Japanese phone phrases for travelers
By the Travel's Calling team · Updated October 30, 2026
Phone calls in Japan are polite, structured and fast. Staff often use very formal keigo, which can sound overwhelming, but your side of the call can stay simple. Polite basics plus a few key nouns will get you a table, a taxi or an answer from your hotel.
Starting the call
"Moshi moshi" is how people answer personal calls, but businesses answer with their name, often followed by "irasshaimase" or a formal greeting. You can start with "Sumimasen" (excuse me) and say why you're calling. Giving your name early is polite: "Sumisu to mōshimasu" (my name is Smith, humble form) or simply "Sumisu desu."
Booking a restaurant
Many popular restaurants are booked out in advance, and some only accept reservations by phone or through a hotel concierge. Say: "Yoyaku o onegai shitai n desu ga…" (I'd like to make a reservation…). They'll ask "Nan-mei-sama desu ka?" (how many people?) and "Nan-ji ni nasaimasu ka?" (what time?). Answer with counters: futari (two people), san-nin (three people), shichi-ji (7 o'clock).
Calling your hotel
To say you have a booking: "Yoyaku shite iru Sumisu desu" (I'm Smith, I have a reservation). Arriving late: "Tōchaku ga osoku narimasu. Jū-ichi-ji goro desu" (I'll arrive late, around 11).
Calling a taxi
In big cities you can usually hail taxis on the street or use a stand, and taxi apps are widely used. If you call a taxi company: "Takushī o ichi-dai onegaishimasu" (one taxi, please), then give your location. Hotels and restaurants will often call one for you if you ask: "Takushī o yonde itadakemasu ka?"
Politeness tips
- End requests with onegaishimasu. It's the most useful word on the phone.
- Say "Mō ichido onegaishimasu" (once more, please) when you miss something. Staff are used to repeating.
- You'll hear "Shōshō omachi kudasai" (please wait a moment) before a pause. Stay on the line.
- Close with "Arigatō gozaimasu. Shitsurei shimasu."
Phrase table
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| すみません | sumimasen | Excuse me. |
| 予約をお願いしたいんですが | yoyaku o onegai shitai n desu ga | I'd like to make a reservation. |
| 二人です | futari desu | Two people. |
| 七時にお願いします | shichi-ji ni onegaishimasu | At 7 o'clock, please. |
| 予約しているスミスです | yoyaku shite iru Sumisu desu | I'm Smith, I have a reservation. |
| 到着が遅くなります | tōchaku ga osoku narimasu | I'll be arriving late. |
| タクシーを一台お願いします | takushī o ichi-dai onegaishimasu | One taxi, please. |
| 英語を話せますか | eigo o hanasemasu ka | Do you speak English? |
| もう一度お願いします | mō ichido onegaishimasu | Once more, please. |
Practice this call before you go
Travel's Calling turns your own trip into practice phone calls. Pick your destination, upload your itinerary or type a few plans, choose your level, and take a voice call in your browser with an AI character who answers in the local language. After each call you get a short trip report. It works for destinations around the world, so you can rehearse this call in Japanese.
Start practicing on Travel's Calling →Quick answers
- Do Japanese businesses answer with moshi moshi?
- Usually not. Businesses answer with their name and a formal greeting. "Moshi moshi" is more common on personal calls.
- How do I make a restaurant reservation in Japanese?
- Say "Yoyaku o onegai shitai n desu ga," then give the number of people (futari, san-nin) and time (shichi-ji).