30 Things You Should Know and/or Will Love about Japan Series: # 5

These posts are written for Carrie, Pete, and Elvia for their imminent trip to Japan, but of course, anyone traveling to Japan or dreaming of traveling to Japan can enjoy.

This has nothing to do with the post, other than it's in Japan.
Ikuta Shrine, Sannomiya, Kobe, Japan - Sakura (Cherry Blossom) season

#5 A few simple words

We've lived in Japan for four years and as many of you know, Lola has the best Japanese in the house.  It's a bit embarrassing to tell people how long we've been here when our Japanese is so poor.  It's true that it is a difficult language, we are busy with work and our own little Lemleys, and our days are mostly filled with work which is all in English, but it's no excuse.  

The younger the Lemley, the better their Japanese.

Kawaii - "Cute" in Japanese

You will only be here for two weeks, while you shouldn't go out in your spare time and get the Rosetta Stone program for Japanese, here are the most important phrases you'll want to use when you are out and about.

Sumimasen - "Sue-me-ma-sen" Excuse me or I'm sorry.  #1 most used word by foreigners.

Konnichiwa - "Ko-Knee-Chee-Wa" Hello. (used about 10 am - 6 pm)

Ohayo Gozaimasu - "Ohio Go-Z-eye-mas" Good Morning.

Arigato - (Please leave off the "Mr. Roboto") - Thank you.

Wakarimasen - "Wa-car-ee-ma-sen" I don't understand.

Most important thing - Bow A LOT.  

Japanese people are lovely, friendly and very forgiving, more on this later...