OHIYO

These girls say 'Kon bon wa'. That's 'good afternoon' in Japanese. Here are some other basic phrases to know if travelling:

- Hello ohiyo gazaimas

- Excuse me sumi masen

- Do you speak English?

A go ga hanishtay maska

- Can I have this/(water) ?

kore/(mizu) ga itadake maska

- Where is the (toilet) ?

(Toray) wa doko deska

- Hidari (left) Migi (right)

- Please koodasigh

- Thank you arigato gazaimas

That is a pretty round summary of what I know after living here for a year and a half. And while that may be very embarrassing to admit, it is equally illustrative of how little Japanese you need to get around. Signs are in English, menus have pictures, people are orderly and helpful and things are punctual which makes for a safe visit. That last sentence felt weird. How is 'safe' an adjective? Oh, and be prepared to get noticed. Not-Japanese tend to stick out in Osaka.