Japanese Vocabulary 1: Words and Phrases in Airports

Visiting or traveling in Japan? Check out this cheat sheet of Japanese vocabulary about airports and the departure process!

Airports can become a stressful environment if you are not fully prepared with necessary items. Always make sure that you have your Passport (パスポート) and other documents before leaving for the airport!

In this cheat sheet we have included helpful vocabulary related to the airport with pronunciation, meaning and example sentences provided for you to successfully navigate your way through departure.

Japan has a total of 29 airports located all across the four main islands and other smaller islands, with 5 international airports and the rest being local airports that fly domestically.

The main international airports in Japan are the Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport.

When flying in Japan, it is important to check the geographical location of the airport, and whether you are flying a domestic or international flight.

Departure 出発 (しゅっぱつ shuppatsu)

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
空港	くうこう kūkou	airport
飛行機	ひこうき hikōki	airplane
国内線	こくないせん kokunaisen	domestic flights
国際線	こくさいせん kokusaisen	international flights
パスポート	パスポート Pasu pōto	passport
航空券	こうくうけん koukūken	plane tickets
カウンター	kauntā	counter
搭乗手続き	とうじょうてつづ toujõ tetsuzuki	check in
自動チェックイン機	じどう き jidō chekkuin ki	self check-in machine
ターミナル	tāminaru	terminal
荷物	にもつ ni motsu	luggage/belongings
手荷物検査	てにもつけんさ tenimotsu kensa	security check

Example Sentences

Here are some example sentences utilising the vocabulary you just learnt:

Example 1:

By saying: ‘パスポートと航空券は一緒にお持ちでしょうか?’

Pronunciation: pasupo-to to koukūken wa issho ni omochi deshouka

It means: ‘Do you have your passport and plane ticket with you?’

Example 2:

By saying: ‘羽田国際線ターミナルに行って、荷物をチェックインしました。’

Pronunciation: haneda kokusaisen tāminaru ni itte, nimotsu wo chekkuin shimashita.

It means: ‘I went to Haneda International Terminal and checked in my luggage.’