Hi, How’s it going?
We just had the longest vacation time Golden week in Japan, and everyone’s back to work/school now.
I met a really nice couple from Israel and showed them around.
Alright, this time I wrote about some simple, useful Japanese phrases that you can use at a hotel.
I have experience working as a front desk at a guesthouse ,so I’m sure they will be of some help.
If you know these 17 expressions below, you will have no problem staying at a hotel in Japan!
When you check in
1.チェックインをお願いします/Check in wo onegai shimasu.
Check in, please.
Onegai Shimasu means, “Please”. It sounds formal and is a nice phrase to use when you talk to someone you meet for the first time.
2.予約人数は（一人/二人/三人) です/Yoyaku ninzu wa (Hitori/Futari/Sannin) desu.
I have a reservation for 1 person/ 2 people/3 people.
“Yoyaku” means a reservation. When you count the number of people, “Hitori” is used for 1 person, “Futari” is used for 2 people, and from 3 people on, “ – nin” is used.
(“San” is three. “Yon, Go, Roku, Nana, Hachi, Kyu, Jyu” are four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten respectively).
3.予約番号は～です/Yoyaku bangou wa – desu.
My reservation number is -.
Most hotels won’t ask you to tell your reservation number but you should have it just in case. You are required to show your passport, so don’t forget to take it out when you check in!
4.～から～まで泊まります/- kara – made tomarimasu.
I’m staying from – to -.
It is great if you know how to say the dates in Japanese, but if you don’t, you could use English and say like, “ 24th kara 26th made tomarimasu” and they will understand.
5.カードで払えますか？/Card de haraemasuka?
Can I pay by (credit) card?
Hotels should be ok, but at some hostels/guesthouses in the countryside do not accept credit card, so you might want to bring some cash with you if you are going to such places.
You can learn more about this on my another post: https://hidanotaka.com/4-things-you-should-know-before-visiting-japan/
When you check out
6.チェックアウトをお願いします/Check out wo onegai shimasu.
Check out, please.
Yes, the same expression “Onegai shimasu” works here as well.
7.鍵をお返しします/Kagi wo okaeshi shimasu
I’m returning the (room) key.
You can say this as you return your room key to the receptionist.
8.ありがとうございました/Arigatou gozaimashita.
It is a formal way of saying Thank you.
Hotel staff will appreciate it if you say this when you leave!
Trouble
9.すみません、～が動かないのですが/Sumimasen, – ga ugokanai no desuga.
Excuse me, it seems that – is not working.
“Ugokanai” means something is “Not working”.
10.すみません、～の使い方を教えてください/Sumimasen, – no tsukaikata wo oshiete kudasai.
Excuse me, please tell me how to use -.
If you don’t know how to use an air-conditioner, a shower, or a TV, use this phrase to ask for a help!
Sending luggage
11.～へ荷物を送りたいのですが/ – e nimotsu wo okuritai no desuga.
I would like to send my luggage to – .
If you have big suitcases and want to send them to the next destination, use this phrase.
Note that you need to ask at least 2 days prior to the expected date of the arrival as it takes time to deliver suitcases.
If the hotel doesn’t have a delivery service, take your luggage to a nearest convenience store.
Most convenience stores can help you send your stuff.
12.幾らかかりますか？/Ikura kakarimasuka?
How much will that be?
The price is different depending on the size and the distance, but it usually costs roughly around 3,000 yen to send one suitcase. For the detail, check the website of Yamato delivery service.
Talking to hotel staff
13.おすすめのお店はありますか？/Osusume no omise wa arimasuka?
Do you know any good restaurant? /Which restaurant do you recommend?
14.そこは何時から空いていますか？/Soko wa nanji kara aite imasuka?
What time does the place open?
15.～まで行きたいのですが/- made ikitai no desuga.
I’d like to go to -.
16.～へはどうやって行きますか？/ – he wa douyatte ikimasuka?
How do you go to -? /How can I get to -?
17.～はどこですか？/ – wa doko desuka?
Where is -?
These are the 17 most used expressions at a hotel.
Not all workers at hotels can speak English fluently (especially in the countryside).
It is the best to learn them before going to a place to stay!
By the way, there’s no tipping system in Japan.
So, you don’t need to pay anything even if a porter helped you carry your luggage or a cleaning staff came to clean up the room!
My new album, “Free Somebody” is well received all over the world and I’m really, really happy about it!
If you haven’t listened to it, check it out here: Free Somebody
My previous work, is also available: Skyhigh
Thank you for your support!
I’ll keep on posting my music and info about Japan here.
If there’s anything that you want me to write, feel free to send me a message to [email protected]
Or you could simply give me a comment below.
I’ll see you next time!
Taka
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