Essential Travel Japanese

Polite, Practical Japanese for Travelers

What you'll learn

Use must-know Japanese phrases for transportation, food, shopping, hotels, and emergencies.

Pronounce and use essential expressions clearly and confidently.

Understand cultural expectations at restaurants, stations, shrines, and hotels.

Apply everyday etiquette to show respect and connect with locals.

Requirements

No prior Japanese experience needed

Just curiosity and a desire to speak more confidently

Optional: a notebook or printout of the cheat sheets for review

Description

Feel confident in Japan — even if you’re shy, brand new to Japanese, or only have a short time to study.Essential Travel Japanese is a practical, no-fluff course designed for travelers who want to navigate Japan with ease — without committing to a giant language program. Whether it’s your very first trip or you’ve been before and just want to stop getting lost in translation, this course gives you the tools you need to feel comfortable and confident in everyday situations.You’ll learn:The must-know travel phrases for real-life situations (greetings, ordering food, trains, hotels, shopping, emergencies).Polite and natural Japanese you can actually use — no overwhelming grammar or confusing textbooks.Cultural tips & etiquette that will help you show respect and connect more naturally with locals.A clear, beginner-friendly approach that focuses only on what really matters for travel.Plus, you’ll get downloadable resources like the Companion Guide PDF and Anki-ready Excel flashcard decks. These tools make it easy to review phrases, study offline, or import into your favorite flashcard app (like Anki or Quizlet) for long-term retention.By the end of this course, you’ll be able to order meals, ask for directions, introduce yourself, check into hotels, shop with confidence, and handle emergencies calmly. More importantly, you’ll know how to do all of this politely and appropriately, so you can focus less on worrying about the language barrier and more on enjoying your trip.This course is for anyone who wants to enjoy Japan with less stress, more confidence, and a few essential phrases that make all the difference.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Essential Travel Japanese - Introduction

Section 2: Core Travel Vocabulary

Lecture 2 Foundational Words

Lecture 3 Kana & Romaji

Lecture 4 Greetings & Polite Phrases

Lecture 5 Talking about Yourself

Lecture 6 Everyday Expressions

Lecture 7 Section 2 Recap

Section 3: Essential Travel Phrases

Lecture 8 Asking for Help

Lecture 9 Polite Expressions

Lecture 10 Looking for Places

Lecture 11 Getting Around

Lecture 12 Using Public Transportation - Overview

Lecture 13 Telling & Asking about Time

Lecture 14 Buying Tickets & Asking Routes

Lecture 15 Riding Buses & Local Transits

Lecture 16 Mid Module Recap

Lecture 17 Ordering Food and Drinks Overview

Lecture 18 Meals & Dining Basics

Lecture 19 Making Request & Expressions PT. 1

Lecture 20 Making Request & Expressions PT. 2

Lecture 21 Shopping & Paying Overview

Lecture 22 Shopping & Asking questions

Lecture 23 Module 3 Recap

Section 4: Navigating Japan

Lecture 24 How to Read Signs & Symbols - Overview

Lecture 25 Important Transportation & Public Signs to Know

Lecture 26 Warning & Prohibited Signs

Lecture 27 Accommodation & Shopping signs

Lecture 28 Cultural & Religious Signs

Lecture 29 Understanding Bus & Train Systems - Overview

Lecture 30 Train Types, IC Cards & JR passes

Lecture 31 Train etiquette, Women-only cars, Last train times

Lecture 32 Bus systems, Announcements, and Etiquette

Lecture 33 Useful Apps & tips

Lecture 34 Booking Hotels & Checking In/Out - Overview

Lecture 35 Booking Hotels

Lecture 36 Booking Hotels - Checking In

Lecture 37 Booking Hotels - Checking Out

Lecture 38 Booking Hotels - Special hotels & Final tips

Lecture 39 Module 4 Recap

Section 5: Japanese Customs & Etiquette

Lecture 40 Japanese Customs & Etiquette - Overview

Lecture 41 Bowing, Speaking Politely, & Honorifics

Lecture 42 Do’s & Don’ts in Public Spaces

Lecture 43 Eating Etiquette at Restaurants

Lecture 44 Gift-giving & Social Customs

Lecture 45 Module 5 Recap

Section 6: Survival Situations

Lecture 46 Survival Situations overview

Lecture 47 Talking to Police, Medical Emergencies, & Calling Emergency Services

Lecture 48 Handling Emergencies

Lecture 49 Lost Items and Lost & Found Culture

Lecture 50 Module 6 Recap

Section 7: Extra Tips & Cultural Insights

Lecture 51 Unique Experiences & Must-visit Spots

Lecture 52 Festivals, Events, & Seasonal Travel Tips

Lecture 53 Common Misunderstandings Foreigners Face

Lecture 54 Module 7 Recap

Section 8: Wrap-up & Final Advice

Lecture 55 Wrap-up & Final Advice

First-time or hesitant travelers to Japan,Beginners who feel nervous about speaking out loud,Anyone who wants to speak and understand basic Japanese without a long commitment,Curious learners who want real-world travel skills and light cultural insight