10 Common Words at Japanese Tourist Spots | Essential N4 Travel Vocabulary Guide
We've compiled 10 essential words you'll frequently encounter on signs and notices at tourist spots during your trip to Japan.
These are practical N4-level vocabulary words like sightseeing, famous places, admission fees, and business hours that you can use right away.
Learn the correct readings and nuances of each word to make your trip to Japan even more enriching.
How this bundle was curated
All items at a glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 観光 | かんこう | Sightseeing |
| 名所 | めいしょ | Famous place |
| 地図 | ちず | Map |
| 入場料 | にゅうじょうりょう | Admission fee |
| 写真 | しゃしん | Photo |
| 神社 | じんじゃ | Shrine |
| 温泉 | おんせん | Hot spring |
| 祭り | まつり | Festival |
| 営業時間 | えいぎょうじかん | Business hours |
| 休館日 | きゅうかんび | Closed day |
Item by item
Reading: かんこう
Sightseeing
Refers to visiting scenic spots or historical sites. It is often used in compound words like '観光客' (tourist) and '観光地' (tourist destination).
Reading: めいしょ
Famous place
Refers to a place famous for its scenery or historical sites. It is also frequently used in the expression '観光名所' (famous tourist attraction).
Reading: ちず
Map
An essential word when looking for directions. When using smartphone apps, they are often called '地図アプリ' (map apps).
Reading: にゅうじょうりょう
Admission fee
The fee paid to enter museums, art galleries, theme parks, etc. It's helpful to learn this along with words like '無料' (free) and '有料' (paid).
Reading: しゃしん
Photo
A must-know word, as you will often see signs saying '写真撮影禁止' (Photography prohibited) at tourist spots.
Reading: じんじゃ
Shrine
A place where the deities of Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion, are enshrined. It is good to distinguish this from 'お寺' (otera), which refers to a Buddhist temple.
Reading: おんせん
Hot spring
An unmissable destination on a trip to Japan. On maps, it is usually indicated by the '♨' symbol.
Reading: まつり
Festival
Refers to traditional Japanese festivals. The '夏祭り' (summer festivals) held in various regions are especially famous.
Reading: えいぎょうじかん
Business hours
The hours when shops, restaurants, or tourist facilities are open. This is a crucial word to check when planning your travel itinerary.
Reading: きゅうかんび
Closed day
The day when facilities like museums or art galleries are closed. It is often used alongside '定休日' (regular holiday), which refers to the closed days of restaurants or shops.
Practice with examples
How to decide when unsure
- Words related to '料金' (fees) at tourist spots often appear alongside kanji like 割引 (discount) and 無料 (free) in addition to 入場料 (admission fee), so it's best to memorize them as a set.
- Time-related words like 営業時間 (business hours) and 休館日 (closed days) are key terms you should look for first on official websites or guidebooks before visiting.
- 神社 (shrines) and お寺 (temples) are frequently contrasted in travel guidebooks. It's easy to tell them apart: shrines have a 'torii' (鳥居) gate, while temples have Buddhist statues.
Common mistakes
Both mean a day off, but they are used for slightly different places. '休館日' is mainly used for public or exhibition facilities ending in '館' (kan), such as museums, art galleries, and libraries. '定休日' is primarily used for the regular closed days of general shops and restaurants.
Wrong example: このレストランの休館日はいつですか。/Correct example: このレストランの定休日はいつですか。
When asking for a restaurant or cafe's closed day, it is more natural to use 定休日 (ていきゅうび).
Mini quiz
Which of the following is the most appropriate word to indicate the day a museum or art gallery is closed?
One-line summary
By familiarizing yourself with these 10 essential words frequently seen at Japanese tourist spots, you'll be able to understand signs and notices much more easily and enjoy a more fulfilling trip.
FAQ
How do I tell the difference between a Japanese shrine (神社) and a temple (お寺)?
The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at the entrance: if there is a red (or stone) gate called a 'torii' (鳥居), it is a shrine. If not, and there are Buddhist statues or a cemetery present, it is usually a temple (お寺).
How do I ask if it's okay to take pictures at a tourist spot?
You can ask, 'ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか。' (May I take a picture here?). If a notice says '撮影禁止' (Photography prohibited), you must not take pictures.
