A short glossary for travelers
The thirty Japanese words in this guide, sorted by theme, from the bath to the temple, to help you find your way on the ground.
At the bathonsen a hot spring and its baths
sento the neighborhood public bath
kashikiri a private bath, often booked ahead
kakeyu the water you pour over yourself before bathing
yukata the light kimono lent by the ryokan
Where to sleepryokan a traditional Japanese inn
minshuku a Japanese guesthouse
shukubo lodging in a temple
tatami the straw mat flooring
futon the mattress laid on the tatami
At the tablebento a boxed meal
ekiben a boxed meal sold at train stations
teishoku a set meal: main dish, rice and soup
kaiseki a multi-course seasonal dinner
shojin ryori vegan temple cuisine
dashi Japanese fish stock
Where to eatkonbini a convenience store open day and night
depachika the food hall of a department store
izakaya a pub serving small plates
otoshi a small welcome dish, not free
kaitenzushi conveyor-belt sushi
shokken-ki a meal-ticket machine
Temples and shrinesjinja a Shinto shrine
tera, -ji a Buddhist temple
torii the gate of a shrine
temizuya the purification fountain
gongyo the morning service at a temple
In townshinkansen the bullet train
koban the small neighborhood police box
maiko an apprentice geisha in Kyoto
PlanJapanAppendix · Glossary