Japanese at the Hotel: Check-In, Requests and Checking Out
At a hotel in Japan you need only a handful of phrases: “I have a reservation” to check in, a way to ask the front desk to keep your luggage, and polite requests for things like towels or a different room temperature. Staff at large city hotels often speak English, but at business hotels, small inns and in the countryside these phrases make every stay smoother. Have your passport ready at check-in, because hotels are required to record it for foreign guests who don’t live in Japan.
Checking in
- チェックインをお願いします。 (Chekku-in o onegaishimasu.) “I’d like to check in, please.”
- 予約している〇〇です。 (Yoyaku shite iru ○○ desu.) “I’m ○○, I have a reservation.”
- パスポートです。 (Pasupōto desu.) “Here is my passport.” Staff may photocopy or scan it.
- 朝食は何時からですか。 (Chōshoku wa nanji kara desu ka?) “What time does breakfast start?”
- Wi-Fiのパスワードを教えてください。 (Wai-fai no pasuwādo o oshiete kudasai.) “Could you tell me the Wi-Fi password?”
You may be asked to fill in a registration card with your name, address and passport number. Some areas also charge a small accommodation tax, 宿泊税 (shukuhaku-zei), and hot spring towns may add a bathing tax, 入湯税 (nyūtō-zei). It is normal and is often paid at the desk.
Luggage
Most hotels will keep your bags before check-in or after check-out.
- 荷物を預かってもらえますか。 (Nimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka?) “Could you keep my luggage?”
- 3時ごろ取りに来ます。 (Sanji goro tori ni kimasu.) “I’ll come and collect it around three.”
- この荷物を空港に送りたいです。 (Kono nimotsu o kūkō ni okuritai desu.) “I’d like to send this luggage to the airport.” Many hotels can arrange delivery.
Requests and small problems
| You want to say | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Could I have another towel? | タオルをもう一枚いただけますか。 (Taoru o mō ichimai itadakemasu ka?) |
| The room is too hot / too cold. | 部屋が暑すぎます / 寒すぎます。 (Heya ga atsusugimasu / samusugimasu.) |
| The air conditioning doesn’t work. | エアコンがつきません。 (Eakon ga tsukimasen.) |
| I’ve locked myself out. | 鍵を部屋に置いたまま出てしまいました。 (Kagi o heya ni oita mama dete shimaimashita.) |
| Is there a coin laundry? | コインランドリーはありますか。 (Koin-randorī wa arimasu ka?) |
| Could you call a taxi? | タクシーを呼んでいただけますか。 (Takushī o yonde itadakemasu ka?) |
〜いただけますか is a polite way to ask for something, and it works for almost any request. Our guide to casual vs polite Japanese explains why it sounds more polite than 〜ください.
Types of accommodation
- Business hotels (ビジネスホテル): small, clean and good value, often near stations. Staff may speak limited English.
- Ryokan (旅館): traditional inns with tatami rooms and often dinner included. See ryokan and onsen etiquette.
- Capsule hotels (カプセルホテル): a sleeping pod and shared bathrooms. Some are for one gender only.
- Guesthouses (ゲストハウス): budget stays with shared rooms or kitchens.
Checking out
- チェックアウトをお願いします。 (Chekku-auto o onegaishimasu.) “I’d like to check out.”
- レイトチェックアウトはできますか。 (Reito chekku-auto wa dekimasu ka?) “Is late check-out possible?”
- お世話になりました。 (Osewa ni narimashita.) “Thank you for everything.” A warm way to say goodbye.
Tipping is not expected in Japan, and staff may try to return a tip. A sincere thank you is enough.
Common questions
Why does the hotel need my passport?
Japanese law requires hotels to record the nationality and passport number of foreign guests who don’t have an address in Japan.
Can I check in early?
Ask: 早めにチェックインできますか (“can I check in early?”). If not, they will usually keep your bags.
Do I need Japanese at a hotel?
Not always, but a few phrases help at smaller places and show courtesy everywhere.
If you want to practise travel conversations before your trip, our online Japanese tutors can role-play check-in, requests and more. See also phrases for your first trip.