Japanese Hotel Phrases: Check-In, Ryokan and Checkout

Hotel staff in Japan are polite and helpful, and many speak at least some English, but a few phrases make check-in and small requests smoother. The most useful are “Yoyaku shite imasu” (I have a reservation), “Chekku in shitai desu” (I would like to check in) and “Nimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka?” (Could you keep my luggage?).

• I have a reservation

  予約しています

  Yoyaku shite imasu
• I would like to check in

  チェックインしたいです

  Chekku in shitai desu
• Can I check in early?

  早めにチェックインできますか？

  Hayame ni chekku in dekimasu ka?

  Check-in usually starts in the afternoon.
• Can I store my luggage after checkout?

  チェックアウト後、荷物を預かってもらえますか？

  Chekkuautogo, nimotsu o azukatte moraemasu ka?

  Very useful if your flight is later than check-out.
• The Wi-Fi password, please

  Wi-Fiのパスワードをください

  Waifai no pasuwaado o kudasai

Types of places to stay

• Business hotels. Small, clean, efficient rooms, often near stations. Expect a kettle, slippers, and a very compact bathroom.
• Ryokan. Traditional inns with tatami floors, futons and meals often included. You take your shoes off at the entrance and wear a yukata (light robe). Dinner is usually at a set time, so be back for it.
• Capsule hotels. Small sleeping pods, often on floors for men or for women. Luggage is kept in a locker.
• Minshuku and guesthouses. Family-run lodgings, often with shared bathrooms.

At a hot spring bath (onsen), wash well before getting in, keep your towel out of the water, and do not wear a swimsuit. Some baths limit visible tattoos, so check first.

Checking in

Arrive with your booking and passport. Staff will take a copy of your passport and may ask for a signature. If your room is not ready, they will usually keep your bags.

• Is there 24-hour reception?

  24時間対応の受付はありますか？

  Ni juu yo jikan taiou no uketsuke wa arimasu ka?
• Is breakfast included?

  朝食は含まれていますか

  Choushoku wa fukumarete imasu ka

  Ask when you check in.
• What time does breakfast start?

  朝食は何時から始まりますか？

  Choushoku wa nanji kara hajimarimasu ka?
• What time does breakfast end?

  朝食は何時に終わりますか？

  Choushoku wa nanji ni owarimasu ka?
• What time is check-out?

  チェックアウトは何時ですか

  Chekkuauto wa nanji desu ka

  Ask at check-in so there are no surprises.

Requests during your stay

Small requests are easy. Ask at the front desk, or call from the room phone.

• Can I get extra towels?

  タオルを追加でいただけますか？

  Taoru o tsuika de itadakemasu ka?
• Can I get extra pillows?

  枕を追加でもらえますか？

  Makura o tsuika de moraemasu ka?
• Can I get a wake-up call?

  モーニングコールをお願いできますか

  Mooningu kooru o onegai dekimasu ka

  A "morning call".
• Can you call a taxi for me?

  タクシーを呼んでもらえますか？

  Takushii o yonde moraemasu ka?
• Is there a safe in the room?

  部屋に金庫はありますか？

  Heya ni kinko wa arimasu ka?

  Many rooms have a small safe.

When something is wrong

Tell the front desk quickly. Staff will usually fix it, or move you to another room.

• There's no hot water

  お湯が出ません

  Oyu ga demasen
• The shower isn't working

  シャワーが使えません

  Shawaa ga tsukaemasen
• Can you fix the air conditioner?

  エアコンを修理してもらえますか？

  Eakon o shuuri shite moraemasu ka?

  Air conditioners are controlled by a remote.
• I lost my key card

  キーカードを紛失しました

  Kii kaado o funshitsu shimashita
• Can I get a replacement key?

  スペアキーを入手できますか？

  Supea kii o nyuushu dekimasu ka?

Checkout and luggage

You usually leave your key card at the front desk or in a box. If your flight is later, ask to leave your bags. Many hotels can also send them ahead to your next stop with a luggage forwarding service (takkyuubin). This costs a little extra, and usually arrives the next day.

• Can I get a late checkout?

  レイトチェックアウトは可能ですか？

  Reito chekkuauto wa kanou desu ka?

  There may be an extra charge.
• I would like to send my luggage to my next hotel

  荷物を次のホテルに送りたいです

  Nimotsu o tsugi no hoteru ni okuritai desu
• Can someone help with my luggage?

  誰か私の荷物を運ぶのを手伝ってくれませんか？

  Dare ka watashi no nimotsu o hakobu no o tetsudatte kuremasen ka?
• Thank you for everything

  お世話になりました

  Osewa ni narimashita

  A warm, polite thank you when you check out.

A short scene: checking in

1. Front deskいらっしゃいませ。Irasshaimase.Welcome.
2. You予約しています。チェックインをお願いします。Yoyaku shite imasu. Chekku in o onegai shimasu.I have a reservation. I would like to check in, please.
3. Front deskお名前をお願いします。パスポートを見せてください。Onamae o onegai shimasu. Pasupooto o misete kudasai.Your name, please. Please show me your passport.
4. Youはい、どうぞ。Hai, douzo.Yes, here you are.
5. Front deskありがとうございます。朝食は七時からです。Arigatou gozaimasu. Choushoku wa shichiji kara desu.Thank you. Breakfast starts at seven.

Common mistakes

1. Arriving without your passport to hand. Foreign visitors must show it.
2. Leaving a tip. It is not expected.
3. Wearing shoes in a ryokan room. Take them off at the entrance.
4. Not asking about breakfast and checkout time at check-in.
5. Leaving valuables in a capsule hotel locker you have not locked.

For more phrases you will need on a trip, see our Japanese phrases for travel and Japanese emergency phrases.