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
Survival
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The Best Lunch in the Japanese Countryside Is a Parking Lot With a Government Sign.
michi no eki · roadside station
Beginner
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The Photo Booth Corner in Japan Has a Sign About You. It Isn't What You'll Assume.
dansei dake demo daijōbu desu ka? · Is it okay if it's just guys?
Beginner
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Wallet Gone, No Way Home. The Japanese Police Box Has a Form for This.
kaeri no denshachin o kashite itadakemasen ka. · Could you lend me the fare to get home?
Survival
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One Piece Left on the Plate. Nobody Will Touch It. Japan Has a Name for It.
enryo naku dōzo. · Go on, don't hold back.
Survival
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Japan Barely Has Public Bins. The Ones It Does Have Are Judging You.
moeru gomi · burnable trash
Intermediate
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Mid August a Japanese River Fills With Lanterns. Each One Is Somebody Going Home.
tourou nagashi · Floating lantern ceremony
Beginner
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A Phone Is Sitting Alone on a Table in Tokyo. It Is Not Lost. It Is a Fence.
seki, totteru n desu · Sorry, this seat's taken
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)
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.
Survival
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Japanese People Don't Say a Cold Goodbye. They Send You Off With This.
ki o tsukete · Take care / get home safe
Survival
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Don't Wear These Out of the Bathroom in Japan
toire no surippa · the toilet slippers
Everything Tourists Get Wrong About Japanese Politeness
sumimasen · excuse me / sorry / thank you
Survival
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Why the Number 4 Has Two Names in Japan
ichi, ni, san, yon, go … jū · counting 1 to 10
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