Travel Japanese 10 - Tourist Manners and How to Enjoy Sightseeing

Travel Japanese Learning Material 10
"Tourist Manners and How to Enjoy Sightseeing in Japan"

Make the most of your sightseeing in Japan with this essential guide to local manners and cultural etiquette. This material equips travelers with useful Japanese phrases and social tips for visiting temples, shrines, and other tourist destinations respectfully. Learn how to ask for permission politely, follow proper conduct at sacred sites, and navigate everyday interactions—from taking photos to using public facilities. Ideal for first-time visitors who want to blend in and connect meaningfully with local culture while exploring Japan’s most iconic spots.

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1. Sightseeing Etiquette & How to Enjoy Tourist Spots ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 観光地でのマナーと楽しみ方 かんこうち　　　　　　　　　 たの　　 かた Travel Japanese 10
2. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Section 1 しゃしんを とっても いいですか。
3. Traveler's Insights 1/2 ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Public trash cans are rare. Bring a small bag and throw it away later. 1.Carry Your Trash No photos in some shrines, museums, and shows. Look for the red icon or the words 撮影禁止. 2.No-Photo Zones Why Learn Local Manners? Japan is a small country where people live even in tourist areas. For example, shrines and temples are important religious sites, but people also live nearby. By following simple manners, you can get along more easily with local people. Respecting local customs helps you relax and enjoy walking around safely. Sightseeing Manners in Japan
4. Sightseeing Manners in Japan Traveler's Insights 1/2 ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Buses, elevators, and photo spots have lines or ropes.Please join at the end and wait your turn. Cutting in line is not allowed. 5. Queueing See a shoe rack, tatami, or “Please remove shoes” sign? Take off your shoes. Use slippers or go socks-only. 6. Removing Shoes Japan values quiet public spaces. Please avoid loud phone calls and conversations in temples, trains, and narrow streets. 3.Keep Voices Low Street smoking is illegal in many cities. Fines can be up to ¥2,000. Please use marked smoking areas ( 喫煙所) or outdoor ashtrays. 4. No Smoking on the Streets
5. What Is Hands-Free Travel? Hands-Free Travel refers to services that help reduce the burden of carrying large luggage while sightseeing. Travelers can store or send their luggage at airports, train stations, hotels, and other locations. This allows them to enjoy sightseeing more comfortably and freely! Traveler's Insights 1/2 extra tips ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Explore Japan with No Heavy Bags! The “Hands-Free Travel” Service Family holidays with small children Busy business person Travelers with large suitcases
6. The photo above shows a baggage delivery counter at Haneda Airport. Services include temporary luggage storage and delivery to hotels or other accommodations. Traveler's Insights 1/2 extra tips ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Examples of Where You Can Store Your Luggage Temporary Luggage Storage （コインロッカー） Luggage Delivery Coin lockers are commonly found at train stations. Prices vary depending on the size of your luggage. It's a good idea to take a photo of the locker for reference. Image: Wikimedia Commons (n.d.)
7. Question You are visiting a temple in Japan and want to take a picture inside. What should you say to the monk? ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. しゃしんを とれますか A A B B Shashin o tore masuka しゃしんを とってもいいですか Shashin o totte mo ii desuka
8. Question You are visiting a temple in Japan and want to take a picture inside. What should you say to the monk? ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. しゃしんを とれますか A A Shashin o tore masuka Shashin o totte mo ii desuka B B しゃしんを とってもいいですか answer
9. Traveler's Phrases 1/2 しゃしんを とってもいいですか Shashin 　　　　 o totte mo ii desuka? May I take a photo? MEANING This is a grammar pattern used to ask for permission. Verb ( て-form) + もいいですか → "Is it okay if I do [verb]?" / "May I [verb]?" Examples: たべてもいいですか？ – May I eat it? STRUCTURE しゃしん(noun):picture を(particle):marks the object of the verb とって(verb):te-form of the verb とる, which means to take (a photo) もいいですか(phrase):is it okay? / may I. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Tip: The particle " も" can be omitted. For example: しゃしんを とって いいですか。
10. Traveler's Phrases 1/2 Practice ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. スマホをつかって sumaho o tsukatte Use a smartphone さわって sawatte Touch (it) カードではらって Pay with a card Let’s make a simple sentence to ask permission. ここ、すわって koko, suwatte Sit here たばこをすって tabako o sutte Smoke (a cigarette) ＿＿＿ もいいですか 　　 _____ 　 　 mo ii desuka May I _____? kādo de haratte
11. Traveler's Phrases 1/2 Extra Tips Of course, that’s fine. もちろん、いいですよ Mochiron, ii desu yo That’s fine. だいじょうぶ ですよ 　　Daijōbu 　　 desu yo No, you may not. いいえ、だめです Iie, dame desu You can't do that here. ここでは、できません Koko dewa, dekimasen I don’t know. わかりません Wakarimasen Please ask 〇〇. 〇〇に きいてください 〇〇 ni kiite kudasai ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. COMMON RESPONSES YOU MIGHT HEAR When you ask "___ mo iidesuka?", here are some typical responses. If it’s allowed: If it’s not allowed: If they don’t know:
12. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 Role Play Role Play You are visiting Japan. During your trip, you encounter situations where you need to ask for permission. Now, work in pairs. One person is the traveler (you), and your tutor will play the role of a staff member. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Next Page 次のページへ つぎ Tsugi no peji e
13. You are visiting Nara Park. You see a deer nearby and want to touch it, but you're not sure if it’s allowed. 2 2 3 3 1 1 Listen carefully to your partner’s answer. Ask if you can touch the deer. Decide if the answer means “Yes” or “No” and tell your partner your choice. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 Role Play Situation 1
14. You see an empty seat next to a passenger on the Shinkansen. You want to sit there but want to check if that person is saving the seat for someone else. 2 2 3 3 Situation 2 1 1 Listen carefully to your partner’s answer. Ask if you may sit there. Decide if the answer means “Yes” or “No” and tell your partner your choice. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 Role Play
15. You are at a café in Japan and want to pay. You want to ask if you can pay by card. 2 2 3 3 Situation 3 1 1 Listen carefully to your partner’s answer. Ask if you pay by card. Decide if the answer means “Yes” or “No” and tell your partner your choice. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 Role Play
16. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Section 2 しゃしんを とって もらえますか。
17. 1. Before You Enter 1.Bow once before walking through the torii gate. 2.Walk to the side of the path (the center is for the gods). 2. Purify Yourself 1.Rinse left hand. 2.Rinse right hand. 3.Pour water into left hand and rinse mouth (do not touch ladle to mouth). 4.Rinse left hand again. Traveler's Insights 2/2 ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. How to visit a Shinto shrine Note: Customs may vary slightly depending on the shrine, but this guide introduces the general etiquette for visiting a Shinto shrine. ( 手水, temizu or chozu)
18. 3. Make an Offering 1.Stand in front of the offering box (saisenbako) 2.Toss in a coin (A 5-yen coin is traditionally used because the Japanese word for "5 yen" (go-en) sounds like the word for "good connection" or "fate" ( ご縁). ) 4. Pray – the “2-2-1” Rule 1.Bow twice deeply 2.Clap twice 3.Pray silently 4.Bow once again 5. After Your Visit Bow once again before leaving the shrine. Traveler's Insights 2/2 ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. How to visit a Shinto shrine
19. Traveler's Insights 2/2 ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 🏯 Temple vs. ⛩ Shrine Buddhist Shinto A temple is a place for Buddhism, a religion from ancient India. Monks study and pray here. People come to pray to Buddha and find peace.Temples often have Buddha statues and incense. A shrine is for Shinto, Japan’s native religion. Shinto worships many gods called kami in nature. Shrines have torii gates marking a sacred space. People visit to pray and give thanks. The etiquette on the previous page is for shrines. Clapping is not done at temples.
20. Traveler's Insights 2/2 Extra Tips ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Common Japanese Phrases Heard While Traveling in Japan 01 02 Tickets & Admission Directions &Facilities 04 Signs & Announcements 03 Rentals & Services
21. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 01 Tickets & Admission Do you have tickets available for today? とうじつ けんは ありますか？ Tōjitsu ken wa arimasu ka? Can I have two tickets? チケットを２まいください Chiketto o nimai kudasai. Traveler's Insights 2/2 Extra Tips Is there a student discount? 学生わりびきは ありますか？ Gakusei waribiki wa arimasu ka? How long is the wait? どれぐらい ならびますか？ Dore gurai narabi masu ka?
22. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 01 Fill-in-the-Blank Quiz (Tickets & Admission) Do you have tickets available for today? （　　） 　けんは ありますか？ 　　　　 ken wa arimasu ka? Can I have two tickets? チケットを（　 ）ください Chiketto o 　　　 kudasai. Traveler's Insights 2/2 Extra Tips Is there a student discount? 学生（ 　 ）は ありますか？ Gakusei wa arimasu ka? How long is the wait? （　　 　） ならびますか？ narabi masu ka?
23. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 02 Directions &Facilities Where is the restroom? トイレは どこですか？ Toire wa doko desu ka? Where is the entrance ? いりぐちは どこですか？ Iriguchi wa doko desu ka? Traveler's Insights 2/2 Extra Tips Is there a coin locker? コインロッカーはありますか？ Koin rokkā wa arimasu ka? Can I enter with a stroller? ベビーカーで はいれますか？ Bebīkā de hairemasu ka?
24. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 02 Directions &Facilities Rearrange the words to make a correct sentence. Where is the restroom? 【どこ】 【トイレ】 【です】 【は】 【か】 Where is the entrance ? 【どこ】 【いりぐち】 【は】 【です】 【か】 Traveler's Insights 2/2 Extra Tips Is there a coin locker? 【コインロッカー】 【か】 【あります】 【は】 Can I enter with a stroller? 【で】 【か】 【ベビーカー】 【はいれます】
25. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 03 Signs & Announcements Do you have an audio guide? オーディオガイド、ありますか？ 　　Ōdio 　　　gaido arimasu ka? Do you have a guided tour? ガイドツアー ありますか？ Gaido tsuā arimasu ka? Traveler's Insights 2/2 Extra Tips Can I leave my luggage? にもつ、あずけても いいですか？ Nimotsu azukete mo ii desu ka? Can I use Wi-Fi? WI-FI 、つかえますか？ Waifai tsukaemasu ka?
26. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 03 Quiz （Signs & Announcements ） What does 「オーディオガイド ありますか？」 mean? What does 「ガイドツアー ありますか？」 mean? A. Do you have a guided tour? B. Can I join the group tour now? C. What time does the museum open? Traveler's Insights 2/2 Extra Tips What does 「にもつ、あずけても いいですか？」mean? A. Can I open my luggage? B. Can I leave my luggage? C. Can I carry my luggage? What does 「Wi-Fi 、つかえますか？」 mean? A. Is Wi-Fi free? B. Can I use Wi-Fi? C. Can I buy Wi-Fi? A. Do you have an audio guide? B. Can I listen to the explanation in English? C. Is there a paper brochure?
27. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 04 Signs & Announcements No entry 立入禁止 Tachiiri kinshi Exit / Entrance 出口 / 入口 Deguchi / Iriguchi Traveler's Insights 2/2 Extra Tips No photography 撮影禁止 Satsuei kinshi Closed today 本日休館 Honjitsu kyūkan
28. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Talk with your teacher about what the following signs mean. Traveler's Insights 2/2 Extra Tips
29. Question You are visiting Mt. Fuji alone. You want to take a photo with Mt. Fuji in the background. Ask a nearby Japanese tourist to take your photo. What would you say? しゃしんをとってもらえますか A A B B ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Shashin o totte moraemasu ka しゃしん とりましょうか Shashin torimashō ka
30. Question You are visiting Mt. Fuji alone. You want to take a photo with Mt. Fuji in the background. Ask a nearby Japanese tourist to take your photo. What would you say? B B ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. しゃしん とりましょうか Shashin torimashō ka Shashin o totte moraemasu ka A A しゃしんをとってもらえますか answer
31. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 しゃしんをとってもらえますか。 しゃしん (noun): picture, photo を (particle): marks the object of the verb とって (verb): te-form of the verb とる, which means “to take” (a photo) もらえます (verb phrase): potential form of もらう, meaning “can receive the favor of someone doing something” か (particle): question particle Could you take a photo for me (us)? MEANING This is a polite way to ask someone to do something for you. At the same time, it expresses your request while asking the other person’s willingness in the form of a question. Structure: [Verb in て-form] + もらえますか？ → Could you [verb] for me? STRUCTURE ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Shashin o 　　　　totte 　　　　　　　 moraemasu 　　　　ka
32. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 Practice ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ____________ arimasu ka? ＿＿＿＿ もらえますか。 Could you __________? ゆっくりはなして Yukkuri hanashite speak slowly みちを おしえて Michi o oshiete tell me the way おすすめを おしえて Osusume o oshiete tell me 　 recommendation Now, let’s try saying what you want to ask! にもつを もって Nimotsu o motte carry the luggage Annai shite guide me あんないして
33. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 Extra Tips ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Hai, 　 sugu chikaku desu yo はい、すぐちかくですよ COMMON RESPONSES YOU MIGHT HEAR Yes, it’s very close. Can you tell me the way? みちを おしえてもらえますか。 Michi o oshiete moraemasu ka Osusume o oshiete moraemasu ka おすすめをおしえてもらえますか Could you tell me your recommendation? はい、〇〇がおすすめです Yes. I recommend 〇〇. Hai, 〇〇 ga osusume desu If they say yes, let’s say ありがとう arigatou
34. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 Extra Tips ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Gomen nasai 　　 yukkuri iimasu ne ごめんなさい、ゆっくりいいますね COMMON RESPONSES YOU MIGHT HEAR I’m sorry. I will say it slowly. Can you speak slowly? ゆっくりはなして もらえますか Yukkuri hanashite moraemasu ka Nimotsu o motte moraemasu ka にもつをもって もらえますか Could you carry my luggage? もちろんです。こちらですね？ 　Of course. This one, right? Mochiron desu. 　　 Kochira desu ne?
35. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 Extra Tips ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 　Sumimasen, 　　jikan ga naidesu すみません、じかんがないです COMMON RESPONSES YOU MIGHT HEAR 　Sorry, I don't have time. Could you guide me? Annai shite moraemasu ka あんないしてもらえますか ・〜てください is a polite, direct request. Example: ドアをあけてください。 (Please open the door.) ・On the other hand, 〜てもらえますか is a softer, more polite favor request. Example: ドアをあけてもらえますか。 (Could you open the door for me?) ・Summary: Use 〜てください for clear requests. Use 〜てもらえますか to ask more politely. 〜てください vs 〜てもらえますか
36. Traveler's Phrases 2/2 Role Play Role Play take a photo Look at the pictures. In the following two situations, make a request to a local person: 1.You want to take a photo with your friend. 2.You want to ask for a recommendation at a restaurant. ©2024 27th Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Recommen dation ？
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39. References 電車( 新幹線) でゴー！, CC BY-SA 4.0 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons