Japan Joy GuideClear help for travelers 🇬🇧 English

Useful phrases and communication

Language

Open the guide that matches your situation. Each guide includes a practical Japanese phrase you can show or say.

Language illustrated guide

What do you need to solve?

Language help choices in Japan for showing a phrase, explaining a food restriction, and asking about a lost item
I need a phrase to show now. Open showable Japanese cards I need to explain a food restriction. Explain a dietary need I need to explain a lost item. Prepare a lost-item inquiry
Before you need help: three things to prepare
  • Save important Japanese text as a screenshot while you are online.
  • Keep addresses, reservation numbers and relevant labels together.
  • Ask staff to confirm the specific detail instead of relying on a yes/no gesture.
Choose and save useful cards →
Not your situation? Browse all guides in this category
Japan Joy Guide

Guides in this category

Traveler showing a dietary restriction card while restaurant staff checks an ingredient package Food allergies and dietary needsFood allergy, vegetarian, vegan or halal in Japan? Show Japanese phrases, check dashi and cross-contact, and know when not to eat the dish.Read the guide → Large Japanese phrase card shown to a staff member in Japan Showable Japanese phrase cardsOpen a large Japanese message for stations, shops, pharmacies, hospitals and emergencies, then show it directly to staff.Read the guide → Traveler choosing over-the-counter medicine at a pharmacy in Japan Buying medicine in JapanExplain your symptoms, choose the right pharmacy counter and use over-the-counter medicine safely.Read the guide → Traveler searching for an appropriate medical institution in Japan I need to see a doctorFind appropriate care, prepare for a clinic visit, and know when to call 119.Read the guide → Traveler asking station staff at a lost and found counter in Japan Lost items in JapanWho to contact at stations, shops, taxis, hotels, and police boxes.Read the guide → Traveler seeking help after a credit card is declined at an ATM Foreign card not working?Foreign card declined in Japan? Compare contactless, chip and PIN, online 3D Secure, cash and ATM fixes, then check the card issuer.Read the guide → Traveler unable to connect a smartphone to the internet in Japan No internet connectionNo internet in Japan? Diagnose Wi-Fi login, roaming, eSIM, APN or weak-signal problems, reconnect safely and keep an offline route and emergency backup.Read the guide →
Official resources

Check current information

Traveler using the official VoiceTra speech translation app in Japan VoiceTra translation appUse the official NICT speech-translation app for short travel conversations.Open official site → Multilingual Japan Visitor Hotline operator providing 24-hour traveler assistance Japan Visitor HotlineGet 24-hour visitor assistance in English, Chinese or Korean.Open official site →