USEFUL PHRASES and other Japan General Tips

Favorite Thing: Here is a list of useful phrases that might be helpful for you when you come to Japan:

Nice to meet you. Hajimemashite.
How are you? Genki desuka?
Good morning. Ohayo gozaimasu.
Good afternoon. Konnichiwa.
Good evening. Konbanwa.
Good night. Oyasumi nasai.
Good-bye. Sayonara.
Thank you. Arigato.
You're welcome. Doitashimashite.
Yes. Hai.
No. Ii e.
Excuse me. Sumimasen.
I am sorry. Gomennasai.
Please. (when offering something) Dozo.
Do you understand? Wakarimasuka?
I understand. Wakarimashita.
I don't understand. Wakarimasen.
Just a moment, please. Choto matte kudasai.
What is this? Kore wa nandesuka?
How much? Ikura desuka?
I will take this. Kore o kudasai.
Expensive. Takai.
Cheap. Yasui.
Where is the toilet? Toire wa dokodesuka?
I am a vegetarian. Watashi wa saishoku-shugi-sha desu.
I`m hungry. Onaka suita.
I`m full. Onaka ipai.


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Favorite Thing: Not the most important thing to remember but if you don`t want anyone saying "sumimasen" or grunting behind you while you are standing on an escalator or moving walkway, remember that if you are in Tokyo, stand on the left side & walk on the right. Everywhere else, stand on the right side & walk on the left.
I don`t know why it`s different only in Tokyo but I found out the hard way.


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Favorite Thing: The unit of currency here is the yen. Both coins & bills are used.
Coins: 1yen, 5yen, 10yen, 50yen, 100yen, & 500yen.
Bills: 1000yen, 2000yen, 5000yen, & 10000yen.
All are used widely except for the 2000yen note that was just introduced in July 2000. People like to save those as a momento since there aren`t alot in circulation.
10yens are used alot for the public telephones. The 100yen coin is probably used the most in my opinion.
Japan is a cash society. Credit cards & traveler`s checks are hardly used. There are no personal checks here (like in the US).
If you want to use your credit card (Amex, Visa, Mastercard, etc), you can use it in the big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe. But don`t expect every store or restaurant to accept them. The ones that do often have a minimum purchase amount if you want to use your card.
If you travel to the countryside, make sure that you have enough yen with you. You can always exchange your currency at a major bank but it`s not convenient once you go out of the cities. (Banks close at 3pm here).


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Favorite Thing: If you walk along the streets of Japan, you will notice the bright yellow dotted line that follows along the sidewalk. What is that, you ask? It's to aid blind people. They are like braille blocks/lines. Without the line, blind people will not know where to go, when to stop, where the turns are, etc.
We should thank Japan for a job well done regarding these lines. They are on all major & most minor sidewalks in Japan. You won't miss it!!


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