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Ayana Okamoto

The “Travelling Japan/Japanese lesson for travelers (JLPT N5 level) ” is Japanese study materials for beginners who are interested in learning Japanese and preparing for their trip to Japan.  I’ve created this course based on interviewing around 30 of my current and past students who travelled to Japan or were planning to travel to Japan. You can study vocabulary, expressions and a little bit of Japanese culture that correspond to travelling situation. Throughout the course, I will guide you to common Japanese phrases during your trip.  At the end of the course, you will be able to speak basic sentences slowly as well as listening to basic phrases which Japanese people will likely talk to during your trip. This course covers around 50 travel phrases travellers should know in Japanese. In addition, you will lean Japanese manners and culture etiquette in the last of the course.

Read more

The “Travelling Japan/Japanese lesson for travelers (JLPT N5 level) ” is Japanese study materials for beginners who are interested in learning Japanese and preparing for their trip to Japan.  I’ve created this course based on interviewing around 30 of my current and past students who travelled to Japan or were planning to travel to Japan. You can study vocabulary, expressions and a little bit of Japanese culture that correspond to travelling situation. Throughout the course, I will guide you to common Japanese phrases during your trip.  At the end of the course, you will be able to speak basic sentences slowly as well as listening to basic phrases which Japanese people will likely talk to during your trip. This course covers around 50 travel phrases travellers should know in Japanese. In addition, you will lean Japanese manners and culture etiquette in the last of the course.

All of the narration contains English and romaji, so that those learning Japanese for the first time can freely study the materials. In addition, you can download PDF, so that all learners can take them with your trip and study effectively. Hope your Japan trip will go smooth and bit more confident in speaking with Japanese people.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will learn a lot of vocabulary, pronunciation and phrases which you will come across when you are staying in japan.
  • Phrases which are used during your japan trip or business trip to japan
  • You will be able to communicate your "dietary restrictions" "basic requests" "shopping" and "directions" etc
  • If you have dietary restrictions, learn some basic japanese food terminology and common dish names before you go.
  • Japanese culture and etiquette such as how to use public baths or business manners etc
  • You will gain confidence ordering food or drink at a restaurant or fast-food place.

Syllabus

Introduction
Asking "How much is this?", "What is this?"
Japanese tutor, Ayana Introduction/にほんごきょうし、あやなのじこしょうかい/nihongokyoushi, Ayana
Supplemental materials
Read more
FAQ
Map of Japan
Classroom vocabulary
Classroom Vocab Quiz
How to effectively learn Japanese in this course?
The Difference Between Polite and Informal Speaking: Language Etiquette
This course will help you to learn all Japanese characters (hiragana and Katakana, not kanji). You can learn how to pronounce these characters.
Warm up -Hiragana Pronuniciation-
Warm up -Katakana Pronunciation -
Read the following characters and choose correct Romaji.
Lesson 1: 7 Useful phrases when shopping
Lesson 1 Introduction
Looking for something in a store
Saying "I will take/buy this." , "I will pay with a card, please"
Asking what time a store is closing
Summary -Let's pronounce useful phrases!-
Quiz
Lesson 2: Supermarket, department store and convenience store
Lesson 2 Introduction
Responses at the supermarket, department store etc. Let's try tasting!
Frequent questions which you will be asked at stores/convenience stores.
Asking "Do you have X(item)?"
Common questions or messages at stores
Let's learn shopping phrases!
Let's practice listening!
The 3 Best Department Stores in Tokyo.
Be able to tell when you have dietary restrictions
Introduction regarding "vegan" or "vegetarian" food in Japan
Telling staff "I am allergic"
Telling staff "I CAN NOT eat X (specific type of food/ingredients. )"
Vocabulary -The 10 most common food allergies-
Speaking practice and asking "Does it contain X?"
Telling staff "I am a vegetarian or vegan"
Asking "Can I have this without (food)?"
It's okay.
Food terminology
Speaking practice and recommended Japanese foods for vegan / vegetarian.
Lesson 4: Ordering food and drinks at a restaurant
Lesson 4 Introduction
Telling the staff how many of you there are.
Entering a restaurant
Asking something with onegaishimasu.
I am sorry, we don't have an English menu.
Water please and check please
Leaving a restaurant
Vocabulary -Restaurant-
Lesson 5: Ordering fast-food
Lesson 5 Introduction
Take out ordering (Have here or take out, please)
"Would you like to look at the English menu? " and "English menu, please"
Let's order drink and food! and list of drinks!
Ordering drink/food with numbers
Common questions or messages at fast food restaurants
Vocabulary -Fast food restaurant-
Let's practice phrases -Fast food restaurant-
You will be able to ask "try on clothes" or "different size".
Lesson 6 Introduction
Can I try this on?
Telling staff its "just the right size", "big" "small" or "It does not suit me."
Asking "Do you have a bigger or smaller size?"
Asking "Do you have a different colour?"
Let's learn colours!
What to say when you want to wear your clothes just after your purchase?
Vocabulary & Phrases -a clothing shop or boutique-
You will be able to ask "Have a look" or "suggestion". Also, you will learn 5 traditional Japanese gifts.
Lesson 7 Introduction
Can you show me (the item)?
I want buy (item)
Telling staff your budget.
Could you suggest something?
Is this handmade?
Five Japanese gifts!
Phrases -Souvenir shopping-
You can tell why you are travelling to Japan.
Lesson 8 Introduction
Where is this seat? & May I get through?
I am on vacation or I am on a business trip.
I am travelling alone. (with family etc)
I will stay at (accommodation).
Lost or damaged luggage. Luggage claim in Japanese.
Japanese phrases when arriving in Japan
You will be able to ask directions and learn basic essential verbs related directions.
Lesson 9 Introduction
Asking "Where is X?" and "Is it far from here?"
Asking politely to strangers "Could you tell me how to get to (destination)?"
Asking some questions related to directions
Directions (Right, Left. Straight and turn etc)
A short dialogue
Essential verbs
Understanding directions when travelling in Japan

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Save Travelling Japan/Japanese lesson for travelers course to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Travelling Japan/Japanese lesson for travelers course with these activities:
Review Basic Japanese Grammar
Strengthen your understanding of basic Japanese grammar to better grasp the sentence structures and nuances taught in the course.
Browse courses on Japanese Grammar
Show steps
  • Review basic sentence patterns.
  • Practice forming simple sentences.
  • Study particles and their functions.
Read 'Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese'
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive textbook that covers fundamental Japanese concepts.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the Genki textbook.
  • Work through the first few chapters.
  • Complete the exercises in each chapter.
Practice Hiragana and Katakana
Reinforce your knowledge of Hiragana and Katakana to improve reading speed and comprehension of Japanese text.
Show steps
  • Use online resources to practice writing.
  • Create flashcards for each character.
  • Test yourself regularly.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Travel Phrasebook
Compile a personalized phrasebook with useful Japanese phrases for specific travel scenarios, reinforcing vocabulary and sentence structure.
Show steps
  • Identify common travel situations.
  • Translate relevant phrases into Japanese.
  • Organize phrases by category.
  • Include pronunciation guides.
Practice with a Language Partner
Engage in conversation with a language partner to improve pronunciation, listening comprehension, and fluency in spoken Japanese.
Show steps
  • Find a language exchange partner.
  • Schedule regular practice sessions.
  • Focus on travel-related scenarios.
  • Provide feedback to each other.
Read 'Lonely Planet Japanese Phrasebook & Dictionary'
Use a travel phrasebook to quickly look up useful phrases and improve your communication skills while traveling in Japan.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the phrasebook.
  • Familiarize yourself with the layout.
  • Practice using phrases in context.
Document Your Trip in Japanese
Keep a journal or blog in Japanese during your trip to Japan, documenting your experiences and practicing your language skills in a real-world context.
Show steps
  • Plan to write about your daily activities.
  • Use new vocabulary and phrases.
  • Review your entries for errors.
  • Share your experiences online.

Career center

Learners who complete Travelling Japan/Japanese lesson for travelers course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Travelling Japan/Japanese lesson for travelers course.
This textbook is widely used for introductory Japanese courses. It provides a comprehensive foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and basic conversational skills. Reading this book alongside the course will reinforce the concepts taught and provide additional practice exercises. It is particularly helpful for understanding the nuances of polite and informal speech.
This phrasebook practical resource for travelers in Japan. It contains essential phrases for various situations, including transportation, accommodation, dining, and shopping. It is useful for quick reference and building confidence in communicating with locals. is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

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