Practical Japanese for Every Journey
A topic-by-topic reference covering the language you actually need at airports, restaurants, train stations, and guesthouses across Japan.
Each guide focuses on real situations — what to say, how to say it, and what the response might look like.
topic areas
audio context
Hiragana, Katakana, Romaji
What each guide covers
Guides are grouped by situation, not by grammar rule. You pick the scenario you face and find the language that fits it.
Getting around
Train lines, bus routes, and taxi conversations. Includes reading station signage and asking for platform numbers.
- Buying tickets at a machine
- Asking which exit to use
- Reading IC card signage
At the restaurant
Ordering food, noting allergies, and asking for the bill without pointing at the menu the whole time.
- Dietary restriction phrases
- Calling a server politely
- Splitting and paying
Accommodation
Check-in at hotels and ryokan stays, requesting towels, and understanding the house rules at a traditional inn.
- Confirming a reservation
- Asking about facilities
- Onsen etiquette phrases
Shopping and markets
Prices, sizes, and the polite way to decline when a shop assistant follows you around the store.
- Asking for a different size
- Tax-free shopping phrases
- Gift wrapping requests
Emergencies and health
Phrases for pharmacies, clinics, and situations where clarity matters more than politeness.
- Describing symptoms simply
- Finding a pharmacy
- Asking for English-speaking staff
Everyday courtesies
The short phrases that shape how locals perceive you — greetings, apologies, and expressions of thanks that go beyond "arigatou".
- Entering and leaving spaces
- Receiving gifts or food
- Polite refusals