How do you say "May I take a photo?" in Japanese?

Name: Ask THIS Before You Take a Photo in Japan
Uploaded: 2026-06-16T11:07:05Z
Duration: 31 s
Description: Learn to say 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?) — May I take a photo?. A 30-second Japanese lesson for travelers from Kōfuku.

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Ask THIS Before You Take a Photo in Japan

To say May I take a photo? in Japanese, say 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?).

Before you snap that perfect Japan photo — there's one polite phrase to say.

写真を撮ってもいいですか？ shashin o totte mo ii desu ka? May I take a photo?

Intermediate Interactive #japantravel #photography #learnjapanese #japan #traveltips

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In this video

勝手に写真、ちょっと待って！ Katte ni shashin, chotto matte! About to snap that photo without asking? Wait a sec.
「写真を撮ってもいいですか？」 “Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?” 'Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?' = May I take a photo?
お店や人には、これを聞いてね。 O-mise ya hito ni wa, kore o kiite ne. Ask it before photographing shops, staff, or people.
撮ってほしい時は「撮ってもらえますか？」 Totte hoshii toki wa “totte moraemasu ka?” Want them to take YOUR photo? 'Totte moraemasu ka?'
笑顔で聞けば、だいたいOK！保存👇 Egao de kikeba, daitai OK! Hozon. Ask with a smile and it's usually a yes. Save this 👇

Why this phrase

Two high-use camera phrases: asking permission to take a photo, and asking someone to take yours. Polite, friendly, and instantly useful for any tourist. Encourage saving both.