get.

Le marché japonais :.

Until a decade ago, when I offered rice cakes to French people, they would say that they could not be chewed or that the texture was unpleasant, making it a failed souvenir, and I was disappointed.

I was disappointed. Now, I want to try such rice cakes! What does it taste like? What does it taste like?

Mochi became popular among French people because of the popularity of tapioca milk tea in France as well as in Japan.

Recently, more and more cafes with a new atmosphere and casual waffle and crepe stores are offering tapioca milk tea on their menus.

The most popular type of tapioca tea is the Gyuhi type, which is more like Daifuku (rice cake) than mochi (rice cake) in Japan.

The mochi are not only filled with red bean paste, but also with coffee cream, coconut, mango, black sesame, and many other interesting flavors.

In summer, ice cream wrapped in gefu like yukimi daifuku is also popular, and ice cream like yukimi daifuku is sold at Picard, a major frozen food supermarket that is an essential part of the daily lives of French people.

picard :https://www.picard.fr/rayons/cuisine-du-monde/types-de-plat/desserts

I tried it myself and it was quite delicious, just like the Japanese Yukimi Daifuku.

Until a decade ago, when I offered mochi to French people, they would say that they could not chew it or that the texture was unpleasant, and it became a failed souvenir.

I tried it myself, and it was quite delicious, just like Japanese Yukimi Daifuku.

Le marché japonais : 

Sake and Wine Very popular Japanese Whisky

The French, the land of wine, are also fussy about the taste of their alcoholic beverages.

There are a variety of wines from all over France, and the world of wine, including regional characteristics and the types of grapes grown, is very deep and attracts people from all over the world.

Until a decade ago, what French people used to drink as SAKE was a kind of rice shochu with an alcohol content of over 40%, served at Japanese-style restaurants run by Chinese owners.

Even today, the word “SAKE” conjures up images of a strong, mysterious liquor, but even so, the understanding of true sake is growing.

One possible reason for this is that sake and wine have many things in common.

First of all, sake is a drink that can be enjoyed with food.

In France and Japan, when enjoying food, alcoholic beverages are also enjoyed with the food.

This is a food culture that is not found in other countries, and is a characteristic of both countries’ food cultures, which place great importance on the combination of flavors and tastes.

Sake is also often enjoyed with meals, and has more connections to wine than other alcoholic beverages, such as the region where it is produced, the sake brewery, the type of rice, and the water used.

Against this backdrop, authentic sake is becoming increasingly popular among French people, and the number of wine sellers who carry it is also increasing.

In addition, Japanese whiskey, which is popular all over the world, is of course very popular in France as well, and the Japanese whiskey brand is respected.

With the spread of Japanese whisky, more and more French people are interested in Japanese sake, and it is common to see Japanese sake on sale alongside Japanese whisky.

Sake is often seen for sale alongside Japanese whisky.

10 Japan lover cultural experiences for French people

The charms of Japan include its deep history, the heartwarming hospitality of its polite people, its natural attractions, and its deep cultural heritage.

The charm of nature and the depth of Japanese culture can also be mentioned.

Here are 10 of the most popular Japanese cultural attractions among French people.

Many French people are very focused on activities outside of work and school in their lives.

Among these activities, Japanese martial arts such as karate, aikido, kobudo, kyudo, kendo, and iaido are popular.

These martial arts can be pronounced in Japanese and understood by most people.

Many French people who practice Japanese martial arts say that they are attracted to the philosophy behind the Japanese martial arts.

They say that they are attracted by the philosophy of Japanese martial arts.

There is no end to the number of people who are fascinated by the philosophy behind budo and Japanese culture, rather than the martial arts that focus only on defeating the opponent.

Many French people say that the reason they visit Japan is to study martial arts.

Many French people say that their reason for visiting Japan is to study martial arts.

There is a new type of inbound travel that is not for sightseeing but for martial arts.

origami (paper folding)

Folding small pieces of paper to create shapes at will.

Every Japanese person can fold at least one origami.

Origami is so popular in France that the word “origami” is used as it is.

You can easily buy beautiful origami at bookstores and stationery stores, and you can often find origami stylishly displayed in select stores.

During the Christmas season, gift boxes with origami books and beautiful origami paper sets are often sold in many stores.

Many times I have been asked for Japanese washi chiyogami as a souvenir from Japan! I have been asked many times for Japanese washi chiyogami as a gift from Japan.

flower arrangement

In France, where floral arrangements are also popular, many people have a strong attachment to flowers.

Flowers are a part of daily life in France, and people give each other bouquets of flowers in everyday life, as souvenirs when visiting friends, for anniversaries, celebrations, and so on.

The basic idea of Japanese ikebana is different from that of European flower arrangement, which is to arrange flowers as if they were there.

There are also many differences between Japanese and French plants, which makes it a very enjoyable experience for flower lovers.

Because of this background, flower arrangement is very popular among French people.

tea ceremony

Many people want to experience Japanese culture through the tea ceremony! Many people think, “I want to experience Japanese culture through the tea ceremony!

The tea ceremony is filled with the fundamental ideas of the Japanese people, and by experiencing it, you will feel a stronger sense of Japan.

There are courses where you can experience the tea ceremony while wearing a kimono, which is recommended for those who want to experience Japan in a more authentic way.

The popularity of mochi (rice cakes) has also attracted some people who are interested in authentic Japanese wagashi, which can be enjoyed with green tea.

calligraphy

In France, there is a discipline called calligraphy, which is similar to the study of writing.

Some people are interested in Japanese calligraphy because of its cultural background.

In the calligraphy experience, you will be taught by a calligrapher and write characters using ink and a brush.

The beauty of the Japanese language and kanji characters is a favorite of French people, so the experience of actually using a brush and writing the characters yourself is an unforgettable Japanese cultural experience.

Calligraphy performances are also very popular, and you are sure to see a calligrapher performing at any Japan-related event in France.

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Experience Japanese Culture through Calligraphy! Which Kanji performance is popular among foreigners?

shrine and temple tour

When visiting Kyoto, you will see more French tourists than in any other city.

Many French people are interested in shrines and temples, and are eager to tour temples and visit unique Japanese architecture.

Even in Tokyo, we often hear that they enjoyed strolling through downtown areas such as Asakusa.

Many people are impressed by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, and would like to visit the ancient capital to experience its unique aesthetics.

Many French people are also drawn to the Japanese cultural heritage registered with UNESCO.

Many of them have always had a strong interest in cultural things, and they will definitely visit cultural heritage sites when they come to a certain place.

Appreciation of Japanese traditional performing arts

Noh, Kyogen, and Kabuki.

French people have a longing for the beauty of the solemnity and serenity of Japanese traditional performing arts.

In France, the country of the arts, enjoying the performing arts is an everyday part of life, and some people want to see a good performance.

Some people even incorporate an appreciation of traditional Japanese performing arts, which can only be seen in Japan, into a short stay in France.

Japanese-style meal

France is a country of gastronomic delights.

Surprisingly few countries in the world place such importance on three meals a day, and it is easy to see the similarities between Japan and France in their commitment to food.

French people love delicious food.

In addition, they place great importance on the beauty of food, which is why they are so passionate about Japanese cuisine.

At the French dining table, whether at an everyday meal or in a school cafeteria, the basic menu consists of an appetizer, main dish, and dessert.

The people are very curious about food, so they are quite flexible to accept foods that are not part of their own food culture.

Many French people respect the delicacy found in Japanese food.

Also, as evidenced by the popularity of ramen in the Japanese neighborhoods of Paris, many people are interested in everyday Japanese food.

Sake Whiskey

France is the land of wine.

Sake and wine are both good or bad depending on the region where they are made and the skill of the person who makes them, and many French people are interested in sake because it is one of the most profound alcoholic beverages.

However, while sake is not yet a major drink in France, Japanese whiskey is remarkably popular.

In the liquor section of large supermarkets, there are shelves dedicated to Japanese whiskey, and Japanese whiskey is proudly displayed in the show windows of specialty liquor stores.

Japanese whiskey is deeply loved by French whiskey lovers.

Characteristics and Definition of Japanese Whiskey: 10 recommended whiskies

Cartoon /　Animation

Since the 1980s, the influence that Japanese anime and manga have had on young people around the world is immeasurable.

Of course, Japanese works have always been very popular among today’s French youth as well, and the trends are almost always the same as those introduced in Japan.

Oni no Kiri no Kai, Jutsu Kaisen, Shinkoku no Kyojin, and many other works that are popular in Japan today are also popular among French youths.

Many middle-aged adults are also interested in Japan because they loved Japanese works when they were children.

A deep historical and cultural longing and an interest in contemporary Japanese pop culture continue to captivate the French.

A country far to the west and a country far to the east.

France and Japan have different cultures, histories, languages, and national characteristics.

However, what they share in common is a deep respect for history and culture.

The Japanese people are very friendly to each other, and they are both very friendly to each other.

By looking at Japanese culture from the perspective of a country that knows the good things about Japan, we can reconfirm the good and interesting things about Japan that we Japanese do not notice.

In this way, Japanese culture is loved and enjoyed in various aspects in France.

Just as the Japanese are longing for France, the French are also longing for the distant country to the east.

Reference URL : French Tourists to Japan: A Data-based Understanding

日本独自のおもてなし文化を世界中の人へ広めるために日夜努力しています。外国人の方の接待やおもてなしのご相談はお気軽にご連絡ください。 お問い合わせはこちら

• 日本語 ( Japanese )
• 中文 ( Chinese )

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30+ Useful Japanese Phrases for First-Time Travellers

Last Updated on 18/02/2024 by secretmoona

Planning a trip to Japan for the first time and worried about the “language barrier”? Should you learn Japanese before going to Japan? I did go and you should too. I knew the language and equipped myself with a notebook full of useful Japanese phrases before travelling there for the first time. As a solo traveller,  I didn’t want to see myself lost somewhere and not ask for directions. I also wanted to speak to locals and learn new things. Although my Japanese was lacking during my first trip, it helped me make the journey more enjoyable. 

You are not obliged to learn the language, you can get by with little to no Japanese. Learning a few words or phrases can make your trip so much better. Also, I believe it’s polite to be able to say “Hello” or “Thank you” in the language of the country you’re visiting. Having been there several times, I know how appreciative the locals were every time I said something in Japanese.  

If you are interested in learning some Japanese phrases for travel, then this post is for you. This guide will tackle the basic yet essential words and phrases you will encounter and need during your trip. It will specifically help you greet people you meet during your trip, get around and order food at restaurants.

The chances are that you might not use all the words or phrases mentioned below, especially if you travel in big cities like Tokyo, but I have found the down to be most useful.

• Directions: knowing your left, right, inside, outside, behind, or front will help tremendously, especially when you ask for directions. 
• Numbers: knowing your numbers will help you find out things like which platform your train will depart from or the price of items you’d like to purchase

Important notes: 

• This list of Japanese phrases for travellers is divided by category: greetings, useful words, travelling, shopping and restaurant.
• Japanese is mostly pronounced as it reads in Romanised form. Every syllable is pronounced; for example, sake is pronounced as “sah-kay.” 
• “U” is often not at all pronounced. Therefore, when you hear words like “desu” or “masu”, they will be pronounced “dess” or “mass”. For example, onegaishimasu is not pronounced as o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su but o-ne-ga-i-shi-mass. 
• Depending on the textbook used, the sound “o” will either be spelt “ou”, “o” or “ō”. An example is どうも（doumo). 
• It’s straightforward to form a question sentence in Japanese. Simply adding does the trick. The particle か is the Japanese version of a question mark. Simply add か to the end of a sentence to form a question.  For example, もうたべましたか? (Have you eaten yet?)

Let’s get started!

Japanese greetings words

Greetings are important in Japanese. They are a way of showing respect and acknowledging the other person’s presence. The Japanese language has a rich variety of greetings that are used depending on the time of day, the person you are greeting, and the situation.

Good morning – Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます)

If you are interested in learning some Japanese greetings, it’s a good idea to start with “good morning”. This greeting is typically used before 10:00 am and can be expressed in different ways, depending on the level of formality and familiarity between the speakers. By learning and using appropriate Japanese greetings, you can show your respect and build positive relationships with the people you interact with.

Hello / Good afternoon – Konnichiwa (こんにちは)

One word you will often hear in Japan is “Konnichiwa”. Although it is written as “Konnichiwa” to aid with pronunciation, the correct spelling is actually “Konnichiha”. You can use “Konnichiwa/ こんにちは ” as a greeting throughout the day to say “hi” or “hello”, but it actually means “good afternoon”.

Good evening – Konbanwa (こんばんは)

Japanese greetings for “good evening”, should be used after sunset. Similarly to “Konnichiwa”, the correct spelling of “Konbanwa” is “Konbanha”.

Good bye – Sayounara (さようなら)

Sayonara is a Japanese word used to say goodbye when you are uncertain if you will see the person again. For instance, you can use “sayonara” to bid farewell to the hotel staff when checking out.

Useful Japanese phrases for travellers

Thank you – arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます).

In Japan, politeness is highly valued, and as a result, you will often hear and say the word “arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとう)” or the more informal “arigatou” to express gratitude for something done for you. It is advisable to use the polite version while addressing people you have met for the first time.

Thanks – Doumo (どうも)

“Doumo” is a versatile word that can be used for various purposes. It can be translated as “very,” but it can also be used to greet someone like “hello” or to express gratitude for a small favour.

You are welcome – Dou itashimashite (どういたしまして)

When you help someone or generally do something nice, and they say “Thank you” then it’s polite to reply with “ Dou itashimashite ” which means “you’re welcome” in English. You can also use “ iie .”

Sorry/Excuse me – Sumimasen (すみません)

“Sumimasen” is an important word to know as it serves all sorts of situations. It helps in various situations such as getting someone’s attention, expressing gratitude, apologising (for any touristy faux-pas you may cause!), and pushing through a crowd.

Sorry – Gomen nasai (ごめんなさい)

When you accidentally bump into someone or hit someone’s foot with your suitcase, it’s appropriate to apologise by saying “ gomen nasai ” while bowing.

Please – Kudasai (ください)

When asking someone to do something, it’s polite to use “ kudasai  (ください)” or “ onegai shimasu  (おねがいします)” to be more formal.

I don’t understand – Wakarimasen (わかりません)

If you don’t understand what someone is saying, use this word. For example, you can say “I don’t understand Japanese” as 日本語がわかりません (nihongo ga wakarimasen) or simply say ごめんなさい。わかりません。(Gomen nasai. Wakarimasen).

Yes – Hai (はい)

“Hai” and “un” both mean “yes” in Japanese, but hai can also mean “I understand”.

No – Iie (いいえ)

The Japanese word for “NO” is いいえ (iie), pronounced as “ee-ye.” However, Japanese people don’t prefer saying “no” directly, as it may be considered rude. Instead, it’s best to use phrases like “ daijoubu ” (meaning “it’s okay”) or “kekkou desu” (meaning “I’m fine”). Another phrase used to express disagreement is “ chotto ” (ちょっと), which means “a little” or “a bit.”

Is it okay?/Are you okay? – Daijoubu desuka? ( だいじょうぶですか)

When asking if something is okay, use “ daijyoubu desu ka? ” You can also use it to show concern for someone. To respond that you are fine, say “ daijoubu desu ” (大丈夫です).

May I? – Ii desu ka? (いいですか)

If you are in Japan and wish to take photos of the local scenery, it is recommended to focus on capturing images of Japanese culture and traditions. However, it is important to respect certain rules and etiquette when taking photographs. Some locations may not permit photography, and even in places where it is allowed, it is polite to request permission before taking pictures of individuals. “ Iidesu ka” , is then best used.

How are you? – O genki desu ka? (お元気ですか)

In Japan, instead of saying “how are you?”, locals say “how have you been?” when asking how someone is doing. To inquire about someone’s well-being, they use the phrase “お元気ですか” (Ogenki desu ka).

Do you speak English? Eigo wo hanashimasu ka? (えいごを はなしますか)

You can ask if someone speaks English by saying “ Eigo wo hanasemasu ka .” Remember not to ask locals this question first.

Useful phrases for travelling/getting around 

Where is ~ ~ wa doko desu ka (～はどこですか) .

As a tourist, it is common to lose your way. To ask for directions, you can use the phrase “ doko desu ka ?” while mentioning your destination or by showing the location on a map. “ Doko ” means “where”. For example, you can say “ Tokyo eki doko desu ka ?” (eki means “station”). Even if the person you are asking doesn’t speak English, they will be able to point you in the right direction. Here are some useful words that you can use along with this phrase.

• Convenience store – コンビニ – konbini 
• Hotel – ホテル – hoteru 
• Train station – えき – eki 
• Toilet –  トイレ – toire 
• Museum – はくぶつかん – hakubutsu kan
• Shopping centre – しょうてんがい – shotengai 
• community police box – こうばん – kōban
• Park – こうえん – Kōen
• Tourist information centre – かんこうあんないじょ – kankou annaijo

Tip: Whenever you need help, head for a kōban or shout たすけて (help). 

I want to go to ~ –  ~ ni Ikitai desu (～heいきたいです)

When you want to go somewhere, you can use the phrase “ ikitai desu “. If you have an address written down but don’t know the name of the place, you can say “koko” which means “here”. For example, “ Watashi wa kuukou ni ikitai desu ” means “I want to go to the airport”.

Please take me to ~ – ~ made onegai shimasu ( ～までおねがいします)

When asking a taxi driver to take you to a specific location, you can use this phrase as an example: “ Onegai shimasu, Asakusa made .”

Please, can I have a map – Chizu wo kudasai (地図をください) 

Maps are usually available to tourists at various attractions, but you might need to ask for one. 

Does this train/bus go to ~ – Kono densha/bus wa ~ ni ikimasuka? (この電車／バスは~に行きますか)

During your trip to Japan, you will most likely need to use public transportation. At some point, you may need to confirm that you are going in the correct direction. You can use the phrase “ kore wa ~ ni ikimasu ka ” (これは~に行きますか – does this go to ~?) to check if you are getting on the right train or bus.

Shopping and restaurant

Please, can i have the menu – menyu wo onegai shimasu – メニューを おねがいします.

In restaurants, waiters will not automatically come to you. If you are ready to place an order, there is usually a bell placed on the table. If not, get their attention by saying “ sumimasen “.

Let’s eat – Itadakimasu (いただきます)

In Japan, it is customary to say “ itadakimasu ” before starting a meal, which is similar to the French phrase “Bon appetit!”. This tradition is often accompanied by clapping hands together. On the other hand, “ gochisousama deshita ” is used to express gratitude after finishing a meal, especially when dining in a restaurant where dishes are returned.

What is this? – Kore wa nan desu ka? (これは何ですか )

Japan is home to many unique things. If you come across something unfamiliar, this phrase will be helpful.

I can’t eat – ~wa tabemasen (は食べられません)

If you have a food intolerance, it’s important to know how to express that. For example, if you can’t eat gluten, you can say “ Guruten wa taberaremasen  – グルテンは食べられません.” Here’s some useful vocabulary:

• Meat – niku – にく
• Pork – botaniku – ぶたにく
• Peanuts – pinattsu – ピーナッツ
• Egg – tamago – たまご
• Fish – sakana – さかな
• Seafood -shiifūdo – シーフード
• Dairy products – nyu useihin – にゅうせいひん

I would like to pay by credit card- kurejitto kaado de onegai shimasu – クレジットカードで おねがいします. 

It is important to note that credit cards are not always accepted in Japan and people generally pay in cash. If you want to pay by credit card, make sure to inquire beforehand if it is accepted.

The bill / check please? O kaikei wo onegaishimasu (お会計をおねがいします)

After finishing your meal, you may use this phrase to pay.

How much is this? – Kore kura desu ka? (これは いくらですか) 

Kore ha ikuradesu ka. “ Ikura ” means how much. You can point to the item by saying “ kore wa ikura desu ka ?” To understand the answer, you have to know how to count in Japanese. Luckily, the seller will either show you the price on the tag or a calculator. 

I would like this – kore wo onegai shimasu (これを おねがいします)

When placing an order, say “ Kore ” to point to the dish or menu you want.

Little note about Japanese characters and pronunciation

Japanese is a phonetic language, which means that if you pronounce the words as you read, you should be able to communicate effectively. It’s a good idea to listen to some spoken Japanese to become familiar with the pronunciation. Here is a basic guide to help you get started – Japanese pronunciation .

Japanese writing uses a combination of three different scripts: Hiragana (ひらがな – with rounded shapes), Katakana (カタカナ – with spiky shapes), and Kanji (漢字 – derived from Chinese characters). Hiragana and Katakana are more straightforward and phonetic scripts, with each having 46 characters representing one syllable each. Kanji, on the other hand, is more complicated, and means “Chinese characters”.

Hiragana and Katakana represent the same syllables, but Katakana is used mainly for foreign-sounding words that are not typically Japanese. Kanji is the hardest to learn and requires more time and effort as it is derived from Chinese characters.

Japanese for travellers – more language learning tools

If you want to enhance your Japanese language skills, there are several resources available to assist you. You can learn Japanese through various means, some of which don’t require any monetary investment. YouTube, Japanese dramas, and TV shows are excellent resources to get acquainted with the pronunciation.

• JapanesePod101 – tons of audio lessons to choose from beginner to advanced 
• Tae Kim’s Japanese Grammar Guide – a comprehensive grammar guide
• Japanese language books on Amazon – you will find lots of textbooks and study guides on Amazon. 
• NHK World Japanese Lessons – The Japanese public broadcaster offers useful phrases for everyday use, travel and more.
• Japanse-lesson.com – one of my go-to sites for quick grammar and vocabulary check
• Tofugu – great Japanese learning resource
• Japan Foundation has an excellent online platform with tools to help with everything from grammar to listening. More importantly, it’s free to use.

Thank you for taking the time to read this guide to Japanese for travellers. Are you currently learning Japanese or planning to learn some key phrases before your big trip? If you know of any other resources to learn Japanese, please share them with us in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to download the PDF booklet .

20 thoughts on “ 30+ Useful Japanese Phrases for First-Time Travellers ”

Thanks for sharing 🙂 happy new year and cheers from Lisbon, PedroL

Thank you so much! Happy New Year too and hope you are keeping safe!

You’re welcome 🙂 best, PedroL

So much needed information. I can’t wait to visit Japan . Saving this post to practice .

I always love the idea of learning some language for where you are visiting. Not only is it good manners, but it’s fun! My husband has been to Japan and said that everyone was so nice and helpful!

Agree, Japanese are very hospitable.

This guide is amazing! I always try to learn some key phrases when I travel to another country! Japanese looks like such a complicated language! I’m sure I’d butcher the pronunciation with my Yorkshire accent but at least I could give it a go! Thanks for sharing these great phrases!

Thank you. I’m sure you will do fine as long as you give it a try. It was hard for me too and especially with my thick French accent, some words were hard to understand. They usually repeat so you get the right pronunciation then 🙂

Great post with all the necessary basic phrases! Sumimasen was probably the word I used the most while living in Japan!

I don’t know a single word of Japanese, but I like to know some phrases before I travel to a new country. Lots of helpful ones here you’ve listed!

I haven’t been to Japan yet, but would love to go. Wherever I go I always at least try to learn a few words or phrases, I think it’s just polite to try. This is a really helpful, well laid out guide

These are such useful tips and I love all the “visual flashcards,” so helpful!

This language is so intimidating to me since I’m used to the romance languages. Will definitely bookmark this.

This is so helpful! I haven’t been to Japan yet, so I’ll definitely save this for when I get to go!

It’s so complicated, especially the kanji. And why is it there are words that are long for a short meaning and short words for a long meaning? Haha.. But like you said, it’s good to learn the basic words.

This is so useful, especially for first timers in Japan! I’m embarrassed to say that after working for 2 years in a Japanese company, I don’t even know this much.

Well, if you decide to try, you will have plenty of people to help with your pronunciation!

I always make a point to learn a little of the language before I visit. Languages with a different alphabet like Japanese, can be very intimidating!

I love this! I’m a huge believer that everyone should learn at least a little bit of a language before visiting a new country, so this is super helpful!

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Essential Japanese Phrases That You Can Memorize For Your Trip

• posted on August 15, 2018

Japan is a gorgeous country that is at the top of many people’s lists of must-visit destinations in the world. Even if you do not speak Japanese, your trip to Japan can still be fun and memorable. The language barrier should not stop you from exploring the incredible and amazing attractions and spots this country has to offer.

Do you really need to learn some Japanese before your trip to get around Japan?

While memorizing a few basic Japanese words and phrases won’t hurt, learning the Japanese language before you leave for your Japan trip is not necessary.

At all Japanese airports, there are English signs, English maps and brochures, and other resources available at the tourist information centers, ticket offices, and others. Upon arrival, you can go exchange your rail pass vouchers, purchase transportation passes, book tours, and more with the assistance of English-speaking staff.

At the train and bus stations in tourist cities and towns, there are signages in English all over that should help you find your way to the right platforms and stops. The trains, buses, and trams also play audio announcements and have screens that flash the names of the next stops in English. When using the ticket machines, look for the English language option to be able to buy the right type of ticket for your journey.

At many restaurants in popular tourist areas, there are English menus, and English labels on the food displays and food ticket machines that make ordering food much easier.

At many shrines, temples, museums, castles, and other tourist spots, the ticket machines, displays and exhibits, and facilities come with English translations next to the Japanese texts.

At hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and other lodging options, there is usually at least one English-speaking staff who can give you a rundown of the rules and the facilities and amenities, offer restaurant recommendations, and advise on hidden and off-the-beaten path gems in the area.

Can you just walk up to a random Japanese person on the street and ask for directions in English?

It is not impossible to find a random Japanese person on the street who can speak a little bit of English and help you with directions. Nowadays, secondary school students in all Japanese schools study English for at least six years as part of their curriculum, and many of them also enroll to weekend or after-school English classes to further improve their skills. Even those who have finished schooling and are already working still take English language lessons for career advancement.

A significant percentage of the Japanese population actually knows enough English to communicate with a lost and wandering foreigner. Just make sure to speak slowly and use basic English words and phrases, as Japan’s English education is primarily focused on writing and reading, and speaking might be a bit challenging for some of them. You can also just write your question down on a notebook, and have them write down their answers too.

What are some essential basic Japanese phrases that you can memorize to prepare for your trip?

The Japanese are known for being polite and helpful. When in Japan, it is important that you also show the same courtesy. The following words and phrases should help you with that:

• “Arigatou gozaimasu” – “Arigatou gozaimasu” is Japanese for “thank you”. In Japan, you will make use of this phrase so much — when buying food and drinks at convenience stores, shopping for souvenirs at the malls, checking in or checking out at your hotel, and more.
• “Sumimasen” – “Sumimasen” is Japanese for “excuse me”. It is quite useful in a wide variety of situations — when trying to get someone’s attention, apologizing for accidentally bumping into someone, making your way through a crowd, and others.
• “Konnichiwa” – “Konnichiwa” is Japanese for “hello”. It can be used to greet a person any time of the day. If a Japanese person says “konnichiwa” to you, say “konnichiwa” back to them.
• “___ wa doko desuka?” – “___ wa doku desuka?” is Japanese for “where is ___?” If you are looking for a toilet, you can fill the blank with the Japanese word for toilet, which is “toire”, and ask “toire wa doko desuka?” If you are looking for a station, you can fill the blank with the Japanese word for station, which is “eki”, and ask “eki wa doku desuka?” For a specific station, let’s say Tokyo Station, you can ask “Tokyo eki wa doku desuka?”

Are there apps that can help make communicating in Japanese easier?

Nowadays, there are a plethora of mobile apps that can come in handy when sightseeing in Japan. You can download them to your devices, and be able to easily access them every time the need arises.

• Google Translate – The Google Translate app lets you take photos of Japanese texts and get English translations in real-time. It is very useful when dining at restaurants without English menus, reading labels on your hotel room’s air conditioning/heating unit, and deciphering Japanese signages at lesser known spots and attractions. (Download links: Android | iOS )
• Learn Japanese – The Learn Japanese app contains about one thousand common Japanese words and phrases that are valuable for tourists in Japan. It has a search feature that enables you to look up words according to categories like greetings, directions, numbers, and general conversation. It also comes with audio clips to help you learn how to accurately pronounce these Japanese words and phrases. (Download link: iOS )
• imiwa? – The imiwa? app is a Japanese dictionary app that can be accessed even without internet connection. It is made up of several thousand Japanese words translated to English, German, Russian, and French. It allows input using kana, kanji, and romaji to look up words and their translations. (Download link: iOS )

If your trip to Japan includes a visit to the countryside or rural areas that do not see as many tourists as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and other major tourist cities, these apps are absolutely a god-send.

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Japan Likes Tourists, Just Not This Many

The country has politely handled travelers for years, but as international visitors spill into previously untouristed spots, some residents are frustrated.

By Yan Zhuang

The writer spent several days elbowing through crowds in Kyoto and Fuji City, Japan.

On two recent occasions, a foreign tourist walked into Shoji Matsumoto’s barbershop, through a front door that grates loudly when opened more than halfway, wanting a haircut.

One was Italian, the other British. Mr. Matsumoto, who is 75 and speaks neither of their languages, didn’t know what to tell them. He picked up his scissors and began to cut, hoping that his decades of experience would carry him through the stilted encounters.

Tourists, propelled in part by a weak yen that makes their money go further in Japan, have been pouring into the country ever since it eased its coronavirus-related entry restrictions in 2022. Some officials, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, have raised concerns about overtourism. In March, there were more than three million international arrivals, a monthly record, and a more than 10 percent jump compared with March 2019.

Nearly two thirds of international visitors tend to be from South Korea, Taiwan and China. Last year, spending from foreign tourists made up about 9 percent of Japan’s gross domestic product.

Popular sites in cities like Kyoto, Japan’s ancient royal capital, feel increasingly unmanageable. Visitors are spilling into previously untouristed places, like small towns near Mount Fuji or the commercial district of Kyoto where Mr. Matsumoto cuts hair.

“Before, it was normal to see tourists in certain spots,” Mr. Matsumoto said from a low chair in his barbershop on a recent Saturday. “But now, they’re spreading out to random and unexpected places.”

That influx is testing the patience of a generally polite society.

In Kyoto and other heavily visited cities, some residents grumble about being priced out of hotel rooms or crowded out of buses and restaurants. Others say that tourists sometimes disrespect local customs by, say, chasing after geishas to photograph them or eating while walking, a behavior that is considered rude in Japan.

One day last month, it took Hiroshi Ban six hours — twice as long as usual — to visit Kyoto’s Heian Jingu shrine. Mr. Ban, 65, attributed the delay partly to tourists who hold up buses by counting out coins for the fare.

“Every day feels like a carnival here,” said Mr. Ban, an event organizer. “We can’t enjoy our daily lives in peace.”

Even those who directly benefit from tourism revenue worry that it might be unsustainable.

Hisashi Kobayashi, a taxi driver in Kyoto, said business was so good that taking a day off felt like passing up easy money. But many tourism-related industries were struggling to keep up with demand as they recovered from pandemic-era labor shortages, he said.

“When Japanese people come here, they feel they’re in a foreign land because there are so many tourists,” Mr. Kobayashi, 56, added as his taxi approached a bottleneck near a popular temple. “It’s not Kyoto anymore.”

Some rural locations are feeling the strain for the first time. One is Fuji City, about 200 miles by road east of Kyoto in Shizuoka Prefecture.

After a bridge with a direct view of Mount Fuji started to become popular on social media late last year, Shizuoka’s tourism department said on Instagram that it was a good spot for “beautiful, dreamlike pictures.” Left unsaid was that the bridge sat in a residential area with no visitor parking spaces, public toilets or garbage cans.

Many visitors littered, parked in driveways and in some cases dodged traffic to take photos from the bridge’s median strip, residents said in interviews.

Over a public holiday last month, about 300 tourists arrived daily for four days, standing in a line for photos that coiled down the street, said Mitsuo Kato, 86, who lives by the bridge.

“They just park here,” Mr. Kato said outside his home on a recent Sunday, as groups of tourists from South Korea diligently took photos of clouds that were obscuring Mount Fuji. “So we had to put up signs.”

Officials across Japan have been responding to the tourism surge with varying degrees of efficacy.

In Fuji City, the authorities erected a makeshift six-car parking lot and started to build a larger one that would fit 15 cars and include a bathroom, said Motohiro Sano, a local tourism official.

In a neighboring prefecture, Yamanashi, officials in the town of Fujikawaguchiko put up a billboard-size screen last month to deter tourists from photographing a Lawson convenience store whose blue awning sits beneath the mountain and became a staple of social media posts. The screen is now dotted with holes large enough to fit a phone camera lens, the local news media reported .

In Shibuya, a heavily visited area of Tokyo, officials announced plans to ban drinking alcohol outdoors at night in an attempt to curb bad behavior by young people and tourists.

And in Kyoto, where signs in train stations ask visitors to “mind your manners,” the government began running special buses for tourists this month.

At the city’s Nishiki market, where some residents have complained of finding grease stains on their clothing after squeezing through throngs of snacking tourists, Yoshino Yamaoka gestured to two signs hanging outside her barbecue eel restaurant.

Both said in English, “No eating while walking.” One had a larger font, and its text was underlined in red.

“People weren’t following it, so I put up this one with a stricter tone,” Ms. Yamaoka, 63, said of the bolder sign. But she wondered whether her new approach was too strict.

“Business depends on the tourists,” she said.

To beat the crowds on a recent weekend, some tourists visited popular Kyoto sites at sunrise or waited 40 minutes to eat at a popular ramen joint at 11 p.m. A few complained about the congestion they had helped to create.

“It’s a disaster,” said Paul Oostveen, 70, a tourist from the Netherlands, after leaving the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a popular attraction.

From his empty barbershop, Mr. Matsumoto said that he had successfully cut the hair of his two foreign clients and that he wouldn’t turn away others who stumbled through his door.

But he worried about providing good quality service to customers he couldn’t understand, he said, and would prefer that non-Japanese speakers go elsewhere.

Even though tourism is good for the nation, he added over the drone of a radio, “There’s a part of me that’s not fully content.”

Yan Zhuang is a Times reporter in Seoul who covers breaking news. More about Yan Zhuang