Japanese for the road

すみません

sumimasen

Excuse me / sorry / hello-there. The single most useful word in Japan — it opens every interaction.

お願いします

onegai shimasu

Please. Tack it onto any request and it becomes polite.

ありがとうございます

arigatō gozaimasu

Thank you. The full form; worth using over the casual arigatō.

大丈夫です

daijōbu desu

I'm fine / no thank you. Declines anything without being blunt.

いらっしゃいませ

irasshaimase

“Welcome” — said to you on entering any shop or restaurant. No reply expected; a nod is enough.

おはようございます

ohayō gozaimasu

Good morning. Used until about 10am, and the standard greeting at a ryokan breakfast.

こんにちは

konnichiwa

Hello, daytime.

こんばんは

konbanwa

Good evening — what you say arriving at an inn after a long ride.

失礼します

shitsurei shimasu

“Pardon the intrusion.” Said stepping into a room, an office, or past someone.

ハイオク満タンでお願いします

haioku mantan de onegai shimasu

High octane, fill it up please. This is the one to memorise — both BMWs want premium.

現金で / カードで

genkin de / kādo de

Cash / by card — the question you will be asked.

領収書をください

ryōshūsho o kudasai

Receipt please.

タイヤの空気を見てもらえますか

taiya no kūki o mite moraemasu ka

Could you check the tyre pressure?

これください

kore kudasai

I'll take this. Point and say it — it works everywhere.

これとこれをください

kore to kore o kudasai

I'll take this and this.

いくらですか

ikura desu ka

How much is it?

カードは使えますか

kādo wa tsukaemasu ka

Can I pay by card? Worth asking in rural areas — plenty of places are cash only.

袋をください

fukuro o kudasai

A bag, please.

送れますか

okuremasu ka

Can you ship it? Useful in Tsubame-Sanjō if you buy knives.

チェックインお願いします

chekku-in onegai shimasu

Checking in, please.

予約しています

yoyaku shite imasu

I have a reservation. Follow it with your surname.

バイクはどこに停めればいいですか

baiku wa doko ni tomereba ii desu ka

Where should I park the motorcycle? Ask this every night — many inns have a covered spot.

お風呂は何時までですか

ofuro wa nanji made desu ka

Until what time are the baths open?

朝食は何時ですか

chōshoku wa nanji desu ka

What time is breakfast?

洗濯機はありますか

sentakuki wa arimasu ka

Is there a washing machine?

三人です

san-nin desu

Three people.

おすすめは何ですか

osusume wa nan desu ka

What do you recommend? The best question in any Japanese restaurant.

これは何ですか

kore wa nan desu ka

What is this?

いただきます

itadakimasu

Said before eating. Not optional at a ryokan dinner.

ごちそうさまでした

gochisōsama deshita

Thank you for the meal — said on leaving. It lands well.

お会計お願いします

o-kaikei onegai shimasu

The bill, please.

この道は通行止めですか

kono michi wa tsūkōdome desu ka

Is this road closed? The one to ask at an inn before a mountain day.

ガソリンスタンドはどこですか

gasorin sutando wa doko desu ka

Where is a petrol station?

道に迷いました

michi ni mayoimashita

I'm lost.

バイクが故障しました

baiku ga koshō shimashita

My motorcycle has broken down.

助けてください

tasukete kudasai

Please help.

英語を話せる方はいますか

eigo o hanaseru kata wa imasu ka

Is there anyone who speaks English?