Airport

Airports are places that travelers often use for trips or business travel.

At airports, there are many opportunities to use Japanese in various situations, such as check-in, checking in baggage, security checks, immigration, and boarding procedures. While most airports in Japan allow communication in English, Japanese learners are recommended to try speaking in Japanese.

This page introduces conversation examples that are actually commonly used at airports. It covers a wide range of expressions, from basic Japanese phrases to slightly more polite expressions, allowing learners from beginner to intermediate levels to study Japanese.

Through the specific conversation examples, you can learn while imagining interactions at the airport.

Check-in

The first procedure at the airport is check-in. You present your passport and receive your boarding pass.

Knowing the basic flow allows you to proceed with confidence.

Checking in Baggage

At check-in, you will be asked whether you have any checked baggage, such as a suitcase.

If you have checked baggage, you hand it over at the counter and have a tag attached.

For Japanese learners, the polite expression “お預あずけになりますか？” is frequently used, so it is useful to remember it well.

Confirming Baggage Weight

There is a weight limit for baggage checked at the check-in counter.

If the weight of the checked baggage exceeds the limit, an additional fee will be charged.

Changing Seats

Seats are indicated on the boarding pass, but if you want to change to a preferred seat, you can request it at the counter.

It is common for the ground staff to check for available seats and ask the passenger whether they want to make the change.

Confirming the Boarding Gate

Airports are large, so it is necessary to confirm your boarding gate to avoid going to the wrong one.

Since the boarding gate indicated on the boarding pass may sometimes change, it is important to know how to check at the information counter.

Passing Through Security Checkpoint

At the security checkpoint, you place your hand baggage on a tray and pass through the metal detector. Passing through security checkpoint can be confusing if you are not familiar with it.

For Japanese learners, it is helpful to understand expressions such as “トレイに置おく” and “探知機たんちきを通過つうかする”.

Confirming Items To Be Brought at Security Checkpoint

At the security checkpoint, you may be asked by security officers to confirm the items you are bringing.

Especially on international flights, there are strict restrictions on items you can bring, such as liquids and dangerous goods.

Passing Through Departure Immigration

At the pre-departure immigration check, you need to present your passport and briefly answer questions about your destination, purpose, etc.

Although it is a short communication, it is an important conversation.

Confirming Boarding Eligibility

Boarding is often conducted in groups, so it is necessary to check when you can board.

Announcements are usually made, but sometimes they are fast and hard to catch, so it is useful to know how to ask the ground staff.

Ordering Drinks on the Plane

One of the pleasures during a flight is the in-flight service.

For Japanese learners, understanding the names of drinks and polite expressions such as “お飲み物はいかがですか？” allows for natural interactions.

Although this is not a conversation at the airport, it is useful to remember.

Ordering Food on the Plane

On long-haul flights, food is served on the plane.

It is often the case that you choose one item from two options.

Although this is not a conversation at the airport, remembering these questions or sentences will be useful for communication during travel.

Reporting Feeling Unwell on the Plane

On long flights, you may feel unwell.

Although this is not a conversation at the airport, remembering these sentences will be useful if you need to inform the flight attendants in case you feel unwell.

Passing Through Arrival Immigration

At immigration after arrival, you need to briefly answer questions about your purpose of stay, length of stay, etc.

Knowing how to answer with options such as “観光かんこう” “出張しゅっちょう”, or “留学りゅうがく” helps the process go smoothly.

Reporting Missing Checked Baggage

After arrival, if you cannot find your baggage on the conveyor belt, you need to tell the ground staff your flight number and the baggage tag number, and ask them to check.

Passing Through Customs

At customs, they check whether you have any items that cannot be brought into Japan or any items that need to be declared.

You need to fill out the declaration form before passing through customs.

Asking Directions at the Airport

In large airports, it is easy to get lost when looking for bus stops or train gates.

In such cases, it is useful to know how to ask staff for directions.