Japan
East Asia · Japanese · Yen
Carry your trash, queue like it's sacred, and never stick your chopsticks upright in the rice.
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5 phrases you need in Japan
- Helloこんにちはkon-nee-chee-wah
- Goodbyeさようならsah-yoh-nah-rah
- Pleaseお願いしますoh-neh-guy-shee-mahss
- Thank youありがとうございますah-ree-gah-toh goh-zai-mahss
- Excuse meすみませんsoo-mee-mah-sen
The Trovlr app drills all 8 Japan phrases with audio, Duolingo-style. Get the app →
Know before you go
money
Japan is still surprisingly cash-based outside the big cities; carry yen and use 7-Eleven or post office ATMs, which reliably accept foreign cards.
tipping
Do not tip anywhere — it causes confusion and can even offend. Excellent service is simply the default.
transport
Load a Suica or Pasmo IC card for trains, metro, buses, and even convenience stores. The Japan Rail Pass only pays off if you take several long shinkansen legs.
etiquette
Eating while walking is frowned upon, and talking on your phone inside trains is taboo — keep it on silent, called 'manner mode' for a reason.
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