Useful Japanese for Your First Week in Tokyo

Pro Tip: You don’t need to reply perfectly. A smile + “大丈夫です” (daijoubu desu — “I’m fine / no thanks”) will get you through 80% of interactions. Point at things, bow slightly, and say “すみません” (sumimasen) — you’re already doing great.

Convenience Store Restaurants Trains Shopping Apartment Ward Office Emergency Keep Learning

Convenience Store Conversations

Staff will ask you these questions at the register. Here’s what they mean and how to reply.

What the Staff Will Ask You

レジ袋いりますか？

reji bukuro irimasu ka?

Do you need a plastic bag?

Bags cost ¥3–5. Say お願いします (onegaishimasu — yes please) or 大丈夫です (daijoubu desu — no thanks).

温めますか？

atatamemasu ka?

Should I heat this up?

Asked when you buy bento, onigiri, or soup. Say お願いします (yes) or 大丈夫です (no).

お箸つけますか？

ohashi tsukemasu ka?

Do you need chopsticks?

They’ll also offer a spoon (スプーン / supūn) or fork (フォーク / fōku) if relevant.

ポイントカードはお持ちですか？

pointo kādo wa omochi desu ka?

Do you have a point card?

If you don’t: 持っていません (motte imasen — I don’t have one). Consider getting a T-Point or Ponta card later!

お支払い方法は？

oshiharai hōhō wa?

How would you like to pay?

Point at your card/phone, or say 現金で (genkin de — cash), カードで (kādo de — card), or ペイペイで (PayPay de).

Your Go-To Replies

お願いします

onegaishimasu

Yes, please

大丈夫です

daijoubu desu

No, I’m fine

いいえ、結構です

iie, kekkō desu

No, that’s okay

Restaurants & Ordering

From calling the waiter to paying the bill.

すみません

sumimasen

Excuse me (to call staff)

Raise your hand slightly and say this. Staff will come to you. Don’t wave wildly — a calm “sumimasen” is enough.

〜をお願いします

~ wo onegaishimasu

I’d like ~, please

Point at the menu item and say this. Example: “これをお願いします” (kore wo onegaishimasu — this one, please).

テイクアウトで / 店内で

teikuauto de / tennai de

For takeout / For here

You’ll be asked “店内でお召し上がりですか？” (tennai de omeshiagari desu ka?) — eating here? Just reply with one of these.

お会計お願いします

okaikei onegaishimasu

Check, please

In Japan, you pay at the register near the entrance, NOT at your table. Bring your bill slip to the counter.

いただきます / ごちそうさまでした

itadakimasu / gochisōsama deshita

Thanks for the food (before / after eating)

Cultural staples. Say “itadakimasu” before eating, “gochisōsama deshita” when leaving. Staff will appreciate it.

Ticket Machine (食券 / shokuken) Restaurants: Many ramen and set-meal shops have vending machines at the entrance. Insert money → press the button for your dish → hand the ticket to staff. No Japanese needed! Look for plastic food displays outside to preview dishes.

Trains & Transport

Navigate Tokyo’s train system with these essential phrases.

すみません、〜はどこですか？

sumimasen, ~ wa doko desu ka?

Excuse me, where is ~?

Works for anything: stations, platforms, exits, bathrooms. Example: “渋谷駅はどこですか？” (Shibuya-eki wa doko desu ka?)

〜行きは何番線ですか？

~ yuki wa nanban-sen desu ka?

Which platform for ~?

Example: “新宿行きは何番線ですか？” (Shinjuku yuki wa nanban-sen desu ka?)

終電は何時ですか？

shūden wa nanji desu ka?

When is the last train?

Critical! Most lines stop around 23:30–00:30. Missing it means an expensive taxi (¥3,000–10,000+). Check Google Maps or Navitime app.

Tip: Google Maps works perfectly for Tokyo trains. Just enter your destination and it shows exact departure times, platform numbers, and transfer instructions in English. Download offline maps for your first week.

Shopping

Whether you’re at a 100-yen shop or a department store.

これいくらですか？

kore ikura desu ka?

How much is this?

Point at the item. Most stores show prices clearly, but useful at markets and smaller shops.

試着してもいいですか？

shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?

Can I try this on?

Always ask before entering fitting rooms. Staff may give you a number card. Remove shoes before entering.

Lサイズありますか？

eru saizu arimasu ka?

Do you have a Large size?

Japanese S/M/L runs smaller than Western sizes. If you usually wear M, try L. Shoes use centimeters (e.g., US 9 ≈ 27cm).

Apartment & Neighbors

Making a good first impression matters in Japanese apartment culture.

はじめまして、○号室の〜です。よろしくお願いします。

hajimemashite, ~gō-shitsu no ~ desu. yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

Nice to meet you, I’m [name] from room [number]. Please treat me kindly.

Introduce yourself to neighbors on both sides + above + below within the first week. Bring a small gift (¥500–1,000 — cookies, hand towels).

引っ越しの際はお騒がせしてすみませんでした。

hikkoshi no sai wa osawagase shite sumimasen deshita.

Sorry for the noise during my move.

Say this when you first introduce yourself after moving in. Shows awareness and respect.

ご迷惑をおかけしてすみません。

gomeiwaku wo okake shite sumimasen.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience.

General apology for noise or disturbance. Quiet hours are generally 10 PM – 8 AM.

Neighbor Gift Ideas: Individually wrapped cookies, a box of senbei (rice crackers), hand towels, or small household goods from a department store. Wrap nicely. It’s the thought that counts — not the price.

Ward Office Phrases

Your first official stop after arriving. Most offices have English support, but these phrases help.

転入届を出したいです。

tennyū todoke wo dashitai desu.

I’d like to submit a move-in notice.

This is your FIRST task — must be done within 14 days of arrival. Bring passport + residence card.

住民票が欲しいです。

jūminhyō ga hoshii desu.

I need a certificate of residence.

You’ll need this for bank accounts, phone contracts, and more. Available a few days after registration.

英語の書類はありますか？

eigo no shorui wa arimasu ka?

Do you have English documents?

Most Tokyo ward offices have English forms or multilingual staff. Don’t hesitate to ask.

マイナンバーカードを申請したいです。

mainanbā kādo wo shinsei shitai desu.

I’d like to apply for a My Number Card.

Useful for tax, health insurance, and official ID. Takes 1–2 months to receive.

Emergency Phrases

Memorize these — you probably won’t need them, but if you do, they could be crucial.

助けて！

tasukete!

Help!

Shout this in an emergency. People will respond.

救急車をお願いします。

kyūkyūsha wo onegai shimasu.

Please call an ambulance.

Or dial 119 yourself. English interpreters are available.

警察を呼んでください。

keisatsu wo yonde kudasai.

Please call the police.

Or dial 110. For non-emergency police matters: #9110.

日本語がわかりません。

nihongo ga wakarimasen.

I don’t understand Japanese.

The irony of saying this in Japanese — but it immediately tells people you need language help.

英語を話せる人はいますか？

eigo wo hanaseru hito wa imasu ka?

Is there anyone who speaks English?

Use at hospitals, police boxes (koban), or any official setting.

ここが痛いです。

koko ga itai desu.

It hurts here.

Point to the area. Simple and effective at hospitals or clinics.

Keep Learning

These phrases are just the start. Here are great resources to keep improving.

Apps

Duolingo — Free, gamified, great for building daily habit
Pimsleur — Audio-based, perfect for commute practice
JapanesePod101 — Massive library of dialogues and lessons
LingoDeer — Comprehensive grammar for beginners

Textbooks

GENKI I & II — University standard, covers N5–N4
Marugoto (A1–A2) — By Japan Foundation, practical situations
Japanese for Busy People — Concise and commute-friendly

Strategy for First Month

Week 1: Learn hiragana + this page’s phrases
Week 2: Add Duolingo/LingoDeer daily
Week 3: Start Pimsleur for speaking practice
Week 4: Try having a full convenience store interaction!

Useful Japanese for Your First Week