If you’re preparing for the JLPT N3 or just stepping into intermediate-level Japanese, you’re entering an exciting stage. The JLPT N3 vocabulary list includes around 3,750 words, which contain a mix of practical terms you’ll encounter in everyday conversations, at school, in the workplace, and even in formal settings. 

While N3 is often considered one of the more challenging JLPT levels, with a passing rate of only around 40%, success is absolutely within reach. The key lies in building a solid vocabulary foundation, mastering the 650 kanji that may appear, and staying consistent with mock exams and listening practice.

To help you stay on track, we’ve created a complete JLPT N3 vocabulary list, thoughtfully organized by theme. 

Note: This list includes only new vocabulary introduced at the JLPT N3 level. It does not cover words already studied in JLPT N4 and N5. If you’re just starting out or need a refresher, be sure to check out our full JLPT N4 Vocabulary List and JLPT N5 Vocabulary List to build a strong foundation before moving on.

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JLPT N3 Nouns Vocabulary

Nouns, or meishi (名詞),  make up a large portion of the vocabulary you’ll learn at the JLPT N3 vocabulary. In this list, we’ve sorted them alphabetically for easier reference.

If you’re using flashcard tools like Anki, we recommend you tag the nouns based on specific categories. Some JLPT N3 vocabulary books and pocket guides also organize words this way, which can be especially helpful for building vocabulary in context!

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
グループgroup
ハイキングhiking
メモmemorandum
アルバムalbum
コードcode,cord,chord
ユーモアhumor
ボールball,bowl
ソファーsofa,couch
ピクニックpicnic
バンbun,van
おやparents
カーcar
チャンスchance,opportunity
ノックknock
アイロンiron
マーケットmarket
ケースcase
パスpass, path
タオルtowel
パーセントpercent
ミスmistake, Miss
ダイヤdiagram, diamond, schedule
クリスマスChristmas
あいlove
合図あいずsignal
相手あいてcompanion, opponent
明かりあかりlight, brightness
握手あくしゅhandshake
あせsweat
辺りあたりvicinity, nearby
辺りあたりnearby
集まりあつまりgathering
あとtrace, mark
あなhole
誤りあやまりerror
あらしstorm
現れあらわれembodiment
哀れあわれpity
あんplan
暗記あんきmemorization
暗記あんきmemorization, learning by heart
stomach
委員いいんcommittee member
意外いがいunexpected (used as noun/adj)
意外いがいunexpected, surprising
行きいきgoing
いきbreath
勢いいきおいforce, energy
生き物いきものliving thing, creature
幾ついくつhow many?
意思いしintention, purpose
医師いしdoctor
維持いじmaintenance
意識いしきconsciousness, senses
いずみspring
以前いぜんbefore, ago
いたboard
偉大いだいgreatness
痛みいたみpain, ache, grief
痛みいたみpain, ache, sore, grief, distress
位置いちplace, situation, position, location
位置いちposition, location
市場いちばmarket
一番いちばんbest, number one
一家いっかfamily, household
一瞬いっしゅんmoment, instant
一生いっしょうwhole life
一層いっそうmuch more
一致いっちagreement
移動いどうmovement, migration
いねrice plant
居眠りいねむりdozing
いのちcommand,decree,life,destiny
違反いはんviolation
違反いはんviolation (of law), transgression, infringement, breach
衣服いふくclothes
居間いまliving room
依頼いらいrequest
以来いらいsince
以来いらいsince, henceforth
医療いりょうmedical treatment
いわrock, crag
祝いいわいcelebration
印刷いんさつprinting
印象いんしょうimpression
印象いんしょうimpression
うおfish
うおfish
うさぎrabbit,hare,cony
うしろback, behind, after
うそlie
うちinside
うちinside
うまhorse
うめplum,plum-tree,lowest (of a three-tier ranking system)
うわさrumour, report, gossip
うわさrumour, report, gossip, common talk
うんfortune, luck
運転うんてんdriving
運動うんどうexercise
永遠えいえんeternity
永久えいきゅうeternity
影響えいきょうinfluence
営業えいぎょうbusiness
衛星えいせいsatellite
笑顔えがおsmiling face
えさfeed
えんcircle,money
延期えんきpostponement
演技えんぎperformance
援助えんじょassistance, aid, support
演説えんぜつspeech
演奏えんそうmusical performance
遠慮えんりょdiffidence,restraint,reserve
老いおいold age
おうking, ruler, sovereign, monarch
おうking
王様おうさまking
王子おうじprince
横断おうだんcrossing
横断おうだんcrossing
覆うおおうto cover, to hide, to conceal, to wrap, to disguise
大家おおやrich family, distinguished family
大家おおやrich family, landlord
おきopen sea
おくinterior
おくinterior, inner part
汚染おせんpollution, contamination
男の人おとこのひとman
お腹おなかstomach
おにdemon, ogre
おびband, belt
思い出おもいでmemory
泳ぎおよぎswimming
泳ぎおよぎswimming
おわりthe end
おわりthe end
おんfavor, obligation
温度おんどtemperature
passable
かいcounter for occurrences
かいcounter for occurrences
かいmeeting
会員かいいんmember, the membership
会員かいいんmember
絵画かいがpainting
海外かいがいoverseas
会計かいけいaccount, finance, accountant
会計かいけいaccounting
外交がいこうdiplomacy
外交がいこうdiplomacy
開始かいしstart
解釈かいしゃくinterpretation
外出がいしゅつouting
香りかおりfragrance, scent
画家がかpainter, artist
価格かかくprice
化学かがくchemistry
かかりperson in charge
かぎkey
家具かぐfurniture
確実かくじつcertainty,reliability,soundness
学者がくしゃscholar
学者がくしゃscholar
学習がくしゅうstudy, learning
拡大かくだいmagnification,enlargement
かげshade, shadow, other side
かげshade, shadow, other side
過去かこthe past
かごbasket
貸しかしloan, lending
菓子かしsweets
菓子かしpastry
歌手かしゅsinger
歌手かしゅsinger
かずnumber
かたshoulder
かたshoulder
かたなsword
かたなsword, saber, knife, engraving tool
価値かちvalue
勝ちかちwin, victory
勝ちかちvictory
活気かっきliveliness
学期がっきterm (school)
学期がっきsemester
格好かっこうappearance, shape
活動かつどうactivity
活用かつようconjugation, practical use
活用かつようusage, application
かねgold
かぶstock, share
我慢がまんpatience
かみ(1) first volume, (2) superior quality, (3) governmental
かみgod
かみsuperior, first part
かみgod
かみなりthunder
髪の毛かみのけhair
科目かもくschool subject
火曜かようTuesday
からsky
からsky
かわriver
かわriver
かんcan, tin
考えかんがえthought, idea
感覚かんかくsensation, feeling
観客かんきゃくaudience
歓迎かんげいwelcome
観光かんこうsightseeing
観光かんこうsightseeing
観察かんさつobservation
感じかんじfeeling, impression
勘定かんじょうcalculation, counting, consideration
勘定かんじょうcalculation, counting, consideration
関心かんしんconcern, interest
感心かんしんadmiration
完成かんせいcompletion
感動かんどうbeing deeply moved, excitement, impression, deep emotion
感動かんどうdeep emotion
監督かんとくsupervision
管理かんりmanagement
完了かんりょうcompletion, conclusion
完了かんりょうcompletion
関連かんれんrelation, connection
記憶きおくmemory
気温きおんtemperature
気温きおんtemperature
機械きかいmachine
議会ぎかいparliament
期間きかんperiod
機関きかんengine, mechanism
企業きぎょうenterprise
機嫌きげんmood
気候きこうclimate
きしshore
記事きじnews article, report
生地きじbirthplace
生地きじcloth, fabric
技師ぎしengineer
記者きしゃreporter
期待きたいexpectation, hope
帰宅きたくreturning home
議長ぎちょうchairman
記入きにゅうentry, filling in forms
記念きねんcommemoration
寄付きふdonation
義務ぎむduty,obligation
疑問ぎもんdoubt, question
ぎゃくreverse, opposite
きゅうnine
きゅうglobe,sphere,ball
休憩きゅうけいrest, break
吸収きゅうしゅうabsorption
救助きゅうじょrescue
給料きゅうりょうsalary, wages
教科書きょうかしょtextbook
競技きょうぎmatch
供給きょうきゅうsupply,provision
教師きょうしteacher
教師きょうしteacher (classroom)
教授きょうじゅprofessor
強調きょうちょうemphasis
恐怖きょうふdread, terror
協力きょうりょくcooperation
強力きょうりょくherculean strength, mountain carrier-guide
強力きょうりょくpowerful
許可きょかpermission
きりfog, mist
切れきれpiece, cloth
議論ぎろんdebate
きんgold
ぎんsilver
禁煙きんえんno smoking
金額きんがくamount of money
禁止きんしprohibition,ban
金銭きんせんmoney, cash
金属きんぞくmetal
金属きんぞくmetal
近代きんだいmodern times
緊張きんちょうtension
筋肉きんにくmuscle
金融きんゆうfinance
金曜きんようFriday
くさりchain
くせhabit
くだpipe, tube
くだpipe, tube
組合くみあいunion
くもりcloudiness, cloudy weather, shadow
くらいrank, about
くらいgrade, rank, about
暮らしくらしliving, livelihood
暮れくれyear end,sunset,nightfall,end
くんnative reading
ぐんarmy
軍隊ぐんたいarmy, troops
軍隊ぐんたいarmy
訓練くんれんtraining
under, below, beneath
below
けいplan
敬意けいいrespect
経営けいえいmanagement
計画けいかくplan
景気けいきcondition, state, business (condition)
景気けいきeconomy
経験けいけんexperience
傾向けいこうtendency, trend, inclination
傾向けいこうtendency
警告けいこくwarning
刑事けいじdetective
掲示けいじnotice
掲示けいじnotice, bulletin
芸術げいじゅつart
芸術げいじゅつ(fine) art, the arts
契約けいやくcontract
経由けいゆvia, route through
怪我けがinjury, hurt
化粧けしょうmakeup
結果けっかresult
欠陥けっかんdefect
決心けっしんdetermination
欠席けっせきabsence
決定けっていdecision
欠点けってんfault
欠点けってんfaults, defect, weakness
月曜げつようMonday
結論けつろんconclusion
けんeaves
けんprefecture
けんticket
見解けんかいopinion
現金げんきんcash
言語げんごlanguage
健康けんこうhealth
健康けんこうhealth, sound, wholesome
現在げんざいpresent, now
現実げんじつreality
現象げんしょうphenomenon
現状げんじょうpresent condition
現状げんじょうpresent condition, existing state, status quo
現代げんだいmodern times, nowadays
建築けんちくconstruction,architecture
見当けんとうestimate, guess
現場げんばscene
憲法けんぽうconstitution
権利けんりright,privilege
word, language
恋人こいびとlover, sweetheart
恋人こいびとlover
幸運こううんgood fortune
講演こうえんlecture
硬貨こうかcoin
効果こうかeffect
高価こうかhigh price
合格ごうかくsuccess (exam)
航空こうくうaviation
光景こうけいscene
攻撃こうげきattack
広告こうこくadvertisement
後者こうしゃthe latter
構成こうせいcomposition
強盗ごうとうrobbery
工場こうばfactory
幸福こうふくhappiness
公平こうへいfairness, justice
考慮こうりょconsideration
こおりice
誤解ごかいmisunderstanding
語学ごがくlanguage learning
呼吸こきゅうbreath,respiration
故郷こきょうhometown
国語こくごnational language
国語こくごnational language
黒板こくばんblackboard
黒板こくばんblackboard
克服こくふくconquest, overcoming
国民こくみんnational, people, citizen
国民こくみんnation, citizens
穀物こくもつgrain, cereal
こしhip
故障こしょうbreak-down, failure
個人こじんindividual, private person
国家こっかnation, country
国会こっかいNational Diet,parliament,congress
国境こっきょうborder
骨折こっせつbone fracture
ことthing, matter
ことわざproverb
こなpowder
小麦こむぎwheat
小麦こむぎwheat
小屋こやhut
今回こんかいthis time
今後こんごfrom now on,hereafter
困難こんなんdifficulty
今日こんにちtoday
婚約こんやくengagement
混乱こんらんconfusion
difference,variation
さいoccasion
財産ざいさんproperty, assets
最中さいちゅうin the middle of
才能さいのうtalent
裁判さいばんtrial
材料ざいりょうmaterials
盛りさかりserving, helping
作業さぎょうtask, work
さくlast (year/day)
作品さくひんwork, opus
作品さくひんwork, opus, performance, production
作物さくもつcrops, agricultural produce
座席ざせきseat
さつlabel, ticket
作家さっかwriter
作曲さっきょくcomposition
作曲さっきょくcomposition, setting (of music)
砂漠さばくdesert
左右さゆうleft and right, influence
さらplate
騒ぎさわぎuproar
参考さんこうreference
酸素さんそoxygen
酸素さんそoxygen
散歩さんぽwalk, stroll
four
family name, lineage
poem
幸せしあわせhappiness,good fortune,luck,blessing
時期じきseason
刺激しげきstimulus
資源しげんresources
支出ししゅつexpenditure
事情じじょうcircumstances
自然しぜんnature
自然しぜんnature, spontaneous
思想しそうthought, idea
したtongue
支度したくpreparation
しち・ななseven
失業しつぎょうunemployment
実験じっけんexperiment
実行じっこうexecution, practice
実際じっさいactual condition, status quo
実施じっしimplementation
指導しどうguidance
しなgoods, item
芝生しばふlawn
支払しはらいpayment
死亡しぼうdeath
資本しほんcapital
姉妹しまいsisters
事務じむoffice work
しもbelow
しもfrost
借金しゃっきんdebt
邪魔じゃまhindrance, obstacle
しゅうsandbank
じゅうgun
じゅうten
周囲しゅういsurroundings
収穫しゅうかくharvest
週間しゅうかんweek
宗教しゅうきょうreligion
重視じゅうしserious consideration
就職しゅうしょくemployment
就職しゅうしょくfinding employment, inauguration
修正しゅうせいcorrection
渋滞じゅうたいcongestion, delay
住宅じゅうたくresidence, housing
集団しゅうだんgroup, mass
集中しゅうちゅうconcentration,focusing the mind
収入しゅうにゅうincome
修理しゅうりrepair
主義しゅぎprinciple
宿泊しゅくはくlodging
手術しゅじゅつsurgery
首相しゅしょうPrime Minister
手段しゅだんmeans, way
主張しゅちょうclaim, assertion
出席しゅっせきattendance,presence
出発しゅっぱつdeparture
出版しゅっぱんpublication
首都しゅとcapital city
需要じゅようdemand
種類しゅるいkind
じゅんorder
瞬間しゅんかんmoment
順調じゅんちょうfavorable, going well
順番じゅんばんorder
使用しようuse
しょうchapter, medal
しょうprize, award
しょうprize, award
しょうsmall
じょうsuperior quality
障害しょうがいobstacle
奨学金しょうがくきんscholarship
上京じょうきょうproceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
上京じょうきょうproceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
条件じょうけんcondition, term
条件じょうけんconditions, terms
正午しょうごnoon
正午しょうごnoon, mid-day
少女しょうじょlittle girl
少々しょうしょうa little, small amount
症状しょうじょうsymptoms, condition
招待しょうたいinvitation
上達じょうたつimprovement, advance, progress
冗談じょうだんjoke
冗談じょうだんjest, joke
承知しょうちconsent, acceptance
承認しょうにんapproval
商人しょうにんmerchant
少年しょうねんboy
商売しょうばいtrade,business,commerce,transaction,occupation
消費しょうひconsumption
情報じょうほうinformation
女王じょおうqueen
しょくemployment
しょくjob
職業しょくぎょうoccupation, profession
植物しょくぶつplant
食物しょくもつfood, foodstuff
食欲しょくよくappetite (for food)
食欲しょくよくappetite (for food)
食糧しょくりょうprovisions,rations
書斎しょさいstudy room
女子じょしgirl
書物しょもつbooks
書類しょるいdocuments
知らせしらせnotice
しりbuttocks
しるしmark,symbol,evidence
進学しんがくadvancement to university
神経しんけいnerve, sensitivity
神経しんけいnerve
真剣しんけんseriousness
信仰しんこうreligious belief
信号しんごうtraffic lights, signal, semaphore
信号しんごうtraffic light
人工じんこうartificial
深刻しんこくserious
深刻しんこくserious
診察しんさつmedical examination
人生じんせいhuman life
親戚しんせきrelative
心臓しんぞうheart
心配しんぱいworry,concern,anxiety,care
審判しんぱんreferee, judgment
親友しんゆうclose friend
親友しんゆうclose friend, buddy
信用しんようtrust
信頼しんらいtrust
心理しんりmentality
人類じんるいmankind, humanity
diagram, figure
水準すいじゅんlevel
水準すいじゅん(1) water level, (2) level, standard
推薦すいせんrecommendation
睡眠すいみんsleep
すうnumber
数字すうじnumeral
姿すがたappearance, figure, shape
スキースキーskiing
すじmuscle, line
頭痛ずつうheadache
全てすべてeverything, all
すみcorner
せいgender, sex
所為せいcause, reason
せいheight
せいraw, draft
ぜいtax
世紀せいきcentury
世紀せいきcentury, era
成功せいこうsuccess
生産せいさんproduction, manufacture
生産せいさんproduction, manufacture
正式せいしきdue form, official, formality
正式せいしきofficial
精神せいしんmind, soul, heart
成績せいせきgrades, performance
製造せいぞうmanufacturing
贅沢ぜいたくluxury, extravagance
成長せいちょうgrowth
制度せいどsystem, institution
青年せいねんyouth, young man
製品せいひんmanufactured goods
政府せいふgovernment
生命せいめいlife
生命せいめいlife, existence
せきcough
責任せきにんresponsibility
石油せきゆoil, petroleum
世間せけんsociety
せつtheory
設備せつびfacility
絶滅ぜつめつextinction
世話せわlooking after, help, aid, assistance
世話せわhelp, assistance
ぜんgood, virtue
全員ぜんいんall members
専攻せんこうmajor, special study
全国ぜんこくnationwide
先日せんじつthe other day
前者ぜんしゃthe former
選手せんしゅplayer,team
前進ぜんしんprogress
全体ぜんたいwhole, entirety, whatever (is the matter)
全体ぜんたいwhole
騒音そうおんnoise
騒音そうおんnoise
増加ぞうかincrease
増加ぞうかincrease, addition
掃除そうじcleaning, sweeping
掃除そうじcleaning, sweeping
想像そうぞうimagination, guess
想像そうぞうimagination
装置そうちequipment
速度そくどspeed
そこbottom, sole
組織そしきorganization, tissue, structure
そでsleeve
そばside
そんloss, disadvantage
尊敬そんけいrespect
尊重そんちょうesteem
rice field
rice field
だいtitle, theme, topic
だいstand
体育たいいくphysical education
体温たいおんbody temperature
大会たいかいconvention, tournament
大会たいかいconvention, tournament, mass meeting, rally
大気たいきatmosphere
大気たいきatmosphere
代金だいきんprice
退屈たいくつboredom, tedium
滞在たいざいstay
大使たいしambassador
対象たいしょうtarget, subject
大臣だいじんcabinet minister
大戦たいせんgreat war
態度たいどattitude, manner
大半たいはんmajority,mostly,generally
代表だいひょうrepresentative
逮捕たいほarrest,apprehension
太陽たいようsun
大陸たいりくcontinent
互いたがいeach other, mutual
たからtreasure
たからtreasure
たくhome
たくhouse, home, husband
他人たにんanother person, unrelated person, outsider, stranger
他人たにんanother person
たねseed, cause
たばhandbreadth,bundle
たびtravel, trip
たびcounter for occurrences
たびcounter for occurrences
たまbullet, shot
たまball, sphere, coin
たまball
駄目だめno good
試しためしtrial, test
だんstep, rank, level
単位たんいunit, credit (in school)
単語たんごword, vocabulary
男子だんしboy
単純たんじゅんsimplicity
団体だんたいgroup
担当たんとうperson in charge
地下ちかbasement, underground
近頃ちかごろlately, recently, nowadays
地球ちきゅうthe earth
地球ちきゅうEarth
知事ちじprefectural governor
知識ちしきknowledge
父親ちちおやfather
知能ちのうintelligence, brains
知能ちのうintelligence, brains
地平線ちへいせんhorizon
地方ちほうregion
ちゃtea
ちゃtea
ちゅうinside,middle,among
中央ちゅうおうcentre, central, center, middle
中央ちゅうおうcenter
中学ちゅうがくmiddle school
中古ちゅうこsecondhand
駐車ちゅうしゃparking (e.g. car)
昼食ちゅうしょくlunch
中心ちゅうしんcenter, core
注目ちゅうもくattention, notice
調査ちょうさinvestigation, survey
頂上ちょうじょうsummit, top
貯金ちょきんsavings
貯金ちょきん(bank) savings
著者ちょしゃauthor,writer
通学つうがくcommuting to school
通信つうしんcorrespondence, communication, news, signal
通信つうしんcommunication
疲れつかれtiredness, fatigue
疲れつかれtiredness, fatigue
つきmoon, month
付き合いつきあいassociation, socializing, fellowship
包みつつみbundle, package, parcel, bale
包みつつみparcel
務めつとめduty
勤めつとめduty,responsibility,task
つばさwings
つみcrime, fault, indiscretion
抵抗ていこうresistance
提出ていしゅつsubmission
程度ていどdegree
停留所ていりゅうじょbus stop
適度てきどmoderate
適用てきようapplication
哲学てつがくphilosophy
徹底てっていthoroughness, completeness
徹底てっていthoroughness
鉄道てつどうrailroad
徹夜てつやall-night vigil
手間てまtime, labor
デモデモdemonstration
典型てんけいtype, pattern
典型てんけいtype, pattern, archetypal
電子でんしelectron
テントテントtent
伝統でんとうtradition
伝統でんとうtradition, convention
天然てんねんnature
counter for occurrences
問いといquestion
同一どういつidentity,sameness,similarity
動詞どうしverb
同時どうじsame time
投票とうひょうvoting
投票とうひょうvoting, poll
同様どうようsame kind
同僚どうりょうcolleague
道路どうろroad
都会とかいcity
ときtime, moment
どくpoison, toxicant
どくpoison
得意とくいspecialty
読書どくしょreading
独身どくしんsingle life
特徴とくちょうfeature, characteristic
特徴とくちょうfeature, characteristic
独特どくとくuniqueness
独立どくりつindependence
都市としcity
都市としtown, city, municipal, urban
年月としつきyears and months
年寄としよりold person
土地とちland, lot, soil
ともfriend
土曜どようSaturday
努力どりょくeffort
どろmud
name, reputation
内容ないようsubject, contents, matter, substance, detail, import
内容ないようcontents, subject, detail
なかrelation,relationship
仲間なかまcomrade, companion
眺めながめview, outlook
流れながれstream
なぞriddle
納得なっとくconsent,assent,understanding
なみwave
なわrope
匂いにおいsmell
にちday
日常にちじょうdaily life
日曜にちようSunday
日本にっぽんJapan
日本にっぽんJapan
入院にゅういんhospitalization
入学にゅうがくschool admission
人気にんきpopularity, sign of life
人間にんげんhuman being
root
願いねがいwish
ねずみmouse
ねずみ(1) mouse, rat, (2) dark gray, slate color
値段ねだんprice
値段ねだんprice, cost
熱心ねっしんenthusiasm (also adj-na)
熱心ねっしんzeal, enthusiasm
熱帯ねったいtropics
年間ねんかん(period of a) year
年月ねんげつmonths and years
年代ねんだいera, period
field
field
のうability
農家のうかfarm family
農民のうみんfarmer
能力のうりょくability
残りのこりremaining
望みのぞみwish, desire
のちlater, after
はいash
梅雨ばいうrainy season
パイプパイプpipe, tube
はかgrave
博士はかせPhD
拍手はくしゅapplause
莫大ばくだいenormous (amount)
爆発ばくはつexplosion, eruption
破産はさん(personal) bankruptcy
はしedge
始まりはじまりbeginning
はたflag
はたけfield
二十はたち20 years old
働きはたらきwork, labor
発見はっけんdiscovery, detection, finding
発見はっけんdiscovery
発行はっこうpublication issue
発展はってんdevelopment,growth
発明はつめいinvention
発明はつめいinvention
はねcounter for birds
はばwidth
はばwidth, breadth
母親ははおやmother
場面ばめんscene, setting
はらbelly
はらfield, plain, prairie, tundra, moor, wilderness
はらplain, field
はりneedle, hand (e.g. clock)
はりneedle
反抗はんこうresistance
犯罪はんざいcrime
判断はんだんjudgement
犯人はんにんcriminal
被害ひがいdamage
被害ひがいdamage
悲劇ひげきtragedy
飛行ひこうaviation
非常ひじょうemergency, extraordinary, unusual
非常ひじょうemergency
美人びじんbeautiful woman
ひたいforehead
日付ひづけdate
日付ひづけdate, dating
必死ひっしdesperation
否定ひていnegation
一言ひとことsingle word
人込みひとごみcrowd
独りひとりalone
批評ひひょうcriticism
微妙びみょうsubtlety (also adj-na)
微妙びみょうdelicate, subtle
費用ひようcost, expense
ひょうtable (e.g. Tab 1), chart, list
びょうsecond (60th min)
びょうsecond (60th min)
表現ひょうげんexpression, presentation, representation (math)
表現ひょうげんexpression
表情ひょうじょうfacial expression
表情ひょうじょうfacial expression
平等びょうどうequality, evenness
評判ひょうばんfame, reputation, popularity, arrant
評判ひょうばんreputation
表面ひょうめんsurface
ひんitem, product, elegance
びんbottle
便びんway, means
便びんway, means
negative prefix
part, dividing
nothing
不安ふあんanxiety
風景ふうけいscenery
夫婦ふうふmarried couple
武器ぶきweapon
服装ふくそうgarments
ふくろbag
ふしjoint, section, tune
不思議ふしぎmystery
不自由ふじゆうinconvenience, disability
婦人ふじんwoman
不正ふせいinjustice
舞台ぶたいstage (theater)
双子ふたごtwins
普段ふだんusually, habitually, ordinarily, always
普段ふだんusually, habitual
ふちedge, rim (or fate in some context)
物質ぶっしつmaterial, substance
ふでbrush
ふねship,boat
部分ぶぶんsection, part
不満ふまんdissatisfaction, displeasure, discontent, complaints, unhappiness
不満ふまんdissatisfaction
プランプランplan
ぶんpart, segment
ぶんsentence
ぶんsentence
分析ぶんせきanalysis
文明ぶんめいcivilization
平均へいきんequilibrium, balance, average, mean
変化へんかchange, transformation
勉強べんきょうstudy
変更へんこうchange,modification,alteration
弁当べんとうlunch box
ほうside
ほうlaw
ぼうrod, stick
冒険ぼうけんadventure
宝石ほうせきgem, jewel
放送ほうそうbroadcasting
放送ほうそうbroadcast, broadcasting
豊富ほうふabundance
方々ほうぼうpeople, various places
ほおcheek
ほかother
ほかoutside
誇りほこりpride
保存ほぞんpreservation
ほどextent
歩道ほどうfootpath,walkway,sidewalk
ほとけBuddha,the dead
ほりmoat
本当ほんとうtruth
本人ほんにんthe person himself
space,time
迷子まいごlost child
まくcurtain, act
負けまけdefeat
まごgrandchild
真面目まじめserious, diligent
間違いまちがいmistake
まつりfestival
真似まねmimicry
まるcircle, full (month), perfection, purity, suffix for ship names
まるcircle, perfection, suffix for ship names
満足まんぞくsatisfaction
body, main part, oneself, sword
body, oneself
fruit, result
見送りみおくりsend-off
味方みかたally
見事みごとsplendid, admirable
見舞いみまいenquiry, expression of sympathy
土産みやげsouvenir
みやこcapital
明後日みょうごにちday after tomorrow
みんなall,everyone,everybody
nothing, naught, nil, zero
nothing, none
迎えむかえmeeting, welcome
虫歯むしばcavity, tooth decay
無駄むだfutility,uselessness
夢中むちゅうtrance,ecstasy,delirium
むねbreast,chest
無料むりょうfree, no charge
sprout
明確めいかくclarity (noun use)
命令めいれいcommand
迷惑めいわくnuisance
めし(sl) meals,food
綿めんcotton, padding
綿めんcotton
免許めんきょlicense
申し訳もうしわけexcuse
毛布もうふblanket
目標もくひょうmark, objective, target
木曜もくようThursday
木曜もくようThursday
文字もじcharacter
もとbasis
もとorigin
もとprime
物語ものがたりstory, legend
物事ものごとthings
模様もようpattern
文句もんくphrase, complaint
文句もんくcomplaint, phrase
文字もんじletter (of alphabet), character
文字もんじcharacter (written)
やくrole, position
やくapproximately
役割やくわりrole
家賃やちんrent
厄介やっかいtrouble, burden, care
厄介やっかいtrouble, burden, care, bother
宿やどinn
唯一ゆいいつonly, sole, unique
唯一ゆいいつonly, unique
勇気ゆうきcourage
有効ゆうこうvalidity
友情ゆうじょうfriendship
友人ゆうじんfriend
有能ゆうのうcapable
郵便ゆうびんmail,postal service
ゆかfloor
ゆかfloor
愉快ゆかいpleasant
行きゆきgoing
輸出ゆしゅつexport
輸入ゆにゅうimportation,import,introduction
evening, night
夜明けよあけdawn
ようway,manner
要求ようきゅうdemand
用心ようじんcare, precaution, guarding, caution
様子ようすappearance
様子ようすaspect, state, appearance
要素ようそelement
要点ようてんmain point, gist
曜日ようびday of the week
予期よきexpectation
予算よさんestimate, budget
予算よさんbudget
予測よそくprediction, estimation
世の中よのなかsociety, the world
予報よほうforecast
予防よぼうprevention
読みよみreading
余裕よゆうsurplus, composure, margin
余裕よゆうsurplus, composure, margin, room, time, allowance, scope, rope
喜びよろこびjoy
よんfour
らくease, comfort
利益りえきprofit, gain
理解りかいunderstanding
りくsix (used in legal documents)
理想りそうideal
りつrate, ratio, proportion, percentage
留学りゅうがくstudy abroad
流行りゅうこうtrend, fashion
りょうquantity, amount
料金りょうきんfee
れいgratitude
れいexample
礼儀れいぎmanners, etiquette
冷静れいせいcomposure
れつqueue,line,row
列車れっしゃtrain
連想れんそうassociation (of ideas), suggestion
労働ろうどうlabor, work
論争ろんそうcontroversy, dispute
論争ろんそうcontroversy, dispute
論文ろんぶんthesis, paper
論文ろんぶんthesis, essay, treatise, paper
ring, circle
別れわかれparting, farewell
わきside
わきside
綿わたcotton
話題わだいtopic
話題わだいtopic, subject
笑いわらいlaugh, laughter, smile
笑いわらいlaughter
悪口わるくちabuse, slander
我々われわれwe
我々われわれwe
わんbay
わんbay, gulf, inlet

.

JLPT N3 Verb

Now that you have learned some nouns, the next will be Japanese verb. JLPT N3 level, you’ll start seeing a wider variety of them, including more complex conjugations, formal expressions, and verbs used in both casual and professional settings. 

This is also where you might be introduced to many compound verbs and more nuanced transitive or intransitive pairs.

In this list, we’ve organized verbs alphabetically. But as you study, it’s helpful to group them by function or form, such as る-verbs, う-verbs, irregular verbs, or by usage patterns like potential form, passive, or causative

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
できるto be able to
愛するあいするto love
明けるあけるto dawn, to become daylight
与えるあたえるto give
暖かい(い-adj)あたたかいwarm, mild
当たるあたるto be hit
扱うあつかうto handle
当てるあてるto hit
浴びるあびるto bathe, to shower
表すあらわすto express, to reveal
有るあるto be, to have
抱くいだくto hold, to embrace
頂くいただくto receive (humble)
至るいたるto reach
祝ういわうto celebrate
引退いんたいto retire
受け取るうけとるto receive
動かすうごかすto move, to shift
失ううしなうto lose
疑ううたがうto doubt, to distrust, to be suspicious of
撃つうつto attack
移すうつすto move, to infect
訴えるうったえるto sue, appeal
うなるうなるto groan
奪ううばうto snatch away
売れるうれるto be sold
描くえがくto draw, paint
得るえる・うるto obtain
追い付くおいつくto catch up, to overtake
追うおうto chase
応じるおうじるto respond
終えるおえるto finish
覆うおおうto cover
恐れるおそれるto fear
劣るおとるto be inferior
溺れるおぼれるto drown
及ぼすおよぼすto exert, to cause
居るおるto be (animate)
下すおろすto lower
降ろすおろすto take down, to drop
飼うかうto raise
換えるかえるto exchange
替えるかえるto replace, to exchange
抱えるかかえるto carry (in arms)
輝くかがやくto shine, to glitter
罹るかかるto suffer
掛かるかかるto take (time/money), to hang
限るかぎるto limit
描くかくto draw
隠すかくすto hide
隠れるかくれるto hide, to disappear
欠けるかけるto be lacking
囲むかこむto surround, to encircle
稼ぐかせぐto earn
数えるかぞえるto count
語るかたるto talk
被るかぶるto suffer
刈るかるto cut (hair), to mow (grass), to harvest
感じるかんじるto feel
関するかんするto concern
効くきくto be effective
気付くきづくto notice
食うくうto eat (vulgar, male)
暮らすくらすto live, to get along
狂うくるうto go mad, to get out of order
加えるくわえるto add
決定するけっていするto determine
行動するこうどうするto act, to behave
凍るこおるto freeze
越すこすto go over, to pass
異なることなるto differ
断ることわるto refuse, to decline
好むこのむto like
殺すころすto kill
転ぶころぶto fall
叫ぶさけぶto shout, to cry
避けるさけるto avoid, to ward off, to avert
支えるささえるto support
指すさすto point, to put up umbrella, to play
誘うさそうto invite, to tempt
覚ますさますto awaken
覚めるさめるto wake up
従うしたがうto obey, to follow, to accompany
支配するしはいするto control
支払うしはらうto pay
しまうしまうto finish
示すしめすto show
占めるしめるto occupy, to account for
処理するしょりするto process
信頼するしんらいするto trust
空くすくto be empty
救うすくうto rescue from, to help out of
優れるすぐれるto excel
勧めるすすめるto recommend
進めるすすめるto advance, to promote
済ませるすませるto finish
注ぐそそぐto pour
育つそだつto grow up
備えるそなえるto provide
対するたいするto confront
倒すたおすto beat, to bring down
確かめるたしかめるto confirm
助けるたすけるto help
戦うたたかうto fight
叩くたたくto strike
立ち上がるたちあがるto stand up
経つたつto pass, to lapse
黙るだまるto be silent
頼るたよるto rely on, to depend on
通じるつうじるto communicate, lead to
捕まるつかまるto be caught
就くつくto take (position), to settle in
注ぐつぐto pour (into), to irrigate, to pay
付けるつけるto attach, to join, to add, to append
繋ぐつなぐto connect
出会うであうto meet by chance
適するてきするto suit
通り過ぎるとおりすぎるto pass through
解くとくto unfasten
解けるとけるto come untied
届くとどくto reach
飛ばすとばすto skip over, to omit
留めるとめるto fasten, to turn off
取れるとれるto come off
流すながすto drain
眺めるながめるto view, to gaze at
流れるながれるto stream, to flow
怠けるなまけるto neglect
悩むなやむto be troubled, to worry
成るなるto become
為るなるto become
似合うにあうto suit, to match
握るにぎるto grasp, to mold (sushi)
濡れるぬれるto get wet
願うねがうto desire, to wish, to request
残すのこすto leave
除くのぞくto remove
伸ばすのばすto lengthen, to stretch, to grow (beard)
伸びるのびるto stretch
昇るのぼるto rise, ascend
計るはかるto measure
吐くはくto vomit
履くはくto wear (lower body)
外すはずすto remove
罰するばっするto punish
話し合うはなしあうto discuss
放すはなすto release
離すはなすto separate
離れるはなれるto separate
省くはぶくto omit
貼るはるto stick, paste
引っ張るひっぱるto pull
広がるひろがるto spread
含むふくむto include
防ぐふせぐto defend
振るふるto shake
震えるふるえるto shiver
触れるふれるto touch
吠えるほえるto bark, to roar
微笑むほほえむto smile
任せるまかせるto entrust
増すますto increase, to grow
学ぶまなぶto learn
招くまねくto invite
守るまもるto protect, to obey
満ちるみちるto be full, to expire
見るみるto see
向くむくto face
向けるむけるto turn toward
結ぶむすぶto tie, bind
申し込むもうしこむto apply
燃えるもえるto burn
持ち上げるもちあげるto raise, to lift up
戻すもどすto return
基づくもとづくto be based on
貰うもらうto receive
雇うやとうto hire
言うゆうto say
譲るゆずるto hand over
許すゆるすto allow
酔うようto get drunk
横切るよこぎるto cross
止すよすto quit
論じるろんじるto argue, to debate
分けるわけるto divide
割るわるto divide, to cut, to break, to halve

JLPT N3 Adjectives

Before diving in, make sure you’re already familiar with the difference between い-adjectives and な-adjectives, as JLPT N3-level adjectives go beyond the usual simple words like “kawaii” or “senpai.”

As always, list is organized alphabetically for easy reference, but for more effective study, try grouping adjectives by themes such as feelings, appearance, or degree.

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
かわいらしいlovely
うまいdelicious
かわいそうpitiable
いいgood
もっともnatural, most reasonable
すてきlovely, dreamy
きついtight, intense
愛するあいするto love
暖かいあたたかいwarm
新たあらたnew
偉大いだいgreat
うるさいうるさいnoisy, fussy
嬉しいうれしいhappy
穏やかおだやかcalm, gentle
快適かいてきcomfortable
賢いかしこいwise
硬いかたいhard
完全かんぜんperfect
気の毒きのどくpitiful
奇妙きみょうstrange
巨大きょだいgigantic
臭いくさいodour, stench
苦しいくるしいpainful, difficult
濃いこいthick, dense, strong
高価こうかhigh-priced
豪華ごうかwonderful, gorgeous, splendor, pomp, extravagance
最終さいしゅうlast, final
最低さいていleast, worst
親しいしたしいintimate
重大じゅうだいserious, important
上等じょうとうsuperior
新鮮しんせんfresh
慎重しんちょうprudent, cautious
すごいすごいamazing, terrific
素晴らしいすばらしいwonderful
鋭いするどいsharp, pointed
せいregular, correct
正確せいかくaccurate
積極的せっきょくてきproactive
粗末そまつcrude
大抵たいていusually
単なるたんなるmere
辛いつらいpainful
適切てきせつappropriate
典型的(な)てんけいてきtypical (implied from 典型)
得意とくいproud/specialty
苦手にがてpoor at, dislike
激しいはげしいviolent, intense
必死ひっしdesperate (can be treated as na-adjective)
等しいひとしいequal
不自由ふじゆうinconvenient (also noun)
不利ふりdisadvantageous
豊富ほうふabundant
真面目まじめserious, honest (also noun)
貧しいまずしいpoor, needy
真っ赤まっかdeep red
真っ直ぐまっすぐstraight
満ちるみちるto be full, to expire
みょうstrange
面倒めんどうtroublesome
有利ゆうりadvantageous
豊かゆたかabundant
よいよいgood, nice, pleasant
容易よういeasy, simple
宜しいよろしい(hon) good, OK
立派りっぱsplendid, fine
冷静れいせいcalm

JLPT N3 Adverb

Adverbs play a key role in adding detail and nuance to your sentences, helping you describe how, when, where, and to what extent actions occur. In JLPT N# vocabulary, you’ll find a wider range of adverbs that let you express subtle differences in timing, frequency, degree, and manner

Check out’ Basic Japanese Adverbs to Know

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
まさにexactly
それぞれeach
どんなwhat kind of
もしもif
いずれeventually
いらいらirritation
どこかsomewhere
かもしれないperhaps
がっかりdisappointed
ただonly
おそらくmaybe
あいにくunfortunately
そのうちeventually
いつもalways
しきりにfrequently, eagerly
ややa little, somewhat
たびたびrepeatedly
どうしてもno matter what
およそapproximately
ゆっくりslowly
ふとsuddenly, unexpectedly
さっぱりfeeling refreshed, neatly, clearly
なかなかvery, considerably, not easily (with negative)
いつでもalways, at all times
それともor, or else
むしろrather
あちこちhere and there
ばったりwith a crash, suddenly
かなりfairly, quite
のんびりcarefree
まさかno way
ぴったりperfectly
まるでentirely
だけどhowever
そしてand
ますますincreasingly
ちゃんとproperly
じっとfirmly, patiently
さてnow then
よりmore (comparison)
どうhow
ではthen, well
余りあまりnot much
あんなにあんなにto that extent
一度にいちどにall at once
いつかいつかsomeday
いつまでもいつまでもforever
今にもいまにもany moment
言わばいわばso to speak
思わずおもわずunintentionally
必ずしもかならずしも(not) necessarily
急にきゅうにsuddenly
偶然ぐうぜんby chance, unexpectedly
ぐっすりぐっすりsound asleep
更にさらにfurthermore, again
じきimmediately
したがってしたがってtherefore
実にじつにtruly
しばしばしばしばoften
随分ずいぶんquite, extremely
ずっとずっとthroughout
既にすでにalready
精々せいぜいat best, at most
是非ぜひcertainly
そっくりそっくりexactly like, identical
そっとそっとquietly, gently
それとそれとand then, also
だからだからso, therefore
多少たしょうsomewhat
ただonly, free of charge
直ちにただちにimmediately
たったたったonly, merely
たっぷりたっぷりfull, plenty
たとえたとえeven if
偶々たまたまby chance
遂についにfinally
次々つぎつぎone by one
つまりつまりin short, in brief
どんなにどんなにhow much
にっこりにっこりsmile sweetly
年中ねんじゅうyear-round, always
一人一人ひとりひとりone by one, each
まだまだstill, yet
全くまったくentirely, completely
もちろんもちろんof course
最ももっともmost
やがてやがてsoon
やはりやはりstill, also, after all
要するにようするにin short

Other JLPT N3 Vocabulary: Particles, Loanwords, Expressions

The JLPT N3 vocabulary section doesn’t just test your knowledge of word meanings. Ot also challenges your understanding of context and appropriate usage. This means you’ll encounter not only individual words but also common expressions and set phrases.

In addition, we group loanwords (often written in katakana) here, even though most of them are nouns. The good news is that if you already know English, learning these loanwords can be much easier since many are borrowed directly from English or other languages.

Read More: 30 English Loanwords that Come from Japanese

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
ところがhowever
はあ(interjection)
(particle)
それ(interjection, pronoun)
ケチstingy person
ベルトbelt
ボートboat
ゴールgoal
ミルクmilk
ワインwine
ボーイboy
キャンプcamp
プラスplus
トラックtruck
スタイルstyle
トップtop
あっ(interjection)
いちmarket
スイッチswitch
セットset
ごめんなさいsorry
other
がらpattern/handle (ambiguous, multiple meanings)
よるとaccording to
でもbut, however
あんまりnot very, remainder
そのままas it is, unchanged
そこでso, accordingly
そうso
こんにちはhello, good day
いわゆるso-called
しかもmoreover, furthermore
ところでby the way
わざとon purpose
おまえyou (casual, rough)
センターcenter
プロprofessional
チーズcheese
これらthese
ざっとroughly
またagain, and
ジーンズjeans
スピーチspeech
わがままselfishness
クラシックclassical music
コンピューターcomputer
クリームcream
オフィスoffice
トランプplaying cards
スープsoup
チームteam
しゃべるto chat (colloquial, often kana only)
あしたあしたtomorrow
ありがとうありがとうthank you
あるいはあるいはor, possibly
いただきますいただきますexpression before meals
インクインクink
うん(感)うんfortune, luck
honorific prefix
おめでとうおめでとうcongratulations!
カードカードcard
くもりcloudy weather
グラスグラスglass
グランドグランドgrand, ground, gland
しまったしまったDamn it! (interjection)
みませんすみませんsorry, excuse me
そのそのthat (determiner)
デートデートdate (romantic)
できればできればif possible
通りとおりas per, street
トンネルトンネルtunnel
無しなしwithout
なぜならなぜならbecause
ノーノーno
ハンサムハンサムhandsome
ビデオビデオvideo
non-, un- (prefix)
ペンキペンキpaint (loanword from Dutch)
ホームホームplatform
ぼんやりぼんやりabsent-mindedly, vaguely
まあまあyou might say
マスターマスターbar owner, master
よろしく(感)よろしくbest regards, properly
ライターライターlighter, writer
ラケットラケットracket

Ace the JLPT with Coto Academy’s JLPT Lesson!

Thinking of taking the JLPT again or aiming for a higher level to boost your career in Japan? Pass the JLPT with Coto Academy’s JLPT prep courses. This special preparation class covers exam practices and all test sections, including how to master the reading, grammar, kanji, and listening. Our teachers are highly specialized in teaching JLPT, and you’ll learn alongside motivated peers!

Join the hundreds of successful students who’ve improved their JLPT results with Coto. See our past JLPT success rate story.

Currently, we offer an in-person JLPT prep course in Tokyo and Yokohama, and an online JLPT lecture course

Interested? Fill out the form below for a free level check. Our staff will get in touch with you!

FAQ

How many words are in JLPT N3?

JLPT N3 vocabulary includes about 3,500 to 3,750 words. This typically includes vocabulary you have learned in JLPT N5 and JLPT N4.

How many kanji should I study for JLPT N3?

You should study approximately 600 to 650 kanji for JLPT N3.

Where can I register for the JLPT N3?

You can register for the JLPT through the official JLPT website or authorized testing centers in your country. Check out how to register for JLPT N3 online in our guide. 

Can I work with JLPT N3 certificate?

Typically, JLPT N3 can help you get part-time jobs that require intermediate Japanese, but it may not be enough for many full-time professional positions. For that, you would typically need JLPT N2 and above. 

How do I find my JLPT result?

JLPT results are usually available online about two months after the exam on the official JLPT website. Check out how to find your JLPT results in our guide. 

Can I pass JLPT N3 in 5 months?

Yes, with focused and consistent study, passing the JLPT N3 in 5 months is definitely achievable. This requires setting a clear study schedule, regularly practicing vocabulary, grammar, kanji, listening, and reading comprehension.

Check out our guides for the upcoming JLPT:

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.

KanjiKanaEnglish translation
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
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
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
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
うでarm
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
えだbranch, twig
オートバイmotorcycle
お祝いおいわいcongratulation
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
おっとhusband
おつりchange from purchase, balance
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
おもてthe front
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
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
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
かべwall
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
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
きぬsilk
気分きぶんmood
気持ちきもちfeeling, mood
着物きものkimono
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
くさgrass
くびneck
くもcloud
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
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
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
こたえresponse
ごちそうa feast
ことthing, matter
小鳥ことりsmall bird
ごみrubbish
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
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
city
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
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
すなsand
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
せきseat
説明せつめいexplanation
背中せなかback of the body
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
たたみJapanese straw mat
例えばたとえばfor example
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
blood
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
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
てらtemple
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
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
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
leaf
パートpart time
場合ばあいsituation
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
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
fire
day, sun
ピアノpiano
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
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
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
みずうみlake
味噌みそbean paste
みなeverybody
みなとharbour
むかしolden days, former
むしinsect
息子むすこ(humble) son
むすめ(humble) daughter
木綿もめんcotton
もりforest
約束やくそくpromise
hot water
ゆびfinger
指輪ゆびわfinger ring
ゆめdream
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
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. 

Read More: Top 100 Basic Japanese words

JLPT N4 Vocabulary for Pronoun (代名詞)

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!

KanjiKanaEnglish translation
彼女かのじょShe, girlfriend
彼らかれらthey
ぼくI (used by males)
かれHe, boyfriend

Need a refresher on Japanese pronouns? Make sure you already know how to refer to yourself in Japanese!

Vocabulary forN4 Suffix (接尾語)

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.

KanjiKanaEnglish translation
くんsuffix for a familiar young male
ちゃんsuffix for a familiar female person

Read More: How to Use Japanese suffixes

JLPT N4 Verb (動詞)

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. 

KanjiKanaEnglish translation
合うあうto match
上るあがるto rise
空くあくto open, to become empty
あげるto give
浅いあさいshallow, superficial
集るあつまるto gather
集めるあつめるto collect something
謝るあやまるto apologize
案内あんない・するto guide
生きるいきるto live
いじめるto tease
急ぐいそぐto hurry
致すいたす(humble) to do
いただく(humble) to receive
祈るいのるto pray
いらっしゃる(respectful) to be, to come or to go
植えるうえるto plant, to grow
うかがうto visit
受けるうけるto take a lesson or test
動くうごくto move
打つうつto hit
写すうつすto copy or photograph
移るうつるto move house or transfer
運転うんてん・するto drive
運動うんどう・するto exercise
選ぶえらぶto choose
遠慮えんりょ・するto be reserved, to be restrained
おいでになる(respectful) to be
おかげowing to
送るおくるto send
遅れるおくれるto be late
起すおこすto wake
行うおこなうto do
怒るおこるto get angry, to be angry
お宅おたく(polite) your house
落るおちるto fall or drop
おっしゃる(respectful) to say
落すおとすto drop
踊るおどるto dance
驚くおどろくto be surprised
思い出すおもいだすto remember
思うおもうto think, to feel
下りるおりるto get off
折るおるto break or to fold
折れるおれるto break or be folded
変えるかえるto change
掛けるかけるto hang something
飾るかざるto decorate
片付けるかたづけるto tidy up
勝つかつto win
かまうto mind
噛むかむto bite, to chew
通うかようto commute
乾くかわくto get dry
変わるかわるto change
考えるかんがえるto consider
聞こえるきこえるto be heard
決るきまるto be decided
きみ(informal) You (used by men towards women)
決めるきめるto decide
くださる(respectful) to give
比べるくらべるto compare
暮れるくれるto get dark, to come to an end
くれるto give
計画けいかく・するto plan
経験けいけん・するto experience
けが・するto injure
けんか・するto quarrel
故障こしょう・するto break-down
込むこむto be crowded
ごらんになる(respectful) to see
壊すこわすto break
壊れるこわれるto be broken
今夜こんやtonight
探すさがすto look for
下るさがるto get down, to descend
下げるさげるto hang, to lower, to move back
差し上げるさしあげる(polite) to give
騒ぐさわぐto make noise, to be excited
触るさわるto touch
しかるto scold
支度したく・するto prepare
出席しゅっせき・するto attend
出発しゅっぱつ・するto depart
準備じゅんび・するto prepare
招待しょうたい・するto invite
承知しょうち・するto consent
食事しょくじ・するto have a meal
知らせるしらせるto notify
調べるしらべるto investigate
心配しんぱい・するto worry
過ぎるすぎるto exceed
すくto become empty
進むすすむto make progress
捨てるすてるto throw away
滑るすべるto slide, to slip
済むすむto finish
生活せいかつ・するto live
生産せいさん・するto produce
世話せわ・するto look after
相談そうだん・するto discuss
育てるそだてるto rear, to bring up
それほどto that extent
退院たいいん・するto leave hospital
倒れるたおれるto break down
足すたすto add a number
尋ねるたずねるto ask
訪ねるたずねるto visit
建てるたてるto build
立てるたてるto stand something up
楽むたのしむto enjoy oneself
ためin order to
足りるたりるto be enough
チェック・するto check
捕まえるつかまえるto seize
付くつくto be attached
漬けるつけるto soak, to pickle
伝えるつたえるto report
続くつづくto be continued
続けるつづけるto continue
包むつつむto wrap
釣るつるto fish
連れるつれるto lead
手伝うてつだうto assist
通るとおるto go through
届けるとどけるto reach
泊まるとまるto lodge at
止めるとめるto stop something
取り替えるとりかえるto exchange
直すなおすto fix, to repair
直るなおるto be fixed, to be repaired
治るなおるto be cured, to heal
泣くなくto weep
無くなるなくなるto disappear, to get lost
亡くなるなくなるto die
投げるなげるto throw or cast away
なさる(respectful) to do
鳴るなるto sound
慣れるなれるto grow accustomed to
逃げるにげるto escape
入院にゅういん・するto hospitalise
入学にゅうがく・するto enter school or university
似るにるto be similar
盗むぬすむto steal
塗るぬるto paint, to plaster
ぬれるto get wet
眠るねむるto sleep
残るのこるto remain
乗り換えるのりかえるto change between buses or trains
拝見はいけん・する(humble) to look at
運ぶはこぶto transport
始めるはじめるto begin
払うはらうto pay
冷えるひえるto grow cold
光るひかるto shine, to glitter
引き出すひきだすto withdraw
びっくり・するto be surprised
引っ越すひっこすto move house
開くひらくto open an event
拾うひろうto pick up, to gather
増えるふえるto increase
太るふとるto become fat
踏むふむto step on
降り出すふりだすto start to rain
放送ほうそう・するto broadcast
ほめるto praise
参るまいる(humble) to go, to come
負けるまけるto lose
間違えるまちがえるto make a mistake
間に合うまにあうto be in time for
回るまわるto go around
見えるみえるto be in sight
見つかるみつかるto be discovered
見つけるみつけるto discover
向かうむかうto face
迎えるむかえるto go out to meet
召し上がるめしあがる(polite) to eat
申し上げるもうしあげる(humble) to say, to tell
申すもうす(humble) to be called, to say
戻るもどるto turn back
もらうto receive
焼くやくto bake, to grill
役に立つやくにたつto be helpful
焼けるやけるto burn, to be roasted
痩せるやせるto become thin
止むやむto stop
止めるやめるto stop
輸出ゆしゅつ・するto export
輸入ゆにゅう・するto import
揺れるゆれるto shake, to sway
汚れるよごれるto get dirty
寄るよるto visit
喜ぶよろこぶto be delighted
沸かすわかすto boil, to heat
別れるわかれるto separate
沸くわくto boil, to grow hot, to get excited
笑うわらうto laugh, to smile
割れるわれるto break

Read More: Top 100 Japanese Verbs You Need to Know

JLPT N4 Adjective (形容詞・形容動詞)

Be sure to check out Nami-sensei’s video on our YouTube channel, where she explains how to use Japanese adjectives clearly and with fun examples!

How do you describe people, things, and situations?. Here you’ll find important JLPT N4 i-adjectives (keiyoushi) and na-adjectives (keiyoudoushi). Before that, make sure you already know the difference between the two Japanese adjectives and how to modify them.  

KanjiKanaEnglish
美しいうつくしいbeautiful
うまいdelicious
うれしいglad
おかしいstrange or funny
堅/硬/固いかたいhard
悲しいかなしいsad
簡単かんたんsimple
厳しいきびしいstrict
細かいこまかいsmall, fine
怖いこわいfrightening
寂しいさびしいlonely
十分じゅうぶんenough
親切しんせつkindness
凄いすごいterrific
すばらしいwonderful
大事だいじimportant, valuable, serious matter
確かたしかdefinite
正しいただしいcorrect
遠くとおくdistant
特別とくべつspecial
苦いにがいbitter
眠いねむいsleepy
恥ずかしいはずかしいembarrassed
必要ひつようnecessary
ひどいawful
深いふかいdeep
複雑ふくざつcomplexity, complication
不便ふべんinconvenience
べつdifferent
へんstrange
まじめserious
無理むりimpossible
珍しいめずらしいrare
優しいやさしいkind
柔らかいやわらかいsoft

JLPT N4 Adverb (副詞)

Adverbs, or fukushi, modify verbs, adjectives, or even other adverbs! This section introduces the most frequently used JLPT N4 vocabulary for adverbs. 

KanjiKanaEnglish translation
一度いちどonce
必ずかならずcertainly, necessarily
きっとsurely
急にきゅうにsuddenly, quickly, adruptly
このあいだthe other day, recently
しっかりfirmly , steadily
しばらくlittle while
ずいぶんextremely
すっかりcompletely
すっとstraight, all of a sudden
するとthen
ぜひwithout fail
ぜんぜんnot entirely (used in a negative sentence)
そうreally
そろそろgradually, soon
大体だいたいgenerally
たいていusually
大分だいぶgreatly
たまにoccasionally
ちっともnot at all (used with a negative verb)
できるだけas much as possible
とうとうfinally, after all
特にとくにparticularly, especially
どんどんmore and more
中々なかなかconsiderably
なるべくas much as possible
なるほどnow I understand
はっきりclearly
非常にひじょうにextremely
普通ふつうusually, or a train that stops at every station
返事へんじreply
ほとんどmostly
まずfirst of all
もうすぐsoon
もしif
もちろんof course
もっともextremely
やっとat last
やはり/やっぱりas I thought, absolutely

Read More: Top 100 Common Japanese Adverbs

JLPT N4 Expressions, Particles or Conjunctions 

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. 

KanaEnglish translation
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.

Don’t miss our complete guide on how to study for the JLPT, along with our top picks for the best JLPT N4 textbooks to help you succeed!

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 courses at 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!

Want to study Japanese with us?

FAQ

What is Coto’s JLPT exam course?

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. 

Check out our guides for the upcoming JLPT:

Finding a gym in Japan and having a consistent workout routine is one of the quickest ways to feel at home in a new city. Are you living in Tokyo long-term and looking for a place to exercise? Here’s a quick guide that outlines some popular gyms, how to sign up and cancel, as well as some helpful phrases in Japanese to use along the way.  

Gym Memberships and Walk-In Options

Most gyms in Japan require a membership, which often includes an initial registration fee. However, if you’re a short-term visitor or prefer flexibility, some gyms offer day passes or pay-as-you-go options. Here are some common types of gyms you’ll find:

1. Major Gym Chains:

Places like Anytime FitnessGold’s Gym, and Joyfit have locations across Japan and offer short-term memberships or visitor passes. These tend to have more expensive membership fees than what you’ll find in other countries. However, they do have a wide range of amenities, services, and a bit more high-quality equipment than a public gym. They are also generally open 24 hours, and many offer English-language services or discounts for new members. If you have a gym you frequent back home, you may even be able to find a branch of the franchise here in Japan. 

2. Municipal Sports Centers:

In Tokyo, most wards have several public sports centers that you can use for an hourly fee. These have the basic training rooms, equipment, and amenities a private gym might have, but they are not 24 hours and might not include more luxurious amenities, such as showers. Their equipment is also usually not as nice as that in private gyms, and they often don’t provide English assistance. If you’re more budget-conscious or don’t want to commit to a membership, a public gym is a way to go. 

So how do you find the closest public gym to you? These facilities go by several different names, so you can try searching for any of the following.  

  • “sports centers” (or スポーツセンター, supoutsu senta)
  • “gymnasiums,” (体育館, taiikukan) 
  • “sports plazas,” (スポーツプラザ, supoutsu puraza) 
  • “health centers” (健康センター, kenkou sentā)  

These are city-run facilities that provide affordable fitness options. For example, Shinjuku Sports Center offers access to gym facilities for 400 yen per three hours, with an optional pool use for an additional 200 yenTokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Sendagaya offers a wide range of amenities, including two pools, sports fields, as well as over 30 different cardio machines, a free-weights area, several bench press machines, and squat racks. Access cost ¥600 for a two-and-a-half hour gym pass and ¥2,500 for a day pass. 

3. Hotel and Capsule Hotel Gyms:

If you’re staying at a hotel, check if they have a gym available for guests. Some capsule hotels also offer fitness areas.

How Much Does Gym Membership Cost in Japan?

Private gyms in Japan are pretty expensive. Gyms such as Anytime FitnessGold’s GymJoyfit, and Chocozap have locations across Japan and offer short-term memberships or visitor passes. Membership fees vary, with Anytime Fitness typically ranging from 6,800 to 9,000 yen per monthGold’s Gym from 8,000 to 15,000 yen per month, and Chocozap offering an affordable option at around 3,000 yen per month.

Many private gyms have discounts or campaigns for new members, offering the first 1-3 months of use for free. Keep an eye out for any advertisements on your local gym’s website or in person. Be prepared, though, that many of these campaigns come with fine print, and may require you to sign up for a minimum amount of months after the free period is over, or tack on some extra fees.  

Public and Private Gyms in Japan

Generally, there are two different kinds of gyms in Japan: private and public.

1. Public Gyms 

In Tokyo, most wards have several public sports centers that you can use for an hourly fee. These have the basic training rooms, equipment, and amenities a private gym might have, but they are not 24 hours and might not include more luxurious amenities, such as showers. Their equipment is also usually not as nice as that in private gyms, and they often don’t provide English assistance. If you’re more budget-conscious or don’t want to commit to a membership, a public gym is a way to go. 

So how do you find the closest public gym to you? These facilities go by several different names, so you can try searching for any of the following.  

  • “sports centers” (or スポーツセンター, supoutsu senta)
  • “gymnasiums,” (体育館, taiikukan) 
  • “sports plazas,” (スポーツプラザ, supoutsu puraza) 
  • “health centers” (健康センター, kenkou sentā)  

Private Gyms

These tend to have more expensive membership fees than what you’ll find in other countries. However, they do have a wide range of amenities, services, and a bit more high-quality equipment than a public gym. They are also generally open 24 hours, and many offer English-language services or discounts for new members. If you have a gym you frequent back home, you may even be able to find a branch of the franchise here in Japan.    

How Much Does Gym Membership Cost in Japan?

As mentioned, private gyms in Japan are pretty expensive. They cost more than you’d find in many western countries. Monthly fees are usually anywhere between ¥7,500 and ¥20,000 per month, depending on the gym. Typically, expect to pay around ¥8,000. 

Many private gyms have discounts or campaigns for new members, offering the first 1-3 months of use for free. Keep an eye out for any advertisements on your local gym’s website or in person. Be prepared, though, that many of these campaigns come with fine print, and may require you to sign up for a minimum amount of months after the free period is over, or tack on some extra fees. 

gym in japan

Gym Etiquette and Rules

Japanese gyms follow strict etiquette rules that may be different from what you’re used to. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

  • Indoor Shoes Only: Most gyms require you to bring a separate pair of clean indoor shoes to use inside the gym. Outdoor shoes are usually not allowed.
  • Wipe Down Equipment: Always clean the machines after use with the provided sanitizing wipes or towels.
  • No Tattoos?: Many gyms prohibit visible tattoos due to cultural associations with the yakuza. If you have tattoos, consider covering them with clothing or using special tattoo covers.
  • No Phone Calls: Taking calls inside the workout area is generally frowned upon. Keep phone usage discreet.
  • No Grunting or Dropping Weights: Excessive noise while lifting is discouraged. Many gyms enforce strict noise policies.

Where to Find English-speaking Gyms in Japan

While it is more than possible to get by and enjoy working in an all-Japanese environment, there are many Japanese-run gyms that are entirely English Speaking or offer classes and trainers who can speak with you entirely in English. You can also find many global chains like Orangetheory Fitness and Crossfit, in Tokyo. 

Visit Club 360 Fitness & Rehabilitation for a wide array of group-taught or one-on-one classes from boxing to Barre. You can even get massages or book a personal trainer. English speakers teach all classes. There are locations in Roppongi and Azabujuban. Prices vary, check here for more detailed pricing. 

Go to Orangetheory in Azabujuban for a 60-minute guided workout. If you are more interested in participating in group workouts, taking classes, or hiring a personal trainer, this option might be for you.  

Basic Membership

  • ¥13,200〜
  • 4 classes/month
  • Extra classes at reduced rate

See more membership option here!

24/7 Gyms and Convenient Options

Japan has seen a rise in convenience gyms, similar to 24/7 convenience stores. These small-scale fitness centers are open 24 hours a day and require membership cards for entry, allowing members to work out at any time.

Popular 24-hour gym chains include:

  • Anytime Fitness (International membership often works)
  • Fast Gym 24
  • Joyfit 24
  • ChocoZAP

How to Find a Gym in Japan

If you’re looking for a gym near your location, here are some tips:

  • Use Google Maps and search for “gym” or “フィットネスジム” (fitness gym) in Japanese.
  • Check municipal sports centers in your area for affordable options.
  • Ask locals or expats in Japan-based Facebook groups or Reddit forums for recommendations.

Do you Need Japanese skill to Go to a Gym in Japan?

Generally, yes, but if you live in Tokyo, you will find more English-speaking gyms for foreigners. If not, we recommend you bring a translator or Japanese friend to help you fill out the forms and consult with the dentist.

If you would like to learn Japanese and speak fluently, we recommend taking part-time or intensive Japanese courses at Coto Academy. Our school focuses on practical skills and conversation training, which will help you get by daily activities in Japan confidently. Get a free lesson consultation today.

As always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any queries.

gym in japan

How to Sign Up for a Gym in Japan

If you decide to join a private gym, you’ll have to visit in person to sign up for a membership. (This does vary, though. Some gyms have an online sign-up procedure, as well). If you aren’t very confident in your Japanese, you can reach out via email in advance to request English language support. If you’re especially nervous and have a friend who is fluent in Japanese, we recommend that you bring them along with you, as well. 

Remember before you go:

  • Bring your residence card or passport with you when you visit. 
  • Bring a credit card or bank book. Gyms will use this information to charge your monthly membership fee.  
  • Since most private gyms are 24 hours, make sure to check which hours staff will be there ahead of time. Most gym websites have these hours listed.  

When you arrive: 

  • Find a staff member and say you’d like to become a member of their gym. 
  • The staff will give you a tour around the gym and explain the amenities, rules, and details before you start your application. 
  • Fill out the application form and present your identification.
  • Give the staff your credit card or bank account information. Depending on the gym, you may be asked to pay a month or two month’s membership fees upfront.  
  • You’re all finished!

Japanese Phrases when Signing Up at a Gym in Japan

I’d like to sign up for a gym membershipジム会員に登録したいですJimu kaiin ni tōroku shitaidesu
Can I do a trial session before registering as a member?会員登録の前に体験セッションをすることはできますかKaiin tōroku no mae ni taiken sesshon o suru koto wa dekimasu ka?
How much does a membership cost?会費はいくらですか?Kaihi wa ikura desu ka?



How to Cancel a Gym Membership in Japan

So you want to cancel your gym membership. We’ve all been there. Maybe your financial situation has changed, or you’ve found a new gym closer to your work.  Luckily most gyms in Japan don’t have as many penalties for canceling as you may be used to in other countries. 

Every gym has a different cancellation policy, so be sure to check your contract ahead of time. Some may have deadlines to cancel each month, charge a cancellation fee, or require a minimum number of months as a member before canceling.

Check out what to say when you want to end your gym membership in Japan below.

How does membership cancellation work?退会する場合の手続きを教えてください?Taikai suru baai no tetsuzuki o oshiete kudasai.
I’d like to cancel my membership, please.ジム会員を退会したいんです。Jimu kaiin o taikai shitain desu.



Japanese Gym Phrases and Vocabulary

What about talking inside a Japanese gym? Here are some of the common Japanese phrases you might want to use.

Can I rent a towel/shoes?タオル/靴のレンタルはできますか Taoru/ kutsu no rentaru wa dekimasu ka
Are you finished?終りましたかOwarimashita ka
Can I use this?これ、使ってもいいですかKore, tsukatte mo ii desu ka
Is the pool open today?今日、プールは開いていますかKyō, puuru wa aite imasu ka



For gym-related vocabulary, such as the human body parts and training equipment, check out the table below.

Weight Training / Working outウェイトトレーニング / 筋トレWeito toreeningu /Kin toree
Weights / Dumbells重り / ダンベルOmori / Danberu
TreadmillランニングマシンRanningu mashiin
Warm-up準備運動Junbi undou
(to) Stretch伸びをするNobi o suru
(to) Sweat汗をかくAse o kaku
(to) JogジョギングするJogingu suru
(to) SquatしゃがむShagamu
Muscle筋肉Kinniku
ChestMune
ShoulderKata
Back背中Senaka

Final Tips for a Smooth Gym Experience

  • Bring a Towel and Water Bottle: Some gyms don’t provide these essentials.
  • Check for Locker Fees: Some places charge extra for locker use.
  • Respect Personal Space: Japanese culture emphasizes mindfulness of others, so avoid unnecessary conversations or lingering in areas like stretching zones.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy a seamless and enjoyable gym experience in Japan while respecting local customs and fitness culture!

FAQ

How much do gyms cost in Tokyo?

Private gyms range anywhere from ~¥7,500 to nearly ~¥20,000 a month.

What should I bring to a gym in Japan?

Make sure to bring: 

  • Cover any large tattoos before entering, as well.
  • A pair of indoor shoes. 
  • A towel. If the gym has a public shower, bring along a bath towel, as well. Things such as soap and shampoo will be provided.
  • Your own water bottle.
  • Cash. Most public gym entrance fees are paid using a ticket machine, which accepts only cash. If you have trouble reading Japanese, ask a staff member for help. 

Am I allowed to bring my phone with me on the gym floor?

Yes! But be aware that talking on the phone or playing music without headphones is not allowed. Additionally, no photographs or videos are allowed in most Japanese gyms. 

Can I hire a personal trainer in Japan?

Ask the staff at your private or public gym if they offer personal training sessions for an extra cost. They usually offer these one-on-one or group sessions at a discounted price for members or in discounted bundles. 

Are there women-only gyms in Japan?

Yes! Japan has several women-only gyms, such as Curves and some branches of major chains like Gold’s Gym. These facilities offer a comfortable and private environment for female members.

Can I use my international gym membership in Japan?

Some international chains, like Anytime Fitness, allow members to access their gyms in Japan if they have a global membership. However, it’s best to check with your specific gym before traveling.

Want to Study Japanese in Japan?

If you want to study Japanese online or in person in Tokyo or Yokohama, get in touch with us. We offer a free level check and consultation to match you with the best course!

Check out our Guide to Your Japanese Series

Want to study Japanese with us?

While you don’t need native-level Japanese proficiency to work in the tech sector in Japan, it is still better to learn a few IT and engineering-related Japanese vocabulary. After all, even if you can get by living in Japan with basic Japanese, niche words may be hard to come across if you’re just casually learning the language.

Now, you can work in Japan and have a fulfilling career with limited Japanese language skills. However, you’ll miss many more attractive opportunities unless you step up the game and show your prospective employers that you’re making an effort to fit in with the company.

One way to do that is to start using Japanese words that software engineers and IT professionals know. Not only will this give a good impression to your managers, but it’ll also make communicating with your coworkers feel like a breeze.

Because of their niche usage, these terms may be difficult to understand if you’re trying to learn Japanese. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some terms that you’re likely to encounter in an IT job!

Recommended: Top 8 IT and Tech Job Sites in Japan 

Let’s turn your Japanese language goals into reality — contact us today to get started!

Computer Vocabulary

This covers words and phrases related to computers. Even if you’re not an engineer or someone who works in the tech sector, it’s a good idea to take a look at them. Using a computer is something general, so even if you don’t use them as much as a full-stack developer in Japan, they are probably still worth remembering.

For a visual infographic, head to our guide on Japanese computer vocabulary.

KanjiKanaEnglish
1.プログラム(Computer) Program
2.アプリApp
3.ブラウザBrowser
4.コンピュータComputer
5.変換へんかんConvert
6.データData
7.デスクトップDesktop
8.機器/デバイスきき/デバイスDevice
9.メールEmail
10.拡張子かくちょうしFile extension
11.関数かんすうFunction
12.ハードドライブHard Drive
13.ハードウエアHardware
14.入力にゅうりょくInput, to fill in
15.インターネットInternet
16.IPアドレスIP Address
17.キーボードKeyboard
18.ラップトップLaptop
19.解説書 かいせつしょManual
20.モニターMonitor
21.マウスMouse
22.出力しゅつりょくOutput
23.プリンターPrinter
24.再起動さいきどうRestart
25.(上書き) 保存(うわがき) ほぞんSave
26.画面がめんScreen
27.サーバーServer
28.設定せっていSettings
29.スペース/空白スペース/くうはくSpace
30.起動きどうStartup
31.技術ぎじゅつTechnology
32.端末たんまつTerminal
33.添付てんぷTo attach
34.圧縮あっしゅくTo compress
35.接続せつぞくTo connect
36.コピペTo copy and paste
37.切り取るきりとるTo cut
38.書き出すかきだすTo export
39.挿入そうにゅうTo insert
40.貼り付けるはりつけるTo paste
41.印刷いんさつTo print out
42.共有きょうゆうTo share
43.起動きどうTo startup
44.同期どうきTo synchronize
45.タッチパッドTouchpad
ウェブサイトWebsite

Programming Vocabulary

This covers some words and phrases related to programming. If you’re a developer, engineer, or even a data scientist, you might want to study the Japanese vocabulary.

The good news is that most Japanese words related to tech, IT, and engineering are borrowed from English and written in katakana. That means you don’t have to go all the way remembering a whole new set of words and kanji. Chances are if you turn a tech term into a loanword, your Japanese coworkers will be able to understand it either way.

KanjiKanaEnglish
46.追加ついかAdd
47.引数ひきすうArgument, parameter
48.配列はいれつArray
49.人工知能じんこうちのうArtificial intelligence, AI
50.非同期ひどうきAsynchronous
51.バックエンドBackend
52.ベータ版ばんBeta version
53.バイナリーBinary
54.二進数にしんすうBinary number
55.ビットBit
56.ブールBoolean
57.真偽値/真理値しんぎち/しんりちBoolean value
58.バグBug
59.ビルドBuild (noun)
60.コールCall
61.文字もじCharacter
62.クラスClass
63.コードレビューCode Review
64.コマンドラインCommand Line
65.コンパイルするCompile
66.作成さくせいCompose/create
67.条件つき条件つきConditional
68.定数定数Constant
69.データ構造データこうぞうData Structure
70.データ種類データしゅるいData Type
71.データベースDatabase
72.デバッグDebug
73.デバッグするDebugging
74.宣言せんげんDeclaration
75.復号ふくごうDecryption
76.定義ていぎDefine
77.納品のうひんDelivery
78.配備はいびDeploy
79.設計せっけいDesign/architecture
80.開発者かいはつしゃDeveloper
81.開発かいはつDevelopment
82.開発環境かいはつかんきょうDevelopment environment
83.動的どうてきDynamic
84.暗号化あんごうかEncryption
85.エラーError
86.イベントEvent
87.イベントハンドラーEvent Handler
88.例外れいがいException
89.フレームワークFramework
90.フロントエンドFront End
91.フルスタックFull Stack
92.機能きのうFunction
93.関数 かんすうFunction
94.HTTPリクエストHTTP Request
95.実装じっそうImplementation
96.入力入力Input
97.整数 (型)せいすう (がた)Integer (type)
98.ループLoop
99.機械学習きかいがくしゅうMachine Learning
100.保守ほしゅMaintenance
101.管理かんりManage
102.ニューラルネットワークNeural Network
103.ヌルNull
104.オブジェクトObject
105.オブジェクト指向オブジェクトしこうObject-oriented
106.運用うんようOperation
107.演算子えんざんしOperator
108.アウトプットOutput
109.並列処理へいれつしょりParallel processing
110.パラメータParameter
111.プロセス/処理プロセス/しょりProcess
112.プログラミングProgramming
113.コンピューター言語コンピューターげんごProgramming language
114.擬似乱数ぎじらんすうPseudo-random number
115.乱数らんすうRandom number
116.冗長性じょうちょうせいRedundancy
117.実行 じっこうRun/execute
118.セキュリティーSecurity
119.ソフトウェアSoftware
120.ソースSource
121.仕様しようSpecification
122.スプリントSprint
123.ステートメントStatement
124.静的せいてきStatic
125.停止ていしStop
126.文字列もじれつString
127.構造こうぞうStructure
128.タグTag
129.テストTest
130.認証にんしょうTo authenticate
131.開発かいはつTo develop
132.処理しょりTo process (information)
133.トークンToken
135.体験版たいけんばんTrial version
136. あたいValue
137.変数へんすうVariable
138.仮想かそうVirtual
139.脆弱性ぜいじゃくせいVulnerability

Web Vocabulary

This covers some words or phrases that will come up in regard to websites and web design.

KanjiKanaEnglish
140.背景はいけいBackground
141.ぶろっくBlock
142.ぼーだーBorder
143.直帰率ちょっきりつBounce rate
144.ぼっくすBox
145.パンくずパンくずBreadcrumbs
146.せるCell
147.えんCircle
148.れつColumn
149.構成こうせいComposition
150.依存性いぞんせいDependency
151.修正しゅうせいEdit
152.離脱率りだつりつExit rate
153.外部リンクがいぶりんくExternal link
154.ふぁいるFile
155.拡張子 かくちょうしFile extension
156.ふぉんとFont
157.ふったーFooter
158.形式 けいしきFormat
159.へっだーHeader
160.見出しみだしHeading
161.高さたかさHeight
162.内部リンクないぶりんくInternal link
163.下層かそうLower level
164.まーじんMargin
165.ねっとわーくNetwork
166.自然検索しぜんけんさくOrganic search
167.ぱでぅんぐPadding
168.ぴくせるPixel
169.順位じゅんいPosition
170.長方形ちょうほうけいRectangle
171.くだりRow
172.検索結果画面けんさくけっかがめんSERP (search engine results page)
173.正方形せいほうけいSquare
174.すたいるStyle
175.適用てきようTo assign
176.崩れるくずれるTo break down, to fall apart
177.実装じっそうTo implement
178.流し込むながしこむTo insert
179.運用うんようTo run, to maintain
180.利用者りようしゃUser
181.訪問ほうもんVisit, session
182.アクセス解析あくせすかいせきWeb analytics
183.余白よはくWhite space
184.はばWidth

Day-to-day Vocabulary

This covers some words and phrases you’ll use regularly in the office.

KanjiKanaEnglish
185.見積もり みつもりAn estimate
186.条件じょうけんCondition
187.要求ようきゅうDemand, request
188.機器ききEquipment
189.費用ひようExpense
190.改善 かいぜんImprovement
191.情報 じょうほうInformation
192.保守ほしゅMaintenance, maintain
193.運用うにょうOperations
194.残業ざんぎょうOvertime
195.担当者 たんとうしゃPerson in charge of something
196.入門にゅうもんPrimer
197.処理しょりProcess
198.ぷろじぇくとProject
199.企画書きかくしょProject plan document
200.企画きかくProject, plan, planning

And that’s the list! We hope this helps you in your current or future jobs!

Check out one of our previous posts for more vocabulary like this!

Source: Repository by Mercari, Inc. (Engineer vocabulary list) licensed under “CC BY 4.0”

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Traveling in Japan can be an adventure, but language barriers can sometimes make things more difficult than they need to be. Luckily, learning a related to transportation can go a long way in helping you navigate the country’s bustling streets and efficient transportation systems. In this post, we’ll cover 10 Japanese terms that will come in handy during your travels.

空港 (koukou): Airport

When arriving in Japan, you’ll likely start at one of the country’s many airports. Remembering the word 空港 (koukou) can help you navigate signs and announcements. (You can check out a more complete list of airport-related Japanese vocabulary here).

空港で荷物をとったあと、タクシーを探しましょう。
Kuukou de nimotsu o totta ato, takushii o sagashimashou.
After retrieving your baggage at the airport, let’s look for a taxi.

駅 (eki): Train station

Japan’s train system is one of the most efficient in the world, and when you’re traveling to Japan on a budget, you’ll be relying on trains more than other methods of transportation like taxi — or even shinkansen.

Unfortunately, you’ll be hearing mostly Japanese announcements inside the train station, which makes navigation even more overwhelming. You can learn about common train announcements in Japan here, but make sure you know the word (eki) beforehand!

東京から渋谷駅までどの電車に乗ればいいですか?
Toukyou eki kara shibuya eki made dono densha ni noreba iidesu ka?
Which train should I take from Tokyo Station from Shibuya?

切符 (kippu): Ticket

When traveling by train or shinkansen, you’ll typically need either of two things: a prepaid IC card or one-way ticket to your destination.

We recommend getting IC cards like PASMO or Suica (which you can easily get in the ticket counter) for regular train rides, or even a JR Pass so you can hop from a bullet train to a JR line with ease.

With the announcement of price increase on JR Pass, however, some of us might just opt for one-way tickets. Remember the word word 切符 (kippu) to make sure you purchase the right ticket.

京都までの切符をお願いします。
Kyouto made no kippu o onegaishimasu.
I want to buy a ticket to Kyoto.

Bonus: See our infographic on how to read Shinkansen tickets in Japan!

ホーム (hoomu): Platform

Once you have your ticket, you’ll need to find the right platform. The word ホーム (ho-mu) means platform in Japanese.

電車は1番ホームから発車します。
Densha wa 1-ban hoomu kara hassha shimasu.
The train departs from platform 1.

発車 (hassha): departure

If you see the word 発車 (hassha) on a sign, it means the train is departing. Make sure you’re on board before the train leaves!

電車はいつ発車するんですか?
Densha wa itsu hassha surundesu ka?
When does the train depart?

到着 (touchaku): Arrival

On the flip side, 到着 (touchaku) means arrival. Keep an eye out for this word so you know when you’ve reached your destination. You’ll here this Japanese travel vocabulary word on both airplane and train announcements.

駅に到着したら、どこに行けばいいですか?
Eki ni touchaku shitara, doko ni ikeba iidesu ka?
Where should I go once I arrive at the station?

Note: You’ll also hear official announcements using the word 参ります (mairimasu), which implies the same thing as 到着 (touchaku). 参ります (mairimasu) is the humble verb form of 入る (hairu), which means “to come”. Don’t be confused when you hear some train conductors or bus drivers in Japan using this word instead of 到着 (touchaku)!

間も無く渋谷駅にまります。
Mamonaku shibuya eki ni mairimasu.
We will arrive shortly at Shibuya Station.

You can learn more about Japanese polite form, or keigo, here.

時刻表 (jikokuhyou): Timetable

If you’re not sure when your train is departing, check a 時刻表 (jikokuhyou) for the latest information.

時刻表を見て、次の電車の時間を調べましょう。
Jigokuhyou o mite, tsugi no densha no jikan o shirabemashou.
Let’s check the timetable and find out the time of the next train.)

乗換 (norikae): Transfer

Most Japanese train systems are integrated well, but there will be times when you’ll need to change trains to reach your destination when you are visiting Japan as a tourist.

Transfers happen when you need to use a different train line. In Tokyo, for example, the biggest passenger railway is the JR East, which covers Shibuya, Shinjuku, and most well-known wards in Tokyo — but it doesn’t cover all stations. This means that you can’t go from Shibuya straight to areas like Nakameguro and Roppongi, which are two upscale areas that uses the Tokyo Metro and subway line.

To get there, you’ll need to make a transfer to a train station that has both JR and Tokyo Metro or subway line. If you get confused and ask the train staff, take note if they mentioned the word 乗換 (norikae), means transfer in Japanese.

次の駅で乗換が必要です。
Tsugi no eki de norikae ga hitsuyou desu.
You need to transfer at the next station.)

バス (basu): Bus

While Japan’s train system is extensive, sometimes taking a bus is the better option. Remember the word バス (basu) to make sure you get on the right bus.

バスに乗る前に、時刻表を確認してください。
Basu ni noru mae ni, jigokuhyou o kakuninshite kudasai.
Please check the timetable before getting on the bus.

どこ (doko): Where

Finally, we can’t end our travel to Japan vocabulary article without include one of the most essential Japanese question words for first-time visitors: Where? Navigating popular cities in Japan like Tokyo and Osaka can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding small restaurants and shops. When Google Maps fails to provide accurate directions, you can rely on practicing your Japanese language skills and asking a local for assistance by using the question: “Where is (the name of the place)?”

すみません、地下成増鉄駅はどこですか?
Sumimasen, chikatetsu narimasu eki wa doko desu ka?
Excuse me, where is the subway station?

地下鉄成増駅はここからまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。
Chikatetsu narimasu eki wa koko kara massugu itte, migi ni magatte kudasai.
The Narimasu subway station is straight ahead from here, please turn right.

ありがとうございます。
Arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you very much.

While it may seem intimidating at first, learning a few key Japanese words can make traveling in Japan as a tourist much easier. Knowing these transportation-related vocabulary words will allow you to confidently navigate Japan’s extensive train and bus systems and make the most of your time in the country.

Travel and Study in Japan with Coto Academy!

Coto Academy offers short-term courses that are perfect for individuals who want to learn Japanese while on their vacation in Japan. However, whether you are visiting Japan or searching for flexible Japanese classes to fit into your busy work schedule, we have a course that will cater to your level, availability, and preferences!

What Japanese travel vocabulary do you need to know when traveling in Japan?

Most travelers should learn a few greetings and basic phrases, such as こんにちは (konnichiwa) and ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu), which mean “hello” and “thank you”. Other important phrases include asking for directions, how to order food at restaurants, and phrases used while shopping in Japan.

Can you visit Japan if you only speak English?

You can certainly get around in the big cities without using Japanese. However, the further you get outside of the city, the less people speak English. It is generally recommended for most foreign visitors to learn the basics of Japanese to travel within Japan with ease and get a complete Japanese cultural experience!

What is the word for travel in Japanese?

旅行 (ryokou) means travel. This term can refer to any type of trip or journey.

What are 4 phrases commonly spoken in Japanese when traveling?

  • こんにちは (konnichiwa) – hello
  • ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) – thank you
  • どういたしまして (douitashimashite) – you’re welcome
  • すみません (sumimasen) – I’m sorry/excuse me

Read more about traveling in Japan:

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While Japan might not be a tropical country, summers in Japan are hot and humid. You’ll know that we’ve officially entered the hottest period of the year when the rainy season is over and you start hearing cicadas. So while you can enjoy the summer life in Japan, make sure to stay cool and hydrated as a lot of people suffer from heat stroke during the peak of summer.

If Japan is your getaway destination during the summer holidays, you might want to know how to get around the summer heat to enjoy your holiday to its fullest! Here are our suggestions for ways that you can do to beat the heat in Japan.

Summer Weather in Japan

Summer, called 夏 (natsu), starts with a rainy season called 梅雨 (tsuyu) from June until mid-July, when it is usually cloudy and rainy. The high temperature for this period is generally between 25-27°C, with a low of around 18-19°C. After that comes the real summer, with lots of sunshine until the end of August. Temperatures are much higher, with a high of around 28-33°C and a low of 22-25°C.

For those who want to check the Japanese weather forecast for the most accurate information, here is some basic vocabulary that you need to know:

EnglishJapaneseRomaji
Weather forecast天気予報tenki yohou
Weather天気tenki
Sunny (clear weather)快晴kaisei
Sunny晴れhare
Cloudy曇りkumori
Rainame
Big rain大雨ooame
Thunderkaminari
Forecast high temperature最高気温saikou kion
Forecast low temperature最低気温saitei kion
Humidity湿度shitsudo
Probability of precipitation降水確率kousui kakuritsu
Wind speed風速fuusoku
Wind direction風向fuukou
Pressure気圧kiatsu

For those who are not used to the Celsius measurement, another way to tell if it’s hot is by how weather forecasts describe the day. In the summer, each day is classified into one of the following depending on the forecast high temperature.

夏日:最高気温25ºC以上の日
Natsubi : saikou kion nijuugodo ijou no hi
Summer day: days where the high temperature is 25°C or above

真夏日:最高気温30ºC以上の日
Manatsubi: saikou kion nijuugodo ijou no hi
Hot Summer day: days where the high temperature is 30°C or above

猛暑日:最高気温35ºC以上の日
Moushobi: saikou kion nijuugodo ijou no hi
Extremely hot day: days where the high temperature is 35°C or above

熱帯夜:最低気温25ºC以上の日
Nettaiya: saikou kion nijuugodo ijou no hi
Sweltering night: days where the high temperature is 25ºC or above

夏日 (natsubi) are still comfortable as a nice summer day, but 真夏日 (manatsubi), 猛暑日 (moushobi), and 熱帯夜 (nettaiya) can get uncomfortable and even dangerous. Apart from turning on the A/C and drinking water, read on to see how to avoid the summer heat like a local.

kakigori for summer in japan

1. Cool Down with the Right Food

It’s hard to go wrong with eating cold food on hot summer days. Here are some examples of cold food that are popular in the summer:

冷やしそうめん (hiyashi soumen) is chilled soumen, a popular and simple meal for the summer. そうめん (soumen) is a type of thin wheat noodle with a simple plain taste, boiled and then cooled down in ice or cold water. This is paired with a cold stronger soy-based sauce called つゆ (tsuyu), along with chopped green onions and other toppings of choice. The noodles and sauce are served separately, and it is eaten by dipping the noodles into the sauce.

Some may go the extra mile and have 流しそうめん (nagashi soumen), where 冷やしそうめん (hiyashi soumen) is turned into a fun group activity by having to catch the noodles flowing in a stream of cool water. One person will drop some soumen noodles into clean flowing water in tilted half bamboo shoots, and others will try to catch them from the middle or the other end. 

冷やし中華 (hiyashi chu-ka) can be literally translated to chilled Chinese food, and is another chilled noodle dish. In this dish, chilled Chinese noodles are used, similar to those used in ラーメン (ramen). These noodles are generally topped with thin strips of thin omelets, cucumber, carrot, tomato, ham, and crab. It is also eaten with a chilled soy-based sauce, but instead of dipping into the sauce, the sauce is poured over the noodles right before eating.

Cold desserts are a global favorite, and this is also true for Japan. Frozen desserts are generally called アイス (aisu) in Japanese, which is the Japanese pronunciation of ‘ice’. アイス (aisu) is classified into a few types: アイスクリーム (aisu kuri-mu), アイスミルク (aisu miruku), ラクトアイス (rakuto aisu), and 氷菓 (hyouka) in order of most to least fat content. Other types of frozen desserts include ソフト (sofuto), which is soft serve, and かき氷 (kaki go-ri), which is shaved ice covered in syrup and other toppings. There are many stores that specialize in different types of frozen food, and summer is a great time to explore them!

2. Dress for the weather with Cool Business (クールビズ)

Another way to deal with the heat is simply to dress for it. There is even a name for this, called クールビズ (ku-ru bizu), which derives from “Cool Business”. This is a campaign by the Ministry of the Environment aiming to reduce air conditioning use by promoting lighter clothing during hot days. Those working in offices can probably imagine how dreadful it would be to commute in the heat with a full suit and tie, especially in crowded trains with weak air conditioning. With クールビズ (ku-ru bizu), people are encouraged to wear clothing that is suitable for room temperatures of 28°C, the recommended temperature by the government. 

Uniqlo also has a clothing range called AIRism consisting of tops, bottoms, loungewear and innerwear. The material they use instantly absorbs and diffuses sweat while protecting you against the UV. The line is pretty affordable, and we recommend getting their tanktops and breathable innerwear.

3. Get cooling wipes, sprays and lotion

Japan is also known for their innovative products to try. For immediate cooling, head to your nearest drug store or 100 yen shop. During the summer season in Japan, cooling products will usually be displayed on the front, so it won’t be hard to find them.

We recommend getting a small pack of body cooling wipes that, when wiped on your body, will leave a cooling sensation. Biore is the most common brand for this product. Cooling spray and body lotion gives the same affect, but they just use different methods of application. For spray, you can mist it onto your clothes. You can apply cooling body lotion directly to your skin. Either way, you’ll feel a cooling sensation throughout the day. where you just spritz the mist onto an item of clothing, let it dry and wear it outside. The cooling body lotion is another useful product where you apply it to your skin and your body will feel a cool throughout the day.

Woman holding a portable Fan

4. Portable and Wearable Fan

If you’ve been to Japan during the summer, it’s not uncommon to see Japanese people carrying small, pastel-colored portable fans. These fans are quite affordable and can be purchased at department stores, online, or at malls.

While most portable fans are handheld, there are also hand-free neck fans available that can be worn around the neck like headphones, allowing you to stay cool without having to hold onto them all the time.

One of the most innovative options is fan-equipped clothing developed by a brand called Kuchofuku (空調服™). This clothing features built-in fans attached to vests and jackets, which draw in outside air and pump it into the upper body, providing a cooling effect. It’s particularly popular among construction workers and laborers who have to work outside in hot weather. However, you may also come across people wearing it casually while strolling around Tokyo!

5. UV-blocking Umbrella for Summer in Japan

In addition to dealing with the heat, protecting the skin from the scorching sunlight is another concern during the summer in Japan. The intense UV rays can be quite damaging, prompting many people to take measures to reduce their exposure. One popular option is using UV-blocking umbrellas and parasols, which can be found in department stores and online. These umbrellas are often lightweight and compact enough to be easily carried in a bag.

6. Stay Hydrated in Japan

Mid-summer heat means sweat — and that means you will perspire a lot. No matter whether you are indoors or outdoors, it is important to keep yourself hydrated to prevent getting heatstroke or dehydration.  Drinking plenty of water is always the right option.  Our trick is to buy the 100 yen 1-liter bottle of water from Family Mart as it is the same price as the small convenience bottles.

Staying hydrated is necessary during the summer, but even more important is maintaining your electrolytes. Electrolytes are often found in sports drinks, and common ones you can find in Japan include Pocari Swear, OS-1 (both are produced by the same company) and Aquarius.

Lastly, we can’t forget 麦茶 (mugicha), the go-to popular summer drink. 麦茶 (mugicha) is barley tea leaning more on the savory side rather than sweet. It is a staple in Japanese homes, often made or bought in large batches to be chilled in the fridge. Since it also contains many minerals, it is perfect for preventing dehydration and heat stroke.

7. Visit the Best Public Waterpark in Tokyo

Next up is pools and waterparks, which are a surefire way to cool down and enjoy the summer. Pools, called プール (pu-ru), can be found all over Japan in either public 市民プール (shimin pu-ru) or private pools in sports centers.

As for waterparks, they are a summer outing that you cannot miss. There are a variety of these amusement parks in Japan that are popular for families and friends in the summer. These parks have swimming pools, water slides, splash pads, lazy rivers, and more to satisfy a wide audience range. Fun fact: lazy rivers are called 流れるプール (nagareru pu-ru), which literally translated to pools that flow.

The most popular water park in Tokyo is Tokyo Summerland. It has both outdoor and indoor pools complete with different slides, attractions, and an amusement park, perfect for a short outing to enjoy the summer heat, even if it’s raining! Those who enjoy thrilling rides will enjoy the main water slide which is 24m tall and 131m long.

A bit further from the inner city is Rainbow Pool at Showa Kinen Park, located in Tachikawa. This is the largest waterpark in the metropolitan area with as many as 9 pools in total. There are plenty of fun facilities there to play with such as spiral slides, a flowing simulated river, and a wave machine. You can arrive there by taking the JR Chuo Rapid line

With at least 20 water parks near Tokyo and many more outside, all with different characteristics and attractions, you can be sure to enjoy your summer to its fullest while embracing the summer heat.

8. Avoid hotter areas, visit cooler areas in Japan

If you would rather avoid the heat than embrace it, you can do that by visiting cooler regions of Japan. The weather and temperature differ by region, and even in the summer you may be able to find cooler and chillier areas.

These chillier areas or hill stations are called 避暑地 (hishochi), where the kanji can be directly translated to “avoid hot place”. Here are a few recommended 避暑地 (hishochi) near Tokyo to visit in the summer:

奥日光 (Oku-Nikko) and 那須高原 (Nasu Kogen) are two popular 避暑地 (hishochi) in 栃木 (Tochigi) prefecture. These two areas are rich with nature and full of historical sites. The three famous waterfalls in 奥日光 (Oku-Nikko) are a must-see, and you can’t miss the many farms in 那須高原 (Nasu Kogen). These spots are a short 新幹線 (shinkansen) ride from Tokyo, and make for perfect short or day trips.

軽井沢 (Karuizawa) in 長野 (Nagano) prefecture may be one of the most popular areas to visit in the summer. With retro style buildings and museums, walking on these streets will make you feel as if you slipped into a different world. There are also shopping centers and other charming stores around the area, so you can take your pick of activities. What’s more, 軽井沢 (Karuizawa) is only a 90min 新幹線 (shinkansen) ride from Tokyo station. 

Summer festival with fireworks

9. Visit a summer firework festival

Those who’ve watched anime or Japanese media may know of 夏祭り (natsu matsuri) and 花火大会 (hanabi taikai), which are summer festival and fireworks festival respectively. These are big summer events that those in Japan look forward to, as it means that people can dress up in 浴衣 (yukata), party with friends, and eat street food, all while watching the fireworks that will make you forget about the heat.

One of the most crowded and popular 花火大会 (hanabi taikai) is the 隅田川花火大会 (Sumidagawa hanabi taikai), held in July every year on the banks of the Sumida river near 浅草 (Asakusa). Approximately 20,000 fireworks are shot during this festival, lighting up the skies next to Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Sky Tree.

You can walk along the stalls called 屋台 (yatai), which sell Japanese street foods like 焼きそば (yakisoba), お好み焼き (okonomiyaki), じゃがバター (jagabataa), 唐揚げ (karaage), たこ焼き (takoyaki), and many more. This is also one of the special occasions where people freely walk and eat, or 食べ歩き (tabearuki). If you don’t feel like being part of the crowd at the 屋台 (yatai), another option is to watch the fireworks from a restaurant near Tokyo Skytree, or ride on a 屋形船 (yakatabune) on the Sumida River right under the fireworks.

Conclusion

Summer in Japan can be terribly hot and humid, sometimes exceeding 30°C. These days, regardless of whether you’re a tourist or stuck in the office, there are so many things that you can do to deal with the summer heat.

Wish to learn more about living in Japan? Check out our blog articles for more tips!

Summer is a good time to study Japanese in Tokyo, so if you are planning to visit Japan during the summer, contact us to join fun, short-term Japanese courses in Shibuya, Tokyo, or Yokohama!

Are there any unique cooling products or inventions in Japan for the summer?

Yes, Japan is known for its innovative cooling products. Some examples include portable handheld fans, neck fans that hang like headphones, and even clothing with built-in fans that circulate air to keep you cool.

Is it advisable to travel to Japan during the summer?

While the summer heat can be intense in Japan, it can still be an enjoyable time to visit because of the summer festivals (matsuri) and food.

Are there any particular regions in Japan with cooler temperatures during summer?

Northern regions such as Hokkaido and mountainous areas like Nagano and Tohoku tend to have cooler temperatures compared to the rest of Japan. Consider visiting these areas for a respite from the summer heat.

How do you stay cool in Japan during the summer?

Try a lot of cooling wipes or spray, wear breathable clothing (like Uniqlo’s AIRism), drink plenty of water, and get a UV-blocking umbrella.

Are there any traditional summer festivals or events I should experience?

Japan hosts vibrant summer festivals known as “matsuri.” These events feature traditional dances, fireworks displays, and street food stalls. Famous festivals include the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, Tanabata in Sendai, and the Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori.

What are some recommended summer food in Japan?

Chilled noodles like soba or somen, cold tofu dishes, watermelon, shaved ice desserts (kakigori), and various cold teas like matcha or barley tea (mugicha) are popular summer food.

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From sushi to ramen to mouth-watering gyoza, Japan has an endless list of delicious foods. This leads many of us back to the kitchen in our own homes wondering how we can recreate those umami flavors. Japanese cooking is not only delicious but once you know what to do, well-balanced, incredibly tasty meals can be whipped up in no time at all. But perhaps the best thing about learning Japanese recipes is taking them back home to share with your family and friends, introducing them to new flavors, and bringing a slice of Japan to their plate.

There are many Japanese culinary classes around Tokyo, but for those that want to study Japanese whilst cooking and have a go on their own, in this article we will cover several common Japanese phrases that appear in recipes here in Japan. We will also include a breakdown of how to read the measurements in Japanese recipes but first, we will dive into the cupboard essentials, what you’ll need to start cooking Japanese dishes on a regular basis. 

Your learning journey starts with a simple message. Reach out now and we’ll handle the rest.

essential japanese cooking vocabuary

Japanese Cupboard Essentials

出汁: Dashi, Soup Stock

Dashi forms the base of many broths in Japan including ramen, miso soup, and oden. It’s also an essential element in traditional Japanese cooking, like teishoku. There are three main types of dashi, kombu (seaweed), bonito, and shiitake mushrooms. It is the dashi base that gives Japanese soups their signature umami flavor. Awase dashi, the most common, is made from a combination of bonito flakes and kombu. This dashi is usually what many people are referring to when they say dashi. You can make dashi from scratch but it can also be purchased in a granular form, as a concentrated liquid, or in tea-bag-type pouches for easy use.  

醤油: Shouyu, Soy Sauce 

Next to dashi, soy sauce is used in all kinds of Japanese dishes. 濃口醤油 (koikuchi shouyu) is the most predominant kind, meaning dark soy sauce that is rich in flavor. This tends to be the type most recipes call for, however, there are many different types of soy sauce including those that already have dashi included. Depending on how you plan to use your soy sauce will determine what kind you’ll need but for regular cooking koikuchi shouyu is recommended. If concerned about salt content, look for 減塩醤油 (gen-en shouyu) this is soy sauce with a reduced amount of sodium, on the packaging, it will usually specify by how much but many brands cut salt by up to 50%! 

味醂: Mirin  

Mirin is a type of rice wine, similar to sake but with a slightly lower alcohol content and more sugar. This sugar is not added but actually a natural by-product in the fermentation process. Mirin provides that sweet tang that is common among so many Japanese dishes. With mirin in your cupboard, you’ll open the doors to a variety of dipping sauces, glazes, marinades, broths and much more.  

酒: Sake, Japanese Rice Wine

Sake has a range of uses but is predominantly used to tenderize meat, expel fish odors and deepen the flavor of a dish. When it comes to cooking there is specific sake labeled 料理酒, ryouri sake, which is the kanji for both cooking and sake combined. This sake is far more affordable than the sake sold for drinking and you don’t need good quality sake for cooking, any cooking sake will do! 

味噌: Miso

Miso adds another layer of flavor and does much more than just miso soup. There are three types of miso: red, white and yellow. In cooking, yellow (信州, shinshu) miso is often used as it is the most versatile. Red is more of an acquired taste being quite strong in flavor as it has been fermented the longest and finally, white is the mildest but also the sweetest. It is best to see what your recipe calls for, however, yellow miso will cover a good range of recipes and is generally what “miso” in recipes refers to unless otherwise stated. 

Essential Japanese Indgredient Vocabulary

Ingredients in Japanese
Ingredients in Japanese
JapaneseRomajiEnglish
nikumeat
牛肉gyuunikubeef
鶏肉torinikuchicken
豚肉butanikupork
sakanafish
砂糖satousugar
shiosalt
suvinegar
みそmisomiso
aburaoil
ソースsoosusauce
玉葱tamanegionion
人参ninjincarrot
レタスretasulettuce
果物kudamonofruit
野菜yasaivegetable
茄子nasueggplant
キャベツkyabetsucabbage
大蒜ninnikugarlic
胡瓜kyuuricucumber
ピーマンpiimangreen chilies
メキャベツmekyabetsubean sprouts
マヨネーズmayoneezumayonnaise
ケチャップkechappuketchup
こしょうkoshoupepper
とがらしtogarashicayenne
しょうがshougaginger
小麦粉Komugikowheat flour
tamagoegg
ご飯gohancooked rice

Japanese Seasoning has a Specific Order

Japan has mastered the perfect balance between sweet and savory. Kinpira is one example of a dish that is salty yet sweet with earthy undertones that make it an all-time favorite. This balance in flavors is achieved only when food is seasoned in the correct order and is considered part of the ABCs when it comes to Japanese cooking. 

First, it is important to cook the ingredients, allowing the heat to tenderize the food. If the seasoning is added too early then the flavors cannot penetrate as far and they can even prevent tenderization. When adding both sugar and salt to a dish, as many Japanese recipes do, each must be added separately. Sugar always comes first because salt can block sugar and zap away the sweetness. After sugar comes salt, then vinegar, soy sauce and lastly miso. Switching this order around can determine how the flavors interact with each other and can completely change a dish. Soy sauce and miso are often mistakenly thought of as bases but actually, they are both very rich with strong aromas and too much heat can kill the aroma. Also, if added too early they can overshadow the other flavors. So rather than bases, it is best to view them as toppings. 

Check out: Guide to Your Japanese Food Label Vocabulary

japanese cooking vocabulary: kitchen appliances

Measuring Your Ingredients in Japanese

When it comes to reading the ingredients (材料, zairyou) you’ll need to know how much of everything you need so down below we’ve included a conversion table for your reference. Also look out for the kanji 人分, ninbun, in a recipe to find out how many portions the recipe is supposed to serve. 

KanjiRomajiEnglish
大さじOosajiTable spoon
小さじKosajiTea spoon
適量Teki-ryouModerate amount
少々Shou shouA little
程度TeidoAbout/ roughly
KanjiRomajiEnglish
HonFor stick like objects
KoFor small objects
MaiFor flat thin objects 
KanFor cans 

Essential Phrases for Japanese Cooking 

Reading instructions can be daunting in any language let alone your second language. When it comes to reading the tsukuri kata (作り方), the method, we have a short list to get started. The more you cook, the more you read, and the more comfortable you will begin to feel when it comes to Japanese cooking. And by all means, celebrate the mistakes as they are small wins too!

Check out our article on how to order at a Japanese fast-food restaurant. 

1. 切る, Kiru: to Cut

Kiru, to cut, is perhaps the most useful verb to know when cooking. Just like in English, there are many variations when it comes to cutting, the style, the shape, and so we have listed some of the phrases you are likely to come across.

JapaneseRomajiEnglish explanation
細切りにするHosogiri ni suruThe first kanji comes from the adjective, hosoi which means thin and then you have kiri to cut. 
粗みじん切りSo mijin kirimeans to finely chop or mince. Raw tuna in Japan is often minced and then served on top of a bowl of rice or on sushi. 
輪切りWagirithe first kanji here means ring or circle and together with the verb cut, it means to cut into circular slices. For example, ninjin wo wagiri would be the instructions for cutting a carrot into circular slices.  
Yokowhich means “side” and 縦, tate, which means “upright” can also be found in recipes indicating how to place the ingredient before cutting it although you’ll mostly find the former rather than the latter.  
Habawhich means the width is also regularly written in recipes, usually with a measurement afterward so you know how thick the slices need to be cut. 

Example Sentence:

ケールは横に幅3cmに切る
Keeru wa yoko ni haba san senchi meturu ni kiru
Put the kale on its side and cut it into 3cm wide pieces.  

Tip: If you don’t feel comfortable cutting fish at home, you can sometimes ask an employee to cut it for you at the fish market or even at the supermarket if they have a specific counter. Just ask:

この魚を切ってください
kono sakana o kitte kudasai.
Please cut this fish.

2. 混ぜ合わせる, Maze awaseru: To Mix

For soups, sauces, and on the back of packages like for okonomiyaki and takoyaki, you’ll need to know what to mix and when. Fortunately in the ingredients section what you need to mix is usually already grouped together under letters such as ‘group A’. Maze-awaseru actually stems from the verb to mix, mazeru, but the difference is that maze-award means to mix completely/ thoroughly. 

Example Sentence:

AとBを混ぜ合わせる
A to B o maze awaseru
Mix A and B together.

3. 火をかける, Hi wo kakeru: To put on the Stove

Literally translated this means to put something over the fire. You may also see 火を引く, hi o hiku, written as an alternative but it has the same meaning. These two phrases can be used whenever something needs to be heated over the stove. Below we have summarized the different levels of heat. Note that only the first kanji changes to suggest the amount of heat required.   

火にかけるTsuyobi ni kakeruPut over high heat
火にかける中火を引くChuubi ni kakeruChuubi wo hikuPut over medium heat
火にかけるYowabi ni kakeruPut over low heat

4. 蒸し煮にする, Mushi ni suru: to Simmer

The first kanji 蒸 means to steam and the second 煮 means to boil, and together they create the verb to simmer. Mushi ni suru can also be written as mushini (蒸煮) for short. 

5. 沸かす, wakasu: to boil

お湯を沸かす, oyu wo wakasu, bring the water to a boil.

6. 蒸す, musu, to steam

Chawan-mushi is the name of a savory dish, the word chawan comes from rice bowl or tea cup and mushi is from the verb to steam. 

7. 炒める, Itameru, to Fry

Itameru is very versatile and can be used to indicate when something needs to be sauteed, cooked as a stir fry or for frying in general. The recipe will usually indicate the level of heat to be used: high, medium or low. 

パンで野菜を炒める
Pan de yasai o itameru
Pan fry the vegetables. 

8. 焼く, Yaku, to Roast/ Grill/ Bake

Yaku is a verb that covers many things that mean to heat. With context, it is easy to decipher what kind of yaku is being implied as the instruction will usually give the name of the appliance to be used also such as oven, oven toaster, pan, etc. 

200°C に予熱しておいたオーブンで、12〜15分焼く
200°C ni yonetsu shite oita ouben de 12-15 bun yaku
Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Other Essential Verb in Japanese Cooking Vocabulary

凍る FreezeKouruFreeze
解凍 するKaitou suruDefrost
片ずけるKatazukeruTidy

Where to Find Free Recipes in Japan

Just beyond the checkout at supermarkets, there are sometimes little recipes to collect or entire magazines featuring different recipes. Walking around the supermarket too, keep your eyes peeled for any recipes pinned to the wall or next to products, these are usually to advertise a product. Recipes can also be found on the back of the packaging, many sauces give a number of different ways to use them and okonomiyaki packs tend to always have a handy how-to guide. 

Magazines at train stations are worth reading also, if not just to discover what’s going on in your local area, they often feature a recipe or two. And lastly cooking shows are broadcasted weekly by NHK, such as 今日の料理, kyou no ryouri, which is on [NHK Eテレ] every Monday and Tuesday from 9 am. This cooking show has been going since 1957 and has shared over 30,000 recipes since then! This show is 25 minutes long and at the end there is an extra 5 minutes which is exclusively for beginners. 

Lastly, if you are thinking about purchasing a recipe book but want some English guidance to check you are following along correctly, the 英語でつくる和食 (eigo de tsukuru washoku) book by chef Nakajima Sadaharu contains 100 popular recipes and all the recipes are in both English and Japanese. 

Conclusion

That was the Japanese cooking vocabulary list! Learning Japanese cooking and recipe vocabulary is a valuable addition to your Japanese language learning journey. Not only does it allow you to work effectively in the kitchen, but it also enables you to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture and cuisine. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, taking Japanese language courses at Coto Academy can help you improve your language skills and expand your knowledge of Japanese food and cooking. With the guidance of experienced instructors and the support of a friendly learning community, you can achieve your language learning goals!

Start your journey with Coto Academy today and unlock the doors to the Japanese language and culture! If you’re interested in taking part-time private lessons in Tokyo, fill out the form below and book a free course consultation with us!

FAQ:

What are the common ingredients used in Japan?

Shoyu (soy sauce), cooking sake (rice wine), mirin (sweeter cooking wine), and miso are likely the most popular ingredients in Japanese cooking. You will find these ingredients in most Japanese recipes and are sold in every Japanese super market and most convenience stores.

Are Japanese recipes simple and easy to make?

Japanese cuisine can be very simple to make and require little prep time but some recipes, though simple in ingredients, take practice to get good at. For instance, オムライス (omelette rice) consists of only a few ingredients, but to make the egg have the perfect consistency takes time to master.

Where do most people in Japan buy food?

Most people buy from super markets which can be found in most residential areas. Some of the most popular super markets include: Seiyu, Aeon, Gyomu, etc. Some convenience stores also carry ingredients for cooking, usually only very basic items such as rice, potatoes, or a limited selection of fruits. But certain popular convenience store brands like Lawson Store 100 carry more grocery items.

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If you live in Japan, chances are you have already experienced an earthquake, or jishin (地震), during your time here. As you probably already know, that’s due to the fact that Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, with a long history of earthquakes and tsunamis. Whether you’re just traveling to Japan or have been living here as a resident, have you learned what you need to do before, during and after an earthquake in Japan? 

In this article, we will guide you through the main measures you should know to prepare and act in case of an earthquake. While there are many online resources, this article will be based on official information from the Tokyo Metropolitan government. 

Read on for the full guide!

Jump to:

Disaster Preparation in Japan

With the country sitting at the intersection of several tectonic plates along the western edge of the Ring of Fire, Japan experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, with most of them being of little intensity and causing limited damage. 

As a vital safety measure, the Japanese government has implemented strict building codes to alleviate the potential threats of property damage and, most importantly, life losses. Buildings in Japan must have seismic isolation, base isolation, and energy dissipation systems. They should be built with reinforced concrete and steel frames to withstand ground liquefaction, strong winds, and typhoons. All buildings must also pass strict fire safety, emergency lighting, and egress measures before being allowed to be used by residents.  

Japanese authorities across the country also regularly conduct widespread earthquake drills in places such as public buildings, schools, and offices, to ensure that residents and workers are prepared in the event of an actual earthquake. By being prepared, residents can increase their possibility of staying safe while also protecting others.  

What to Do in Case of an Earthquake in Japan

In case of an earthquake, making the right decisions can be the difference between life and death. The Tokyo Disaster Prevention Information Website recommends preparing in advance by imagining what you would do when a disaster hit. Participating in fire and disaster drills is advisable to have an idea of how an emergency situation could develop. They also recommend talking about it with your family and the people you are living with,  so you can all be aligned on the emergency procedures. 

When disaster strike, however, is when you should be most prepared for it. Here are important steps that you can do before, during, and after an earthquake to decrease the risk of getting hurt.  

Before an Earthquake in Japan 

Preparation is essential. Know the evacuation routes close to your house, and write down important phone numbers that you might need in an emergency, as the internet will probably stop functioning. 

NumberFunction
110Emergency call to the police (for crimes and arrest)
118Call 118 to report an accident or crime at sea to the Japan Coast Guard.
119Call 119 to report a fire, ask for an ambulance or rescue service, or to contact an emergency call center (a fire station).

Check your ward office’s disaster preparedness online website for other helpful information that could help you. Save the important information near your emergency kit. Also, you can rely on technology and activate earthquake emergency alert notifications on your iPhone or Android.  

What to Prepare in Your Earthquake Kit

What's inside an earthquake kit?
What’s inside an earthquake kit?

You have probably heard of earthquake or disaster kits. Earthquake kits are bags filled with the most essential items you will need when you are required to leave your house due to natural disasters or any other emergency in Japan. 

Most households have prepared a survival kit. Usually, these come with items such as portable radio, batteries, a first-aid kit, chargers, a flashlight, a whistle, blankets and some cash. 

You should have a supply of nonperishable food, like food bars and canned items, and water for at least three days. Reviewing and updating your disaster kit regularly is a good idea to ensure that all the items are fresh and you have enough supplies to last at least 72 hours. Remember that being prepared is the key to surviving an earthquake or any other emergency. 

It is also vital to “quake-proof your home or room,” which basically means securing furniture such as cabinets and bookshelves, as well as large electronics to prevent them from falling in case of an earthquake. In most Japanese hardware stores, you can find straps and tools for fastening and securing items.  

what to do earthquake in japan

During an Earthquake in Japan 

Luckily, Japan has a great earthquake warning system. Major phone carriers (Docomo, Softbank, and au)have developed Cell Broadcast systems to send multiple users a message of the EEW — Earthquake Early Warning, or kinkyuu jishin sokuhou (緊急地震速報). You will usually get this warning moments before an earthquake in your area starts, which should give you time to prepare ahead. 

If you experience the first signs of an earthquake at home or in your office, stay calm and stay as safe as possible. Locate and move to a place where you will be protected from falling objects, furniture, and other heavy items that could slide into you.

Avoid hiding under furniture that could instead hurt you or near falling objects such as televisions, mirrors, or windows. Instead, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a desk or table, or in a doorway. Always prioritize protecting yourself and your family, and don’t care much about your material possessions.  

Drop down onto your hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you down. If possible, hold on to something that could keep you in place in case of violent tremors,  and wait until the shaking stops before moving. It is important to mention to avoid running outside during an earthquake, as you are less likely to be injured if you stay where you are.  

If you are in your bedroom, protect your head with items such as a pillow or bed quilt to avoid being hit by broken window glass or falling ceiling lights. Also, move to a place where floor lamps or dressing tables will not topple over on you. 

If you happen to be in a bathroom or toilet, there’s the risk you might get trapped inside,  so open the door when you feel a tremor. If possible, move to a safer place, such as the hallway or front entrance, so that you can quickly evacuate. The bathroom can also be a  dangerous place as you aren’t wearing any clothing to protect yourself. In that case, cover your head with a washing basin or something to protect yourself from the shattered glass of mirrors or light bulbs. Try to quickly get out of the bathroom and move to a safe place. 

If you’re outdoors, try to locate an area away from trees, signs, buildings, electrical wires,  and poles, and follow the other measures previously mentioned. Cover yourself, especially your head and neck, as they are vulnerable to injury from falling objects. Be careful of broken glass, bricks, or cement falling from buildings. Also, utilize your backpack or bag to protect yourself. 

In the case an earthquake happens when you are in a car, pull over as quickly as possible and stay away from potentially falling trees, buildings, or overhead wires. Wait in the car if you can. If you are on public transport such as subway, trains, or buses, follow the emergency measures, drop down, cover yourself, and wait for the shaking to stop. Then,  follow the instructions from the conductor. 

After an Earthquake  in Japan

Wait till the shaking subsides completely, and once ready to move, be careful not to be injured by shattered glass, broken ceramic objects, and other hazardous objects. If your home is safe, try to stay home, but if you need to leave, head to the nearest evacuation area, or hinan basho (避難場所).

Rushing out of your house in a panic puts you at risk of getting hurt by a  falling object. Double-check the situation around you with your eyes and ears, and prevent the danger from any dangerous objects, buildings, or a possible fire outbreak. After it, calmly secure an exit,  either through a door or a room’s window. However, be careful to stay clear of glass or walls, as they could collapse at any time. 

If you are outdoors, be careful not to get injured by falling roof tiles, broken glass, or soon to collapse concrete walls. In the unfortunate situation of being trapped or unable to move, avoid shouting, as this could exhaust you. Instead, try to make noise by using steady objects to hit the floor and let others realize you are trapped.

When evacuating buildings, use the stairs and avoid using the elevators, even if the  shaking has stopped. Keep in mind that immediately after an earthquake, roads and the areas around stations become very crowded. Do not immediately leave your home, but stay and wait and see how the situation progresses.  

Once heading back home, be cautious of falling signboards, neon signs, and shards of glass. Also, be careful of broken or sagging power lines in the streets, and don’t touch any of them. When you reach home, confirm the situation of the members of your family who are with you. Check the inside of the house and ensure all possible fire sources have been cleared. Turn off the gas at home immediately, and be careful about flames from lighters until you confirm there hasn’t been a gas leak. If you need to evacuate your home, turn off the circuit breaker. 

Stay aware of the situation over the radio and other media to also be ready in case of other disasters such as a tsunami. If you live in a coastal area, don’t wait for an official tsunami evacuation; head to high ground as soon as possible. Be prepared for aftershocks, or yoshin (余震), as they are frequent after significant earthquakes. 

In the aftermath of an earthquake, assisting those in need can be crucial for saving lives and facilitating recovery efforts. Don’t just think about yourself or your family,  but cooperate with those around you and help as many people as possible.  

If you run across a person who has collapsed and doesn’t respond to you, try to provide first help and also ask for assistance from people around. If you discover someone trapped under a pillar or beam, quickly call an ambulance or a fireman. Confirm whether the person is still conscious, and stay next to the person until assistance arrives. A small action can make a big difference in mitigating the damage of the earthquake and the number of life losses. 

Japanese Vocabulary for Disasters

Japanese Vocabulary for Disasters
Japanese vocabulary for Disasters

Most announcements for emergency and disaster prevention will be said in Japanese. Regardless of your Japanese level, you might want to learn some emergency-related Japanese words. Understanding them will help you be more aware of the situation and can make a big difference after a disaster.

Disaster-related Japanese Vocabulary

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
地震jishinearthquake
震度shindomagnitude of an earthquake 
震源shingenthe epicenter of an earthquake
地震警報jishin keihouearthquake warning 
地震情報jishin jouhouearthquake information
地雾予報jishin yohouearthquake forecast
津波tsunamitsunami
緊急地震速報kinkyuu jishin sokuhouearly earthquake warning
注意報chuuihouAdvisories
警報keihouwarning
特別警報tokubetsu keihouspecial warning

Warning, Rescue and Aftermath Japanese Vocabulary

Keep in mind that hinanjo and hinanbasho are two different things. Hinanjo (避難所) is a place where those who have lost their homes can temporarily stay — like a center or refuge. Hinanbasho (避難場所) is an evacuation area where you go during a disaster.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
避難hinanemergency
避難所hinanjoevacuation center
避難場所hinanbashoevacuation area
避難勧告jishin keihouevacuation advisory
避難指示jishin jouhouevacuation instruction
救助kyuujorescue
 救急⾞kyuukyuushaambulance
消防⾞shoboushafiretruck
救助隊kyuujotairescue team
被災者hisaishadisaster victim
安否確認anpikakuninconfirmation of safety
行方不明yukue-fumeiunknown whereabouts
停電teidenelectricity outage
断水dansuiwater outage
非常食hijoushokuemergency food

Conclusion

Earthquakes may not be predictable, but you can do a lot to protect yourself and your beloved ones with simple actions. According to the Tokyo Disaster Prevention Information  Website, there’s a 70% probability that another major earthquake will hit Tokyo in the next 30 years. Hopefully, after reading this article, you are better aware of how to be ready and what to do to save your life and help others. 

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How do Japanese prepare for earthquakes?

Japanese buildings and houses are strictly designed to be resistant to high earthquake magnitudes. Japanese authorities across the country also regularly conduct widespread earthquake drills in places such as public buildings, schools, and offices. they have issued extensive guidelines which include assembling an emergency kit in advance of a disaster.

What to do during an earthquake in Japan?

There is the Drop, Cover and Hold strategy. Locate and move to a place where you will be protected from falling objects. Drop down low for stability and reduce your risk of falling, and hold on to steady objects to keep yourself in place.

Should I be worried about earthquakes in Japan?

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, with a long history of earthquakes and tsunamis. However, while Japan experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, most of them have little intensity and cause limited damage. 

Kimono is so widely known that the word itself has become a part of the English language. From the very heart of Japanese culture, this iconic garment was worn on a daily basis in 19th-century Japan. Its beginnings can be traced back over a thousand years, to the Heian period (794–1185), from what was known as the kosode, the thought to be a precursor of the kimono. 

There are so many different variations when it comes to kimonos. In this article, we will break down seven common types you are likely to hear about in Japan especially if you decide to book a kimono experience or even purchase your own!

When Do We Wear a Kimono?

Nowadays the number of people that can be seen in kimonos in day-to-day life has drastically reduced across the nation as the number of people that know how to wear kimono continues to decline. But rather than a daily attire, for many Japanese people kimono is reserved for special occasions such as seijin no hi, the coming of age ceremony, where young adults celebrate turning 20, and for other big occasions such as kekkonshiki, wedding ceremonies, and even little children wear kimono for shichi go san (七五三), a celebration to mark the rite of passage for ages 3 (san), 5 (go) and 7 (shichi). And although the kimono is not seen on the bustling streets of Tokyo as it once was a century ago, it is still an integral and treasured part of Japanese culture.   

What is the Difference Between Yukata and Kimono?

Compared to yukata, kimono is considered more formal. There are many different types of kimono for different occasions whereas yukata is worn to casual events such as summer firework festivals and onsens. At some hotels and onsens, you can borrow a yukata to walk around the grounds, they are trendy at onsen resorts as they are easy to take on and off. A distinctive difference between yukata and kimono is that yukata are much thinner than kimono and hence why they are popular in summer for casual festivities.

The Different Parts of Kimono and Yukata:

kimono vocabulary
Kimono PartsMeaningExplanation
Tabi (足袋)Socks for kimonoTabi are socks that separate your big toe from your little toes which allow you to wear zori shoes that are traditionally worn with a kimono. Tabi nowadays can be purchased almost anywhere, however, tabi that are worn for formal occasions and photo shoots have a slightly harder bottom so the shape of your toes doesn’t show through. 
Obi (帯)Sash/ beltThere are many different variations of obi, some plain, some patterned, some with different widths and you can even get accessories to decorate your obi. It is important to note that some obi is more formal or casual than others to choose carefully depending on the type of kimono you wear or if you wear a yukata.
Zouri (草履)Kimono shoesZori is the most appropriate shoe to wear with a kimono and go best with tabi. For formal occasions, zori is white in color but you can also find colored zori like gold which is becoming popular to match the gold in many kimonos.  
Geta (下駄)Yukata shoesThese shoes are often made from wood and are slightly raised off the ground with two platforms. Geta goes best with yukata as they are more casual compared to zori.
Haneri (半衿)UnderlayerThis is a long underlayer that goes on before the kimono to prevent the kimono from becoming dirty and to protect it.

Seven Different Types of Kimono

1. Houmongi (訪問着): The Visiting Kimono

Houmongi translates to “visiting garment” and is considered semi-formal attire. The first two kanji, houmon (訪問), means visit and the last kanji () means garment. As the name suggests this kimono is often worn to outings such as tea ceremonies or the theater but it can also be worn to a friend’s wedding.

It is particularly popular in the summer months thanks to the thin comfortable silk and bright translucent colors. In summer you may find these kimonos feature autumn grasses to welcome the next season. As the temperature drops into autumn, autumn houmongi may have another layer such as wool to keep out the cold. In contrast to the summer houmongi these kimonos have darker hues with themes of oranges and reds running through to complement the autumn leaves. 

2. Furisode (振袖): Swinging Sleeves

Furisode literally translates to “swinging sleeves” and is the most formal kimono for unmarried women. A defining characteristic of the furisode is the long sleeves that sweep down from either arm. The long sleeves of the furisode were initially used to attract a love interest hence why they are worn by unmarried women.

It is further said that women could swing these long elegant sleeves around them to ward off evil and also cast good luck upon themselves and the people around them. The second kanji in furisode is for sleeves (袖) and is very useful to know as it is seen in clothing stores across Japan to indicate when shirts have short or long sleeves. You can look for nagasode (長袖) for long sleeves, hansode (半袖) for half/ short sleeves and sodenashi (袖なし) for no sleeves.

seijn no hi kimono

These kimonos are considered formal attire and represent high status. In fact, in the Edo period (1603 – 1867) it was expected that young women must wear furisode and they could even be refused entry through one of the borders without it.

Furisode can be bright in color and are often chosen by unmarried women to wear to wedding ceremonies. These kimonos can also be seen on seijin no hi, a national holiday otherwise known as the coming of age ceremony that takes place every year on the second Monday of January to celebrate those who just turned twenty. Furisode are worn in a wide variety of colors by the young girls and often with fur shawls to keep warm on the day of the ceremony. 

Despite furisode mainly being for unmarried women, there is one type of furisode that is called Hiki-furisode (引き振袖) which has very long sleeves that sweep the floor and it is one of the colored kimonos that brides can choose at their wedding ceremony. 

3. Tomesode (留袖): The Evening Dress of Kimonos

Tomesode is comparable to the evening dress of kimonos, it is the most formal attire for married women. This kimono is very elegant and can easily be identified by the pattern which is solely towards the bottom of the kimono, giving a modest yet beautiful finish. Compared to furisode the sleeves of tomesode are much shorter and more practical to move in. 

There are two types of tomesode, the iro-tomesode which means one with color and the kuro tomesode which means a black tomesode. The black tomesode is worn by married women who are family members of the bride and groom at wedding ceremonies. Black is a common color to see worn by guests at Japanese weddings as it allows the bride to stand out in all white. 

4. Haori (羽織): Kimono Overcoats

Once worn to battle as overcoats to keep warm, haori can now be seen in hotels and ryokans that offer yukatas to borrow, here the haori serves as an overcoat. They are an essential item if strolling between onsens in the mountains such as Kusatsu! 

5. Hakama (袴): Kimono Pants

Hakama offers a different style to kimono, rather than a dress, it is a pants-like garment. When wearing a kimono it is difficult to take big steps as the fabric is wrapped tightly around you. Hakama on the other hand, is more loose fitting and therefore easier to move around in. It was initially worn by men so that they could ride horses and move with more freedom. 

The formal kimono worn by men, monpuku, is a black haori coupled with striped hakama and are worn at wedding ceremonies by the groom with their family crest printed on the haori. Hakama are also worn by women, called miko, that work at Shinto shrines. They wear traditional white kimonos with bright scarlet hakama. Hakama is further worn by those that practice martial arts such as Aikido, but this black hakama is only given after achieving a high level. It is also worn by calligraphers and in traditional card game tournaments called hyaku nin isshu.

6. Shiromuku (白無垢): Pure White Bridal Kimono

Shiromuku is a traditional Japanese wedding kimono that is completely white including the obi and all the different layers. The Shiromuku was originally worn by brides at weddings of samurai families but since then it has become the bridal kimono for traditional Shinto weddings across Japan. White in Japan is the color of the sun and it represents purity and cleanliness, it further symbolizes how the bride will now take on the groom’s family colors and it is common for the bride to have an outfit change after the ceremony to a colored kimono such as iro-uchikake or hiki-furisode

Items that Accompany Shiromuku:

  • Tsuno-kakushi (角隠し) is a wig that is commonly worn with the shiromuku kimono on the wedding day and legend believes that this wig is to hide the horns of the bride which symbolizes jealousy and ego. By covering the horns it is said she will become an obedient wife. 
  • An alternative headpiece is the wata-boushi (綿帽子), an all-white hat that arches up and covers the bride’s face from the sides. Originally this headpiece was worn to keep away dust and keep warm but it has since taken on a role similar to the western veil as it keeps the bride’s face hidden from everyone except the groom until they are wed. 
  • Hakoseko (筥迫) is a traditional accessory usually made from fabric that carries auspicious items such as incense, lip crimson and a mirror. This is now purely decorative but still used as an essential part of the shiromuku tucked into the obi.

7. Iro-Uchikake (色打掛): Colorful Formal Kimono 

The iro-uchikake is usually worn at wedding ceremonies after the shiromuku to symbolize taking on the groom’s family colors. The outer layer of the shiromuku is replaced with the iro-uchikake so it is a seamless switch. This kimono, however, can weigh more than 5kg!

Embellished with traditional symbols, and silk lined with a gorgeous padded hem, these kimonos shout nobility and elegance. Their origins date back to the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333) when they were donned by the women of the samurai elite. Then during the Edo period, it became popular amongst aristocrats and merchants. Today the iro-uchikake is not only seen at wedding ceremonies but also on stage during performances and for other formal occasions. For weddings red, black and gold are the most popular but these kimonos can be found in a whole range of colors. 

Kimono Symbols and Their Meanings

You might notice that the kimono comes with a variety of beautiful, intricate motifs. These motifs can be interpreted in many ways. In Japan, people generally decide which kimono to wear according to the implicit meanings of their patterns, colors, and seasons.

Pattern or symbolEnglishMeaning
Botan (牡丹)PeoniesReferred to as king of flowers, peonies are a symbol of good fortune, nobility and ageless beauty.
Tsuru (鶴)CranesBelieved to live for a thousand years and inhabit the land of the immortals, cranes symbolize longevity and good fortune. A pair foretells a happy marriage. 
Ume (梅)Plum blossomsThe first blossom of spring, the plum blossom is the flower of peace, a protective charm that symbolizes longevity, renewal and perseverance. 
Yama (山)MountainsMountains depict sacred places between heaven and earth. If there are birds flying over then it symbolizes overcoming life’s challenges. 
Matsu (松)Pine TreeAssociated with the new year and winter, pine trees symbolize longevity, steadfastness and wisdom. 

If you are interested in learning more about kimono you can undertake a professional kimono course called omenjyo to acquire a license where you learn how to wear a kimono properly by yourself. Or you can opt for a kimono experience and be dressed by a professional with hair and makeup, a great way to practice some new vocabulary. 

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What's the difference between kimono and yukata?

Compared to yukata, kimono is considered more formal. There are many different types of kimono for different occasions whereas yukata is worn to casual events such as summer firework festivals and onsens.

Is kimono worn by men or women?

Today, Kimonos are most often worn by women, and on special occasions.

What are the common motifs in a kimono?

Kimono feature beautiful and often elaborate patterns depicting plants, animals, and more — all of them with special names and meanings. Popular motifs include peonies, cranes, plum blossoms and mountains.

What are the common colors in a kimono?

Green is a popular color in a kimono because it represents new beginnings and fortune. White (growth), blue (peace) and red (love) are favorite secondary colors.

If you are an investor, real estate in Japan has great market dynamics. It’s the perfect place to diversify your real estate portfolio. But is Japanese real estate profitable? And can anyone buy a property or a land in Japan? In this article, we will share an overview of the common processes involved in buying Japanese real estate and share useful vocabulary words.

Jump to:

Should I Buy a Japanese Real Estate?

Japan is entering a real-estate bubble era. Average land prices in Japan were stagnation for a long period, but it’s been growing again in the past 10 years. In 2021, average land prices fell by 95.97 thousand Japanese yen per square meter — a 1.5% drop from the previous year. This is partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus and low-interest rates, however, created a strong demand for homeownership. In fact, condominium prices in Tokyo in 2021 topped the record high amidst Japan’s asset price bubble.

A piece of land generally increases in value, and owning land is a great strategic move for foreigners to diversify their wealth portfolios.

What’s The Average Land Price in Japan and Tokyo?

In 2022, Tokyo Prefecture recorded the highest average land price of all 47 prefectures in Japan, at almost 1.13 million Japanese yen per square meter. It was followed by Osaka Prefecture with an average official land price of more than 311 thousand yen per square meter.

Japan’s population density is especially high in big cities like Tokyo, Sapporo and Osaka, which makes the average land prices Prefectures like Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa form the Greater Tokyo Area, which is one of the most populous metropolitan areas worldwide.

Who Can Buy Japanese Real Estate?

Unique in Asia, in Japan, anyone can own both property and the land it sits on. You do not need residence status or a valid visa to do so. For example, a 2017 report from the Forestry Agency mentioned that hectares of forest in Hokkaido was bought by Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and Singapore investors.

In practice, it is easier if you have residence status, or you incorporate a company to handle the dealings, but for institutional investors, there are many services available to Japanese real estate buyers.

Is Japanese Real Estate Profitable?

The short answer is: likely not — at least when you’re only looking from the capital-gain side of things.

But Japanese real estate is still a great way to diversify your portfolio. In most real estate markets, investors are looking for capital gains based on the value of the property. In Japan, things are a bit unique. Due to investor taste and market dynamics, including the tax code, real estate consistently depreciates.

This means that the property that you own (the building) will continue to use value for over 30 to 35 years until it is basically valued at zero (for detached houses).

This is due to the fact that most Japanese families like to rebuild. Generationally, the land is the asset — not the property.

Condo units, which are called “mansions” in Japan, can increase in value if they are centrally located in downtown Tokyo or Osaka. It depends on the age when you purchase them.

Japanese real estate investment strategy is to buy and hold long-term. You do this while making a return on the rental income of the property.

For this purpose, small single renter flats that are fully depreciated with reasonable commutation distance of major cities are the most traditional investment. Typically returns for these units are anywhere from 5-10% pre-tax.

Who Should Invest in Japanese Real Estate?

If you are living in Japan and you would like to diversify your real estate portfolio, Japanese apartment mansions are unique in the sense that some are affordable enough to purchase upfront in cash.

If you have an interest in making a safe and stable income, Japanese real estate is a great way to diversify your portfolio and lower the risk of some of your other riskier investments.

Where Can I Buy Japanese Real Estate Online?

You can search for available units online at several different websites. If your Japanese is not great, it severely limits your options.

If you would like to, you can search google for 不動産投資, which is the keywords real estate investment.

What Happens After You Buy a Real Estate in Japan?

Once you’ve settled your real estate payments, finalize the purchase and officially own a property, you must pay Fixed Asset Tax and City Planning Tax every year. If you are residing outside Japan, you can appoint a tax agent to complete this yearly obligation on your behalf.

Important Vocabulary to Learn for Japanese Real Estate

購入こうにゅう(n,vs,vt) purchase; buy; (P)
自宅じたく(n) one’s home; one’s house; (P)
リフォーム(n,vs,vt) renovation (e.g. a house) (wasei: reform); redecoration; makeover; updating; (P)
投資とうし(n,vs,vt,vi) investment; (P)
資金しきん(n) funds; capital; (P)
債権者さいけんしゃ(n) creditor
債権さいけん(n) credit; claim; (P)
金利きんり(n) interest rate; interest; (P)
さい(n,n-suf) debt; loan; (P)
探すさがす(v5s,vt) (1) to search for; to look for; to hunt for; to seek; (v5s,vt) (2) to search (a house, pocket, etc.); to search through; to rummage in (e.g. a drawer); to fish around; (P)
価格かかく(n) price; value; cost; (P)
あたい(n,adj-no) (1) price; cost; (n,adj-no) (2) value; worth; merit; (n,adj-no) (3) (math) (comp) value
(n-suf,ctr) (chem) valence; valency
建物たてもの(n) building; (P)
間取りまどり(n) layout (of a house or apartment); arrangement of rooms; (P)
住所じゅうしょ(n) address; residence; domicile; (P)
建物たてもの(n) building; (P)
構造こうぞう(n) structure; construction; makeup; framework; organization; pattern; (P)
建物構造たてものこうぞう(n) Building type
管理費かんりひ(n) administration costs; administrative expenses; management costs
修繕しゅうぜん(n,vs,vt) repair; mending; (P)
積立つみたて(n) saving; savings; accumulation; putting aside; reserving; (P)
修繕積立しゅうぜんつみたて(n) building repair fund
土地とち(n) (1) plot of land; lot; soil; (n) (2) locality; region; place; (P)
権利けんり(n) right; privilege; (P)
土地権利とちけんり(n) land rights / type of land usage rights