Every phrase you’ll hear and every phrase you can say at a Japanese hotel, grouped by when you’ll actually need it. Find your situation and get the exact line in seconds.
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Arrival & Check-in
The first part of your hotel stay usually involves confirming your reservation, checking in, and requesting the type of room you’d like. These phrases cover the conversations you’ll have when you first arrive.
Checking In
Checking in is usually quick and straightforward. These are the phrases you’ll hear at the front desk and the ones you’ll need to confirm your reservation and receive your room key.
Staff might say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| いらっしゃいませ | irasshaimase | welcome | said as you approach the front desk |
| ご予約のお名前をお伺いできますか？ | Goyoyaku no onamae o oukagai dekimasu ka? | Could I have the name on your reservation? | |
| パスポートを見せていただけますか？ | Pasupooto o misete itadakemasu ka? | Could you show me your passport? | required for foreign guests by law |
| こちらの用紙にご記入ください | Kochira no youshi ni gokinyuu kudasai | Please fill out this form. | |
| お部屋は _____ 階になります | Oheya wa _____ kai ni narimasu | Your room is on the _____ floor. |
You can say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 予約しています | Yoyaku shiteimasu | I have a reservation. | |
| 名前は _____ です | Namae wa _____ desu | My name is _____. | |
| 何時からチェックインできますか？ | Nanji kara chekkuin dekimasu ka? | What time can I check in? | |
| 早めにチェックインできますか？ | Hayame ni chekkuin dekimasu ka? | Can I check in early? | not guaranteed, but often possible if the room is ready |
Room Requests & Preferences
Whether you want a non-smoking room, a higher floor, or a different bed type, these phrases will help you ask for the room that best suits your stay.
Staff might say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| お部屋のタイプはご希望がございますか？ | Oheya no taipu wa gokibou ga gozaimasu ka? | Do you have a room type preference? | |
| 禁煙室と喫煙室がございます | Kinenshitsu to kitsuenshitsu ga gozaimasu | We have both non-smoking and smoking rooms. | |
| あいにく満室です | Ainiku manshitsu desu | Unfortunately, we’re fully booked. |
You can say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 禁煙室をお願いします | Kinenshitsu o onegaishimasu | A non-smoking room, please. | |
| 高層階の部屋はありますか？ | Kousoukai no heya wa arimasu ka? | Is there a room on a high floor? | |
| ツインベッドの部屋がいいです | Tsuin beddo no heya ga ii desu | I’d prefer a room with twin beds. | |
| アップグレードはできますか？ | Appugureedo wa dekimasu ka? | Is an upgrade possible? |
During Your Stay
Once you’re settled in, you may need help from the front desk, extra amenities, or assistance if something isn’t working. These phrases cover the most common conversations during your stay.
Front Desk & Concierge Requests
From restaurant recommendations to calling a taxi, these phrases will help you ask the hotel staff for assistance throughout your stay.
Staff might say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 何かお手伝いできることはございますか？ | Nanika otetsudai dekiru koto wa gozaimasu ka? | Is there anything I can help you with? | |
| フロントは24時間対応しております | Furonto wa nijuuyojikan taiou shite orimasu | The front desk is available 24 hours. | common at business and city hotels |
You can say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| タオルを追加でもらえますか？ | Taoru o tsuika de moraemasu ka? | Could I get extra towels? | |
| おすすめのレストランはありますか？ | Osusume no resutoran wa arimasu ka? | Do you have a restaurant recommendation? | |
| 荷物を部屋まで運んでもらえますか？ | Nimotsu o heya made hakonde moraemasu ka? | Could you carry my luggage to my room? | |
| タクシーを呼んでもらえますか？ | Takushii o yonde moraemasu ka? | Could you call a taxi for me? |
Housekeeping
Whether you need fresh towels, room cleaning, or prefer not to be disturbed, these are the phrases you’ll use with housekeeping.
Staff might say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| お部屋の清掃に伺ってもよろしいですか？ | Oheya no seisou ni ukagatte mo yoroshii desu ka? | May I come in to clean the room? | |
| タオルを交換いたします | Taoru o koukan itashimasu | I’ll replace the towels. |
You can say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 清掃は不要です | Seisou wa fuyou desu | I don’t need cleaning today. | useful if a “do not disturb” sign isn’t available |
| タオルを追加でお願いします | Taoru o tsuika de onegaishimasu | Extra towels, please. | |
| 明日の朝、清掃をお願いします | Ashita no asa, seisou o onegaishimasu | Please clean the room tomorrow morning. |
Amenities & Facilities
Hotels in Japan often offer breakfast, large communal baths, gyms, and other facilities. These phrases will help you ask what’s available and how to use it.
Staff might say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 朝食は1階のレストランでございます | Choushoku wa ikkai no resutoran de gozaimasu | Breakfast is served in the first-floor restaurant. | |
| 大浴場は最上階にございます | Daiyokujou wa saijoukai ni gozaimasu | The large bath is on the top floor. | common at ryokan and onsen hotels |
| Wi-Fiのパスワードはこちらです | Wi-Fi no pasuwaado wa kochira desu | Here’s the Wi-Fi password. |
You can say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 朝食は何時からですか？ | Choushoku wa nanji kara desu ka? | What time does breakfast start? | |
| 大浴場はありますか？ | Daiyokujou wa arimasu ka? | Is there a large communal bath? | |
| Wi-Fiのパスワードを教えてください | Wi-Fi no pasuwaado o oshiete kudasai | Could you tell me the Wi-Fi password? | |
| ジムはありますか？ | Jimu wa arimasu ka? | Is there a gym? |
Problems With Your Room
If something in your room isn’t working or you’re uncomfortable, these phrases will help you explain the problem and request assistance.
Staff might say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 申し訳ございません、すぐに確認いたします | Moushiwake gozaimasen, sugu ni kakunin itashimasu | I’m sorry, I’ll check right away. | |
| 別のお部屋にご案内いたします | Betsu no oheya ni goannai itashimasu | I’ll show you to a different room. |
You can say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| エアコンが効きません | Eakon ga kikimasen | The air conditioning isn’t working. | |
| お湯が出ません | Oyu ga demasen | There’s no hot water. | |
| 部屋が寒いです | Heya ga samui desu | The room is cold. | swap in hot (atsui) for too hot |
| 鍵が開きません | Kagi ga akimasen | The key doesn’t work. |
Check-out & Departure
When it’s time to leave, you’ll need to settle your bill, collect your luggage, or arrange transportation. These phrases cover the final part of your hotel stay.
Checking Out
Checking out is usually a quick process. These phrases will help you ask about check-out times, settle your stay, and leave the hotel smoothly.
Staff might say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| お忘れ物はございませんか？ | Owasuremono wa gozaimasen ka? | Do you have all your belongings? | |
| お部屋の鍵をお預かりします | Oheya no kagi o oazukari shimasu | I’ll take your room key. | |
| 追加料金はございません | Tsuika ryoukin wa gozaimasen | There are no additional charges. |
You can say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| チェックアウトをお願いします | Chekkuauto o onegaishimasu | I’d like to check out, please. | |
| 何時までにチェックアウトすればいいですか？ | Nanji made ni chekkuauto sureba ii desu ka? | By what time do I need to check out? | |
| チェックアウトを延長できますか？ | Chekkuauto o enchou dekimasu ka? | Can I extend my check-out time? | may come with a fee |
Luggage Storage
Many hotels will store your luggage before check-in or after check-out. These phrases will help you leave your bags safely while you continue exploring.
Staff might say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| お荷物はこちらでお預かりできます | Onimotsu wa kochira de oazukari dekimasu | We can hold your luggage here. | |
| 何時にお戻りですか？ | Nanji ni omodori desu ka? | What time will you be back? |
You can say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| チェックアウト後も荷物を預かってもらえますか？ | Chekkuauto go mo nimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka? | Could you hold my luggage after check-out? | most hotels do this for free |
| 荷物を取りに来ました | Nimotsu o tori ni kimashita | I’m here to pick up my luggage. |
Requesting a Taxi
If you need transportation to the airport, station, or another destination, these phrases will help you ask the hotel to arrange a taxi.
Staff might say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| タクシーの手配をいたします | Takushii no tehai o itashimasu | I’ll arrange a taxi for you. | |
| どちらまで行かれますか？ | Dochira made ikaremasu ka? | Where are you headed? |
You can say:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 空港までタクシーをお願いします | Kuukou made takushii o onegaishimasu | A taxi to the airport, please. | |
| タクシーはどのくらいで来ますか？ | Takushii wa dono kurai de kimasu ka? | How long until the taxi arrives? |
Bonus Vocabulary
Here are some of the most useful hotel vocabulary words to know. While many appear throughout the phrase list above, having them all in one place makes them easy to review whenever you need a quick refresher.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| フロント | furonto | front desk |
| 大浴場 | daiyokujou | large communal bath |
| 朝食 | choushoku | breakfast |
| 部屋番号 | heya bangou | room number |
| 鍵 | kagi | key |
| タオル | taoru | towel |
| 清掃 | seisou | cleaning |
| 追加料金 | tsuika ryoukin | additional charge |
| 宿泊料金 | shukuhaku ryoukin | lodging fee |
| 予約番号 | yoyaku bangou | reservation number |
| 温泉 | onsen | hot spring |
| 浴衣 | yukata | casual cotton robe, often provided at ryokan |
FAQ
What time is check-in and check-out at Japanese hotels? Check-in is commonly around 3:00 PM and check-out around 10:00 or 11:00 AM, though it varies by hotel. So it’s worth confirming with 『何時までにチェックアウトすればいいですか？ (Nanji made ni chekkuauto sureba ii desu ka?)』, meaning 「By what time do I need to check out?」.
Can I check in early or check out late? Sometimes, especially if the hotel isn’t fully booked, but it’s never guaranteed. Asking 『早めにチェックインできますか？ (Hayame ni chekkuin dekimasu ka?)』, meaning can I check in early, is a normal and polite request.
Do I need to take off my shoes in the room? At most hotels, especially ryokan and traditional inns, yes. Business hotels are more relaxed about it, but removing shoes at the entryway is still the safer default.
What is a daiyokujou, and how do I use it? 『大浴場 (daiyokujou)』is a large communal bath, common at ryokan and onsen hotels. You wash and rinse thoroughly before entering the shared bath, and swimwear typically isn’t worn.
Is tipping expected at hotels in Japan? No. Tipping isn’t customary in Japan, including at hotels, and staff generally won’t expect or accept it.
Can hotels hold my luggage after I check out? Most hotels will, usually for free, if you’re staying in the area for a few more hours. Ask with 『チェックアウト後も荷物を預かってもらえますか？ (Chekkuauto go mo nimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka?)』, meaning, 「Could you hold my luggage after check-out?」.
What if something in my room isn’t working? Call the front desk and describe the issue directly, for example 『エアコンが効きません (Eakon ga kikimasen)』, meaning the air conditioning isn’t working. Staff will usually check or move you to another room quickly.
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Hotels in Japan are known for their excellent service, and most conversations follow the same friendly patterns. Save this page for your next trip to Japan, and you’ll always have the right phrase ready whether you’re checking in, requesting help, or checking out.
Enjoy your stay!
良いご滞在を！
Alex 🏨✨