Language/Japanese/Vocabulary/Japanese-Hospitality-and-Service-Culture

Japanese Vocabulary → Travel and Tourism → Japanese Hospitality and Service Culture

As a student of Japanese, it's important to not only learn the language, but also the culture behind it. In this lesson, we'll be exploring the unique Japanese hospitality and service culture, as well as the vocabulary commonly used in hotels, restaurants, and other service industries.

Japanese Hospitality and Service Culture

Hospitality, or omotenashi in Japanese, is a cornerstone of Japanese culture. It's the idea of providing warm, selfless service to others without expecting anything in return. This philosophy is ingrained in Japanese society, and it's not just reserved for the service industry. You'll find this mindset in everyday life, from the way people treat their coworkers to the way they welcome guests into their homes.

Because of this strong focus on hospitality, the service industry in Japan is renowned for its high standards. In fact, Japan is known worldwide for its attention to detail and dedication to customer service. Whether you're staying at a hotel, dining at a restaurant, or visiting a tourist site, you can expect to be treated with the utmost respect and care.

One example of Japanese hospitality is the concept of shokunin. A shokunin is a craftsman or artisan who is dedicated to their craft, striving for perfection in everything they do. This mindset is not limited to the crafts industry--you'll find it in many different professions, from chefs to taxi drivers. It's the idea of taking pride in your work and doing your best to serve others.

Another aspect of Japanese hospitality is the use of polite language. In Japanese, there are several different levels of politeness, depending on the situation and who you're speaking to. For instance, when addressing someone who is older or of a higher social status, it's customary to use honorific language to show respect. This level of attention to language ensures that everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Japanese Service Vocabulary

Now let's take a look at some common words and phrases you might encounter in the service industry in Japan. Remember to pay attention to the level of politeness--in many cases, using more polite language than necessary is preferable.

At a Hotel

• チェックイン (chekkuin) - check-in
• チェックアウト (chekkuauto) - check-out
• 予約 (yoyaku) - reservation
• 宿泊 (shukuhaku) - lodging
• ツインルーム (tsuinrumu) - twin room
• シングルルーム (shingururumu) - single room
• ルームサービス (rumusaabisu) - room service
• 朝食 (choushoku) - breakfast
• 温泉 (onsen) - hot spring

At a Restaurant

• メニュー (menyuu) - menu
• 注文 (chuumon) - order
• お勧め (osusume) - recommendation
• 味噌汁 (misoshiru) - miso soup
• ご飯 (gohan) - rice
• お茶 (ocha) - green tea
• デザート (dezaato) - dessert
• お会計 (okaikei) - check

In Other Service Industries

• 電車 (densha) - train
• タクシー (takushii) - taxi
• 空港 (kuukou) - airport
• 観光 (kankou) - sightseeing
• ガイドブック (gaidobukku) - guidebook
• ツアー (tsuaa) - tour
• レンタカー (rentakaa) - rental car

Sources

• The Japanese Art of Welcoming Guests
• Japanese Honorifics

Table of Contents - Japanese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Hiragana Basics

• Hiragana Reading and Writing Practice
• Introduction to Japanese Sentence Structure
• Particle は and が
• Verb Conjugation
• Noun and Adjective Modification
• Question Words and Phrases

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Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings
• Introducing Yourself and Others
• Describing People
• Counting Numbers and Time
• Basic Food and Drink Terminology
• Daily Activities and Hobbies
• Basic Directions and Transportation

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Geography and History

• Introduction to Japanese Geography
• Brief History of Japan
• Traditional Arts and Customs
• Popular Culture and Entertainment

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Conjugation
• Adjective Types and Usage
• Adverb Types and Usage
• Comparison and Superlative
• Adjective and Adverbial Modification

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Family and Social Relations

• Family Members and Titles
• Social Etiquette and Expressions
• Basic Workplace and Business Terminology
• Shopping and Consumer Culture

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Religion and Philosophy

• Shinto and Buddhism
• Zen and Samurai Culture
• Contemporary Spiritual Movements

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Particles and Conjunctions

• Particles に and で
• Particles へ and を
• Particles も and しか
• Conjunctions and Compound Sentences
• Conditional and Hypothetical Sentences

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Travel and Tourism

• Basic Travel and Tourism Vocabulary
• Famous Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
• Japanese Hospitality and Service Culture

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Education and Science

• Educational System and Vocabulary
• Traditional and Modern Science and Technology
• Natural Disasters and Risk Prevention

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Prepositions and Interjections

• Prepositions and Postpositions
• Emphasis and Intensification
• Exclamation and Impression Expressions

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Arts and Media

• Film and Theater Terminology
• Music and Dance Terminology
• Art and Literature Terminology

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Politics and Society

• Basic Political Vocabulary
• Social Issues and Controversies
• Japanese Business and Work Culture

Related Lessons

• Country names
• Shellfish
• Mountain
• Health
• Acronyms
• Count to 10
• Love
• Music and Dance Terminology
• Count from 1 to 10