Essential Phrases
Greetings
こんにちは
Konnichiwa
Hello / Good afternoon
おはようございます
Ohayou gozaimasu
Good morning
こんばんは
Konbanwa
Good evening
ありがとうございます
Arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you (polite)
すみません
Sumimasen
Excuse me / Sorry
はい / いいえ
Hai / Iie
Yes / No
お願いします
Onegai shimasu
Please
At Restaurants
いただきます
Itadakimasu
Bon appetit (before eating)
ごちそうさまでした
Gochisousama deshita
Thanks for the meal
メニューをお願いします
Menyuu o onegai shimasu
Menu, please
お会計お願いします
Okaikei onegai shimasu
Check, please
これをください
Kore o kudasai
This one, please (point)
おいしい！
Oishii!
Delicious!
水をお願いします
Mizu o onegai shimasu
Water, please
アレルギーがあります
Arerugi ga arimasu
I have allergies
Getting Around
〜はどこですか？
~ wa doko desu ka?
Where is ~?
駅はどこですか？
Eki wa doko desu ka?
Where is the station?
トイレはどこですか？
Toire wa doko desu ka?
Where is the toilet?
いくらですか？
Ikura desu ka?
How much is this?
英語を話せますか？
Eigo o hanasemasu ka?
Do you speak English?
助けてください
Tasukete kudasai
Please help me
Numbers
一 二 三 四 五
Ichi, Ni, San, Yon, Go
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
六 七 八 九 十
Roku, Nana, Hachi, Kyuu, Juu
6, 7, 8, 9, 10
百 / 千
Hyaku / Sen
100 / 1,000
Shopping
免税できますか？
Menzei dekimasu ka?
Is tax-free available?
カードで払えますか？
Kaado de haraemasu ka?
Can I pay by card?
袋をお願いします
Fukuro o onegai shimasu
A bag, please
With Adi
子供用のメニューはありますか？
Kodomo-you no menyuu wa arimasu ka?
Do you have a kids menu?
子供は何歳まで無料ですか？
Kodomo wa nan-sai made muryou desu ka?
Up to what age is free for children?
Cultural Tips
Shoes off. Remove shoes when entering homes, traditional restaurants (tatami rooms), temples, and some fitting rooms. Look for shoe racks or lockers at entrances. Slip-on shoes are your friend.
Bowing. A slight nod/bow is standard for greetings and thank-yous. You don't need to bow deeply — a small head nod shows respect and is appreciated.
Chopstick rules. Never stick chopsticks upright in rice (funeral ritual). Don't pass food chopstick-to-chopstick. Don't point with them. Rest them on the holder when not eating.
Quiet on trains. Trains are very quiet — no phone calls, keep conversations low. Priority seats near doors are for elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
Walk on the left. In Tokyo, walk on the left side of sidewalks and escalators. Stand on the left on escalators (walk on the right). In Osaka it's the opposite!
No public trash cans. Carry a small bag for your trash. You'll find bins at convenience stores and train stations, but rarely on the street. Japan is spotlessly clean — keep it that way.
Slurping is OK. Slurping noodles (ramen, soba, udon) is not only acceptable — it's a compliment to the chef. Go for it, Adi will love this!
Tap water is safe. Japan's tap water is excellent quality. No need to buy bottled water — refill freely from any tap.
Convenience stores are amazing. 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart have great food, ATMs, printing, tickets, and clean bathrooms. Open 24/7. Onigiri (rice balls) are great quick meals (¥120-200).
Line up neatly. Japanese queue culture is very orderly. At train platforms, stand in the marked lines. At restaurants, wait to be seated — don't sit yourself.
Two hands. Give and receive things (money, cards, gifts) with both hands. This is especially important with business cards, but applies generally.
Onsen etiquette. Wash thoroughly before entering. No swimsuits. Tattoos may be restricted (check first). Small towel OK on head but not in water. Great experience for Adi if comfortable.
No smoking while walking. Smoking is banned on most streets. Use designated smoking areas. Indoor restaurants are mostly non-smoking.
Transport
IC Cards (Suica / Pasmo)Get a Suica or Pasmo card at any JR station or convenience store (¥500 deposit). Tap in and out at train gates. Also works for convenience stores, vending machines, and some restaurants. You can also use mobile Suica on iPhone via Apple Wallet. Children under 12 get a child IC card (half-price fares) — get one for Adi at a JR ticket counter with her passport.
Google Maps is kingGoogle Maps works perfectly in Japan for train navigation, including exact platform numbers, transfer times, and costs. Always use it — it handles the complex rail system better than anything else.
Train tipsLast trains are around 23:30–00:30 depending on the line. Plan to be at the station by midnight at the latest. Rush hour (7:30–9:30 AM) trains are extremely crowded — avoid if possible. Women-only cars are available during rush hours on some lines.
Airport to Hotel (Day 1)From Haneda Terminal 3: Take the Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail to central Tokyo. For Hatchobori, take Keikyu to Shinagawa, then JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station, then Hibiya Line to Hatchobori. ~50 min, ~¥700. Or take a taxi (¥5,000–7,000, 30–45 min).
TaxisClean, safe, and honest — but expensive (¥500–700 base fare). Doors open/close automatically — don't touch! Great for short distances or when tired with Adi. You can hail or use apps like GO or Japan Taxi.
Shinkansen tipsYour Smart EX reservations (#2001 and #2002) — issue pickup code before boarding. You can use the Smart EX app or go to a ticket machine at the station. Reserved seats are in specific cars — check your car/seat number.
Getting around OsakaOsaka Metro is the main system. Your Suica/Pasmo from Tokyo works here too. The Osaka Loop Line (JR) connects major spots. Shin-Osaka Station (Shinkansen) to Fukushima (your hotel) is 1 stop on JR (~3 min).
Money & Payments
Cash is still important. Japan uses more cash than you'd expect. Many small restaurants, street food stalls, temples, and local shops are cash-only. Always carry ¥10,000–20,000.
ATMs. 7-Eleven ATMs and Japan Post Office ATMs accept international cards reliably. Most bank ATMs don't. Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven — they're everywhere.
No tipping. Never tip in Japan — not at restaurants, hotels, taxis, or anywhere. It can actually be considered rude. The price is the price.
Tax-free shopping. Spend over ¥5,000 (before tax) at one store and you can get the 10% consumption tax refunded. Look for "Tax Free" signs. Bring your passport. Available at department stores, electronics shops, and many drug stores.
Coins matter. Japan uses ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500 coins. The ¥500 coin (~€3) is great for vending machines and lockers. Don't let coins pile up — use them!
Cards. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at larger stores, hotels, and chain restaurants. Amex less so. IC cards (Suica) are the most convenient payment for everyday purchases.
Currency rate. As of booking: ~¥160–165 per €1. Check current rate before departure. Your Bulgarian card may charge FX fees — check with your bank.
Emergency Info
110
Police
Free from any phone
119
Fire / Ambulance
Free from any phone
#7119
Medical Helpline
Non-emergency, English OK
#9110
Police Helpline
Non-emergency, English OK
Bulgarian Embassy in Tokyo
Address: 5-36-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053
Phone: +81-3-3465-1021
Open in Google Maps
Address: 5-36-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053
Phone: +81-3-3465-1021
Open in Google Maps
Nearest hospitals
Near Ueno hotel: JR Tokyo General Hospital (English-speaking staff)
Near Osaka hotel: Osaka City General Hospital
Use the AMDA Medical Information Center for English-speaking doctor referrals: 03-6233-9266
Near Ueno hotel: JR Tokyo General Hospital (English-speaking staff)
Near Osaka hotel: Osaka City General Hospital
Use the AMDA Medical Information Center for English-speaking doctor referrals: 03-6233-9266
Lost passport? Go to the Bulgarian Embassy immediately. Carry a photocopy of your and Adi's passports separately (and save a photo on your phone).
Japan Travel Safety App
Download "Safety Tips" app (free, by Japan Tourism Agency) — earthquake/tsunami/weather alerts in English.
Download "Safety Tips" app (free, by Japan Tourism Agency) — earthquake/tsunami/weather alerts in English.
Useful emergency phrase
救急車を呼んでください
Kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai — "Please call an ambulance"
救急車を呼んでください
Kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai — "Please call an ambulance"
Weather (Late May – Early Jun)
Temperature: 20–28°C (68–82°F). Warm and pleasant, sometimes hot.
Rainy season (Tsuyu): Typically starts early-to-mid June in Tokyo/Osaka. Your trip may catch the beginning — pack a compact umbrella.
Humidity: Rising through this period. 60–75%. Can feel muggy, especially in Osaka.
What to wear: Light layers, breathable fabrics. T-shirts and light pants during the day. A light jacket for evenings and air-conditioned spaces. Comfortable walking shoes (you'll walk 15,000+ steps/day).
Pack: Compact umbrella (or buy a clear vinyl one at any convenience store for ¥500). A light rain jacket for Adi is a good idea.
Sun: UV is strong. Sunscreen recommended, especially for Adi. Hats helpful for long outdoor days.
Internet & Connectivity
eSIM recommended. Buy an eSIM before departure (Ubigi, Airalo, or Mobal). Much easier than pocket WiFi. Data-only is fine — you won't need a Japanese phone number. ~€15–25 for 15 days / 10GB.
Free WiFi. Available at convenience stores, train stations, Starbucks, and most hotels. Quality varies. Don't rely on it as your only connection.
Apps to download before departure:
• Google Maps — navigation (download offline maps for Tokyo & Osaka)
• Google Translate — camera translation for menus/signs (download Japanese offline pack)
• Suica app — mobile IC card via Apple Wallet
• Smart EX — manage your Shinkansen reservations
• Navitime / Japan Travel — alternative train navigation
• Safety Tips — disaster alerts in English
• PayPay — popular cashless payment app in Japan
• Google Maps — navigation (download offline maps for Tokyo & Osaka)
• Google Translate — camera translation for menus/signs (download Japanese offline pack)
• Suica app — mobile IC card via Apple Wallet
• Smart EX — manage your Shinkansen reservations
• Navitime / Japan Travel — alternative train navigation
• Safety Tips — disaster alerts in English
• PayPay — popular cashless payment app in Japan
Practical Info
Power outlets. Japan uses Type A plugs (2 flat prongs, like US). Voltage is 100V. Your European charger needs an adapter. USB chargers work fine — just need the plug adapter. Buy one at the airport or a ¥100 shop.
Toilets. Japanese toilets are incredible! Heated seats, bidet, dryer. The buttons can be confusing — look for 流す (nagasu = flush). Don't be afraid to experiment. Adi will think it's hilarious.
Luggage forwarding (Takkyubin). You can send luggage between hotels via convenience stores or hotel front desks using Yamato (Kuroneko) or Sagawa. ~¥2,000 per bag, next-day delivery. Great for the Tokyo→Osaka→Tokyo moves so you can travel light on the Shinkansen.
Coin lockers. Available at every train station. Sizes: small (¥300-400), medium (¥500), large (¥700-800). IC cards work for payment and key. Great for day trips without luggage.
Allergy cards. If you or Adi have food allergies, print allergy cards in Japanese before the trip. Show them at restaurants. Many restaurants have allergen charts on menus.
Time zone. Japan is JST (UTC+9). That's 6 hours ahead of Bulgaria (EEST, UTC+3) during summer time.