Practical Japanese Phrases for Digital Nomads
Basic Japanese Phrases for Digital Nomads Not tourist phrases — the specific situations this visa actually puts you in
A 2-week trip and a 6-month remote-work stay need different Japanese. You'll deal with immigration staff, share-house managers, and SIM shop clerks who all expect a residence card you don't have — that's a very different situation from ordering ramen. Here's what's actually useful.
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The One Phrase Worth Memorizing
Explaining Your Situation
You'll likely hit moments where staff expect a residence card and you don't have one — this comes up more than any tourist phrase ever will. Being able to explain this briefly saves a lot of confusion.
| Situation | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| No residence card | 在留カードは持っていません (Zairyū kādo wa motte imasen) | "I don't have a residence card" |
| Explaining your visa type | 特定活動ビザです (Tokutei katsudō biza desu) | "I'm on a 'Specified Activities' visa" |
| Offering your passport instead | パスポートでもいいですか？ (Pasupōto demo ii desu ka?) | "Is a passport okay instead?" |
Housing & Share House
Moving In & Daily Life
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Where is the trash collection point? | ゴミ捨て場はどこですか？ (Gomi sute-ba wa doko desu ka?) |
| Is Wi-Fi included? | Wi-Fiは付いていますか？ (Wi-Fi wa tsuite imasu ka?) |
| The hot water isn't working | お湯が出ません (Oyu ga demasen) |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？ (Kādo de haraemasu ka?) |
SIM & Connectivity
At the SIM Shop or Electronics Store
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| I'd like a prepaid SIM card | プリペイドSIMが欲しいです (Puripeido SIM ga hoshii desu) |
| Does this work with an eSIM? | eSIMに対応していますか？ (eSIM ni taiō shite imasu ka?) |
| I don't have a Japanese phone number | 日本の電話番号は持っていません (Nihon no denwa bangō wa motte imasen) |
Coworking & Cafes
Getting Work Done
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Is there a day pass? | デイパスはありますか？ (Deipasu wa arimasu ka?) |
| Is there an outlet near this seat? | この席の近くにコンセントはありますか？ (Kono seki no chikaku ni konsento wa arimasu ka?) |
| What's the Wi-Fi password? | Wi-Fiのパスワードは何ですか？ (Wi-Fi no pasuwādo wa nan desu ka?) |
Everyday Basics
The Essentials You'll Use Daily
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Thank you | ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu) |
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみません (Sumimasen) |
| Do you speak English? | 英語は話せますか？ (Eigo wa hanasemasu ka?) |
| I don't understand | わかりません (Wakarimasen) |
| Could you write it down? | 書いてもらえますか？ (Kaite moraemasu ka?) |
Tools
Apps Worth Having Installed Before You Land
- Google Translate — the camera translation feature works well on menus and signage
- Google Maps — transit directions in Japan are detailed and generally reliable, including exact train car positioning
- A voice translation app for real-time spoken conversations in situations text translation doesn't cover well, like phone calls
Going Further
If You Want More Than Survival Japanese
Six months is enough time to build real conversational ability if you put in consistent, structured practice — especially useful if you're planning to extend your relationship with Japan beyond this stay.
Recommended: Italki for flexible, short-term online lessons that fit around remote work hours.
Related
Continue Preparing
Frequently Asked
FAQ
Can I get by in Tokyo with just English?
In central Tokyo and major tourist areas, often yes for basic transactions. Outside those areas — including many everyday admin situations like immigration offices, share-house management, or smaller shops — English support drops off quickly, which is where these phrases become useful.
Do I need to learn to read Japanese characters?
Not strictly for a 6-month stay — phonetic romanization and translation apps cover most day-to-day needs. Learning to read hiragana and katakana (not full kanji) does make daily life noticeably smoother if you have the time.
Will immigration staff speak English?
Larger regional immigration bureaus often have some English support, but it varies by location and staff availability. Having key phrases ready, or bringing a translation app, is a reasonable backup regardless.
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