Learn Japan in 30-second reels
Real phrases for the konbini, the restaurant, the train — each with romaji and English, ready to use the second you land.
All videos
Riding the Subway All Day in Japan? Say This at the Window and Stop Paying Per Ride.
ichinichi jōshaken o kudasai · A one-day pass, please
Survival
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Your Shinkansen Ticket Is Actually Two Tickets. The Gate Wants Both.
tokkyūken · limited express ticket (the second ticket)
Survival
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Online Says Sold Out. A Window at the Entrance Is Still Selling Tickets for Today.
toujitsuken · a same-day ticket, sold at the window on the day
Beginner
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The Phone in Your Karaoke Room Rings. Nobody Told You It Was a Countdown.
enchō dekimasu ka? · Can I extend?
Survival
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It Was Cloudless an Hour Ago. Japan Has a Word for the Wall of Water Now Coming Down.
gerira gouu · sudden localized downpour
Survival
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Your Train Just Died. Everyone Around You Is Walking to a Rival Railway.
furikae yusou, tsukaemasu ka? · Can I use the substitute transport?
Beginner
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Mid August You Walk to That Ramen Shop and It Is Dark. The Whole Street Took the Same Week Off.
obon wa oyasumi desu ka? · Are you closed for Obon?
Survival
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You Found Platform 14. You Found Seat 12A. You Are Still About to Miss the Shinkansen.
gōsha · car number
Survival
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One Word in the Train Announcement Means Stand Up Now. Everything Else Is Noise.
mamonaku, shibuya desu · We will be arriving at Shibuya shortly.
Survival
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You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back.
kouban · neighbourhood police box
Beginner
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In Japan the Ramen Shop Is Not Down the Street. It Is on the Seventh Floor.
nangai desu ka · What floor is it on?
Survival
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A Stranger in Japan Will Chase You Down the Street to Return a Coin. Here's How to Be That Stranger.
otoshimashita yo · You dropped this.
Beginner
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Japanese Flew By Too Fast? Ask Them to Write It Down.
kaite moraemasu ka? · Could you write it down?
Beginner
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That Green Paste on Your Sushi Is No Joke. Order It Off Like This.
wasabi nuki de onegai shimasu · Without wasabi, please.
Beginner
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All Japanese Menu? This Phrase Picks Your Meal for You
osusume wa arimasu ka · Do you have any recommendations?
Beginner
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No Reservation in Tokyo? This Phrase Can Still Get You In.
yoyaku shitai ndesu ga · i'd like to make a reservation
Survival
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Feeling Sick in Japan? Know This Phrase Before You Need It
doraggu sutoa wa doko desu ka · Where is the drugstore?
Beginner
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Caught in Tokyo Rain? Borrow This Phrase and a Raincoat
kasatte kudasai · Please lend it to me
Survival
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Is this spicy?
kore wa karai desu ka? · Is this spicy?
Survival
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Still Carrying Yen-less Cash? One Phrase Finds You an Exchange
ryōgae dekimasu ka? · Can I exchange currency here?
Beginner
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Where is the transfer to...?
〜 e no norikae wa doko desu ka? · Where is the transfer to 〜?
Survival
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Where is the ticket machine?
kenbaiki wa doko desu ka? · Where is the ticket machine?
Survival
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Check, Please
okaikei o onegaishimasu · Check, please
Survival
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Is this train going to...?
kono densha wa 〜 ni ikimasu ka? · Is this train going to 〜?
Survival
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The Great Trash Can Hunt
gomi-bako wa doko desu ka? · where is the trash can?
Survival
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Asking for Help Politely
sumimasen, tasukete kudasai · Excuse me, please help me
Survival
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I have a reservation
yoyaku shiteimasu · I have a reservation
![I'm From [Country]](/t/videos/tourist-from-country.jpg)
Beginner
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I'm From [Country]
amerika kara kimashita · I'm from America
Survival
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I'm Lost
michi ni mayoi mashita · I'm lost
Beginner
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Where is the Bathroom? (Beginner Version)
otearai wa doko desu ka? · Where is the bathroom?
Survival
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Is it open?
eigyou-chuu desu ka? · Is it open?
Survival
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I'm looking for...
〜o sagashiteimasu · I'm looking for 〜
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