入口
Iriguchi
Entrance
Usage
Displayed at the entrance of buildings, stations, and facilities; also written 入り口
出口
Deguchi
Exit
Usage
Displayed at exits; in stations it is combined with a compass direction, e.g. 東口 (east exit)
非常口
Hijōguchi
Emergency Exit
Usage
Emergency exit sign, shown with the green running-man pictogram — the standard wording in Japanese hotels and stations
開店
Kaiten
Opening (of a shop)
Usage
Appears in notices such as 開店時間 (opening time) or 本日開店 (opening today); the door sign itself says 営業中
閉店
Heiten
Closing (of a shop)
Usage
Appears in notices such as 閉店時間 (closing time); note that 閉店セール means a going-out-of-business sale
営業中
Eigyōchū
Open for Business
Usage
The flip sign or noren curtain on a shop door meaning it is open now — this is the real-world Japanese "OPEN" sign
準備中
Junbichū
Preparing (temporarily closed)
Usage
The sign hung before opening or during a break between lunch and dinner — the shop is not closed for good, it will open later
男性
Dansei
Men
Usage
Marks the men's side of restrooms, baths, and changing rooms; sometimes written 男 or 殿方
女性
Josei
Women
Usage
Marks the women's side of restrooms, baths, and changing rooms; sometimes written 女 or 婦人
立入禁止
Tachiiri kinshi
No Entry
Usage
Posted on areas closed to the public, often as 関係者以外立入禁止 (staff only)
禁煙
Kin'en
Non-Smoking
Usage
No-smoking sign in restaurants, stations, and streets; some Japanese districts fine you for smoking on the street
喫煙所
Kitsuenjo
Smoking Area
Usage
Marks a designated smoking spot at stations, airports, and street corners; also written 喫煙室
階段
Kaidan
Stairs
Usage
Directional sign for stairs; escalators are labelled separately as エスカレーター
押す
Osu
Push
Usage
The push label on a door; sometimes written in hiragana as おす
引く
Hiku
Pull
Usage
The pull label on a door; sometimes written in hiragana as ひく
工事中
Kōjichū
Under Construction
Usage
Posted at construction sites and closed passages, often with a detour instruction
故障中
Koshōchū
Out of Order
Usage
Posted on elevators, vending machines, or restroom stalls that are broken
More Japanese phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
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- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
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- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
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- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
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- Public Transport
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- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
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- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
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- Dating Apps
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- Fruits
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- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences