すみません
sumimasen
Excuse me. / Sorry.
Free phrase guides
Japanese phrases for your trip, by situation
Every phrase here comes straight from the Ekiben curriculum: natural, polite Japanese for real travel situations, with kana, romaji, English and audio. Each stop also shows what staff are likely to say back, a culture tip and a short practice scene.
Essentials
The Magic Word
成田空港 · Narita Airport
Key phrase
すみません
sumimasen
Excuse me. / Sorry.
Ten phrases to learn first
ありがとうございます
arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you very much.
お願いします
おねがいします
onegaishimasu
Please. (when asking for something)
これをください
kore o kudasai
This one, please.
いくらですか？
ikura desu ka?
How much is it?
トイレはどこですか？
toire wa doko desu ka?
Where's the restroom?
日本語がわかりません
にほんごがわかりません
nihongo ga wakarimasen
I don't understand Japanese.
英語は話せますか？
えいごははなせますか？
eigo wa hanasemasu ka?
Do you speak English?
お会計お願いします
おかいけいおねがいします
okaikei onegaishimasu
The bill, please.
救急車を呼んでください
きゅうきゅうしゃをよんでください
kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai
Please call an ambulance.
All 9 lines
E Essentials きほん
Essential Japanese phrases for your trip
The handful of words you'll use every day in Japan: thanks, pointing, asking how much, asking where, and greetings.
A Arrival 到着
Japanese phrases for arriving in Japan
From the immigration desk to the city: clear the airport, sort out cash and data, and catch your ride into town.
T Transit 移動
Japanese phrases for trains, taxis and getting around
Buy tickets, find your platform, ride the shinkansen, and get around by taxi and on foot.
H Stay 宿
Japanese phrases for hotels, ryokan and onsen
Check in, sort out problems, enjoy a ryokan and onsen, and check out smoothly.
F Food 食
Japanese phrases for restaurants, ramen and konbini
Get a table, order with confidence, explain allergies, and eat your way through ramen shops, konbini and izakaya.
S Shopping 買い物
Japanese phrases for shopping
Browse, try things on, and pay (tax-free too) without the stress.
C Culture & Sights 観光
Japanese phrases for sightseeing, shrines and temples
Buy tickets, take great photos, and visit shrines and temples with confidence.
P People 交流
Japanese small talk for travelers
Introduce yourself, react like a local, and say a warm goodbye to the people you meet.
X Help 緊急
Emergency Japanese phrases
Lost something, feeling unwell, or facing a real emergency? The words that get you help fast. Always free.
Free travel tools
Allergy & diet card
Make a polite Japanese allergy and dietary card in seconds: shellfish, wheat, soba, egg, dairy, nuts, vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free. Show it to restaurant staff in Japan.
Katakana menu words
Coffee, beer, cake, taxi: 153 katakana loanwords you will see on menus and signs in Japan, with romaji, meanings and a quick decoder quiz.
Japanese signs
Exit, entrance, ticket gates, push, pull, cash only, no smoking: 46 essential Japanese signs with readings, meanings and tips for stations, shops and streets.