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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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The Taxi Hasn't Moved. Survival ▶

The Taxi Hasn't Moved.

hatsunori · the taxi's starting fare

situation-rescue #tokyo

Google Walked You Into a Loading Dock. That Sign Is Not a Suggestion. Survival ▶

Google Walked You Into a Loading Dock. That Sign Is Not a Suggestion.

kankeisha igai tachiiri kinshi · staff only, no entry

sign-decode #tokyo

You're Both at Tokyo Station. You Will Not Find Each Other. Beginner ▶

You're Both at Tokyo Station. You Will Not Find Each Other.

kaisatsu no soto de matte imasu · I'm waiting outside the ticket gates.

role-play #tokyo

POV: The Bus Drove Straight Past Your Hotel. The Button Over Your Head Was the Whole Game. Survival ▶

POV: The Bus Drove Straight Past Your Hotel. The Button Over Your Head Was the Whole Game.

kōsha botan · the stop button (press it or the bus will not stop)

situation-rescue #tokyo

Every Locker at Tokyo Station Is Shut. Two Kanji Mean You're Walking. Survival ▶

Every Locker at Tokyo Station Is Shut. Two Kanji Mean You're Walking.

manpai · full (lockers, parking, a box). Not 満員.

sign-decode #tokyo

Google Said Go Straight. Two Red Kanji Disagreed. Survival ▶

Google Said Go Straight. Two Red Kanji Disagreed.

tsūkō-dome · road closed, no through traffic

sign-decode #tokyo

There Is a Raw Egg on Your Beef Bowl. That Is Not a Garnish. Crack It. Survival ▶

There Is a Raw Egg on Your Beef Bowl. That Is Not a Garnish. Crack It.

namatamago desu · It's a raw egg.

cultural-explainer #tokyo

Your Suitcase Is in the Aisle. Six People Just Stepped Over It. That Shelf Is Empty on Purpose. Survival ▶

Your Suitcase Is in the Aisle. Six People Just Stepped Over It. That Shelf Is Empty on Purpose.

amidana ni agete kudasai · Please put it on the overhead rack.

Listening Recognition #tokyo

Stand Left in Tokyo, Right in Osaka. Two Places Made a Rule Saying It Doesn't Matter. Survival ▶

Stand Left in Tokyo, Right in Osaka. Two Places Made a Rule Saying It Doesn't Matter.

tachidomatte go-riyō kudasai. · Please stand still while riding.

myth-bust #tokyo

The Only Empty Seats on a Packed Tokyo Train Are Upstairs. Sitting In One Costs Extra. Survival ▶

The Only Empty Seats on a Packed Tokyo Train Are Upstairs. Sitting In One Costs Extra.

guriin-sha · the paid upgrade car, a separate ticket

sign-decode #tokyo

Everyone in the Carriage Turned at Once. The Announcement Had Just Told Them Which Door Opens. Survival ▶

Everyone in the Carriage Turned at Once. The Announcement Had Just Told Them Which Door Opens.

o-deguchi wa migigawa desu · The doors will open on the right.

Listening Recognition #tokyo

A Stranger Offers You a Half-Price Bar Upstairs. This Is the One You Walk Past. Survival ▶

A Stranger Offers You a Half-Price Bar Upstairs. This Is the One You Walk Past.

machiawase desu · I'm meeting someone

situation-rescue #tokyo

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 #tokyo

Two Hundred People Are Waiting and You Can't See Where the Line Starts. One Sign Says Where. Survival ▶

Two Hundred People Are Waiting and You Can't See Where the Line Starts. One Sign Says Where.

saikoubi · the end of the line

sign-decode #tokyo

A Phone Is Sitting Alone on a Table in Tokyo. It Is Not Lost. It Is a Fence. Beginner ▶

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

Cultural Wedge #tokyo

Online Says Sold Out. A Window at the Entrance Is Still Selling Tickets for Today. Survival ▶

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

situational #tokyo

The Cheapest Good Lunch in Japan Is Not on the Menu. It Is on a Board by the Door. Survival ▶

The Cheapest Good Lunch in Japan Is Not on the Menu. It Is on a Board by the Door.

higawari · the daily set: today's changing lunch

Order Like a Local #tokyo

You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back. Survival ▶

You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back.

kouban · neighbourhood police box

situational #tokyo

In Japan the Ramen Shop Is Not Down the Street. It Is on the Seventh Floor. Beginner ▶

In Japan the Ramen Shop Is Not Down the Street. It Is on the Seventh Floor.

nangai desu ka · What floor is it on?

situational #tokyo

Last Train's Gone in Tokyo? Ask the Front Desk This. Beginner ▶

Last Train's Gone in Tokyo? Ask the Front Desk This.

takushii o yonde kudasai · Please call a taxi

role-play #tokyo

The Food Paradise Hiding Under Japanese Department Stores Intermediate ▶

The Food Paradise Hiding Under Japanese Department Stores

depachika · department-store basement food hall

Cultural Wedge #tokyo

The One Phrase That Saves You in Any Japanese Train Station Intermediate ▶

The One Phrase That Saves You in Any Japanese Train Station

~ wa doko desu ka? · Where is ~?

Mini-Lesson #tokyo

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