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Here are some of the Japanese drinks you should try when you visit Japan.

 

> Sake 酒（日本酒）

Sake, also spelled saké, also referred to as a Japanese rice wine, is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran.

 

> Shōchū 焼酎

Shōchū is a Japanese distilled beverage less than 45% alcohol by volume. It is typically distilled from rice (kome), barley (mugi), sweet potatoes (satsuma-imo), buckwheat (soba), or brown sugar (kokutō), though it is sometimes produced from other ingredients such as chestnut, sesame seeds, potatoes or even carrots.

 

> Hoppy ホッピー

Hoppy is a beer-flavored almost non-alcoholic drink that Kokuka Beverage Company began producing and selling in Japan in 1948; it is currently most available in and associated with Tokyo. Kokuka subsequently changed its name to Hoppy Beverage Co., Ltd.

 

> Chūhai 酎ハイ

Chūhai, often sold as Chu-Hi as a canned drink, is an alcoholic drink originating from Japan. The name chūhai is an abbreviation of “shōchū highball”. Traditional chūhai is made with shōchū and carbonated water flavored with lemon, though some modern commercial variants use vodka in place of shōchū.

 

> Umeshu 梅酒

Umeshu is a Japanese liqueur made by steeping ume fruits (while still unripe and green) in shōchū and sugar. It has a sweet, sour taste, and an alcohol content of 10–15%. The taste and aroma of umeshu can appeal to even those people who normally dislike alcohol. Famous brands of umeshu include Choya and Takara Shuzo. Varieties are available with whole ume fruits contained in the bottle, and some people make their own umeshu at home.

 

> Amazake 甘酒

Amazake is a traditional sweet, low-alcohol Japanese drink made from fermented rice.

 

> Calpis カルピス (aka Calpico)

Calpis is a Japanese uncarbonated soft drink, manufactured by Calpis Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo. Calpis Co. is a subsidiary of Asahi. The beverage has a light, somewhat milky, and slightly acidic flavor.

 

> Yakult ヤクルト

Yakult is a probiotic milk beverage fermented with the bacteria strain Lactobacillus paracasei Shirota, first isolated from the human intestine by Japanese scientist Minoru Shirota in the 1930s and sold by Yakult Honsha.

 

> Ramune ラムネ

Ramune is a type of carbonated soft drink originally created and sold in Japan which was introduced in Kobe by Alexander Cameron Sim. The brand name comes from a wasei-eigo of the word lemonade.

 

> C.C. Lemon C.C.レモン

C.C. Lemon is a Japanese soft drink created by Suntory. It is known for its lemon flavor, and for its advertisements featuring characters from the popular American cartoon The Simpsons. It has been recently introduced to Vietnam. The Simpsons produced five advertisements for the drink from 2000 to 2002.

 

> Pocari Sweat ポカリスエット

Pocari Sweat is a Japanese sports drink, manufactured by Otsuka Pharmaceutical. It was launched in 1980, and is now also available in East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Australia. Pocari Sweat is a mild-tasting, relatively light, non-carbonated sweet beverage and is advertised as an “ion supply drink”.

 

> Aquarius アクエリアス

Aquarius is a mineral sports drink manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company. It originated in 1978, and was first introduced in 1983 in Japan as a grapefruit-flavored sports drink, as a response to a competitor’s brand of sports drink called Pocari Sweat.

 

> Canned Coffee 缶コーヒー

Canned coffee is ubiquitous in Japan, with a large number of companies competing fiercely and offering various types for sale. Canned coffee is already brewed and ready to drink. It is available in supermarkets and convenience stores , with vast numbers of cans being sold in vending machines that offer heated cans in the autumn and winter, and cold cans in the warm months.

 

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Here are some of the Japanese food you should try when you visit Japan. There are much more local and traditional Japanese foods which you need to discover yourself.

 

> Nattō 納豆

Nattō is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. natto. Some eat it as a breakfast food. It is served with soy sauce, karashi mustard and Japanese bunching onion. Nattō may be an acquired taste because of its powerful smell, strong flavor, and sticky, slimy texture.

 

> Umeboshi 梅干し

Umeboshi are fermented ume fruits common in Japan. The word “umeboshi” is often translated into English as “Japanese salt plums”, “salt plums” or “fermented plums”. Ume is a species of fruit-bearing tree in the genus Prunus, which is often called a plum but is actually more closely related to the apricot.

 

> Surume するめ

Dried shredded squid is a dried, shredded, seasoned, seafood product, made from squid or cuttlefish, commonly found in coastal Asian countries, Russia, and Hawaii. The snack is also referred to as dried shredded cuttlefish.

 

> Chazuke 茶漬け

Chazuke or ochazuke is a simple Japanese dish made by pouring green tea, dashi, or hot water over cooked rice.

 

> Oden おでん

Oden is a Japanese one-pot dish consisting of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, daikon, konjac, and processed fishcakes stewed in a light, soy-flavored dashi broth. Oden was originally what is now commonly called misodengaku or simply dengaku; konjac or tofu was boiled and eaten with miso.

 

> Dengaku 田楽

Dengaku were rustic Japanese celebrations that can be classified into two types: dengaku that developed as a musical accompaniment to rice planting observances and the dengaku dances that developed in conjunction with sangaku.

 

> Okonomiyaki お好み焼き

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake containing a variety of ingredients. The name is derived from the word okonomi, meaning “how you like” or “what you like”, and yaki meaning “cooked”. Okonomiyaki is mainly associated with the Kansai or Hiroshima areas of Japan, but is widely available throughout the country.

 

> Monjayaki もんじゃ焼き

Monjayaki is a type of Japanese pan-fried batter, popular in the Kantō region, similar to okonomiyaki, but that uses different liquid ingredients.

 

> Takoyaki たこ焼き

Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion.

 

> Akashiyaki 明石焼き

Akashiyaki is a small round dumpling from the city of Akashi in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The dumpling is made of an egg-rich batter and octopus dipped into dashi before eating. Locals refer to it simply as tamagoyaki. Modern style akashiyaki first started selling in the Taishō period by a yatai shopper Seitarō Mukai.

 

> Unadon うな丼

Unadon is a dish originating in Japan. It consists of a donburi type large bowl filled with steamed white rice, and topped with fillets of eel grilled in a style known as kabayaki, similar to teriyaki. The fillets are glazed with a sweetened soy-based sauce, called tare and caramelized, preferably over charcoal fire.

 

> Oyakodon 親子丼

Oyakodon, literally “parent-and-child donburi”, is a donburi, or Japanese rice bowl dish, in which chicken, egg, sliced scallion (or sometimes regular onions), and other ingredients are all simmered together in a kind of soup which is made with soy sauce and stock, and then served on top of a large bowl of rice. The name of the dish is a poetic reflection of the fact that both chicken and egg are used in the dish.

Several other Japanese dishes pun on the parent-and-child theme of oyakodon. Tanindon (他人丼), literally “stranger bowl”, is otherwise identical but replaces the chicken with beef.

 

> Onigiri おにぎり

O-nigiri, also known as o-musubi, nigirimeshi, rice ball, is a Japanese food made from white rice formed into triangular or cylindrical shapes and often wrapped in nori.

 

> Spaghetti Napolitan ナポリタン

Spaghetti napolitan, also known as spaghetti naporitan, is a Japanese style pasta dish made with a sauce that is tomato ketchup based.

 

> Ramen ラーメン

Ramen is a Japanese dish. It consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat or fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork, nori, menma, and scallions.

 

> Tonkatsu とんかつ

Tonkatsu is a Japanese dish which consists of a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet. The two main types are fillet and loin. It is often served with shredded cabbage.

 

> Tempura 天ぷら

Tempura is a Japanese dish usually consisting of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried. The dish was influenced by fritter-cooking techniques introduced by Portuguese residing in Nagasaki in the 16th century, and the name “tempura” relates to that origin.

 

> Tendon 天丼

A type of donburi (a one-bowl meal of rice topped with any meat or vegetable dish), tendon is crisp tempura laid over freshly steamed rice and topped with a delicious light soy dressing. Enjoy for lunch, or as a light evening meal.

 

> Udon うどん

Udon is a type of thick wheat flour noodle used frequently in Japanese cuisine. It is often served hot as a noodle soup in its simplest form, as kake udon, in a mildly flavoured broth called kakejiru, which is made of dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. It is usually topped with thinly chopped scallions.

 

> Soba そば

Soba is the Japanese name for buckwheat. It usually refers to thin noodles made from buckwheat flour, or a combination of buckwheat and wheat flours. They contrast to thick wheat noodles, called udon. Soba noodles are served either chilled with a dipping sauce, or in hot broth as a noodle soup.

 

> Kishimen きしめん

Flat Noodle. Kishimen is a broad and flat noodle often seen in the Nagoya area.

 

> Karaage からあげ

Unassuming option for Japanese/Hawaiian fusion dishes, with signature Japanese-style fried chicken.

 

> Yakisoba やきそば

Yakisoba, literally “fried buckwheat”, is a Japanese noodle stir-fry dish. Although soba means buckwheat, yakisoba noodles are actually made from wheat flour, and are typically flavored with a condiment similar to oyster sauce. The dish first appeared in food stalls in Japan during the early 20th century.

 

> Sushi 寿司

Sushi is a Japanese dish of prepared vinegared rice, usually with some sugar and salt, accompanying a variety of ingredients, such as seafood, vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits.

 

> Sashimi さしみ

Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy consisting of very fresh raw fish or meat sliced into thin pieces and often eaten with soy sauce.

 

> Yakitori 焼き鳥

Yakitori is a Japanese type of skewered chicken. Its preparation involves skewering the meat with kushi, a type of skewer typically made of steel, bamboo, or similar materials. Afterwards, they are grilled over a charcoal fire. During or after cooking, the meat is typically seasoned with tare sauce or salt.

 

> Japanese Curry カレー

Japanese curry is one of the most popular dishes in Japan. It is commonly served in three main forms: curry rice, curry udon, and curry bread. Curry rice is most commonly referred to simply as “curry”. A wide variety of vegetables and meats are used to make Japanese curry.

 

> Gyudon 牛丼

Gyūdon, literally beef bowl, is a Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion simmered in a mildly sweet sauce flavored with dashi, soy sauce and mirin. It sometimes also includes shirataki noodles, and is sometimes topped with a raw egg or a soft poached egg.

 

> Shabu-Shabu しゃぶしゃぶ

Shabu-shabu is a Japanese nabemono hotpot dish of thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled in water and served with dipping sauces. The term is onomatopoeic, derived from the sound emitted when the ingredients are stirred in the cooking pot. The food is cooked piece by piece by the diner at the table.

 

> Kushikatsu 串カツ

Kushikatsu, also known as kushiage, is a Japanese dish of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. In Japanese, kushi refers to the skewers used while katsu means a deep-fried cutlet of meat.

 

> Motsunabe モツ鍋

Motsunabe is a type of nabemono in Japanese cuisine, which is made from beef or pork tripe or other offal. It is a popular stew made with guts portions of various types of meat, prepared in a conventional kitchen cooking pot or a special Japanese nabe pot.

 

> Kitsune Udon きつねうどん

Kitsune Udon is Udon noodles in hot Dashi soup topped with Aburaage that has been cooked in a sweet and salty sauce. … Kitsune Udon is one of the soul foods for Kansai people. Aburaage, fried thin tofu, is often cooked and seasoned strongly with soy sauce and sugar, as you may know from this dish and also in Inarizushi.

 

> Tanuki Udon たぬきうどん

Tanuki Udon is a udon noodle soup usually served in a hot dashi broth and topped with tempura bits called tenkasu. However, during the summer months this dish is often prepared cold. It’s very refreshing and super easy to prepare.

 

> Yaki Udon 焼きうどん

Yaki udon is a Japanese stir fry dish consisting of thick, smooth, white udon noodles mixed with a soy based sauce, meat, and vegetables. It is similar to yakisoba, which involves a similar stir fry technique using soba noodles.

 

> Korokke コロッケ

Korokke is the Japanese name for a deep-fried dish originally related to a French dish, the croquette.

 

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

 

Following sections to learn where you can stay in Japan.

 

> Hotel ホテル

In addition to the Imperial Palace Hotel, Hotel Okura and New Otani Hotel (three highest ranked Japanese hotels in Tokyo), most other major chains of the hotel are present in Tokyo and other metropolitan cities. Those hotels include Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt.

 

> Business Hotel ビジネスホテル

Japanese business hotels are great alternatives to the larger expensive chain hotels. These are typically chains which provide single – or double-occupancy accommodations for a reasonable charge — usually well under ¥10,000/night.

 

> Ryokan 旅館

A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn that typically features tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryokan_(inn)

 

> Capsule Hotel カプセルホテル

A capsule hotel, also known as a pod hotel, is a type of hotel developed in Japan that features a large number of small bed-sized rooms known as capsules.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsule_hotel

 

> Love Hotel ラブホテル or ラブホ

A love hotel is a type of short-stay hotel found around the world operated primarily for the purpose of allowing guests privacy for sexual activities. The name originates from “Hotel Love” in Osaka, which was built in 1968 and had a rotating sign.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_hotel

All licensed commercial vehicles including buses and taxies have green license plates with letters and numbers in white.

If you see any hired vehicle with a white license plate with green lettering, they are operating without licenses.

 

> Local Buses バス

In Tokyo, Osaka and some other large cities, buses serve as a secondary means of public transportation, complementing the train and subway networks. In cities with less dense train networks like Kyoto, buses are the main means of public transportation. Buses also serve smaller towns, the countryside and national parks.

Most local buses are operated by one driver only. You pay the fare as you enter the bus. Most local buses charge one price per ride.

 

> Highway Buses 高速バス

Highway buses provide alternative means of long distance transportation to rail and air. So-called Highway Buses operates between cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka overnight at very reasonable prices. On top of the savings, you will be able to skip one night at the hotel. Buses are clean and comfortable and some are equipped with flat beds.

 

> Shuttle Buses シャトルバス

You see many shuttle buses at any international airports. Those buses provides reasonable price transportation to and from airport to destinations like hotels and train stations. For instance, the shuttle bus from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station runs between 1,100 ~ 3,300 yen depending on the company. Shuttle bus fare includes toll charges as well. There is no tipping for this service.

 

> Tour Buses ツアーバス

If you wish to tour specific places, there usually are tour buses to take you there and back. There are many tourists that can provide you with the tour bus services. Ask your travel agent or look online to find the tour bus companies. There are tour buses operating with English and other languages as well.

 

> Taxis タクシー

Taxis in Japan are very clean with most cabs open left rear door by the drivers. Taxi fairs start around 400 yen to 800 per the first 2km. Because of the heavy traffics in metro Tokyo and other cities, taxis may not be the fastest transportation. In large cites with a good subway system people tend to travel by subway to save time and money. If you ask a taxi to use toll roads, the toll will be added to your total charge. No tipping is needed for a taxi ride.

 

> Rail Transportation

 

Japan has one of the most advanced and modern rail systems around the world. When you travel to Japan, you should take advantage of this rail system.

 

Japan Rail Pass ジャパンレールパス

http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/

 

The Japan Rail Pass (ジャパンレールパス), also called the JR Pass, is a rail pass for only overseas visitors sold by the Japan Railways Group, and is valid for travel on all major forms of transportation provided by the JR Group in Japan, with a few exceptions.

The Rail Pass is designed to stimulate travel and tourism throughout the country. It is only cost effective for long-distance travel, particularly by bullet trains. While the savings from extensive travel can be considerable, those who travel too little may in fact lose money on a rail pass.

The Japan Rail Pass is of limited use within the big cities. For Tokyo for example, it does cover the Yamanote Line which goes to several popular tourist areas as well as in Osaka on the Loop Line, plus in Kyoto on the Nara and Arashiyama Lines.

 

The Japan Rail Pass is also available through some international travel agents.

 

Shinkansen, the Bullet Train, 新幹線

 

The Shinkansen, meaning new trunkline, but colloquially known in English as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. Initially, it was built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, in order to aid economic growth and development.

 

The shinkansen high-speed trains are the fastest way to discover all of Japan, reaching a speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). The Japan Railways (JR) network, which can be accessed by the Japan Rail Pass, practically covers all the country, with the addition of the new Hokkaido Shinkansen, and the popular Tokaido Shinkansen. The nine Shinkansen lines take you in different directions around Japan. Two of them, the Kyushu and the Tokaido Shinkansen lines, go south from Tokyo. The Sanyo Shinkansen line also runs south but departs from Shin-Osaka. The other six lines either take you north or inland from Tokyo. These are the Akita, Hokuriku, Joetsu, Tohoku, Yamagata Shinkansen lines. Finally, the Hokkaido line takes you the furthest north, all the way to Hokkaido island. 

 

• Hokkaido Railway Company
  

  Operates Hokkaidō Shinkansen in Hokkaido

  https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html

   

• East Japan Railway Company
  

  Operates Tōhoku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen, Jōetsu Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen (with JR West)

  https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/

   

• Central Japan Railway Company
  

  Operates Tōkaidō Shinkansen in Kantō and Kansai

  https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/

   

• West Japan Railway Company
  

  Operates Sanyō Shinkansen in Kansai, Chūgoku and Kyushu and Hokuriku Shinkansen (with JR East) in Hokuriku

  https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/

   

• Kyushu Railway Company
  

  Operates Kyūshū Shinkansen in Kyūshū

  http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/

   

There are different types of trains and services which run on each of the Shinkansen lines. There are express trains which are the fastest, semi express trains, and local trains.

 

For instance, on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, which links Tokyo to Osaka, the express train makes six stops, the semi express makes between seven and 12, and local trains stop at all 17.

 

• Nozomi　のぞみ
  

  Nozomi is the fastest train service running on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen lines in Japan. The service stops at only the largest stations, and along the stretch between Shin-Osaka and Hakata, Nozomi services using N700 series equipment reach speeds of 300 km/h.

   

• Hikari ひかり
  

  Hikari is the name of a high-speed train service running on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen “bullet train” lines in Japan. Slower than the premier Nozomi but faster than the all-stations Kodama, the Hikari is the fastest train service on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen that is covered in the Japan Rail Pass.

   

• Kodama こだま
  

  Kodama is one of the three train services running on the Tōkaidō/San’yō Shinkansen. Kodama trains stop at all stations, making Kodama the slowest Shinkansen service for trips between major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. The Kodama trains are used primarily for travel to and from smaller cities such as Atami.

   

 

Japan Railways Group, JR

 

The Japan Railways Group, more commonly known as JR Group, consists of seven for-profit companies (6 passenger lines) that took over most of the assets and operations of the government-owned Japanese National Railways on April 1, 1987.

 

• Hokkaido Railway Company
  JR Hokkaido
• East Japan Railway Company
  (JR East)
• Central Japan Railway Company
  (JR Central)
• Central Japan Railway Company
  (JR West)
• Shikoku Railway Company
  (JR Shikoku)
• Kyushu Railway Company
  (JR Kyushu)

 

Tokyo Metro and Toei Subways 東京メトロ & 都営地下鉄

 

The Tokyo subway is a part of the extensive rapid transit system that consists of Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway in the Greater Tokyo area of Japan. While the subway system itself is largely within the city center, the lines extend far out via extensive through services onto suburban railway lines.

 

• Toei Asakusa Line 都営浅草線
• Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line メトロ日比谷線
• Tokyo Metro Ginza Line メトロ銀座線
• Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line メトロ丸ノ内線
• Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line メトロ東西線
• Toei Mita Line 都営三田線
• Tokyo Metro Namboku Line メトロ南北線
• Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line メトロ有楽町線
• Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line メトロ千代田線
• Toei Shinjuku Line 都営新宿線
• Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line メトロ半蔵門線
• Toei Ōedo Line 都営大江戸線
• Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line メトロ副都心線

 

Tokyo Yamanote Line 東京山手線

 

The Yamanote Line (山手線 Yamanote-sen) is a railway loop line in Tokyo, operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It is one of Tokyo’s busiest and most important lines, connecting most of Tokyo’s major stations and urban centers, including Marunouchi, the Yūrakuchō/Ginza area, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Ueno, with all but two of its 29 stations connecting to other railway or underground (subway) lines.

 

• Shinagawa 品川
• Ōsaki 大崎
• Gotanda 五反田
• Meguro 目黒
• Ebisu 恵比寿
• Shibuya 渋谷
• Harajuku 原宿
• Yoyogi 代々木
• Shinjuku 新宿
• Shin-Ōkubo 新大久保
• Takadanobaba 高田馬場
• Mejiro 目白
• Ikebukuro 池袋
• Ōtsuka 大塚
• Sugamo 巣鴨
• Komagome 駒込
• Tabata 田端
• Nishi-Nippori 西日暮里
• Nippori 日暮里
• Uguisudani 鶯谷
• Ueno 上野
• Okachimachi 御徒町
• Akihabara 秋葉原
• Kanda 神田
• Tokyo 東京
• Yūrakuchō 有楽町
• Shimbashi 新橋
• Hamamatsuchō 浜松町
• Tamachi 田町
• Takanawa Gateway 高輪ゲートウェイ

 

Tokyo Chūō Main Line 中央本線

Between Tokyo and Shinjuku 東京駅ー新宿駅

 

The Chūō Main Line (中央本線), commonly called the Chūō Line, is one of the major trunk railway lines in Japan. It connects Tokyo and Nagoya, although it is the slowest direct railway connection between the two cities; the coastal Tōkaidō Main Line is slightly faster, and the Tōkaidō Shinkansen is the fastest rail link between the cities.

 

The Chūō Main Line connects Tokyo to Shinjuku by direct route instead of having to go around the loop, Yamanote Line.

• Tokyo 東京　Chūō Line Station
• Kanda 神田　Chūō Line Station
• Ocyanomizu 御茶ノ水　Chūō Line Station
  • Suidobashi 水道橋　Local Chūō Line & Sobu Line Station
  • Iidabashi 飯田橋　Local Chūō Line & Sobu Line Station
  • Ichigaya 市ヶ谷　Local Chūō Line & Sobu Line Station
• Yotsuya 四谷　Chūō Line Station
  • Shinanomachi 信濃町　Local Chūō Line & Sobu Line Station
  • Seandagaya 千駄ヶ谷　Local Chūō Line & Sobu Line Station
• Yoyogi 代々木　Chūō Line Station
• Shinjuku 新宿　Chūō Line Station

 

 

> Airlines

 

Followings are the major international airlines of Japan.

 

Japan Airlines

 

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., also known as Nikkō, is the flag carrier airline of Japan. It is headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan, and its main hubs are Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Tokyo International Airport, as well as Osaka’s Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport.

 

https://www.jal.com/en/

 

All Nippon Airways

 

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., also known as Zennikkū or ANA, is the largest airline in Japan on the basis of fleet size. Its headquarters are located at Shiodome City Center in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan.

 

https://www.ana.co.jp

 

 

> Airports

 

Followings are the major international airports in Japan.

 

Tokyo International Airport HND

 

Tokyo International Airport, commonly known as Haneda Airport, Tokyo Haneda Airport, and Haneda International Airport, is one of the two primary airports that serve the Greater Tokyo Area.

 

Number of passengers as of 2018: 85,408,975

 

http://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp

 

Access to Tokyo Metro Area

• By Train
  • Metro Tokyo Area 400 ~ 700 yen
• By Monorail
  • To Japan Rail Hamamatsu Cho 450 yen
• By Bus
  • Metro Tokyo Area 500 ~ 2,000 yen
• By Taxi
  • Metro Tokyo Area 5,000 ~ 9,000 yen

 

 

Narita International Aiport NRT

 

Narita International Airport, also known as Tokyo Narita Airport, formerly and originally known as New Tokyo International Airport, is an international airport serving the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan.

 

Number of passengers as of 2017: 40,512,594

 

https://www.narita-airport.jp

 

Access to Tokyo Metro Area

• By Train
  • Metro Tokyo Area 1,500 ~ 4,000 yen
• By Bus
  • Metro Tokyo Area 1,200 ~ 3,500 yen
• By Taxi
  • Metro Tokyo Area 20,000 ~ yen

 

Kansai International Airport KIX

 

Kansai International Airport is an international airport located on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay off the Honshu shore, 38 km southwest of Ōsaka Station, located within three municipalities, including Izumisano, Sennan, and Tajiri, in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

 

Number of passengers as of 2017: 27,987,564

 

https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp

 

Access to Osaka Metro Area

• By Train
  • Osaka Station and Surroundings 900 ~ 1,200 yen
• By Bus
  • Osaka Station and Surroundings 1,500 ~ 2,000 yen
• By Taxi
  • Osaka Station and Surroundings 17,000 ~ yen

 

Chubu Centrair International Airport NGO

 

Chubu Centrair International Airport is an international airport on an artificial island in Ise Bay, Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture, 35 km south of Nagoya in central Japan. Centrair is classified as a first class airport and is the main international gateway for the Chubu region of Japan.

 

Number of passengers as of 2018: 12,043,636

 

https://www.centrair.jp

 

Access to Nagoya Station Area

• By Train
  • Nagoya Station and Surroundings 900 ~ 1,300 yen
• By Bus
  • Nagoya Station and Surroundings 1,500 yen
• By Taxi
  • Nagoya Station and Surroundings 14,000 ~ yen

 

Fukuoka Airport FUK

 

Fukuoka Airport, formerly known as Itazuke Air Base, is an international and domestic airport located 1.6 NM east of Hakata Station in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. Fukuoka Airport is the principal airport on the island of Kyushu and is the fourth busiest passenger airport in Japan.

 

Number of passengers as of 2018: 20,968,463

 

http://www.fuk-ab.co.jp

 

Access to Hakata Station Area

• By Train
  • Hakata Station and Surroundings 260 yen
• By Bus
  • Hakata Station and Surroundings 260 yen
• By Taxi
  • Hakata Station and Surroundings 1,200 ~ yen

 

Osaka International Airport ITM

 

Osaka International Airport, often referred to as Itami Airport is the primary regional airport for the Kansai region of Japan, including the major cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. It is classified as a first class airport.

 

Number of passengers as of 2015: 14,541,936

 

https://www.osaka-airport.co.jp

 

Access to Osaka Station Area

• By Train
  • Osaka Station and Surroundings 420 yen
• By Bus
  • Osaka Station and Surroundings 400 ~ yen
• By Taxi
  • Osaka Station and Surroundings 18,000 ~ yen

 

 

> Interrogatives + か

 

疑問詞 (ぎもんし) = interrogatives

疑問詞　＋　か

V ます

 

「interrogatives + か」 indicates an unspecified object, time or location.

 

• 冬休みにどこかへ行きましたか。
  ふゆやすみにどこかへいきましたか。
  Did you go somewhere during winter break?
• 何か食べませんか。
  なにかたべませんか。
  Why don’t we eat something?
• なぜか正しい答えが見つかりせん。
  なぜかただしいこたえがみつかりません。
  For some reason I can’t find the correct answer.
• あそこに誰かいます。
  あそこにだれかいます。
  There is someone over there.

 

Particles are preceded by 「interrogatives + か」.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
冬休み	ふゆやすみ	Winter Break
行く	いく	Go
何	なに	What
食べる	たべる	To Eat
正しい	ただしい	Correct
答え	こたえ	Answer
見つける	みつける	To Find

 

> Interrogatives +も

 

疑問詞 (ぎもんし) = interrogatives

疑問詞　＋　も

V ません

 

his sentence pattern is used when negating the target, time or place.

 

• お買い物に行ったとき、何も買いませんでした。
  おかいものにいったとき、なにもかいませんでした。
  When I went shopping, I didn’t buy anything.
• 冬休みにどこにも行きませんでした。
  ふゆやすみにどこにもいきませんでした。
  I did not go anywhere during winter vacation.
• 明日、何も用事がありません。
  あした、なにもようじがありません。
  I do not have any plans tomorrow.
• 誰もいません。
  だれもいません。
  There is no one there.

 

Particles are placed between interrogatives and 「も」.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
お買い物	おかいもの	Shopping
行く	いく	To Go
何も	なにも	Anything
買う	かう	To Buy
冬休み	ふゆやすみ	Winter Break
明日	あした	Tomorrow
用事	ようじ	Things to do
誰	だれ	Who

 

> Vこと

 

V: 辞書形 (じしょけい) ：Dictionary Form

V

こと

 

「こと」 attaches to the dictionary form of a verb and transforms it into a nominal form. It can become a component of a sentence like nouns can.

 

• わたしの趣味は音楽を聞くことと料理をすることです。
  わたしのしゅみはおんがくをきくこととりょうりをすることです。
  My hobbies are listening to music and cooking.
• 友達に手紙を送ることが好きです。
  ともだちにてがみをおくることがすきです。
  I like sending letters to my friends.
• ピアノを弾くことができます。
  ピアノをひくことができます。
  I can play the piano.
• 妹は泳ぐことができません。
  いもうとはおよぐことができません。
  My little sister cannot swim.

 

Verbs in 「V こと」 can accompany 「N を」「N で」 or 「N に」.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
趣味	しゅみ	Hobbies
音楽	おんがく	Music
聞く	きく	To Listen
料理	りょうり	Cooking
友達	ともだち	Friend
手紙	てがみ	Letter
送る	おくる	To Send
好き	すき	Like
弾く	ひく	To Play an Instrument
妹	いもうと	Little Sister
泳ぐ	およぐ	To Swim

 

> V + N

 

N1 が

V

N2

 

「N1」が V modifies N2, becoming a component of the sentence as a noun.

 

• これはわたしが書いた作文です。
  これはわたしがかいたさくぶんです。
  This is the essay that I wrote.
• 先週図書館で借りた本はとてもおもしろかったです。
  せんしゅうとしょかんでかりたほんはとてもおもしろかったです。
  The book I borrowed last week was very interesting.
• 答えを書いた紙を出してください。
  こたえをかいたかみをだしてください。
  Please turn in the paper you wrote your answer on.
• 昨日デパートで見たジャケットを買いました。
  きのうデパートでみたジャケットをかいました。
  I bought the jacket I saw at the department store yesterday.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
書く	かく	To Write
作文	さくぶん	Essay
先週	せんしゅう	Last Week
図書館	としょかん	Library
借りる	かりる	To Borrow
本	ほん	Book
答え	こたえ	Answer
紙	かみ	Paper
出す	だす	To Turn In
昨日	きのう	Yesterday
見る	みる	To See
買う	かう	To Buy

 

> んです

 

S

ん

です

 

This sentence pattern is used for asking or stating a condition, for asking for or stating details, or for introductory remarks for a request, an invitation or for asking information.

 

• 切手を買いたいんですが、近くに郵便局がありますか。
  きってをかいたいんですが、ちかくにゆうびんきょくがありますか。
  I’d like to buy a stamp. Is there a post office nearby?
• 歯が痛いんです。
  はがいたいんです。
  I have a toothache.
• メールを送りたいんですが、パソコンを使っていいですか。
  メールをおくりたいんですが、パソコンをつかっていいんですか。
  I’d like to send an email so may I use your computer
• 何をしているんですか。
  なにをしているんですか。
  What are you doing?

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
切手	きって	Stamp
買う	かう	To Buy
近く	ちかく	Nearby
郵便局	ゆうびんきょく	Post Office
歯	は	Tooth
痛い	いたい	Ache/Pain
送る	おくる	To Send
使う	つかう	To Use
何	なに	What

 

> V ないで

 

V1 ないで

V2 ます

 

「V1 ないで」 indicates the condition when the action V2 is taken, sometimes indicating that V1 is not taken.

 

• 電車を乗らないで、歩きましょう。
  でんしゃをのらないで、あるきましょう。
  Let’s walk instead of taking the train.
• 教科書を見ないで答えてください。
  きょうかしょをみないでこたえてください。
  Please answer without looking at the textbook.
• 天気がいいですから、映画を見ないで公園にいきましょう。
  てんきがいいですから、えいがをみないでこうえんにいきましょう。
  Since the weather is nice, let’s go to the park instead of going to a movie.
• 朝食を食べないで学校へ行きました。
  ちょうしょくをたべないでがっこうへいきました。
  I went to school without eating breakfast.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
電車	でんしゃ	Train
乗る	のる	To Ride
歩く	あるく	To Walk
教科書	きょうかしょ	Textbook
見る	みる	To Look
天気	てんき	Weather
映画	えきが	Movie
見る	みる	To Watch
公園	こうえん	Park
朝食	ちょうしょく	Breakfast
食べる	たべる	To Eat
学校	がっこう	School
行く	いく	To Go

 

> N をください

 

「N をください」is used when asking for an object.

 

N

を

ください くださいませんか

 

• この町の地図をくださいませんか。
  このまちのちずをくださいませんか。
  Could I have a map of this town? (Polite)
• すみません、その青い花をください。
  すみません、そのあおいはなをください。
  Excuse me, can I please have that blue flower？
• コーラを二つください。
  コーラをふたつください。
  Can I have two colas?
• これをください。
  I’ll have this one please.

 

「N をください」can be used for shopping, ordering in a restaurant, or for trying to get an item that the speaker has the right to request.
If the speaker wants to politely request something that is to their own benefit, they should use 「N をくださいませんか」.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
町	まち	Town
地図	ちず	Map
青	あお	Blue
花	はな	Flower
二つ	ふたつ	2 (Generic Counter)

 

> V ましょう

 

V

ましょう

 

This structure is used to invite someone to do something together or to accept an invitation.

 

• いっしょに帰りましょう。
  いっしょにかえりましょう。
  Let’s go home together.
• 歌いましょう。
  うたいましょう。
  Let’s sing.
• 試験の勉強をしましょう。
  しけんのべんきょうをしましょう。
  Let’s study for our exams.
• 明日、お買い物に行きましょう。
  あした、おかいものにいきましょう。
  Let’s go shopping tomorrow.

 

V can be made by taking out 「ます」 from 「V ます」.
｢ませんか｣ has a similar effect for inviting someone to do something.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
帰る	かえる	To Return
歌う	うたう	To Sing
試験	しけん	Exam
勉強	べんきょう	Study
明日	あした あす	Tomorrow
お買い物	おかいもの	Shopping
行く	いく	Go

 

> V ませんか

 

V

ませんか

 

This sentence pattern is used for inviting someone to do something together.

 

• いっしょに学校に行きませんか。
  いっしょにがっこうにいきませんか。
  Shall we go to school together?
• 土曜日の午後、テニスをしませんか。
  どようびのごご、テニスをしませんか。
  Do you want to play tennis Saturday afternoon?
• いっしょに部活に入りませんか。
  いっしょにぶかつにはいりませんか。
  Why don’t we enter the same club?
• 勉強をしませんか。
  べんきょうをしませんか。
  Why don’t we study?

 

V can be made by taking out 「ます」 from 「V ます」.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
学校	がっこう	School
行く	いく	Go
土曜日	どようび	Saturday
午後	ごご	Afternoon
部活	ぶかつ	School Club
入る	はいる	Enter Join
勉強	べんきょう	Study

 

> V てください

 

V て	ください くださいませんか

 

「V てください」is used to request the listener to perform an action.

 

• もう一度説明してくださいませんか。
  もういちどせつめいしてくださいませんか。
  Could you please explain one more time?
• 窓を開けてください。
  まどをあけてください。
  Could you open the window?
• テープの会話を聞いてください。
  テープのかいわをきいてください。
  Please listen to the conversation on the tape.
• 明日、ちょっと早く来てください。
  あした、ちょっとはやくきてください。
  Please arrive a little earlier tomorrow.

 

「V てくださいませんか」 is used for requesting something to be beneficial to the speaker in a polite manner.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
もう一度	もういちど	One More Time
説明	せつめい	Explain
窓	まど	Window
開ける	あける	To Open
会話	かいわ	Conversation
聞く	きく	To Listen
明日	あした	Tomorrow
早い	はやい	Fast/Early
来る	くる	To Come/To Arrive

 

> V てもいいです

 

V て

も

いいです いいですか

 

This structure is used to give permission to the listener to perform an action.

 

• 明日、映画を見てもいいです。
  あした、えいがをみてもいいです。
  It’s okay to watch a movie tomorrow.
• 残りのケーキを食べてもいいですか。
  のこりのケーキをたべてもいいですか。
  Is it okay to eat the leftover cake?
• 外に出かけてもいいです。
  そとにでかけてもいいです。
  It’s okay for you to go outside.
• これを借りてもいいですか。
  これをかりてもいいですか。
  Can I borrow this?

 

「V てもいいですか」is used to ask permission from the listener.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
明日	あした	Tomorrow
映画	えいが	Movie
見る	みる	To Watch
残り	のこり	Leftover
食べる	たべる	To Eat
外	そと	Outside
出かける	でかける	To Go Out
借りる	かりる	To Borrow

 

> V ないでください

 

V ないで

ください

 

This pattern is used to instruct someone to not do something.

 

• 教科書を忘れないでください。
  教科書をわすれないでください。
  Please do not forget your textbook.
• 試験のとき辞書を使わないでください。
  しけんのときじしょをつかわないでください。
  Do not use a dictionary during the exam.
• 携帯電話でゲームをしないでください。
  けいたいでんわでゲームをしないでください。
  Please do not play games on your cell phone.
• コーヒーを飲まないでください。
  コーヒーをのまないでください。
  Don’t drink coffee.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
教科書	きょうかしょ	Textbook
忘れる	わすれる	To Forget
試験	しけん	Exam
辞書	じしょ	Dictionary
使う	つかう	To Use
携帯電話	けいたいでんわ	Cellular Phone
飲む	のむ	To Drink

 

> V てはいけません

 

V て

は

いけません

 

This sentence pattern indicates the prohibition of the action V.

 

• この部屋に入ってはいけません。
  このへやにはいってはいけません。
  You cannot enter this room.
• 写真を撮ってはいけません。
  しゃしんをとってはいけません。
  You are not allowed to take pictures.
• 子供はお酒を飲んではいけません。
  こどもはおさけをのんではいけません。
  Children are not allowed to drink alcohol.
• なぜここで携帯電話を使ってはいけないのですか。
  なぜここでけいたいでんわをつかってはいけないのですか。
  Why are we not allowed to use our cell phones here?

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
部屋	へや	Room
入る	はいる	To Enter
写真	しゃしん	Photograph
撮る	とる	To Take
子供	こども	Children
お酒	おさけ	Alcohol
飲む	のむ	To Drink
使う	つかう	To Use

 

> V たことがあります

 

V たこと

が

あります

 

This pattern indicates that someone has experienced performing the action V.

 

• 日本に旅行したことがあります。
  にほんにりょこうしたことがあります。
  I have travelled to Japan.
• 富士山を登ったことがありますか。
  ふじさんをのぼったことがありますか。
  Have you ever climbed Mt. Fuji?
• 海外に行ったことがありません。
  かいがいにいったことがありません。
  I’ve never been abroad.
• てんぷらを食べたことがあります。
  てんぷらをたべたことがあります。
  I’ve eaten tempura.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
日本	にほん にっぽん	Japan
旅行	りょこう	Travel
富士山	ふじさん	Mt. Fuji
登る	のぼる	To Climb
海外	かいがい	Abroad
行くこと	いくこと	Have Gone
食べる	たべる	To Eat

 

> N が好きです（N がすきです）

 

N1

は

N2

が

すき

です ではありません

 

This pattern is used for stating N1’s likes and dislikes.

 

• 歴史の授業が好きです。
  れきしのじゅぎょうがすきです。
  I like history class.
• 田中さんは数学が好きです。
  たなかさんはすうがくがすきです。
  Tanaka-san likes mathematics.
• わたしはスポーツが好きではありません。
  わたしはスポーツがすきではありません。
  I don’t like sports.
• わたしはお酒が好きではありません。
  わたしはおさけがすきではありません。
  I do not like Sake.

 

In cases when it is understood what N1 and N2 are, 「N1は」 and 「N2 が」are sometimes omitted.
In the spoken form, 「すきではありません」often becomes「すきじゃありません」.
「きらい」is another way to express dislike.
「すき」 is a な adjective (as is 「きらい」).
Another way to ask「何がすきですか」is 「すきなＮは何ですか」.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
歴史	れきし	History
授業	じゅぎょう	Class
数学	すうがく	Mathematics
お酒	おさけ	Sake

 

> N が欲しいです（N がほしいです）

 

N

が

ほしい

です

 

This sentence pattern expresses the speaker’s desire to have something.

 

• わたしは新しい自転車が欲しいです。
  わたしはあたらしいじてんしゃがほしいです。
  I want a new bicycle.
• お誕生日に何が欲しいですか。
  おたんじょうびになにがほしいですか。
  What do you want for your birthday?
• 車が欲しくないです。
  くるまがほしくないです。
  I do not want a car.
• どれがほしいですか。
  Which one do you want?

 

「ほしい」 is treated like a い adjective. The conjugation is the same as other い adjectives.
In cases when it is understood what N is, 「Nが」 can be omitted.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
新しい	あたらしい	New
自転車	じてんしゃ	Bicycle
誕生日	たんじようび	Birthday
何	なに	What
車	くるま	Car

 

> V こと/N ができます

 

N	が	できます
V こと

 

This sentence pattern indicates that N or 「V こと」is possible.

 

• あれで外国に電話ができますか。
  あれでがいこくにでんわができますか。
  Can I make an overseas call with that?
• 5時から体育館を使うことができます。
  5じからたいいくかんをつかうことができます。
  You can use the gymnasium from 5 o’ clock.
• 車の運転ができますか。
  くるまのうんてんができますか。
  Can you drive a car?
• 後で練習ができません。
  あとで れんしゅうができません。
  I cannot practice later.

 

「V こと」 is an action which the subject can perform.
N is the noun which appears in “N” as in 「N する」.
In cases when it is understood what N and 「V こと」 are, 「N が」 and 「V ことが」 may be omitted.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
外国	がいこく	Overseas
電話	でんわ	Phone
5時	ごじ	5 o’clock
体育館	たいいくかん	Gymnasium
使う	つかう	To Use
車	くるま	Car
運転	うんてん	Drive
後	あと	Later
練習	れんしゅう	Practice

 

> V たいです

 

V たい

です

 

This pattern is used to indicate the speaker’s wish or desire.

 

• 今度の休みに友達と旅行をしたいです。
  こんどのやすみにともだちとりょこうをしたいです。
  I’d like to travel with my friends during the next holiday.
• 将来、何をしたいですか。
  しょうらい、なにをしたいですか。
  What do you want to do in the future?
• コンピュータを買いたいですから、アルバイトをしました。
  コンピュータをかいたいですから、アルバイトをしました。
  Because I want to buy a computer, I got a part time job.
• 今晩、何もしたくないです。
  こんばん、なにもしたくないです。
  I don’t feel like doing anything tonight.

 

V is the stem of the verb, and can be made by taking out「ます」 from 「V ます」. 
「たい」 is conjugated in the same way as い adjectives.
「V たいですか」 is used for asking the listener’s wish or desire.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
今度	こんど	Next
休み	やすみ	Holiday
友達	ともだち	Friend
旅行	りょこう	Travel
将来	しょうらい	Future
何	なに	What
買う	かう	To Buy
アルバイト	アルバイト	Part Time Job Arbeit（German)
取る	とる	To Take
今晩	こんばん	This Evening
何も	なにも	Anything

 

> と思います（とおもいます）

 

S

と

おもいます

 

This sentence pattern is used for stating the speaker’s opinion.

 

• 桜の花はとてもきれいだと思います。
  さくらのはなはとてもきれいだとおもいます。
  I think the cherry blossom flowers are very pretty.
• 今年、雪が降ると思いますか。
  ことし、ゆきがふるとおもいますか。
  Do you think snow will fall this year?
• 歌舞伎は面白いと思います。
  かぶきはおもしろいとおもいます。
  I think kabuki is interesting.
• これは誰のかばんだと思いますか。
  これはだれのかばんだとおもいますか。
  Who do you think this bag belongs to?

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
桜	さくら	Cherry Blossom
花	はな	Flower
今年	ことし	This Year
雪	ゆき	Snow
降る	ふる	To Fall
歌舞伎	かぶき	Kabuki (Theatre)
面白い	おもしろい	Interesting
誰の	だれの	Whose
かばん	かばん	Bag

 

> S でしょう

 

S

でしょう

 

This pattern is used to make inferences about events.

 

• たぶん、もう寝てるでしょう。
  たぶん、もうねてるでしょう。
  They are probably already sleeping.
• 勉強したからいい成績を取ったでしょう。
  べんきょうしたからいいせいせきをとったでしょう。
  Because I studied, I probably got a good grade.
• 午後7時に始まるでしょう。
  ごごしちじにはじまるでしょう。
  It should begin at around 7 at night.
• 兄は体育館にいるでしょう。
  あにはたいいくかんにいるでしょう。
  My elder brother should be in the gymnasium.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
寝る	ねる	To Sleep
勉強	べんきょう	Study
成績	せいせき	Grades
取る	とる	To Get/Take
午後7時	ごごしちじ	7:00PM
始まる	はじまる	To Start
兄	あに	Elder Brother
体育館	たいいくかん	Gymnasium

 

> V たほうがいいです

 

V た V ない

ほう

が

いい

です

 

• 宿題を終わるのは最後まで待たないほうがいいですよ。
  しゅくだいをおわるのはさいごまでまたないほうがいいですよ。
  It is better not wait until the end to finish your homework.
• 傘を持っていったほうがいいです。
  かさをもっていったほうがいいです。
  It is better if you take an umbrella.
• 新しいコンピュータを買わないほうがいいですか。
  あたらしいコンピュータをかわないほうがいいですか。
  Is it better to not buy the new computer?
• このケーキを食べたほうがいいですか。
  このケーキをたべたほうがいいですか。
  Should I eat this cake?

 

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
宿題	しゅくだい	Homework
終わる	おわる	Finish
最後	さいご	Last/End
待つ	まつ	To Wait
傘	かさ	Umbrella
持つ	もつ	To Hold
持っていった	もっていった	To Bring
新しい	あたらしい	New
買う	かう	To Buy
食べる	たべる	To Eat

 

> N は N にあります/います

 

もの: inanimate things / N2: location

N1 「もの」

は

N2

に

あります

 

生(い)きもの: living creatures

N1 「生きもの」

は

N2

に

います

 

This pattern is used for asking or explaining the location of inanimate things or living creatures.

 

• 1年生の教室は2階にあります。
  いちねんせいのきょうしつはにかいにあります。
  The classrooms for the first year students are in the second floor.
• 先生は図書館にいます。
  せんせいはとしょかんにいます。
  The teacher is in the library.
• わたしの犬は車の中にいます。
  わたしのいぬはくるまのなかにいます。
  My dog is in the car.
• まりさんの猫は箱の中にいます。
  まりさんのねこははこのなかにいます。
  Mari-san’s cat is in the box.

 

When asking about the location, 「どこ」 is used. In cases where it is understood what N1 is, 「Ｎ１は」is sometimes omitted.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
１年生	いちねんせい	1st year student
教室	きょうしつ	Classroom
２階	にかい	2nd floor
先生	せんせい	Teacher
図書館	としょかん	Library
犬	いぬ	Dog
車	くるま	Car
中	なか	Inside
猫	ねこ	Cat
箱	はこ	Box
中	なか	Inside

 

> N に N があります/います

 

もの: inanimate things / N1: location

N1

に

N2 「もの」

が

あります

生(い)きもの: living creatures

N1

に

N1 「生きもの」

が

います

 

This pattern is used for asking or explaining the existing place of inanimate things or living creatures.

 

• ドアのそばに電話があります。
  ドアのそばにでんわがあります。
  There is a telephone by the door.
• 屋上に何がありますか。
  おくじょうになにがありますか。
  What is on the roof?
• クラシックのCDがありますか。
  クラシックのCDがありますか。
  Do you have CDs of classical music?
• 昨日、公園でロックコンサートがありました。
  きのう、こうえんでロックコンサートがありました。
  Yesterday, there was a rock concert at the park.

 

In cases when it is understood where N1 is, 「N1に」is sometimes omitted.
Sometimes, if discussing an event, 「で」is used to indicate the place instead of「に」, with the same sentence form.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
電話	でんわ	Telephone
屋上	おくじょう	Roof
何	なに	What
昨日	きのう	Yesterday
公園	こうえん	Park

 

> もう・まだ

 

もう まだ	V A AN N	まだ	もう
		未完了 変化前	完了 変化後

 

まだ：未完了（みかんりょう）－Before Completion
変化前（へんかまえ）－Before Being Changed
もう：完了（かんりょう）－Completed
変化後（へんかご）－After Being Changed

Indicates the status of an action.「もう」 indicates that an action has been completed, while「まだ」 indicates that an action was not completed.

 

• もう漢字を覚えましたか。
  もうかんじをおぼえましたか。
  Have you already memorized kanji?
• 中山さんのお兄さんはもう大学生ですか。
  なかやまさんのおにいさんはもうだいがくせいですか。
  Is Nakayama-san’s elder brother already a university student?
• わたしはまだ高校生です。
  わたしはまだこうこうせいです。
  I am still a high school student.
• 先生はまだ教室にいます。
  せんせいはまだきょうしつにいます。
  The teacher is still in the classroom.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
漢字	かんじ	Kanji Characters
覚える	おぼえる	To Memorize
お兄さん	おにいさん	Elder Brother
大学生	だいがくせい	College Student
高校生	こうこうせい	High School Student
先生	せんせい	Teacher
教室	きょうしつ	Classroom

 

> V て V

 

V1 て

V2 ます

 

「V て」 connects two or more sentences, and is used for stating the sequence of actions. Chronologically, V1 will always occur before V2.

 

• あそこに座って、お弁当を食べましょう。
  あそこにすわって、おべんとうをたべましょう。
  Let’s sit down and have lunch over there.
• 大きい台風が来て、学校が休みになりました。
  おおきいたいふうがきて、がっこうがやすみになりました。
  School was closed as a big typhoon came.
• テープを聞いて、日本語を勉強します。
  テープをきいて、にほんごをべんきょうします。
  I study Japanese by listening to tapes.
• 田中さんは東京に住んでいて、山本さんは大阪に住んでいます。
  たなかさんはとうきょうにすんでいて、やまもとさんはおおさかにすんでいます。
  Tanaka-san lives in Tokyo and Yamamoto-san lives in Osaka.

 

Besides stating the sequence of actions, this sentence pattern could be to state the condition of the subject when an action is taken.
Also, this sentence pattern can express the methods or means used to carry out the action, as well as cause and effect.
Additionally, this can connect multiple actions performed by different people.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
座る	すわる	To Sit
お弁当	おべんとう	Bento (Lunch)
食べる	たべる	To Eat
大きい	おおきい	Large
台風	たいふう	Typhoon
来る	くる	To Come
学校	がっこう	School
休み	やすみ	On Break
聞く	きく	To Listen
日本語	にほんご	Japanese
勉強	べんきょう	To Study
東京	とうきょう	Tokyo
住む	すむ	To Reside
大阪	おおさか	Osaka

 

> V てから

 

N1 が

V１て

から

N2

は が

V2 ます

 

This sentence pattern is used for stating sequential relation of two actions or incidents, and that V1 happened before V2.

 

• わたしたちは、雨がやんでから、試合をしました。
  わたしたちは、あめがやんでから、しあいをしました。
  We had a match after the rain stopped.
• 田中さんは、歯を磨いてから、寝ます。
  たなかさんは、はをみがいてから、ねます。
  Tanaka-san goes to bed after brushing his teeth.
• 学校が終わってから、佐藤さんはアルバイトをしています。
  がっこうがおわってから、さとうさんはアルバイトをしています。
  Sato-san works part-time after school is over.
• 山本さんは、地図をかいてから説明しました。
  やまもとさんは、ちずをかいてからせつめいしました。
  Yamamoto-san gave explanations after drawing a map.

 

「N2 は」can be placed at the beginning of the sentence.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
雨	あめ	Rain
試合	しあい	Match/Game
田中	たなか	Tanaka (Name)
歯	は	Tooth/Teeth
磨く	みがく	To Polish (To Brush)
寝る	ねる	To Sleep
学校	がっこう	School
終わる	おわる	To Finish
佐藤	さとう	Sato (Name)
山本	やまもと	Yamamoto (Name)
地図	ちず	Map
説明する	せつめいする	To Explain

 

> まえに

 

N1 が N3

V１（辞書形） の

まえに

N2

は が

V2 ます

 

N2 can be placed at the beginning of the sentence.

 

N2

は が

N1 が N3

V１（辞書形） の

まえに

V2 ます

 

「まえに」 indicates that the event V2 takes place before V1 or N3.

 

• 電車に乗るまえに、男の人は切符を買いました。
  でんしゃにのるまえに、おとこのひとはきっぷをかいました。
  Before riding the train, the man bought a ticket.
• 授業のまえに宿題を出しました。
  じゅぎょうのまえにしゅくだいをだしました。
  I turned in my homework before class.
• 妹が寝るまえに電話でお話しましょう。
  いもうとがねるまえにでんわでおはなししましょう。
  Let’s talk on the phone before my little sister goes to sleep.
• 雨が降るまえに、犬の散歩に行きました。
  あめがふるまえに、いぬのさんぽにいきました。
  Before it started raining, I went to walk my dog.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
電車	でんしゃ	Train
乗る	のる	To Ride
男の人	おとこのひと	Man
切符	きっぷ	Ticket
買う	かう	To Buy
授業	じゅぎょう	Class
宿題	しゅくだい	Homework
出す	だす	To Turn in
妹	いもうと	Little Sister
寝る	ねる	To Sleep
電話	でんわ	Telephone
話す	はなす	To Talk
雨	あめ	Rain
降る	ふる	To Fall
犬	いぬ	Dog
散歩	さんぽ	Walk
行く	いく	To Go

 

> あとで

 

N1 が N3

V１（辞書形） の

あとで

N2

は が

V2 ます

 

N2 can be placed at the beginning of the sentence.

 

N2

は が

N1 が N3

V１（辞書形） の

あとで

V2 ます

 

「あとで」 indicates that the even V2 happens after V1 or N3.

 

• 授業のあとで、掃除をします。
  じゅぎょうのあとで、そうじをします。
  We clean the room after our class.
• 教科書を読んだあとで、生徒は答えを書きました。
  きょうかしょをよんだあとで、せいとはこたえをかきました。
  After reading the textbook, the students wrote their answers.
• わたしはアルバイトが終わったあとで、映画を見に行きます
  わたしはアルバイトがおわったあとで、 えいがをみにいきます。
  I go to the movies after finishing my part-time job.
• 期末試験が終わったあとで、みんなで遊園地に行きましょう。
  きまつしけんがおわったあとで、 みんなでゆうえんちにいきましょう。
  After final exams are over, let’s all go to the amusement park.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
授業	じゅぎょう	Class
掃除	そうじ	Cleaning
教科書	きょうかしょ	Textbook
読む	よむ	To Read
生徒	せいと	Student
答え	こたえ	Answer
書く	かく	To Write
終わる	おわる	To Finish
映画	えいが	Movie
見る	みる	To Watch
行く	いく	To Go
期末試験	きまつしけん	Term End Exam
遊園地	ゆうえんち	Amusement Park

 

> とき

 

N1 が	V1 (常体形) A1 い AN1 な N3 の	とき	N2	は が	V2 ます A2 です AN2 です N4です
S1		とき	S2

 

「S1 とき S2」 indicates when S2 takes place, or sometimes indicates a chronological relationship between the two actions in S1 and S2.

 

• 暇なとき、よく本を読みます。
  ひまなとき、よくほんをよみます。
  When I have free time, I frequently read books.
• 起きたとき、めがねをかけます。
  おきたとき、めがねをかけます。
  When I wake up, I put on my glasses.
• 外国に行くとき、パスポートを持っていきます。
  がいこくにいくとき、パスポートをもっていきます。
  When I go overseas, I bring my passport.
• 子供のとき、にんじんが嫌いでした。
  こどものとき、にんじんがきらいでした。
  When I was young, I disliked carrots.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
暇	ひま	Free Time
本	ほん	Book
読む	よむ	To Read
起きる	おきる	To Wake Up
外国	がいこく	Overseas/Abroad
行く	いく	To Go
持つ	もつ	To Bring/ To Hold
子供	こども	Child
嫌い	きらい	Hate

 

> V てあります

 

N

が

V て

あります

 

「V てあります」 is used for showing N’s condition as a result of a deliberate action.

 

• 新しい映画のポスターが貼ってあります。
  あたらしいえいがのポスターがはってあります。
  A new movie poster was posted.
• 窓が閉めてあります。
  まどがしめてあります。
  The window is closed.
• 答えは27ページに書いてあります。
  こたえは27ページにかいてあります。
  The answer is written on page 27.
• 今、電気が消してあります。
  いま、でんきがけしてあります。
  The light is turned off right now.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
新しい	あたらしい	New
映画	えいが	Movie
貼る	はる	To Post
窓	まど	Window
閉める	しめる	To Close
答え	こたえ	Answer
書く	かく	To Write
今	いま	Now
電気	でんき	Light / Electricity
消す	けす	To Turn Off

 

> V ながら V

 

V1

ながら

V2 ます

 

「V1 ながら V2」indicates that V1 and V2 are done at the same time.

 

• 景色を見ながらアイスクリームを食べた。
  けしきをみながらアイスクリームをたべた。
  We ate ice cream while watching the scenery.
• 地下鉄を待ちながら、 音楽を聞きます。
  ちかてつをまちながら、おんがくをききます。
  While I wait for the subway, I listen to music.
• わたしは、歌いながら家に帰りました。
  わたしは、うたいながらいえにかえりました。
  I sang while I went home.
• 勉強しながら、テレビを見ないでください。
  べんきょうしながら、 テレビをみないでください。
  Please don’t watch television while studying.

 

V1 is the stem of the verb, and is made by taking off the「ます」from the「V ます」form.

 

Vocabulary

 

Kanji	Hiragana	English
景色	けしき	Scenery
見る	みる	To Watch
食べる	たべる	To Eat
地下鉄	ちかてつ	Subway
待つ	まつ	To Wait
音楽	おんがく	Music
聞く	きく	To Listen
歌う	うたう	To Sing
家	いえ	House / Home
帰る	かえる	To Return
勉強	べんきょう	Study
見る	みる	To Watch