In any country you travel to, you most likely will have to pick up on the language spoken. It may range from “where is the bathroom?” to “how much is it to catch this bus?”, and even if they did answer them, you will need to pick up on the language spoken by them which can be extremely difficult. The best way to solve this issue is to ask them a question that will have them respond with short simple answers.

Please keep in mind that, we left out greetings since you are likely to know them already! If you don’t let’s have that sorted before or after this read!
 では、いってみよう！(Let’s get started)
 １．DIRECTIONS 
〇〇はどこですか？
～～WA　DOKODESUKA?
Where is ～～～？
 No matter where you are traveling, this phrase is the go to phrase! HOWEVER, asking where is something, you are likely to have directions explained to you. And unless there are people kind enough to show you exactly where it is (they do exist). Now if you’re not used to navigation phrases, try asking for which direction instead of where something is. 
The phrase for that is,
〇〇はどっち（どちら）ですか？
~~ WA DOCCHI (DOCHIRA) DESUKA?
Which way to ~~? 
When you phrase a question this way, people often point to which direction you should be headed. This will simplify your conversation, and you can ask this to different people along the way until you get there. 
 
2. PRICE
Unlike some asian countries, Japanese stores will have price tags on most products. However in small markets where price is fixed depending on the tray which it’s placed in, it may be confusing, and it’s never pleasant to be confronted with unexpected prices. 
 
The phrase ～はいくらですか？(～WAIKURADESUKA) , means HOW MUCH IS ～ ,and this along with the key words below will help you understand how much each product is.  
 
これ（KORE）= THIS
それ（SORE）= THAT  (Reachable distance)
あれ（ARE）= THAT (Not Reachable)
 
Put one of these words in front of the (~WA IKURADESUKA), and also add a pointing gesture to the product which you are referring to, the shopkeeper should kindly tell you how much things are. Make sure you know your numbers!
 
十（Jyuu）＝Ten
百（Hyaku/Byaku）= Hundred
千(Zen/Sen)＝Thousand
万（Man）= Ten Thousand
 
3. HOTEL
In most hotels there will be a staff that can speak English, or there should be a sign that walks you through booking procedures. However, if they don’t, keep these phrases in mind for it should help you get what you need.
 
Length of your stay:
〇泊〇日（~HAKU ~ KA）= ~ Nights ~ Days
eg. 1 Night, 2 Days = 一泊二日
 
The counting of these days can also be confusing so we have listed ways they are expressed. 
 
一泊二日(1Night 2 Days)= IPPAKU FUTSUKA
二泊三日(2Nights 3 Days)= NIHAKU MIKKA
三泊四日(3Nights 4 Days)= SANPAKU YOKKA
四泊五日(4Nights 5 Days)= YONHAKU ITSUKA
五泊六日(5Nights 6 Days)= GOHAKU MUIKA
六泊七日(6Nights 7 Days)= ROKUHAKU NANOKA
 
In each hotel, the checkout time may be different, and if you’re a frequent traveler, you will be accustomed to know these things in advance. To check for time, you can use the phrase 〇〇は何時ですか？（~~ WA NANJI DESUKA）
 
For check-out , チャックアウト(CHEKKU A U TO)　は何時ですか？
For check-in , チャックイン(CHEKKU IN)　は何時ですか？
For Breakfast, 朝食（CHOUSHOKU）は何時ですか？
Lunch, 昼食（CHU SHOKU)
Dinner, 夕食(YU SHOKU)
 
※You can also say 何時までですか？（NANJI MADE DESUKA）for “Until What Time”.
 
4. MEMO
Whether you’re asking for directions, asking for a shop name, phone number, or simply how you’d say something, it could be useful if you can have the person write them down for you. If you keep a journal, these moments can even be captured through their calligraphy! So, how do you ask them to write it down for you? 
 
There are few ways to go at this. 
 
それここに書いてもらえますか？
SORE KOKONI KAITE MORAEMASUKA?
Can you write that down right here? 
 
Now as hard as that may sound to say, this would be the most polite way to ask someone to jot it down. 
 
You can remove the 「それ(SORE)」 or 「ここに(KOKONI)」to mean the same thing, but it would sound less formal. If you’re talking casually, you can definitely just say “KAITE MORAEMSUKA?” and they will write them down for you! 
 
5. DIETARY REQUIREMENT
Are you a vegetarian, Gluten Intolerant, or simply on a diet wanting to cut down on things? Travelling in different countries can be challenging when you have dietary restrictions or requirements. As delicious as some food may sound, they may not be what you expected them to be! So keep these phrases with you in case you have any doubts about food you ordered. 
 
○○は入ってますか？
~~ WA HAITTEMASUKA?
Is there ~~ in this?

Replace ~~ with
肉(NIKU)= MEAT
魚 (SAKANA)= FISH
ピーナッツ (Pi Nattsu) = Peanuts
乳製品(NYU SEI HIN) = DAIRY ※Pronounced like New Say Hinn
卵 (TAMAGO) = EGGS
グルテン(GURUTEN)=GLUTEN
 
Now you can confirm whether the food contains any ingredients above, you can also ask to have these things removed from the menu. 
 
Same words but with a different ending. 
 
○○抜きでお願いします。
~~NUKI DE ONEGAI SHIMASU.
Please serve without ~~


So, there we have it! 5 phrases that can really help you during your time in Japan. We hope that this article will also help you no matter which country you are travelling, as learning these phrases in their language can really help! 
 
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Until next time!