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.
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Intermediate
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Mid August a Japanese River Fills With Lanterns. Each One Is Somebody Going Home.
tourou nagashi · Floating lantern ceremony
Intermediate
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The Fireworks Start at Seven. That Riverbank Was Claimed at Noon.
basho-tori · claiming a spot in advance
Intermediate
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Someone in Japan Calls You Over. The English Word Coming Sends You the Wrong Way.
ima ikimasu · I'm coming right now.
Intermediate
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That Sign Is Not Saying Please Be Careful. Japanese Has a Way of Saying No Without the Word No.
tabearuki wa go-enryo kudasai · Please refrain from eating while walking.
Intermediate
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It Is Thirty Five Degrees Outside and the Konbini Shelf Just Turned Into Autumn.
kikan gentei · limited time only
Intermediate
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Forty People Are Carrying a Gold Shrine and Shaking It as Hard as They Can. That Is the Point.
wasshoi · heave-ho (the mikoshi chant)
Intermediate
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On August Seventh Japan's Calendar Says It Is Autumn. Then You Step Outside.
zansho ga kibishii desu ne · The lingering heat is brutal, isn't it.
Intermediate
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They Just Lost. Now They Are on Their Knees Filling Their Bags With Dirt.
isshoukenmei · with everything you have
Intermediate
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Every Train in Japan Is Packed in Mid-August. The Country Is Going Home to See the Dead.
obon · Obon, the summer season honoring ancestors
Intermediate
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When a Japanese Friend Says 'Next Time', They Often Mean No
mata kondo · Next time (a polite no)
Intermediate
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One Day Every July, All of Japan Eats Eel on Purpose. Here's Why.
doyou no ushi no hi · midsummer 'eel day'
Intermediate
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English Words Japanese People Say Completely Differently
makudonarudo · McDonald's (as Japanese pronounce it)
Intermediate
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The Word You Say Leaving a Japanese Restaurant (Not Arigatō)
gochisōsama deshita · thanks for the meal
Intermediate
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The Bullet-Train Food Ritual Tourists Always Skip
ekiben · a boxed meal sold at the station to eat on the train
Intermediate
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The Japanese Phrase That Works in Every Shop and Restaurant
Intermediate
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How Conveyor-Belt Sushi Actually Works in Japan
kaiten-zushi · conveyor-belt sushi
Intermediate
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The Japanese Summer Tradition You Have to See Once
hanabi taikai · summer fireworks festival
Intermediate
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Why Everyone Stands on One Side of the Escalator in Japan
Intermediate
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The Color That Tells You Hot or Cold on a Japanese Vending Machine
tsumetai / atatakai · cold / warm
Intermediate
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Getting on a Japanese Bus the Wrong Way Costs You Money
seiriken · numbered fare ticket
Intermediate
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How to Order Hot Snacks at the Konbini Counter
kore, kudasai · this one, please
Intermediate
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Japan's Luggage Hack: Travel Hands-Free
nimotsu o okuritai desu · I'd like to send my luggage
Intermediate
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The Summer Sign That Means 'Order This Now' in Japan
Hiyashi-chūka, kudasai. · Hiyashi-chūka, please. (cold summer noodles)
Intermediate
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Never Touch a Taxi Door in Japan
~ made onegai shimasu. · To ~, please.
Intermediate
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Japan's Rainy-Season Rule Tourists Always Miss
Kasa, koko de ii desu ka? · Is it okay to leave my umbrella here?
Intermediate
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The Word Locals Say to You All Summer in Japan
Atsui desu ne. · It's hot, isn't it.
Intermediate
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One Japanese Word Does the Job of Three
sumimasen · excuse me / sorry / thank you
Intermediate
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Stop Saying Sayōnara — Japanese People Rarely Do
jaa ne · See you / bye (casual)
Intermediate
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The Summer Outfit Locals Wear to Festivals (and What to Say)
yukata · summer cotton kimono
Intermediate
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Why You Can't Just Say 'Two' When Ordering in Japan
futatsu kudasai · Two, please.
Intermediate
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How to Get Free Water at Any Japanese Restaurant
o-mizu o kudasai · Water, please.
Intermediate
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Got a Cold in Japan? The One Phrase to Get Medicine at the Drugstore
kaze-gusuri wa arimasu ka · Do you have cold medicine?
Intermediate
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Left Something on the Train in Japan? Don't Panic — Say This
wasuremono o shimashita · I left something behind
Intermediate
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Rain Ruining Your Japan Trip? June Is Secretly Its Prettiest Month
ajisai · hydrangea
Intermediate
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Why Japanese People Keep Saying This While You Talk
sō desu ka · oh, I see / is that so (the 'I'm listening' sound)
Intermediate
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Ask THIS Before You Take a Photo in Japan
shashin o totte mo ii desu ka? · May I take a photo?
Intermediate
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Why You Still Need Cash in Japan (and Where to Get It)
genkin nomi · cash only (a sign you'll need to recognize)
Intermediate
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The Japanese Shoe Rule Tourists Break the Most
kutsu o nugimasu · I take my shoes off
Intermediate
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How to Actually Pray at a Japanese Shrine
nirei nihakushu ichirei · two bows, two claps, one bow (how to pray at a shrine)
Intermediate
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The Ramen Shop Machine That Confuses Every Tourist
shokken · meal ticket (buy it from the machine first)
Intermediate
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The Food Paradise Hiding Under Japanese Department Stores
depachika · department-store basement food hall
Intermediate
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The Japanese Phrase That Could Save Your Life in a Restaurant
~ arerugī ga arimasu · I have a ~ allergy
Intermediate
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The One Phrase That Saves You in Any Japanese Train Station
~ wa doko desu ka? · Where is ~?
Intermediate
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You're Probably Saying 'Thank You' Wrong in Japan
dōmo / arigatō gozaimasu · thanks (casual) / thank you very much (polite)
Intermediate
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The 3 Japanese Words That Unlock 80% of a Trip
sumimasen / onegaishimasu / arigatō gozaimasu · excuse me / please / thank you very much
Intermediate
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Onsen Rules Tourists Always Break
kakeyu · rinsing off before getting in
Intermediate
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How to Shop Tax-Free in Japan (and Save 10%)
menzei de onegaishimasu · Tax-free, please
Intermediate
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What to Order at a Japanese Summer Festival
takoyaki kudasai · Takoyaki, please
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