From ‘Irasshaimase’ to ‘Youkoso’: Saying ‘Welcome’ in Japanese
Understanding Variations of How to Say Welcome in Japanese
When learning a new language, one of the most fundamental phrases to master is “welcome.”
In Japanese, the word for “welcome” comes in various forms depending on the context and relationship with the person you’re addressing.
In this article, we will explain how to say “welcome” depending on the situation.
Welcome in Japanese || Youkoso
Welcome in Japanese || Irasshaimase
Welcome in Japanese || Okaerinasai
Welcome in Japanese || Douzo
Welcome in Japanese || Omachishiteorimashita
Welcome in Japanese || Omotenashi
Welcome in Japanese || FAQs
Welcome in Japanese || Youkoso
The most straightforward and commonly used expression for “welcome” in Japanese is ようこそ – youkoso. This phrase is used when greeting someone who has arrived at a place, whether it’s your home, a restaurant, or a formal event.
For the place someone came to, add a particle へ .
ようこそ東京へ！
ようこそとうきょうへ！Youkoso Toukyou e!
Welcome to Tokyo!
大阪へようこそ。
おおさかへようこそ。Osaka e youkoso.
Welcome to Osaka!
Generally, it is okay to use this phrase when welcoming someone, no matter who the recipient is.
A more polite way to say this is:
ようこそお越しくださいました。
ようこそおこしくださいました。youkoso okoshi kudasaimashita.
Welcome, thanks for coming.
お越し おこし okoshi is horific language for 来る くる kuru, come.
ようこそ日本へ！
ようこそにほんへ!youkoso nihon e!
Welcome to Japan!
ようこそ新たな世界へ！
ようこそあらたなせかいへ！Youkoso aratana sekai e!
Welcome to the new world!
ようこそ我が家へお越しくださいました。
ようこそわがやへおこしくださいました。Youkoso wagaya e okoshi kudasaimashita.
Welcome to my home.
ようこそお越しくださいました ようこそおこしくださいました youkoso okoshi kudasaimashita is one of the most polite and gracious ways to say “welcome” in Japanese, and it’s often used to express honor in the guest’s presence.
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Welcome in Japanese || Irasshaimase
いらっしゃいませ irasshaimase is most frequently used expression in shops, restrants, department stores, convenience stores, and so on. This is a polite and professional form of welcome used by staff to greet customers when they enter a shop or business.
This expression is not something you would use to welcome guests to your home. Instead, it’s reserved for service and hospitality industries. You’ll hear irasshaimase quite often in Japan.
Here are other casual forms of Irasshaimase:
いらっしゃい！
Welcome!らっしゃい！
Welcome!These are rather casual forms and you can hear these forms in old-fashioned markets and sushi restaurants, for example. Most sushi chefs at sushi restaurants speak in this format.
These are casual expressions and when you say this in a store, it might give the impression that you are, for example, a peddler selling things on the roadside. It is better to add ませ masu and say いらっしゃいませ properly.
When you enter a restaurant, staff will definitely say:
いらっしゃいませ、何名様ですか？
[いらっしゃいませ、なんめいさまですか？]
Irasshaimase, nanmeisama desuka?
Welcome, how many people are there?
Of course when you enter a restaurant, you can begin a conversation with こんにちは konnichiwa, but in Japanese restaurants, it is more common for staff to say いらっしゃいませ irasshaimase and for customers to just nod and answer the staff.
Welcome in Japanese || Okaerinasai
A different form of “welcome” in Japanese is おかえりなさい okaerinasai, which means “welcome back” or “welcome home.”
This phrase is used when someone returns home or comes back to a place they are familiar with. It is commonly used among family members, friends, or coworkers. These words are written in the arrival lobby of Japan’s international airports.
A casual form is おかえり okaeri. Those who returned say ただいま tadaima or ただいま帰りました [ただいまかえりました] tadaima kaerimashita – I’m back now.
ただいま帰りました。
ただいまかえりました。tadaima kaerimashita.
I’m back now.
おかえり。
Okaeri.
Welcome back.
ただいま literally means “just now” and this is used also as “just now”. So what this means depends on the context.
For example, if you are asked why a customer’s order hasn’t arrived yet, you might respond like this:
みそ汁がまだ来ていないんですけど。
みそしるがまだきていないんですけど。Miso shiru ga mada kiteinaindesukedo.
The miso soup hasn’t arrived yet.
すみません、ただいまお持ちします。
すみません、ただいまおもちします。Sumimasen, tadaima omochi shimasu.
Sorry, I’ll bring it right away.
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Welcome in Japanese || Douzo
どうぞ douzo is a versatile expression. This can mean “Please,” “Here you are,” “After you,” “By all means” and so on.
This expression can also be used when giving directions to someone. When you greet someone, you will guide him or her like this:
こちらへどうぞ。
Kochira e douzo.
Follow me, please.
どうぞごゆっくりくつろいでください。Douzo goyukkuri kutsuroide kudasai.
Please take your time and make yourself at home.
This expression can also be used to politely encourage someone to do something. By pointing at the object or directing your gaze, you can convey the action you want to encourage with a certain atmosphere, even if you don’t know how to say it in Japanese.
In restaurants:
いらっしゃいませ。どうぞこちらへ。
Irasshaimase, douzo kochira e.
Welcome, please come this way.
どうぞ、コーヒーです。
Douzo, ko-hi- desu.
Here you go, coffee.
Welcome in Japanese || Omachishiteorimashita
In more formal settings, such as high-end hotels, corporate environments, or ceremonial occasions, you might hear:
お待ちしておりました。
おまちしておりました。omachishite orimashita
We’ve been expecting you.
This phrase translates to “we’ve been expecting you” or “we’ve been waiting for you” and is a very polite and formal way to welcome guests.
This phrase conveys a deep respect for the guest and is often used in more professional or official environments.
いらっしゃいませ、お待ちしておりました。
いらっしゃいませ、おまちしておりました。Irasshaimase, omachi shiteorimashita.
Welcome, we’ve been expecting you.
Welcome in Japanese || Omotenashi
In Japanese, a spirit of hospitality is called おもてなし omotenashi. Omotenashi is a reflection of Japan’s broader cultural values, including respect, humility, and harmony. It’s not just about serving someone but making them feel respected and valued.
This mindset has permeated various aspects of Japanese life, from business practices to everyday interactions, helping to build strong relationships founded on trust and mutual respect.
The word おもてなし originates from the verb もてなす motenasu, which means “to entertain” or “to receive.”
In Japanese, this verb is used to describe the act of hosting or treating guests with care and consideration. When turned into the noun もてなし, it encapsulates the concept of hospitality and thoughtful service.
Unlike hospitality in many other cultures, which can sometimes be seen as transactional, もてなす in Japan emphasizes a selfless approach to hosting.
It’s not just about providing for the guests’ needs, but about creating a warm, welcoming environment where every detail is considered.
This means ensuring that the guest feels valued and appreciated, often anticipating their desires before they even express them.
The cultural philosophy behind もてなし reflects Japan’s deep-rooted traditions of respect, humility, and thoughtfulness, making it a central element of Japanese hospitality.
That’s all for today’s article. Learn about the Japanese spirit of omotenshi through the various ways to say “welcome.”
How do you say ‘Welcome’ in your native language? Share with us here!
Welcome in Japanese || FAQs
How to say “welcome” in Japanese?
“Welcome” translates into ようこそ yousoko in Japanese, but there are many other expressions.
How to say “welcome back” in Japanese?
“Welcome back” translates into おかえり okaeri in Japanese.
What do the store clerks say when you go to a store?
In business situations, “welcome” is いらっしゃいませ irassaimase.
What is the most polite way to say “welcome”?
The most polite way to say “welcome” is ようこそお越しくださいました ようこそおこしくださいました .
What is “Omotenashi?”
In Japanese, a spirit of hospitality is called おもてなし omotenashi. Omotenashi is a reflection of Japan’s broader cultural values, including respect, humility, and harmony.
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