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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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You Sat Down at the Ramen Counter and Nobody Is Taking Your Order. You Missed the Machine by the Door. Survival ▶

You Sat Down at the Ramen Counter and Nobody Is Taking Your Order. You Missed the Machine by the Door.

shokken wa saki desu ka? · Do I buy the ticket first?

cultural-explainer #japantravel

Eleven Minutes in a Tokyo Izakaya and Nobody Has Taken Your Order. It Was Never Going to Happen at the Table. Beginner ▶

Eleven Minutes in a Tokyo Izakaya and Nobody Has Taken Your Order. It Was Never Going to Happen at the Table.

chūmon wa dō sureba ii desu ka? · How do I order?

situation-rescue #japantravel

One Question at a Japanese Register Decides Whether Your Food Comes in a Bag or on a Tray Beginner ▶

One Question at a Japanese Register Decides Whether Your Food Comes in a Bag or on a Tray

ie, mochikaeri desu. · No, it's takeout.

role-play #japantravel

Your Glasses Went Crooked in Kyoto. The Right Glasses Chain Straightens Them at the Counter, Usually Free. Beginner ▶

Your Glasses Went Crooked in Kyoto. The Right Glasses Chain Straightens Them at the Counter, Usually Free.

megane no chousei, onegai dekimasu ka? · Could you adjust my glasses?

role-play #japantravel

Your Etiquette Guide Said Always Use Chopsticks. Nigiri Was Built to Be Eaten With Your Fingers. Beginner ▶

Your Etiquette Guide Said Always Use Chopsticks. Nigiri Was Built to Be Eaten With Your Fingers.

te de tabete mo ii desu ka? · Is it okay to eat this with my hands?

myth-bust #japantravel

It Is Thirty Five Degrees and Your Nose Will Not Stop Running. You Did Not Catch a Cold in Japan. Survival ▶

It Is Thirty Five Degrees and Your Nose Will Not Stop Running. You Did Not Catch a Cold in Japan.

kafunshou desu. · I have hay fever.

situation-rescue #japantravel

Tell a Japanese Friend Good News and She'll Yell 'Liar' Right at You Survival ▶

Tell a Japanese Friend Good News and She'll Yell 'Liar' Right at You

hontō desu ka? · Really?! / For real?

myth-bust #japantravel

Everyone at the Table Ordered Beer. You Don't Drink. One Sentence Ends It on the First Ask. Beginner ▶

Everyone at the Table Ordered Beer. You Don't Drink. One Sentence Ends It on the First Ask.

osake, nomenai n desu · I can't drink alcohol

role-play #japantravel

Some Ramen Shops Upsize Your Noodles for Free. They'll Never Offer It in English. Survival ▶

Some Ramen Shops Upsize Your Noodles for Free. They'll Never Offer It in English.

ōmori de onegaishimasu · Large portion, please

role-play #japantravel

The Beef Jerky in Your Bag Is a Criminal Offence at Japanese Arrivals Survival ▶

The Beef Jerky in Your Bag Is a Criminal Offence at Japanese Arrivals

iie, motte imasen · No, I don't have any

role-play #japantravel

You Rented a Car in Japan and Drove Into the Purple Lane. The Barrier Isn't Going Up. Beginner ▶

You Rented a Car in Japan and Drove Into the Purple Lane. The Barrier Isn't Going Up.

ītīshī kādo wa kariraremasu ka? · Can I rent an ETC card?

myth-bust #japantravel

Your Lunch Set Comes With Coffee. In Japan It Turns Up Next to the Soup. Survival ▶

Your Lunch Set Comes With Coffee. In Japan It Turns Up Next to the Soup.

shokugo ni onegai shimasu. · After the meal, please.

role-play #japantravel

You Bought Trousers in Tokyo and They're Ten Centimetres Too Long. The Shop Fixes That Before You Leave. Survival ▶

You Bought Trousers in Tokyo and They're Ten Centimetres Too Long. The Shop Fixes That Before You Leave.

susoage dekimasu ka? · Can you hem these?

role-play #japantravel

People Here Hold a Cafe Table With Just a Phone. So Why Does the Station Warn You About This? Survival ▶

People Here Hold a Cafe Table With Just a Phone. So Why Does the Station Warn You About This?

okibiki · theft of a bag you set down

sign-decode #japantravel

Everyone Here Cycles Under an Umbrella. Since April, That's a Ticket. Survival ▶

Everyone Here Cycles Under an Umbrella. Since April, That's a Ticket.

kasasashi unten · riding a bike while holding an umbrella

myth-bust #japantravel

Every Japanese Department Store Has a Free Room With a Sofa and Hot Water. It's Not on the English Floor Map. Beginner ▶

Every Japanese Department Store Has a Free Room With a Sofa and Hot Water. It's Not on the English Floor Map.

omutsu-gae no basho wa arimasu ka? · Is there somewhere to change a nappy?

role-play #japantravel

A Siren Goes Off Over the Whole Neighbourhood in Japan. One Word in the Announcement Tells You Not to Run. Survival ▶

A Siren Goes Off Over the Whole Neighbourhood in Japan. One Word in the Announcement Tells You Not to Run.

kore wa kunren desu · This is a drill.

myth-bust #japantravel

You Ask a Japanese Drugstore for Sunburn Cream and Get Sent Back to the Sunscreen. One Word Fixes It. Beginner ▶

You Ask a Japanese Drugstore for Sunburn Cream and Get Sent Back to the Sunscreen. One Word Fixes It.

hiyake de hirihiri suru n desu · I'm sunburnt and it stings.

role-play #japantravel

You Had a Bath at a Japanese Home and Pulled the Plug. Three People Were Still Waiting for That Water. Survival ▶

You Had a Bath at a Japanese Home and Pulled the Plug. Three People Were Still Waiting for That Water.

oyu wa nukanaide kudasai · Please don't drain the tub.

myth-bust #japantravel

You Gave Up Your Seat in Japan and Got Turned Down. There's a Tiny Lie That Fixes It. Beginner ▶

You Gave Up Your Seat in Japan and Got Turned Down. There's a Tiny Lie That Fixes It.

tsugi de orimasu node, dōzo · I'm getting off at the next stop, so please, go ahead.

Etiquette #japantravel

You Locked Your Passport in the Hotel Safe Like Everyone Said. In Japan That's the Wrong Move. Survival ▶

You Locked Your Passport in the Hotel Safe Like Everyone Said. In Japan That's the Wrong Move.

pasupōto o misete kudasai · Please show me your passport.

myth-bust #japantravel

The Yellow Bumpy Strip in Every Japanese Station Is Not Decoration. Survival ▶

The Yellow Bumpy Strip in Every Japanese Station Is Not Decoration.

tenji burokku · tactile paving

sign-decode #japantravel

You Are Bowing Way Too Much in Japan. This Is the One People Actually Use. Survival ▶

You Are Bowing Way Too Much in Japan. This Is the One People Actually Use.

eshaku · a small nod bow

Etiquette #japantravel

On November 1st, Japan's Tax Free Discount Stops Happening at the Till. Survival ▶

On November 1st, Japan's Tax Free Discount Stops Happening at the Till.

menzei no tetsuzuki wa doko desu ka? · Where do I do the tax free procedure?

news-explainer #japantravel

You Asked for the English Menu in Japan. You Just Got the Short Version. Beginner ▶

You Asked for the English Menu in Japan. You Just Got the Short Version.

nihongo no menyuu mo onegai shimasu · The Japanese menu too, please.

myth-bust #japantravel

The Card Reader in Japan Offers to Charge You in Dollars. That's Not a Favour. Beginner ▶

The Card Reader in Japan Offers to Charge You in Dollars. That's Not a Favour.

nihon'en de onegai shimasu · In yen, please.

situational-roleplay #japantravel

You Bought the Wrong Size in Tokyo. Japan Mostly Won't Refund You. Ask for This Instead. Survival ▶

You Bought the Wrong Size in Tokyo. Japan Mostly Won't Refund You. Ask for This Instead.

koukan dekimasu ka? · Can I exchange this?

situational-roleplay #japantravel

The Bill Is Paid and Nobody Is Standing Up. Japan Has a Word for What Happens Next. Beginner ▶

The Bill Is Paid and Nobody Is Standing Up. Japan Has a Word for What Happens Next.

mou ikken ikimasen ka? · Want to go to one more place?

role-play #japantravel

Your Tokyo Train Was Five Minutes Late. The Station Hands You a Note Proving It. Survival ▶

Your Tokyo Train Was Five Minutes Late. The Station Hands You a Note Proving It.

chien shoumeisho o onegai shimasu · A delay certificate, please.

situational-roleplay #japantravel

Kyoto Now Taxes You Per Night, Per Person. At the Top End That's Ten Thousand Yen Each. Survival ▶

Kyoto Now Taxes You Per Night, Per Person. At the Top End That's Ten Thousand Yen Each.

shukuhakuzei · lodging tax

Common Mistake #japantravel

Your IC Card Opens Every Gate in Tokyo. Out Here There Is No Gate, and No Anybody. Survival ▶

Your IC Card Opens Every Gate in Tokyo. Out Here There Is No Gate, and No Anybody.

mujin-eki · unstaffed station

sign-decode #japantravel

You Made It to the Japanese Clinic. Reception Opens by Asking for a Card You Were Never Going to Have. Beginner ▶

You Made It to the Japanese Clinic. Reception Opens by Asking for a Card You Were Never Going to Have.

nihon no hokenshō wa arimasen · I don't have Japanese insurance

situational #japantravel

Booking Japan for the Autumn Leaves? One Question Saves the Whole Trip. Beginner ▶

Booking Japan for the Autumn Leaves? One Question Saves the Whole Trip.

kōyō wa mō migoro desu ka? · Are the autumn leaves at their peak yet?

seasonal-planning #japantravel

You Said No Meat, No Fish. They Said No Problem. Your Miso Soup Still Has Fish In It. Survival ▶

You Said No Meat, No Fish. They Said No Problem. Your Miso Soup Still Has Fish In It.

dashi ni sakana wa haitte imasu ka? · Is there fish in the broth?

myth-bust #japantravel

The Card Machine Turns to Face You. Four Kanji, a Blinking Box, and a Queue Behind You. Survival ▶

The Card Machine Turns to Face You. Four Kanji, a Blinking Box, and a Queue Behind You.

anshou bangou · PIN

sign-decode #japantravel

You Walked Thirty Minutes to That Restaurant in Japan. It Needed a Booking. Beginner ▶

You Walked Thirty Minutes to That Restaurant in Japan. It Needed a Booking.

yoyaku wa hitsuyō desu ka · Do I need a reservation?

mini-scenario #japantravel

The Beach Was Packed Last Week. Today One Small Sign Is Keeping Everyone Out of the Water. Survival ▶

The Beach Was Packed Last Week. Today One Small Sign Is Keeping Everyone Out of the Water.

kurage chuui · caution: jellyfish

sign-decode #japantravel

The Festival Stall Still Has a Queue. The Little Board at the Front Says the Food Ran Out Ages Ago. Survival ▶

The Festival Stall Still Has a Queue. The Little Board at the Front Says the Food Ran Out Ages Ago.

urikire · sold out

sign-decode #japantravel

Two Weeks In and Everything You Own Is Damp. The Machine Only Speaks Kanji. Survival ▶

Two Weeks In and Everything You Own Is Damp. The Machine Only Speaks Kanji.

kansou · dry

sign-decode #japantravel

One Japanese Sentence Gets You Anything a Shop Might Have Beginner ▶

One Japanese Sentence Gets You Anything a Shop Might Have

~ wa arimasu ka? · Do you have ~?

mini-dialogue #japantravel

At a Japanese Festival Stall, Pointing Isn't Enough. They Need How Many. Beginner ▶

At a Japanese Festival Stall, Pointing Isn't Enough. They Need How Many.

hitotsu kudasai / futatsu kudasai · One, please / Two, please

festival #japantravel

Say This One Line First and Watch Every Japanese Person Slow Down for You Survival ▶

Say This One Line First and Watch Every Japanese Person Slow Down for You

nihongo, chotto dake hanasemasu · I can only speak a little Japanese

Survival Phrase #japantravel

You Get to Your Tokyo Hotel at Midnight and There Is No Toothbrush. Nothing Is Missing. Survival ▶

You Get to Your Tokyo Hotel at Midnight and There Is No Toothbrush. Nothing Is Missing.

gojiyū ni otori kudasai · Please help yourself

sign-decode #japantravel

Japanese Has a Word for People Who Can't Drink Hot Tea. It Translates to Cat Tongue. Survival ▶

Japanese Has a Word for People Who Can't Drink Hot Tea. It Translates to Cat Tongue.

nekojita nan desu · I can't handle hot food or drinks

word-origin #japantravel

The Claw Machine Wedged Your Prize Flat Against the Glass. Staff Will Move It If You Ask. Beginner ▶

The Claw Machine Wedged Your Prize Flat Against the Glass. Staff Will Move It If You Ask.

sumimasen, kore ugokashite moraemasu ka? · Excuse me, could you move this?

situational-dialogue #japantravel

Japanese Has a Phrase That Literally Means I Am About to Be Rude. You Say It First, and Then It's the Politest Thing in the Room. Survival ▶

Japanese Has a Phrase That Literally Means I Am About to Be Rude. You Say It First, and Then It's the Politest Thing in the Room.

shitsurei shimasu · Excuse me.

Survival Phrase #japantravel

A Twelve Thousand Yen Melon Isn't Food in Japan. It's a Greeting Card, and the Counter Staff Are About to Ask Which One You're Buying. Survival ▶

A Twelve Thousand Yen Melon Isn't Food in Japan. It's a Greeting Card, and the Counter Staff Are About to Ask Which One You're Buying.

jibun-yō desu · It's for myself.

Survival Phrase #japantravel

You Ordered One Coffee in an Old Japanese Cafe and Breakfast Turned Up. Nobody Charged You For It. Survival ▶

You Ordered One Coffee in an Old Japanese Cafe and Breakfast Turned Up. Nobody Charged You For It.

mōningu, yattemasu ka? · Are you doing the morning set?

myth-bust #japantravel

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