Although trains are the most convenient way to travel in Japan, it sometimes is better or faster to use the taxi. Taxi drivers in Japan generally do not speak any English, so that it is useful if you now a few words and phrases to communicate with the driver. You can also print this page and show the sentences to the driver.

Giving directions

It is most useful to have a map IN JAPANESE LANGUAGE of the place you want to go. Since the system of Japanese addresses is complicated almost every place has a map on how to get there. Ask someone in your hotel or the person whom you visit to get you a map for the taxi driver.

• 左 – ひだり – hidari – left
• 真直ぐ – まっすぐ – massugu – straight ahead

Money / taxi fare

Please be aware that it is not common to tip the taxi driver – they will decline it in most cases. If you want to pay by credit card, you should ask the driver in any case before using the taxi. Many taxis accept Japanese but no foreign cards, so that the stickers with the logos of the credit cards on the windows of the taxi can be misleading.

When you come to Japan you will probably meet many people. Even if you don’t speak the language, using a little bit of Japanese to introduce yourself will bring you a lot of sympathy for making the effort. This is a collection of useful phrases that can be used to introduce yourself in Japanese.

Simple:

This is a simple but polite self introduction that can be used in any situation. It also can be used in a business situation without being regarded as rude or too casual.

Business:

The Japanese language used in business is more formal and more polite than the day to day language. If you represent your company it also is common to mention your company name and eventually your department when you introduce yourself. Please also be aware that in Japanese usually the last name is mentioned before the first name.

When you handover your business cards, make sure to hand it over holding it with two hands and also receive your business partner’s card with two hand. It is polite to have a short look at the card in order to check the position and title of the other person. When you return to the meeting table you should line up the business cards in front of you and arrange them in the same order as the people are sitting (This can be difficult sometimes). Do not write on a business you received in front of the people since this is regarded as un-polite.