No More Confusion: 4 Commonly Used Japanese Travel Kanji You Should Know

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Traveling to Japan for the first time often feels both unfamiliar and oddly familiar. On the streets, besides seeing Japanese text, you'll also come across many Chinese characters—some you can almost understand, some that mean something completely different. Understanding these kanji can be a big help when traveling in Japan.

1. Accommodation
2泊3日 -> 3 days 2 nights
前金 -> Deposit
键、合键 -> Key, Spare key
会计系 -> Cashier
}L理 -> Accounting
支配人 -> Manager
非常口 -> Emergency exit
地下、一阶 -> Basement, First floor
冷暖房 -> Air conditioning
石? -> Soap
便笺 -> Stationery, Writing paper
宿泊料金 -> Accommodation fee
别料金 -> Extra charge
精算书 -> Bill / Statement
领收书 -> Receipt
床 -> Floor

2. Diningarticles

放题 -> All-you-can-eat
替玉 -> Extra noodles
勘定、料金 -> Checkout counter, Total bill
春雨 -> Cellophane noodles / Glass noodles
大根 -> Daikon (Japanese radish)
Ginseng -> Carrot
Bird -> Chicken and roast chicken
Tamago, tamago (egg) -> Boiled egg, raw egg

3. Life Section

Guidance -> Giving directions, leading, or instructing
News -> Newspaper
NEWS -> TV news
Fushinsha (suspicious person) -> Suspicious individual
Rusu (staying away) -> Not at home
Kitte -> Stamp
Tegami -> Writing a letter
Meiwaku -> Causing trouble or inconvenience
Jyama -> Hindrance or disturbance
Sensei -> A general term of respect for professionals in education, medicine, or other fields, meaning teacher or professor, regardless of gender
Otto -> Healthy, strong, sturdy, durable
Daijoubu -> Don’t worry, it’s okay, no problem
Kega -> Injury

4. Shopping Section