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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Survival
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Your Power Bank Isn't Allowed in the Overhead Bin on a Japanese Flight. It Has to Stay Where You Can Reach It.
mobairu batterī wa otemoto ni oite kudasai · Please keep your power bank within reach.
Beginner
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You Stepped Out for Ice in a Yukata. The Door Clicked Behind You.
heya ni kagi o wasuremashita · I left my key in the room.
Survival
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You Missed Your Reserved Shinkansen. Do Not Buy Another Ticket.
noriokuremashita. · I missed my train.
Survival
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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
Survival
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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.
Survival
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Your IC Card Opens Every Gate in Tokyo. Out Here There Is No Gate, and No Anybody.
mujin-eki · unstaffed station
Survival
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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?
Survival
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You Get to Your Tokyo Hotel at Midnight and There Is No Toothbrush. Nothing Is Missing.
gojiyū ni otori kudasai · Please help yourself
Survival
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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
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An Empty Taxi Drove Straight Past You in Tokyo With Your Arm in the Air. Two Kanji in the Window Had Already Said No.
kaisō · out of service
Survival
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There's a Free Hot Spring Outside That Station and Everyone Walks Straight Past It.
ashiyu · foot bath, a public hot-spring bath for your feet with your clothes on
Survival
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The Staff Says One Sentence, Then Walks Away. You Are Not Being Ignored.
shoushou omachi kudasai · One moment, please
Beginner
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You Missed the Last Train in Tokyo. There Is a Door That Costs Two Thousand Yen.
naito pakku arimasu ka? · Do you have a night pack?
Beginner
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That Cheerful Jingle on the Japanese Platform Is Not Decoration. It Is a Countdown.
doa ga shimarimasu · The doors are closing
Beginner
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That Ryokan Costs Forty Thousand Yen a Night. You Can Use Its Hot Spring for About a Thousand.
higaeri nyuuyoku, dekimasu ka? · Can I use the bath just for the day?
Survival
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The Ticket Gate Just Shut on You in Japan. The Screen Is Telling You Why.
zangaku busoku · not enough balance left
Beginner
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Your Ryokan Is a Two Thousand Yen Taxi From the Station. It Also Runs a Free Van.
sougei basu wa arimasu ka? · Is there a shuttle bus?
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
Survival
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The Fireworks Ended. Now Staff Are Blocking the Station Entrance on Purpose.
nyuujou kisei · entry restriction: the station is letting people in in waves
Survival
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Don't Wear These Out of the Bathroom in Japan
toire no surippa · the toilet slippers
Survival
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Why Leaving a Tip in Japan Backfires
otsuri wa ii desu · Keep the change / the change is fine
Survival
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Free Water in Japan Is Served HOT. Here's How to Ask for It.
oyu wo kudasai · hot water, please
Survival
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Hotel Check-In Is at 3pm. Your Bags Are Here at 9am. Say This.
nimotsu wo azukatte moraemasu ka? · could you hold my luggage?
Survival
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Phone at 3% in Tokyo? The One Phrase That Saves Your Night
jūden dekimasu ka? · Can I charge here?
Survival
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Is this train going to...?
kono densha wa 〜 ni ikimasu ka? · Is this train going to 〜?
Beginner
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Locals Eat THIS to Survive Japan's Summer (Not Just Water)
shio-ame · salt candy
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 〜
Beginner
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Skip the Pricey Fuji Tours — Take This Train
Fuji Kaiyū · the Fuji Excursion (direct limited express to Mt Fuji)
Survival
▶
The One Japanese Phrase You'll Be Glad You Learned
toire wa doko desu ka? · where is the toilet?
Survival
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Scared of the Language Barrier? Start With This
eigo, daijōbu desu ka? · is English okay? / do you speak English?
Survival
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The One Phrase That Tells You the Price in Japan
ikura desu ka? · how much is it?
Survival
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The First 2 Japanese Words You Need: Yes & No
hai / iie · yes / no
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 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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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.
Beginner
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Lost in Japanese? This Phrase Saves You
nihongo, wakarimasen · I do not understand Japanese
Beginner
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How to Ask for the Bill in Japan
okaikei, onegai shimasu · check, please
Beginner
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Mystery Food in Japan? Just Ask What It Is
kore wa nan desu ka? · what is this?
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
Beginner
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Japan Hands You a Hot Towel — Don't Use It Wrong
oshibori · wet hand towel
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
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