General knowledge stuff (mostly Tokyo, applies to Kyoto and likely other major cities too)

🇯🇵 Language

Phrases and words you will hear or say everywhere

• hai (はい) - yes (polite)
• iie (いいえ) - no (polite)
• arigatō gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) - thank you very much
  • you will hear this everywhere, they really emphasize the gozaimaaaaaasu. arigatō means “thank you” and gozaimasu is basically a word that makes it more polite (really it is a polite form of “arimasu” which is like the verb “to be” for inanimate objects (there is another “to be” verb for living things in Japanese)). you can say it back most of the time

Itadakimasu and Gochisousama - Learn Japanese Manners

• itadakimasu (いただきます) - bon appétit, thank you for the meal (beginning)
  • a polite and common phrase to say at the start of a meal, when you are served. expresses appreciation to the host and others who made the meal possible
• gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした) - thank you for the meal (end)
  • a polite and common thing to say at the end of a meal, to thank your host for the meal
  • depending on the setting, can be lengthened to “domo gochisousama deshita (どもごちそうさまでした)” – more formal, or shortened to “gochisousama (ごちそうさま)” – less formal
• sumimasen (すみません) - excuse me, pardon me, sorry (for the inconvenience)
  • something to say when you need people to make room for you in a crowded train or get somebody’s attention, also a formal and polite apology
• irasshaimase (いらっしゃいませ) - welcome
  • a polite form of welcome that everyone in a restaurant or convenience store will yell at you as soon as you enter. I don’t think they expect you to say anything in response
• hai dozo (はいどぞ) or just dozo (どぞ) - here you are, here you go
  • this is a polite thing to say when you give something to somebody or do something for them, like when a cab driver opens the door for you or a cashier gives you your change
• kudasai (ください) - please give me
  • a polite word you can say in a restaurant to request an item, like “biiru kudasai” (beer, please)
• onegaishimasu (おねがいします) - please
  • another polite word you can use when making a request, maybe when the request is less directly about being given something, I’m not sure exactly when to use this over kudasai
• kore (これ) - this, as in this thing that I’m pointing at
  • you can point at a menu item and say “kore kudasai” and they will probably give it to you, but they don’t really expect foreigners to say anything. lots of nonverbal communication

Useful phrases

• eigo ga wakarimasuka? (えいごがわかりますか) - do you understand English?

💴 Cash

Tokyo runs on cash, you’ll need a lot of it. Nearly every Seven Eleven (they’re everywhere) has an international ATM. Make sure your debit card works, best if your card doesn’t have ATM fees / international transaction fees

<aside> 💡 You may want to bring a coin purse. Coins are actually useful in Japan – 100¥ (~1$) coins are very common, and there are also 500¥ coins

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