Want to learn more about hospital-related vocabulary? This cheat sheet focuses on different conditions to tell the doctor about. Taking care of your health should always be a top priority, particularly when you’re away from your home country. Doctor consultations and hospital visits in Japan, however, can be intimidating.
It’s ideal to learn how to inform your symptoms to your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, we have included the pronunciation and meaning of the terms, together with example sentences for you to learn how to communicate successfully during your consultation in the hospital.
Do keep a lookout for your well-being with COVID-19 cases on the rise. The most common symptoms are fever, dry cough and tiredness. Less common symptoms include headache, aches and pains, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, rashes on the skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes.
With that being said, symptoms will vary from one person to the next. This is why you must get tested or consult a doctor the moment you feel unwell.
Japanese vocabulary can be difficult to learn, but practice makes perfect. This is part two of our ongoing pharmacy and hospital vocabulary cheat sheet so make sure you continue part one.
Conditions 症状 (しょうじょう shōjō)
Here are some keywords and phrases about the condition:
Japanese
Pronunciation
Meaning
気分が悪い
きぶん わる kibun ga warui
I do not feel well
熱がある
ねつ netsu ga aru
have a fever
体がだるい
からだ karada ga darui
body feels heavy
お腹が痛い
なか いた o naka ga itai
stomach hurts
腰痛
ようつう youtuu
back pain
風邪
かぜ kaze
cold
咳
せき seki
cough
くしゃみ
kushami
sneeze
喉が痛い
のど い nodo ga itai
throat hurts
めまい
memai
dizzy
吐き気がする
は け haki ke ga suru
feel nauseous
嘔吐
おうと outo
vomit
下痢
げり geri
diarrhea
便秘
べんぴ benpi
constipation
Example Sentences
Here is how to apply the terms into sentences:
Example 1:
By saying: ‘〇〇が具合悪いです。’
Pronunciation: ＿＿＿ga guai warui desu
It means: ‘My ______ does not feel well.’
Example 2:
By saying: ‘昨日からお腹が痛いです。’
Pronunciation: kinou kara onaka ga itaidesu.
It means: ‘My stomach hurts from yesterday.’
Scared to visit a hospital in Japan? Check out this cheat sheet to learn hospital-related vocabulary and boost your confidence in Japanese! Going to the hospital can be quite intimidating, especially when you are not sure half the stuff the medical staffs are saying. That is why we have included the pronunciation and meaning of the vocabulary, along with example sentences, to guide you for a smoother visit to the hospital.
It is a known fact that the Japanese have the highest lifespan expectancy globally due to their healthcare system. With high technological advancement, Japan offers superior medical services to patients.
Japanese vocabulary can be difficult to learn, but practice makes perfect. This is part one of our ongoing pharmacy and hospital vocabulary cheat sheet so make sure you continue part two.
Here is how those words can be used in conversational sentences:
Example 1:
By saying: ‘診察をお願いします。’
Pronunciation: shinsatsu wo onegaishimasu.
It means: ‘I would like to have a medical examination.’
Example 2:
By saying: ‘診察券と保険証を出して、順番にお待ちください。’
Pronunciation: shinsatsu to hokenshou wo dashite, junban ni omachikudasai
It means: ‘Please provide your registration and insurance card and wait for your turn.’
When you feel sick, or if an accident happens to you in Japan, you should go to a clinic or hospital. In this Kanji Worksheet, we will introduce to you some relevant kanji which you can use when you describe symptoms or medical problems.
If you are interested in studying Japanese, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Japan? For me, it’s definitely the Japanese hospitality! Oshibori! Imagine if you are really cold right now, what would be the thing you yearn for the most? Warmth! That’s right! Especially when you are cold and hungry, you will naturally head to a restaurant. Now imagine, you have just entered a restaurant and sat down. Your hands are cold and you need some time to adjust to the surrounding temperature. What would be something you want the most now? A time machine to make you settle down more quickly? No-no. Something more realistic, more practical, what would it be?
おしぼりOshibori! That’s it! That’s the thing you may be looking for!
Wait, what? Oshibori?
Oshibori is a neatly rolled wet towel that can be warm or cool depending on the weather. On a cold day, the towel would be warm while on a hot day, the towel would be cool. It is served for you to wipe your hands before your meal. Apart from hygiene purposes, it can also help you to settle down quickly, making your dining experience a more comfortable and enjoyable one!
Japan, being a country where customers are highly respected, a good customer service is expected from the industries, not excluding the food industry. Whenever a customer entered and sat down in a restaurant, Oshibori is quickly served to the customer, as an act of welcoming him. Japanese people are usually introverted and not good at expressing themselves. They are not confident in showing their heartfelt thoughts through facial expressions. Hence, Oshibori service would be ideal to show their appreciation towards their customers.
Immediately after you have sat down, a warm Oshibori is served to you. You unrolled the Oshibori and held it with both of your hands. The warmth of the Oshibori can be felt on your icy cold hands. How would you feel at this point in time? Wouldn’t you feel like patronizing this restaurant to enjoy such warming hospitality again?
And… How should I use Oshibori?
Please use it to clean your hands only! During summer, you can be perspiring and hope to cool yourself down with a cool towel. You may have the urge to freshen up by using the Oshibori to wipe your face and neck. Wait, STOP! Before you do so, think about how the Oshibori is washed and reused by the next customer. Would you still want to use the Oshibori knowing that the previous customer used it to wipe his face and neck? Of course not right! Hence, Oshibori is strictly used for hands only!
Oh and do not forget to thank the person who served you the Oshibori!
Just a simple ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) will do!
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
An Integral Part of the Japanese Service Industry
You might think “What is Omotenashi?”. With the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics rapidly approaching the word “Omotenashi” is being used by the media a lot more to promote Japanese hospitality. The meaning of Omotenashi goes way deeper than just providing outstanding hospitality as the original meaning is to entertain guests wholeheartedly. One only needs to reside in Japan for a short time to realize just how much attention to detail is paid across many sectors of the service industry. The Japanese proverb 「お客様は神様」(okyakusama wa kamisama) can be translated to “the customer is always right” but many in Japan will prefer the literal translation of “the customer is god”. The extent of this sentiment is highlighted in the service industry, when the sales associates address the customer by adding the honorific “O” and “-sama” to the beginning and end of kyaku (customer)respectively.
Some examples of the Omotenashi that you might experience in Japan are. A taxi driver automatically opens and closes the door for their passengers. A toothpick nicely wedged between the indentation of a pair of wooden chopsticks. Even the umbrella and bag holders placed within hand’s reach at a Japanese ATM. The cleaners of the Shinkansen, bowing to the passengers as they rush to clean the cars is also a famous expression of Omotenashi.
How did Omotenashi come about?
Visiting a Japanese department store opening in the morning is a ceremonial experience displaying Omotenashi at its finest. Every staff bows as you enter. The Japanese sense of hospitality is exemplified by a deeply rooted pride and effort in welcoming visitors to one’s business. Many historians trace the roots of Omotenashi all the way back to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The word is most often written in hiragana because there are several ways of writing it with kanji. On one hand omote would derive from the 表 character referring to a surface or carrying of something, while the 成 character consists of the meanings less or to accomplish something. Therefore, if the Japanese exhibit exquisite Omotenashi, they are expected to provide a service without expecting anything in return. On the other hand, Omotenashi would come from the verb “motsu”, 「持つ」, “to have”:
「お持て成し」. (omotenashi) – 親切なおもてなしを、ありがとうございました。(shinsetsuna omotenashi o, arigatōgozaimashita) – Thank you for your kind hospitality. – 心づくしのおもてなしを感謝します。(kokoro-zukushi no omotenashi o kansha shimasu) – Thank you very much for your hearty hospitality.
Conclusion
Finally, among the aspects that define Omotenashi, selflessness and anticipation are easy to highlight. The concept is all about offering the best service without the expectation of a reward. You abandon your interest for the benefit of your guest or your customer. That explains why in Japan, the culture of tipping is not the norm. Last but not least, a core idea of Omotenashi is to anticipate the needs of your guest. One of the best example is the water and the hot towel brought to you as you take your seat in a restaurant. To find out more about Japanese honorifics, check out this page. Click to tweet this article and share it with more Japanese learners!
Coto Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
Are you interested in learning more about the Japanese language and culture? Start taking Japanese lessons!
While you might not believe in the otherworldly mythology, it’s best to avoid going against Japanese superstitions. That is because while there are a lot of countries with its own unique beliefs, Japan takes the occult taboos to another level! They’re so baked into the culture that everyone is probably familiar with them.
From hiding your thumb to holding your chopsticks wrong, these seemingly small actions might spiral you into a series of unfortunate events — or, worse, curses.
Here are some fascinating Japanese superstitions you should know – some will surprise you!
What is Superstition in Japanese?
In Japanese, the word for superstition is 迷信 (meishin).
In the United States, Halloween is a time for everything spooky and horrific.
Young people in Japan celebrate Halloween, too, but traditionally, there is another month reserved for scary stories and horror myths: August. Around this summertime, Japanese people celebrate a Buddhist festival called Obon, which is a time when they honor the dead and ancestors by inviting them back to the human realm.
A lot of these may seem strange to someone who’s not familiar with Japan as they’re based on the country’s history, mythology and culture. That being said, some have more unique origins, and we’ll be sure to cover those.
Common Superstitions in Japan
1. Hide Your Thumb When a Hearse (Funeral Car) Passes By
When you see a hearse or a funeral car, you hide your thumbs in the palm of your hand. In Japanese, ‘thumb’ is written as 親指 (oyayubi・おやゆび). 親 (oya・おや) translates to ‘parent’, while 指 (yubi・ゆび) translates to ‘finger’. Together, it literally means ‘Parent finger’, as the thumb is your first finger.
What does this mean, and why is it important to “hide your thumb”? In ancient Japan, it was believed that spirits of the dead could enter the body through any opening, including fingernails. By tucking your thumb into your palm, you symbolically close off that entrance. Even today, many Japanese children are taught this Japanese superstition by their elders as a way to show respect for the dead.
Plus, it is also believed that your parents will die early if you don’t hide your thumb.
2. Japanese Wedding Taboos: Words You Shouldn’t Say
At a Japanese wedding, it’s important that you don’t say the words 帰る (kaeru・かえる) or 戻る (modoru・もどる). 帰る means to ‘go home’ while 戻る means to ‘return’. Saying these two phrases at a wedding is considered to be bad luck and will jinx the marriage. This will supposedly cause the bride to leave the groom and go home and return to their parents. These aren’t the only terms you should avoid at a wedding.
Generally, anything related to breakups or death should be avoided. Besides not saying certain things, Japanese culture frowns upon giving wedding gifts in certain amounts. It is considered customary for guests to bring gift money called goshugi on the day of the wedding. The number can go as high as 100,000 yen, but it’s not fixed.
What you want to do is to avoid numbers starting with even numbers such as 2, 4, and other multiples of these. Why? Because these numbers can be divided, nudging the idea that the newlywed will split.
3. Japanese Lucky Numbers, 7 and 8
In Japanese culture, certain numbers are considered especially lucky. Unlike unlucky numbers such as 4 (四, shi) and 9 (九, ku), which are associated with death and suffering due to their pronunciation, the numbers 7 (七, nana) and 8 (八, hachi) are strongly linked to prosperity and good fortune.
Seven (7): A Sacred and Lucky Number
The number 7 is one of the luckiest numbers in Japan, largely due to its deep ties to Buddhism and traditional beliefs:
The Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin – 七福神) are revered for bringing prosperity, longevity, and success.
In Buddhist customs, a memorial service is held on the seventh day after someone’s death to honor their soul, highlighting the spiritual importance of this number.
Additionally, in Japanese numerology, 7 symbolizes luck and perfection, making it a favored number in lotteries, celebrations, and even business names.
Eight (8): A Symbol of Wealth and Growth
The number 8 is another highly regarded lucky number in Japan, though slightly less popular than 7. Its positive meaning comes from its shape and its connection to prosperity:
The kanji for 8 (八, hachi) has a widening shape, resembling a traditional folding fan (sensu). This broadening form represents expansion and growing fortune, a concept known as suehirogari (末広がり).
In business, the number 8 is commonly used in pricing and phone numbers to attract financial success.
The date August 8 (8/8) is sometimes considered particularly auspicious for starting new ventures.
These beliefs about lucky numbers in Japan continue to influence daily life, from choosing license plates and wedding dates to booking hotel rooms. If you want to maximize your luck in Japan, keep these numbers in mind!
4. Avoid Japanese Unlucky Numbers, 4 and 9
Number
Meaning
Why ?
4 (四, shi)
Unlucky
Sounds like “death” (死)
7 (七, nana)
Lucky
Linked to Buddhism and the Seven Lucky Gods
8 (八, hachi)
Lucky
Symbolizes growth and prosperity
9 (九, ku)
Unlucky
Sounds like “pain” or “suffering” (苦)
In Japanese, the number 4 (shi) sounds like the word for death (死), and 9 (ku) sounds like suffering (苦). That’s why you’ll often see hospitals and hotels skip room numbers like 404 or 49.
The number 9 (九) is usually pronounced kyuu, but in certain cases, like September (九月, kugatsu), it is read as ku. Since ku sounds like “pain” (苦), this pronunciation is often avoided in superstitious contexts, especially in hospitals or gifting.
4. Lie Down After a Meal to Turn Into a Cow
The title really gives it away, but this is a superstition in Japan. In Japan, there’s a playful superstition that if you lie down right after eating, you’ll “turn into a cow.” Bear in mind that no one really believes this. It’s just something said to children to prevent them from being lazy or lounging around!
5. Purification with Salt
Salt in Japan is used in a lot of purification rituals. It is believed to have a cleansing effect and is thought to be capable of purifying people spiritually. You may notice its use at funerals, where those who attended will scatter salt on them and their front doors to prevent evil spirits from following them. It’s similarly used in weddings and even sumo matches.
Another practice involving salt is 盛り塩 (morijio・もりじお), literally meaning ‘pile of salt,’ where — you guessed it — piles of salt are put alongside an entryway. This is meant to attract customers and ward off evil spirits. So, if you ever see a pile of salt in Japan, leave it be, as someone might have put it there on purpose.
But purification with salt isn’t limited to funerals. Sumo wrestlers also use salt before a match as part of a traditional ritual. Before stepping into the ring, sumo wrestlers scatter handfuls of salt onto the dohyō (sumo ring) to purify the space and drive away bad spirits. This act, rooted in Shinto beliefs, is meant to ensure a fair and honorable fight.
Another common salt practice is 盛り塩 (morijio), or “piled salt,” where small mounds of salt are placed at entryways to attract good fortune and ward off negativity. You may notice this outside restaurants and businesses, as it is believed to invite more customers.
So, if you ever see salt piles in Japan, don’t be surprised—it’s likely there for spiritual protection!
This one? You probably know. The manekineko (招き猫 ・まねきねこ), or ‘beckoning cat’, is one of Japan’s most recognizable superstitions. We can even go as far as saying it’s a cultural icon. You’ve probably seen or owned some version of a manekineko, as they’ve been sold all around the world as all kinds of trinkets. How to tell if something is a manekineko?
Typically, manekineko are depicted as seated cats with a single paw raised. The paw is meant to look like it is beckoning you towards it (hence the name). They are also commonly seen with a koban (小判 ・こばん), an old oval gold coin. If you see a manekineko with its left paw raised, it is meant to attract customers. If its right paw is raised, it’s meant to attract money.
Its origin isn’t set in stone, but the most popular legend is that of the Goutoku-ji temple, where, while out hunting, the 大名 (daimyo・だいみょ) Ii Naotaka was beckoned by a cat to the temple. In doing so, it saved him from a lightning bolt. Feeling gratitude he erected a statue of the cat and made it a patron of the temple, where it became the symbol it now is. Whether or not this is true, we don’t know, as this is not the only story involving the manekineko. Still, the cat lives on as an immensely popular and recognizable figure.
Fun fact: If you’re familiar with Pokémon, the Pokémon Meowth is based on the manekineko.
Crows have an interesting significance in Japan. It’s a bad omen to hear one cawing, usually indicating that bad luck or death will come upon you. This belief originates from yatagarasu (八咫烏・やたがらす), a three-legged crow known as a Shinto guiding god. In Shinto mythology, yatagarasu guided Emperor Jinmu to Kashihara in Yamato, acting as a divine messenger. Because crows symbolize communication with the deities, their cawing often signals divine intervention, which people associate with bad fortune.
8. てるてる坊主 (teruterubouzu) to Ward Off the Rain
Teru teru bozu are rain charms meant to bring good weather. てる, or 照る, means shine, and 坊主, means a Buddhist monk. People in Japan, mainly kids, hang them up either to prevent rain from happening during a school outing or to stop a rainy day. Nowadays, kids make them with tissue or cotton, but they were originally hung up by farmers and made with white paper or cloth.
You can also make a reverse rain charm. By hanging the teru teru bozu upside-down, you’ll wish for rain.
9. Don’t Hang Clothes Out to Dry at Night
You shouldn’t hang your clothes out at night, because you’ll be practically begging a spirit to come and haunt them. This came about as there used to be a belief that clothes retain an owner’s spirit after death. Back in the day, kimonos were passed down from parents to their children due to their expensive price. The soul of the diseased is believed to live in an old kimono, which created the custom of hanging traditional Japanese clothes of the diseased at night.
Time passed, and such custom turned into this superstition that believes that hanging laundry at night may call the soul of the diseased, who shall also bring bad luck related to death.
Now, when left out to dry during the day, the spirit could be cleansed. So, if you leave your clothes out to dry at night, your clothes will attract any nearby roaming spirits.
10. Blood Type Personality Test
Less a Japanese superstition and more a pseudoscience, there is a belief in Japan that your blood type dictates your personality. Unlike a lot of the other superstitions on here, this one is actually believed by quite a few today!
Those with type A blood are described as 几帳面 (kichoumen・きちょうめん), meaning well-organized and meticulous. In contrast, type B individuals are often labeled 自己中 (jikochuu・じこちゅう), or selfish. Meanwhile, type AB is seen as a mix of both and considered 変わり者 (kawarimono・かわりもの), meaning eccentric.
Finally, type O. If you are type O, you are 楽観主義 (rakkanshugi・らっかんしゅぎ), or optimistic. There’s no real science backing up this belief, but it can be fun to categorize yourself. Did it get it right for you?
11. Never Stick Your Chopsticks Upright
Sticking chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice brings extremely bad luck in Japan because it closely resembles a Buddhist funeral ritual. During these ceremonies, people place incense sticks upright in the sand to honor the dead. Since this gesture is linked to death, using chopsticks this way during a meal appears disrespectful and may invite misfortune.
Instead, if you need to put your chopsticks down, rest them on a chopstick holder or lay them across the bowl, not inside it. This small etiquette rule is important in Japan, especially when dining with locals.
12. Sleep While Facing North
In Japan, sleeping while facing the north is considered bad luck and brings death. The explanation for this is that only the deceased’s body is placed facing the north in funerals.
13. 初夢 (Hatsuyume): What Your First Dream of the Year Means in Japan
In Japanese, there’s a famous saying: 一富士二鷹三茄子, which literally means “First Mount Fuji, second a hawk, third an eggplant.” According to tradition, if you dream of these three things — in that exact order — during your first dream of the year, it’s believed to bring good luck for the year ahead.
This saying is believed to have originated from the three favorite things of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
Did you know they’re also a form of wordplay?
Each item sounds like a Japanese word associated with good fortune, giving this tradition both symbolic and linguistic meaning:
Mount Fuji (富士 / Fuji) sounds like 無事 (buji), which means safety, peace, and不死 (fushi) – immortality (a symbol of protection and long life)
Hawk (鷹 / Taka) sounds like 高い (takai), the Japanese adjective meaning tall. This represents ambition, strength, and success.
Eggplant (茄子 / Nasu) sounds like 成す (nasu), which means to accomplish. This symbolizes prosperity and the realization of goals.
14. Writing Someone’s Name in Red
In Japan, writing someone’s name in red ink is considered highly disrespectful — and even ominous. Why?
Traditionally, names on graves and death notices are written in red, so using red ink for a living person’s name implies they are dead or will die soon. For this reason, it’s seen as deeply unlucky.
Even today, it’s considered poor etiquette to use red ink when writing letters, cards, or notes that include someone’s name, especially in formal or professional settings. When in doubt, stick to black or blue ink.
15. Having Big Ears Means Being Lucky
In Japanese culture, having big ears is considered a sign of good fortune. This belief comes from Hotei (布袋), one of the Seven Lucky Gods, who is often depicted as a cheerful, plump figure with notably large ears. Hotei symbolizes wealth and happiness, so people with big ears are thought to be destined for prosperity and good luck.
So, if someone compliments your ears in Japan, it might just be a wish for your success and happiness!
16. Spider Brings Good Fortune in the Morning
Unlike in many Western cultures, where spiders might cause unease, in Japan, seeing a spider in the morning is considered a sign of good luck. It’s believed that spiders found early in the day bring fortune and happiness, so you should let them be rather than chase them away.
However, spotting a spider at night can have a different meaning, because they are then demons’ accomplices.
17. Tea Leaves Reading
While tea leaf reading isn’t common in Japan, there is a charming superstition about 茶柱 (chabashira) — when a tea stalk stands upright floating in your cup of green tea.
This rare occurrence is considered a sign of good luck and prosperity for you and your family. Many people feel it’s a joyful omen, so spotting a chabashira can brighten your day and bring positive energy.
18. Breaking a Comb or a Hairpin Is Bad Luck
Because hair accessories are close to your head — associated with your life and spirit — breaking them is believed to bring misfortune.
19. It’s Bad Luck to Whistle at Night
Whistling after dark is thought to attract snakes, ghosts, or even thieves. This warning is often told to children to keep them indoors and quiet at night.
20. Don’t Sleep with Your Fan On
During Japan’s hot and humid summers, turning on a fan while you sleep is a common way to stay cool. But before you do, consider this: there’s a longstanding superstition called 死の風 (shi no kaze), or “death wind.” It warns that sleeping with a fan blowing directly on you can cause death.
While this Japanese superstition likely originated from real concerns about heatstroke or poor air circulation, it still remains a popular cautionary tale in Japan. Many people use timers or position fans carefully to avoid “the death wind” and sleep peacefully.
Conclusion
Have you ever heard of these Japanese superstitions before?We hope you enjoyed the list! It’s important that you know that most Japanese people don’t really believe in a lot of stuff on this list; it’s just fun to know that it exists. Japanese superstitions are a fascinating mix of history, religion, and culture. While many people today see them as fun traditions rather than strict beliefs, they continue to influence daily life in subtle ways. Next time you’re in Japan, watch out for these customs—who knows, maybe a lucky number will bring you good fortune!
Start taking Japanese lessons and learn more than just superstitions!
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FAQ
Why is the number 4 considered unlucky in Japan?
The number 4 is pronounced shi, which sounds like the word for “death” (死). Because of this, many hospitals and hotels in Japan avoid using the number 4 in room numbers and floors.
What does sticking chopsticks into rice mean?
Placing chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice resembles a Buddhist funeral ritual, where incense sticks are placed similarly. Doing this during a meal is considered extremely bad luck.
Why is whistling at night considered bad luck in Japan?
Whistling at night is said to attract snakes or evil spirits. This superstition likely comes from old beliefs that criminals and supernatural beings use whistles to communicate in the dark.
Why do Japanese people hide their thumbs when a hearse passes?
The thumb in Japanese is oya yubi (親指), meaning “parent finger.” Hiding your thumbs when seeing a hearse is thought to protect your parents from early death.
Why shouldn’t you cut your nails at night in Japan?
A Japanese superstition warns that cutting your nails at night could shorten your lifespan or prevent you from being with your parents when they pass away.
Have you ever wondered how to describe a position in Japanese? Picture this: you’re wandering through the busy streets of Tokyo and want to ask a local which way leads to the nearest train station. Or maybe you’re sitting in a Japanese classroom, and the teacher is giving directions like “Look up,” “Turn right,” or “Go down the stairs.” What exactly do these phrases mean?
Knowing how to say basic directions like “up,” “down,” “left,” and “right” in Japanese can make these moments much easier and more fun! In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the essential direction words in Japanese and show you how to use them naturally in everyday conversations. Let’s get moving!
Grammar Pattern to Describe Positions in Japanese
In Japanese, there are two main sentence patterns used to describe location, both simple and useful for beginners. In Japanese, to say where something is, you put the position word after the thing you are talking about. You connect them with the particle の (no). Then, you add the particle に (ni) or で (de) after the position word to show the location.
Let’s take a look at how to use them, along with examples to help you speak naturally and confidently!
1. ~ wa ~ no ~ ni arimasu/imasu
This structure emphasizes what you’re talking about first. For example:
テレビはテーブルの上にあります。 Terebi wa teeburu no ue ni arimasu. The TV is on the table. Here, “テレビ” is the topic, and the sentence explains its position.
2. ~ no ~ ni ~ ga arimasu/imasu
This structure is useful when pointing out or describing something in a place. For example:
テーブルの上にテレビがあります。 Teeburu no ue ni terebi ga arimasu. On the table, there is a TV.
In both patterns, use います for people and animals, and あります for objects and inanimate things.
Note: Make sure to know how to read and write hiragana, as a lot of Japanese particles use them.
Positions in Japanese (With Examples)
Now that you know how to describe where something or someone is using basic sentence patterns, it’s time to learn the actual position words in Japanese! Thankfully, many of them correspond closely to English, like “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “inside,” and “outside.” These words are used together with particles like の (no) and verbs like あります / います to express location naturally.
One thing to note is the word まえ (前), which can be a bit tricky. It usually means “in front,” but in other grammar patterns, it can also mean “before” (as in time). Context is important, but with practice, you’ll quickly get the hang of it!
Here’s a helpful list of common position words in Japanese:
apanese
Romaji
English Meaning
上
ue
up / above
下
shita
down / under
前
mae
in front / before
後ろ
ushiro
behind
中
naka
inside
外
soto
outside
左
hidari
left
右
migi
right
横
yoko
beside / next to
間
aida
between
Examples of Describing Up, Down, Left & Right in Japanese
1. 上: Above/on
かばんはいすの上にあります
kabanwa isuno ueni arimasu
The bag is on the chair
2. 下: Below/under
犬は木(き)の下にいます
ikuwa kino shitani arimasu
The dog is under the tree.
3. 左: Left
ペンの左に携帯(けいたい)があります
Penno hidarini keitaiga arimasu
There is a phone on the left side of the pen.
4. 右: Right
私(わたし)の右に先生(せんせい)がいます
Watashino migini senseiga imasu
There is a teacher on my right.
Examples of Describing Inside, Outside, Front, and Back in Japanese
You can also use the two sentence patterns mentioned earlier to make sentences with these position words.
1. 中: Inside
りんごはバスケットの中にあります。
Ringowa basukettono nakani arimasu
The apples are in the basket.
2. 外: Outside
家(いえ)の外に自転車(じでんしゃ)があります。
Ieno sotoni jidenshaga arimasu
There is a bike outside my house.
3. 前: In front
テレビの前にボールがあります。
Terebino maeni bouruga arimasu
There is a ball in front of the TV．
4. 後ろ: Behind
子供(こども)の後ろ(うしろ)にねこがいます。
Kodomono ushironi nekoga imasu
There is a cat behind the kid．
5. 隣: Tonari
病院の隣にコンビニがあります。
Byouinno tonarini connbiniga arimasu
There is a convenience store beside the hospital.
6. 近く: Nearby something
この近くに銀行があります。
Konochikakuni ginkouga arimasu
There is a bank nearby.
What’s Next? Learn More Phrases with Coto Academy!
Post positions in Japanese are particles like に (ni), で (de), and の (no) that come after words to show location, direction, or possession.
Do Japanese go up and down or left to right?
Japanese can be written both vertically (top to bottom, right to left) and horizontally (left to right).
How do you say up in Japanese?
Up in Japanese is 上 (うえ, ue).
How do you say left and right in Japanese?
Left is 左 (ひだり, hidari) and right is 右 (みぎ, migi).
Are you planning to live in Tokyo and wondering which area to choose? Finding the perfect apartment can be both exciting and stressful since you have to strike a delicate balance between the cost of rent, convenience, and, last but not least, your personal preferences. Choosing the right neighborhood can be just as challenging.
Tokyo generally ranks as one of the most expensive cities to live in the world, but you might be surprised to see how affordable rent actually is here. Compared to the U.S., rent in Tokyo is cheaper than in most cities (not just the biggest cities).
So, let’s outline some key considerations and check out some of the best neighborhoods to live in Tokyo!
Looking to live in Japan and want to learn Japanese for daily life? Join fun, flexible part-time lessons at Coto Academy and learn practical Japanese to get started! Contact us today!
Things to Consider When Choosing Where to Live in Tokyo
1. Cost of apartments in Tokyo wards
Tokyo’s 23 wards vary widely in apartment rent prices depending on location, accessibility, and neighborhood atmosphere. Central wards like Chiyoda, Minato, and Shibuya tend to have higher rents due to their proximity to business districts, entertainment, and shopping areas. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in Minato might cost between ¥150,000 to ¥250,000 per month or more.
On the other hand, wards further from the city center, such as Edogawa, Adachi, or Nerima, typically offer more affordable rents.
2. Safety & Cleanliness Of Neighborhoods In Tokyo
Safety is a very reasonable concern and is likely one of your top priorities. Even though Japan is generally safe and clean, there are still neighborhoods that might fall short of Japan’s high standards. Areas such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Roppongi, while convenient, might not be the cleanest or the safest due to the closer proximity to larger crowds, bars, and late-night entertainment. Areas around major stations tend to have more crime (mostly petty, less serious offenses).
Tokyo is mostly safe, but some areas are safer than others. Quieter neighborhoods are often just one more transfer away from the major stations. They are only slightly less convenient but still very accessible to the entertainment hubs of Tokyo.
3. Things To Do in Tokyo
When it comes to things to do, certain areas will tailor to certain preferences. If you like being close to places to shop, you’ll need to find an area closer to shopping centers or malls. Shopping centers or malls are actually pretty common throughout, so you don’t need to go to the city center for shopping.
However, you might have particular tastes and niches that particular areas cater to, such as the youth fashion of Harajuku, the bohemian charm of Shimokitazawa for thrifting, or the Otaku culture of Ikebukuro. Apartment options in these types of districts will have higher rent, but there are plenty of neighborhoods with direct access that are much more affordable.
The average monthly rent in Tokyo is around ¥80,000 to ¥150,000 for a one-room apartment. However, prices can rise significantly depending on the ward you live in. Keep in mind that moving into an apartment often comes with several initial fees, which can total two to three times the monthly rent!
For an interactive visualization with the option to toggle between different apartment room categories (1R, 1K/1DK, 1LDK/2K/2DK, etc.), check out: Average Rent Price (JPY) By Tokyo wards.
Initial Fees
While rent is lower in Tokyo, initial fees are usually the biggest burden when finding the perfect apartment in Japan. For an apartment whose rent is ¥70,000, this could be a typical breakdown:
Item
Cost
Security deposit or shikikin (敷金)
1 – 2 months’ rent: ¥70,000 – ¥140,000
Key money or reikin (礼金)
1 – 2 months’ rent: ¥70,000 – ¥140,000
Brokerage fee 仲介手数料 chuukai tesuryo
At most 1 month’s rent: ¥70,000
Advance fee
At most 1 month’s rent: ¥70,000 (depending on what time of the month you move in)
Guarantor fee or hoshounin hiyou (保証人費用)
Around 50% to 120% of rent: ¥35,000 – ¥84,000
Fire insurance or kasai hoken (火災保険)
Around ¥15,000
Key exchange fee or kagikokan hiyou (カギ交換費用)
¥10,000 – ¥20,000
Cleaning fee or hausu kuriiningu hi (ハウスクリーニング費)
¥10,000 – ¥40,000
Total initial cost
¥340,000 – ¥539,000
This is what a typical initial cost breakdown could look like. However, some of the fees may not apply to your apartment. There could also be other fees, such as the anshin hoken (安心保健) or safety insurance. Depending on the room, building features, and the contracting company, the initial fees could be a lot less. Also, keep in mind that the brokerage fee or chukai tesuuryouu (仲介手数料) is the amount you pay to the agency that helped you find the apartment. Most of the time, you would need an agent to help you find available apartments, but foreign-friendly ones tend to charge a higher rate.
Rent will vary by location, room size, quality, and age of the apartment. Of course, due to the higher demand, rent tends to be higher the closer you are to a train station, especially major ones. However, the cost of rent is largely determined by areas that are in demand. Neighborhoods closer to central Tokyo would be pricier, whereas outer areas such as Nerima, Katsushika, and Adachi are cheaper.
Apartment room sizes are categorized from 1R to 4LDK (anything more than 4LDK is pretty uncommon), with the number representing the number of rooms and the letters representing the following:
R: Studio apartment (1R is the only available option)
K: Rooms with a separate kitchen (i.e. 1K)
D: Rooms with a separate dining and kitchen (i.e. 1DK)
L: Rooms with separate living, dining, and kitchen (i.e. 1LDK)
The more rooms and features you have, such as living, dining rooms, and kitchens, the more expensive the apartment. Also, amenities such as air conditioning, balcony, parking, and lofts could also increase the cost of rent.
Best Neighborhoods in Tokyo
Of course, there’s no single “best” neighborhood that fits all criteria. That said, we’ve compiled some of the top areas in Tokyo favored by foreign residents, based on factors like affordability, popularity, and overall livability.
Most Affordable Neighborhoods In Tokyo
These neighborhoods may be a bit further from the central lines, such as the JR Yamanote, but you might be surprised by what other lines go through central Tokyo. Here are some neighborhoods where you could find the most affordable accommodations in Tokyo.
1. Itabashi
Itabashi is a suburban area that is pretty close to Ikebukuro, which is its main access point to the rest of Tokyo. The average rent in Itabashi for 1K/1DK apartments is around ¥76,000, which is definitely on the lower scale. Even though it’s a very residential neighborhood, the area has decent access to transportation and local shops.
2. Adachi
Boasting some of the lowest average rent prices in Tokyo at around ¥72,000 for 1K/1DK apartments, the area is very popular for budget-friendly accommodations. Specific neighborhoods such as Kita-senju are becoming a trendy spot to live in for their affordability, parks, and boutique shops.
Recently, transportation has been developing, allowing the neighborhoods to be more accessible. Kita-senju is relatively well connected to Tokyo and Ueno Station.
Edogawa is also one of the cheapest areas to live in Tokyo, with rent at around ¥71,000 on average for 1K/1DK apartments. The ward borders eastern Tokyo and Chiba, being relatively accessible to Tokyo Station. Edogawa is known for being close to Tokyo Disneyland and multicultural neighborhoods like Nishi-Kasai.
Most Convenient & Entertaining Neighborhoods In Tokyo
These neighborhoods are perfect for those looking for excitement and easy access to everything. They also tend to be more English-friendly, but that usually comes with slightly higher rent.
4. Asakusa (Taito Ward)
Known for its mix of historical Japanese culture and its modern allure, Asakusa is a very convenient neighborhood due to its connections and closer proximity to major Tokyo hubs. Chalk full of well-preserved Edo-style shops, riverside views, and delightful eateries, you won’t be bored in Asakusa either. Additionally, the price of apartments tends to be significantly less than neighborhoods in Central Tokyo, such as Shibuya, Meguro, or Minato.
The one drawback, however, is the rather high number of tourists, which can make the area busier and noisier. stu
5. Daikanyama & Yoyogi (Shibuya Ward)
Daikanyama offers chic boutiques, upscale dining, and shopping right at your doorstep. To top it off, it’s around a 10-minute walking distance from Shibuya Station. You can expect apartments here to reflect Daikanyama’s stylish identity with modern designs and generally higher rental prices. The area is perfect for accessing all your entertainment needs while being quieter than central Shibuya.
Yoyogi, on the other hand, is known for its access to nature, such as Yoyogi Park, international schools, and its collection of quaint residential areas. Rent here is also higher, but not the highest, and is very well connected to Central Tokyo.
6. Nakameguro (Meguro Ward)
Nakameguro is an iconic neighborhood known for its charming atmosphere filled with boutique cafes and chic shops. Nakameguro is also a wonderful residential area that can actually be quite peaceful if away from the more crowded areas.
The apartments tend to be on the higher side for rent and smaller side for size. Of course, the apartments closest to the iconic Meguro River will have higher rents. Meguro River is especially popular during spring, when the cherry blossoms lining the riversides burst into full bloom.
Overall, the blend of modern and traditional Japanese experiences, as well as English services in essentials like healthcare, makes this eclectic neighborhood a very ideal location for foreigners.
7. Jiyugaoka (Meguro Ward)
Populated with pastry shops, cafes, and boutiques, Jiyugaoka offers a calm yet trendy ambience. The neighborhood is quiet, safe, and clean, making it great for families while having direct train lines to Shibuya, Yokohama, and Central Tokyo.
Apartments tend to be more upscale in rent, but the convenience and access to fashion boutiques, artisan bakeries, and picture-esque streets are arguably well worth the price.
8. Neighborhoods in Shinjuku Ward
Shinjuku is an eclectic collection of just about everything you can imagine: businesses, entertainment, and even nice residential areas. A lot of English-speaking services in healthcare, legal matters, and entertainment tend to congregate around Shinjuku.
Visiting the popular areas like Kabukicho doesn’t exactly display the most residential image, neighborhoods such as Takadanobaba, Nishi-Ochiai, Okubo, and Yotsuya are much calmer, greener, and family-friendly. Overall, Shinjuku is the most connected station in Tokyo with access to lines going everywhere you need to go. Keep in mind, some residential areas may be further away from Shinjuku Station.
Some Tokyo neighborhoods stand out for their unique mix of comfort, accessibility, charm, and community. Below are some of the best places to stay in the city.
9. Ota
Ota sits between Tokyo and Haneda Airport, as well as Kawasaki and Yokohama further south. Ota is strategically placed for accessing a variety of areas while maintaining a balanced cost. Neighborhoods in this area are great for families, especially if you plan to travel overseas often or have family who visit frequently.
There is plenty of entertainment around, especially if you live near Kamata. Most of Ota has nice boutiques, pockets of bars, while offering a quaint atmosphere ideal for families and younger adults alike. Ota walks the fine line between affordability and convenience.
11. Koto
Neighborhoods in Koto enjoy easy access to central Tokyo while being home to plenty of their own attractions. Odaiba is famous for being a high-tech entertainment hub with tons of entertainment, recreational activities (Fuji TV Building), and shopping centers (Diver City Tokyo). The best part is that this area is very well connected to most of Central Tokyo, but still relatively affordable.
Convenience of Living in Tokyo
In terms of convenience, most areas in Tokyo will have access to basic needs, such as supermarkets, hospitals, clinics, convenience stores, and public facilities like parks or police stations. But what makes certain neighborhoods more convenient is their accessibility to major lines and their distance from business centers in Central Tokyo.
1. Access to major lines
The most convenient neighborhoods would be located directly on major lines such as JR Yamanote, JR Saikyo, Metro Yurakucho, and Metro Marunouchi. Neighborhoods with direct access to major lines tend to be in busier areas and are more expensive.
2. Distance from major business and entertainment districts
If you want to find a job in Japan, Tokyo is its economic hub. Many offices are located in Central Tokyo in districts such as Ginza, Shinjuku, Minato, and Shibuya, so living near these areas is in high demand. Living in neighborhoods in the central district will command a higher rent and will likely have smaller rooms. But these areas would be the most convenient for work commutes or access to vast amounts of services, especially English-speaking, you wouldn’t find in further districts.
Best Tokyo Neighborhoods: Trade-Offs? Or Can I Have It All?
You may get lucky and find the perfect apartment in Tokyo that is in an affordable neighborhood, convenient, and full of entertainment. But realistically, you may have to face some trade-offs. So, we have separated the best neighborhoods based on the following criteria: Affordability, convenience, entertainment, and then best overall.
Final Thoughts
Finding your perfect home in Japan has many considerations, and the neighborhood is no exception. Your stomping ground is, in a way, an extension of your home. It’s important that you have what you need nearby, are comfortable, and feel safe in your neighborhood. Different neighborhoods in Tokyo will have their different charms and may bring new discoveries even after years of living in them.
Learn Practical Japanese for Daily Life at Coto Academy
Whatever you do, consider what is most important for you, and you will find your home in Japan! Living in Japan becomes much easier if you can speak Japanese! So check out our intensive Japanese lessons or part-time courses and start learning today!
Cheaper areas tend to be further from central Tokyo. Some budget-friendly neighborhoods include Adachi, Itabashi, Kita, Ota, and Tachikawa.
Which neighborhoods do most expats live in?
Expats often live in convenient, international areas with good English services, such as Minato, Meguro, Shibuya, and Setagaya.
What neighborhoods are the nicest to live in Tokyo?
The nicest neighborhoods to live in Tokyo are places like Kichijoji, Daikanyama, and Nakameguro, known for their charm, livability, and atmosphere.
What are the most expensive areas in Tokyo?
The most expensive areas in Tokyo include Aoyama, Hiroo, and Azabu-Juban, favored for their luxury housing and prestige. Most international residents in those areas are diplomats and expats.
The global economy may seem uncertain at times, so perhaps you’re thinking of working in Japan instead and starting a career abroad. But how is Japan’s economy? Does it make sense for a foreigner to move to Japan for work? Would you need Japanese language skills?
Right now, the Japanese government offers several visa types that allow foreigners to seek employment, ranging from the highly coveted artist visa to the temporary working holiday visa. However, entering Japan’s job market as a foreigner is still often easier said than done. Between cultural differences, language barriers, and visa requirements, the path to employment can feel overwhelming. So, what does it really take to build a successful career in Japan? Here’s everything you need to know before you get started — or land in Japan.
Japan’s Economy: Should Foreigners Work in Japan?
With so many new policy changes and a surge in inbound tourism in Japan, Japan seems to be the next best place for people to work. But uncertainty might be the new buzzword in these trying times, and Japan is no exception.
For example, you might be familiar with Japan’s aging crisis, leading to labor shortages, along with a weak yen and lackluster economic growth. But let’s see how true some of these claims are and how they might affect you.
Check out our latest video on Japanese business communication to get insights into workplace dynamics in Japan.
Japan’s Economy is Growing
According to Deloitte and the OECD, Japan is experiencing positive economic growth, though there are some challenges ahead.
Is Inflation in Japan a Bad Thing?
After years of deflation — meaning wages were not increasing, consumers were not spending, and businesses struggled (hired, paid, and invested less) — Japan’s economy is finally experiencing inflation.
Although inflation is usually portrayed as a bad thing, in Japan’s context, it might be necessary to stimulate growth since an increase in wages and prices jump-starts economic activity. Households with higher incomes are willing to spend more, leading businesses to make higher profits. In return, they invest more.
Basically, businesses, governments, and households are spending and investing more, all signs of a healthier, growing economy.
So why does this matter to you? This should mean more companies are willing to hire and pay you more. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
Well, not so fast. Too much inflation might be a problem, especially when it’s driven by only one or two sectors. In Japan’s case, food and energy prices are driving inflation and are rising more than wages can keep up with.
However, food and energy prices should be easing even more this year. Additionally, the yen is finally showing signs of getting stronger.
How Does Low Yen And Wages Affect Me?
A lot of people are taking advantage of the weakening yen to travel to Japan. If you’re coming from the U.S. and most of Europe, the weaker yen means you will get more value when you convert your savings from U.S. dollars or Euros. However, you might be thinking that making a Japanese wage will not be enough, given that wages are on average lower and the yen is worth relatively less.
While the yen is noticeably stronger than the last fiscal year, there is no getting around the fact that it is weaker. But if you are gonna work and live here, you will enjoy a much lower cost of living.
The average rent in Japan, the cost of eating out, health insurance costs, and overall living expenses in the U.S. are much higher compared to Japan. Overall, the daily cost of living in Japan is much lower, and you can afford a comfortable way of life without needing to spend as much.
You’ve probably heard about Japan’s aging population. Over the years, this demographic shift has led companies to hire more foreign employees. Key industries are experiencing significant labor shortages, and businesses are increasingly looking overseas to fill the gap. You can see this by looking at the growing bilingual recruitment agencies in Japan.
Because of this, Japan released new work visas, allowing a broader scope of workers to live in Japan. What are these key working visas?
1. Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
In 2014, the Japanese government stipulated a comprehensive working visa called Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa (技術・人文知識・国際業務), also called “Gijinkoku”. It allows work encompassing most white-collar jobs and is one of the most common foreign worker visas.
If you’re planning to work in Japan as a developer or get hired from overseas, you’ll most likely use this type of visa.
2. Specialized Skilled Worker Visa
In 2019, Japan released the Specialized Skilled Worker Visa that will allow any worker with certain skills to work in fields such as manufacturing, automotive, nursing, shipbuilding, accommodation, and more. It’s a wide, encompassing visa that allows workers with certain occupational skills to work in Japan immediately.
It also allows an easy route from the technical intern training visa to obtain a work visa after the internship is complete.
These visas were created to legally allow a wide range of foreign workers to be employed in Japan and make it easier for companies to hire these workers. Workers from Vietnam, China, and other Asian countries form the majority of skilled laborers across Japan’s key sectors.
The average salary in Japan will depend on your experience, career, location, and relative position in the company. In Tokyo, the average starting salary is around ¥3 million annually ($20,700~) while the average salary for mid-level employees could be around ¥4.5 million ($31,000). Senior-level roles could reach around ¥6-7 million ($41,000 – $48,000).
What Forms Of Employment Are Available in Japan?
English teaching is often seen as an easy way in, usually just needing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree and little to no Japanese. But these days, there are other job opportunities popping up too.
Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of a global perspective, which is why they are eager to hire foreigners across a variety of sectors, including customer service, sales, marketing, creative fields, and travel. There’s also a growing demand for foreign talent in IT and engineering, with job sites specifically focusing on tech roles in Japan.
The good news is that there are opportunities to work in Japan, but it largely depends on your skills and Japanese abilities. Before that, you might want to get familiar with how to job hunt in Japan and write a Japanese resume.
Do You Need Japanese to Work in Japan?
Whether or not you need Japanese — and to what extent — depends on your skills, background, and career path. In general, you might get more career opportunities in Japan by having JLPT certifications.
Working in Japan Without Much Japanese
In the past, many companies required foreigners to have JLPT N1 to be hired, but now, more companies are lowering their Japanese language requirements to JLPT N2 or JLPT N3.
This is true especially for professionals with skills in tech, such as developers. For example, Rakuten’s main operating language is English due to the number of foreign IT specialists.
Here are some common jobs in Japan that may not need much Japanese:
1. English teacher or ALT
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa or Instructor visa
English teaching can consist of assistant instructors, private tutors, head teachers, and more. You can be hired by either Japanese public schools or private organizations.
Required: Native or fluent English, Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree
Sometimes required: English teaching certificate, background in education
2. Recruiter
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
There’s a high demand for recruiters who can find talent fluent in both English and Japanese. As a result, many recruitment companies prioritize English proficiency over Japanese skills.
Required: Fluent English, Bachelor’s degree, communication and presentation skills
Sometimes required: Some Japanese, experience in sales, or knowledge of certain industries
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
IT specialists and data scientists can work in virtually any industry since companies always need software, web development, or someone who can run statistical analyses. More often than not, Japanese is not necessary. In recent years, too, many companies are willing to hire applicants from overseas locations.
Required: Relevant programming skills such as Python, SQL, C++, etc. Technical skills such as math, statistics, and computer science
Sometimes required: Some Japanese for internal communication
4. Marketing
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
Many marketing agencies and Japanese companies targeting foreigners living in Japan or trying to sell overseas need talent with foreign language abilities. Some marketing jobs in Japan do require a high level of Japanese proficiency, but this depends on the position and company you are applying for.
Required: Relevant marketing experience
Sometimes required: Degree in related field
5. Travel industry (Inbound)
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
Inbound tourism is a booming industry in Japan. Travel companies need someone who can speak English or the language of their target audience to help plan itineraries and take guests on guided tours.
Required: Fluency in English or target language, communication and planning skills
Sometimes required: Some Japanese skills
6. Creative Roles
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
Creative roles such as web designers, illustrators, graphic designers, animators (2D, 3D), videographers, and more are in high demand across Japanese companies.
Beyond art and entertainment, organizations of a variety of industries need creatives for advertising, making content, establishing brand assets, and much more.
Required: Usually a degree in a creative field, a creative portfolio (showing all your past projects), proficiency in creative tools (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite)
Sometimes Required: Exposure to creative projects, some Japanese, depending on the role
Roles in Japan That Require High Japanese Skills
If you can speak Japanese, your job opportunities in Japan expand significantly. Even in roles where high-level proficiency isn’t required, knowing Japanese is highly valued. It will not only make your work life smoother but also help you stand out as a candidate when you are interviewing with your prospective employers.
Here are some popular roles for foreigners who can speak Japanese:
1. Consultant
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
Many international and domestic companies hiring for client-facing positions will require a high level of Japanese proficiency since the role largely involves solving complex problems, writing emails in Japanese, and drafting documents.
Required: Fluent to native-level Japanese or client-facing experience
Sometimes required: Business analysis skills, industry experience
2. Finance and banking
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
Oftentimes, banks and finance companies need bilinguals to communicate to clients and stakeholders in Japan and overseas. Roles in the companies can vary, but generally are involved in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), financial planning and analysis, investment banking, asset management, brokerage, accounting, and more
Required: Fluent to native-level Japanese, educational background in finance or banking, customer services (depending on role)
Sometimes required: Credentials or training in finance/accounting, training program experience, internship experience
3. Travel Industry (Outbound)
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
For those in the outbound tourism industry or working with travel companies catering to Japanese audiences, Japanese proficiency is essential. The travel and tourism sector offers a range of roles, from marketing and creative positions to travel consulting and planning.
Required: Business Japanese, customer service skills (if a travel consultant)
Sometimes required: Travel industry experience, local knowledge of regional locations, knowledge of different airline policies, or travel insurance.
4. Translation
Visa type: Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa
Translating or interpreting is a high-demand position if you are bilingual in Japanese and English or another language. These roles can be used in just about every industry, from interpreting for interviews to localizing Japanese materials to global markets and vice versa.
Required: Fluency in Japanese and English or the target language. Background or specialized skills in linguistics and interpreting.
Sometimes required: Degree in a language subject or language interpretation
Is Working in Japan Right for You?
We have established that Japan is hiring! Can you find the right types of roles for you? Is work culture different here?
No matter which career path you choose, adapting to Japanese business culture is part of the charm. Even if your role doesn’t involve interacting with Japanese clients directly, you’ll still communicate with Japanese colleagues regularly.
Roles like English teaching may be one of the most common positions without any need for Japanese. Just like any teaching role in your home country, teaching in Japan requires skills in classroom management, education, child behavior, and a plethora of teaching methods. If you are passionate about educating, English teaching would fit perfectly.
Foreigners can also pivot into sales-oriented roles in Japan, which can be popular due to their flexibility in Japanese language requirements. These roles can come with higher stress and pressure to meet performance indicators. If you thrive in fast-paced, high-stress environments, then you are likely a fit for these types of roles.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Japan
Advantages of working in Japan could include:
Lower cost of living so high salaries are not required for a comfortable way of life
Relatively more on the job training so entry-level jobs don’t always require degrees in the exact same field as the role
Lots of Japanese national holidays
Relatively stable career, Japanese companies will hire for the long-term and labor law makes it difficult to fire
Disadvantages of working in Japan could include:
Lower salaries relative to other countries
Work-life balance is not always prioritized: overtime is common, less paid-time off (usually 10 days), and employees face difficulty getting their requested time-off approved
Corporate structure can be rigid and hierarchical leaving little room for flexibility or new ideas.
How to Adapt to the Japanese Work Culture
Even if you land the perfect job for you in Japan, navigating the work culture and unique business customs can prove to be a challenge. Japanese companies tend to be more risk-averse, hire and train on-site, and be strict about using keigo.
The good news is that in recent years, Japanese companies have become more aware of cultural differences. Teams are becoming more international and adapting to accommodate people of all backgrounds. The variety of perspectives is bringing change from within companies, creating more flexible management styles, remote work policies, and better benefits!
Conclusion
Japan is hiring more foreigners than ever before, and despite some economic uncertainties, now is as good a time as any to apply. Don’t be afraid to explore new waters and reach your goals of living in Japan.
Boost Your Chances of Getting a Job in Japan by Learning Japanese!
Whether you’re already working in Japan and want to communicate better with your team, or you’re just starting your job hunt, learning Japanese can open more doors for your career.
Coto Academy offers tailored business Japanese lessons in Tokyo, designed to help you speak confidently at work. With intermediate to advanced lessons available on weekends and evenings, our flexible schedule is perfect for working professionals looking to fit language study into their routine.
In Tokyo, the average starting salary is around ¥3 million annually ($20,700~) while the average salary for mid-level employees could be around ¥4.5 million ($31,000). Senior-level roles could reach around ¥6-7 million ($41,000 – $48,000).
Can foreigners work in Japan?
Yes, foreigners can work in Japan with the appropriate visa and qualifications in various sectors.
What work is in demand in Japan?
There is a high demand for professionals in IT, engineering, healthcare, teaching English, and hospitality.
Can I get a job in Japan if I only speak English?
Yes, many international companies, teaching positions, and tech roles in Japan hire English speakers.
Can you make a high salary in Japan?
It is possible to make a high salary in Japan, especially if you work for a larger global company. They may be more likely to pay wages that meet standards outside of Japan. However, be aware that you will be required to pay Japanese income taxes, which can be as high as 45% in the highest income bracket.
How to apply for a job in Japan?
To apply for a job in Japan, you typically need a valid work visa, which you can obtain through an employer offering a position; you can apply through job boards, recruitment agencies, or directly with companies that sponsor foreign workers.
Can I work in Japan without a degree?
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Studying for the JLPT N4 usually means two things: scribbling down flashcards for new kanji and flipping through loads of vocabulary. That is because to pass the N4, you’ll need to put in around 550 to 1,000 study hours and learn about 1,500 vocabulary words, including everything from the N5 level.
But what exactly is the JLPT N4 vocabulary you need to master?
This list features the most common and essential words, thoughtfully organized by topic to help you learn words in context. Each entry includes the word in kanji, its reading in kana, and its English meaning. Let’s dive in!
Before you go: Interested in studying for the JLPT? Take JLPT lessons at Coto Academy, specifically designed to teach the elements required for the test so you can pass with flying colors! Contact us today!
Vocabulary for Noun (名詞)
Did you know that nouns, called meishi (名詞) in Japanese, make up the largest portion of the N4 vocabulary?
These words form the backbone of everyday conversations, covering topics like people, places, objects, time, and abstract ideas. For easy reference and learning, the list is organized alphabetically.
Kanji
Kana
English translation
間
あいだ
a space
あかちゃん
infant
赤ん坊
あかんぼう
baby
アクセサリー
accessory
味
あじ
flavour
アジア
Asia
明日
あす
tomorrow
遊び
あそび
play
アナウンサー
announcer
アフリカ
Africa
アメリカ
America
アルコール
alcohol
アルバイト
part-time job
安心
あんしん
relief
安全
あんぜん
safety
以下
いか
less than
以外
いがい
with the exception of
医学
いがく
medical science
意見
いけん
opinion
石
いし
stone
以上
いじょう
more than, this is all
一生懸命
いっしょうけんめい
with utmost effort
いっぱい
full
糸
いと
thread
以内
いない
within
田舎
いなか
countryside
受付
うけつけ
receipt
うそ
a lie
うち
within
腕
うで
arm
裏
うら
reverse side
売り場
うりば
place where things are sold
運転手
うんてんしゅ
driver
エスカレーター
escalator
枝
えだ
branch, twig
オートバイ
motorcycle
お祝い
おいわい
congratulation
億
おく
one hundred million
屋上
おくじょう
rooftop
贈り物
おくりもの
gift
押し入れ
おしいれ
closet
お嬢さん
おじょうさん
young lady
夫
おっと
husband
おつり
change from purchase, balance
音
おと
sound, note
踊り
おどり
a dance
お祭り
おまつり
festival
お見舞い
おみまい
calling on someone who is ill, enquiry
お土産
おみやげ
souvenir
おもちゃ
toy
表
おもて
the front
親
おや
parents
泳ぎ方
およぎかた
way of swimming
お礼
おれい
expression of gratitude
終わり
おわり
the end
カーテン
curtain
海岸
かいがん
coast
会議
かいぎ
meeting
会議室
かいぎしつ
meeting room
会場
かいじょう
assembly hall or meeting place
会話
かいわ
conversation
帰り
かえり
return
科学
かがく
science
鏡
かがみ
mirror
火事
かじ
fire
ガス
petrol
ガソリン
petrol
ガソリンスタンド
petrol station
形
かたち
shape
課長
かちょう
section manager
かっこう
appearance
家内
かない
housewife
お・金持ち
かねもち/おかねもち
rich man
壁
かべ
wall
髪
かみ
hair
ガラス
a glass pane
代わり
かわり
substitute, alternate
関係
かんけい
relationship
看護婦
かんごふ
female nurse
気
き
spirit, mood
機会
きかい
opportunity
危険
きけん
danger
汽車
きしゃ
steam train
技術
ぎじゅつ
art, technology, skill
季節
きせつ
season
規則
きそく
regulations
絹
きぬ
silk
気分
きぶん
mood
気持ち
きもち
feeling, mood
着物
きもの
kimono
客
きゃく
guest, customer
急行
きゅうこう
speedy, express
教育
きょういく
education
教会
きょうかい
church
競争
きょうそう
competition
興味
きょうみ
an interest
近所
きんじょ
neighbourhood
具合
ぐあい
condition, health
空気
くうき
air, atmosphere
空港
くうこう
airport
草
くさ
grass
首
くび
neck
雲
くも
cloud
毛
け
hair or fur
ケーキ
cake
経済
けいざい
finance, economy
警察
けいさつ
police
景色
けしき
scene, landscape
消しゴム
けしゴム
eraser
下宿
げしゅく
lodging
決して
けっして
never
原因
げんいん
cause, source
研究
けんきゅう
research
研究室
けんきゅうしつ
study room, laboratory
見物
けんぶつ
sightseeing
子
こ
child
こう
this way
郊外
こうがい
outskirts
講義
こうぎ
lecture
工業
こうぎょう
the manufacturing industry
高校
こうこう
high school
高校生
こうこうせい
high school student
工場
こうじょう
factory
校長
こうちょう
headmaster
交通
こうつう
traffic, transportation
講堂
こうどう
auditorium
高等学校
こうとうがっこう
high school
公務員
こうむいん
government worker
国際
こくさい
international
心
こころ
core, heart
御主人
ごしゅじん
(honorable) your husband
ご存じ
ごぞんじ
knowing, acquaintance
答
こたえ
response
ごちそう
a feast
こと
thing, matter
小鳥
ことり
small bird
ごみ
rubbish
米
こめ
uncooked rice
コンサート
concert
今度
こんど
now, next time
コンピュータ/コンピューター
computer
最近
さいきん
latest, nowadays
最後
さいご
last, end
最初
さいしょ
beginning, first
坂
さか
slope, hill
盛ん
さかん
popularity, prosperous
さ来月
さらいげつ
the month after next
さ来週
さらいしゅう
the week after next
サラダ
salad
産業
さんぎょう
industry
サンダル
sandal
サンドイッチ
sandwich
残念
ざんねん
disappointment
市
し
city
字
じ
character
試合
しあい
match, game
仕方
しかた
method
試験
しけん
examination
事故
じこ
accident
地震
じしん
earthquake
時代
じだい
era
下着
したぎ
underwear
失敗
しっぱい
failure, mistake
辞典
じてん
dictionary
品物
しなもの
goods
島
しま
island
市民
しみん
citizen
事務所
じむしょ
office
社会
しゃかい
society, public
社長
しゃちょう
company president
じゃま
hindrance, intrusion
ジャム
jam
自由
じゆう
freedom
習慣
しゅうかん
custom, manners
住所
じゅうしょ
an address, a residence
柔道
じゅうどう
judo
趣味
しゅみ
hobby
紹介
しょうかい
introduction
小学校
しょうがっこう
elementary school
小説
しょうせつ
novel
将来
しょうらい
future, prospects
食料品
しょくりょうひん
groceries
女性
じょせい
woman
人口
じんこう
population
神社
じんじゃ
Shinto shrine
新聞社
しんぶんしゃ
newspaper company
スーツ
suit
スーツケース
suitcase
水泳
すいえい
swimming
水道
すいどう
water supply
数学
すうがく
mathematics, arithmetic
スクリーン
screen
ステーキ
steak
ステレオ
stereo
砂
すな
sand
隅
すみ
corner, nook
すり
pickpocket
政治
せいじ
politics, government
西洋
せいよう
western countries
世界
せかい
the world
席
せき
seat
説明
せつめい
explanation
背中
せなか
back of the body
線
せん
line
戦争
せんそう
war
先輩
せんぱい
senior
卒業
そつぎょう
graduation
祖父
そふ
grandfather
ソフト
soft, software
祖母
そぼ
grandmother
大学生
だいがくせい
university student
タイプ
type, style
台風
たいふう
typhoon
畳
たたみ
Japanese straw mat
例えば
たとえば
for example
棚
たな
shelves
楽しみ
たのしみ
joy
男性
だんせい
male
暖房
だんぼう
heating
血
ち
blood
力
ちから
strength, power
注意
ちゅうい
caution
中学校
ちゅうがっこう
junior high school, middle school
注射
ちゅうしゃ
injection
駐車場
ちゅうしゃじょう
parking lot
地理
ちり
geography
つき
moon
都合
つごう
circumstances, convenience
妻
つま
(humble) wife
つもり
intention
丁寧
ていねい
polite
テキスト
text, text book
適当
てきとう
suitability
テニス
tennis
手袋
てぶくろ
glove
寺
てら
temple
点
てん
point, dot
店員
てんいん
shop assistant
天気予報
てんきよほう
weather forecast
電灯
でんとう
electric light
電報
でんぽう
telegram
展覧会
てんらんかい
exhibition
都
と
metropolitan
道具
どうぐ
tool, means
動物園
どうぶつえん
zoo
とこや
barber
途中
とちゅう
on the way
特急
とっきゅう
limited express train (faster than an express train)
泥棒
どろぼう
thief
におい
a smell
二階建て
にかいだて
two storied
日記
にっき
journal
人形
にんぎょう
doll, figure
ねだん
price
熱
ねつ
fever
ねっしん
enthusiasm
寝坊
ねぼう
sleeping in late
のど
throat
乗り物
のりもの
vehicle
葉
は
leaf
パート
part time
場合
ばあい
situation
倍
ばい
double
歯医者
はいしゃ
dentist
場所
ばしょ
location
パソコン
personal computer
発音
はつおん
pronunciation
花見
はなみ
cherry-blossom viewing
林
はやし
woods, forester
番組
ばんぐみ
television or radio program
反対
はんたい
opposition
ハンドバッグ
handbag
火
ひ
fire
日
ひ
day, sun
ピアノ
piano
光
ひかり
light
引き出し
ひきだし
drawer, drawing out
ひげ
beard
飛行場
ひこうじょう
airport
久しぶり
ひさしぶり
after a long time
美術館
びじゅつかん
art gallery
ビル
building or bill
昼間
ひるま
daytime, during the day
昼休み
ひるやすみ
noon break
ファックス
fax
復習
ふくしゅう
revision
部長
ぶちょう
head of a section
ぶどう
grapes
布団
ふとん
Japanese bedding, futon
舟
ふね
ship
プレゼント
present
文化
ぶんか
culture
文学
ぶんがく
literature
文法
ぶんぽう
grammar
ベル
bell
貿易
ぼうえき
trade
法律
ほうりつ
law
星
ほし
star
ほど
extent
翻訳
ほんやく
translation
周り
まわり
surroundings
漫画
まんが
comic
真中
まんなか
middle
湖
みずうみ
lake
味噌
みそ
bean paste
皆
みな
everybody
港
みなと
harbour
昔
むかし
olden days, former
虫
むし
insect
息子
むすこ
(humble) son
娘
むすめ
(humble) daughter
木綿
もめん
cotton
森
もり
forest
約束
やくそく
promise
湯
ゆ
hot water
指
ゆび
finger
指輪
ゆびわ
finger ring
夢
ゆめ
dream
用
よう
use
用意
ようい
preparation
用事
ようじ
things to do
予習
よしゅう
preparation for a lesson
予定
よてい
arrangement
予約
よやく
reservation
理由
りゆう
reason
利用
りよう
utilization
両方
りょうほう
both sides
旅館
りょかん
Japanese hotel
留守
るす
absence
冷房
れいぼう
air conditioning
歴史
れきし
history
レジ
register
レポート/リポート
report
連絡
れんらく
contact
ワープロ
word processor
訳
わけ
meaning, reason
忘れ物
わすれもの
lost article
割合
わりあい
rate, ratio, percentage
Tip: The list above is the additional words you need to study.
In Japanese, some pronouns like kare (he) and kanojo (she) can also be used as nouns, depending on the context. For example, kanojo can mean “girlfriend, ” not just “she”! Keep an eye out for how they’re used in real sentences!
Ever heard of suffixes, called setsubigo in Japanese? These small but mighty elements are attached to the ends of words to add politeness, show relationships, or indicate roles and titles.
Japanese verbs, or doushi, are at the heart of every sentence. To make the most of this section, be sure to check out how to conjugate verbs in Japanese.
Finally, we’ve reached the last section! This list features a mix of common expressions and conjunctions that often pop up in conversations, vocabulary questions, or even casual reading passages.
Kana
English translation
あ
Ah
ああ
like that
あんな
such
うん
(informal) yes
けれど/けれども
however
このごろ
these days, nowadays
これから
after this
さっき
some time ago
それで
because of that
それに
moreover
そんな
that sort of
そんなに
so much, like that
だから
so, therefore
だめ
no good
はず
it should be so
または
or, otherwise
よろしい
(respectful) OK , all right
What’s Next After Learning JLPT N4 Vocabulary?
Of course, studying for the test doesn’t stop at just memorizing JLPT N4 vocabulary. You’ll also need to tackle new N4 grammar points, practice reading, and get comfortable with listening to conversations and announcements in Japanese.
While the JLPT N4 is still considered upper-beginner level, many learners take it to gauge their progress and build confidence before moving on to higher levels. Good luck!
Pass JLPT N4 with Coto Academy!
The thought of taking the JLPT is stressful, but what about preparing for it? With so many things to learn,it can be scary.
Want to take your JLPT preparation to the next level? Why not take in-person and online JLPT coursesat Coto Academy? You’ll be taught by our experienced Japanese instructors to help you ace your next exam! Contact us to discover the best course for you!
Our JLPT Exam Prep Courses are designed to help people ace their JLPT exams. We offer short and long-term courses that focus on different targets. The short-term courses focus on exam practices, while the long-term courses focus on building grammar and reading foundations.
Do I need to know all the N5 vocabulary for N4?
Yes! The JLPT N4 builds on the N5 level, so it’s important to have a strong foundation in both N5 and N4 vocabulary to do well on the exam.
How many vocabulary words are on the JLPT N4?
The JLPT N4 includes approximately 1,500 vocabulary words, including all essential N5-level words.
How many kanji do I needt to learn for JLPT N4?
Yes, you’re expected to recognize and understand about 300 basic kanji for the N4.
