Four everyday Japanese greetings, and a brief guide to the nuances of greetings in Japan.
Last updated: February 2026
Picture yourself walking through a serene mountain village in rural Japan. The locals on the street pass by with a warm smile and a friendly greeting. Would you know how to respond?
For visitors, mastering these simple phrases goes beyond politeness—it opens doors to meaningful interactions and unforgettable experiences. Greetings are one of the first windows into Japanese social etiquette, and understanding them will change the way you connect with people here.
In Japan's bustling cities, it's common to pass by countless people without exchanging a word. But in smaller towns, rural villages, or while hiking scenic trails, a simple greeting can go a long way. Greeting others helps foster a warm and trusting atmosphere that's deeply rooted in Japan's culture of community.
You would think of your own hometown the same way, right?
Why Greet?
A warm atmosphere within a small town creates trust and opens communication among neighbors. If there's ever a problem or a crisis in your home, your neighbors are often the first to respond. Even someone further away in town can find a way to help—that's how tight these communities are.
In Japan's close-knit areas, neighbors often view one another as extended family. Whether it's offering a helping hand in a crisis or simply sharing a kind word on the street, these small gestures create a sense of connection and mutual respect. Greetings are the starting point for all of that.
Japanese Greetings: "Aisatsu"
A Japanese greeting, or aisatsu (挨拶), is one of the core attributes of reigi (礼儀)—meaning manners, etiquette, or courtesy. Aisatsu is the way people in Japan say hello to each other, and it goes far deeper than words.
When train staff enter a different car, they bow to the passengers — even if no one is there. It's a sign of respect. You'll see athletes do it when they enter and exit a dojo. You'll see neighbors do it on an evening stroll. It's everywhere.
It's taught from a very young age. It shows respect and politeness. It builds community and relationships. It sets the tone for the interaction and reflects the hierarchy of society. Teachers and students often practice aisatsu every morning as students arrive, and again when they leave for the day.
This article will teach the basics — the spoken and unspoken ways to greet someone in Japan. Beyond greetings, body language plays a huge role in Japanese communication. We cover 5 essential gestures every tourist should know in a separate post.
Ojigi: The Way of the Bow
Ojigi (お辞儀) is what people in Japan call bowing. No one is entirely sure where the practice originated, but many believe it was imported from Buddhism. The ruling samurai class later adopted it into bushido—the way of the warrior. One story claims that samurai would bow their heads and expose their necks as a gesture of humility, offering the other person the chance to strike.
There are three main types of bows in Japan.
Eshaku (~15°)—The Casual Bow
A slight tilt of the head and upper body forward, about fifteen degrees. This is the informal bow—used with friends, colleagues outside of work, and juniors. Think of it like a wave of the hand. This is the bow we'll focus on in this article, because it's the one you'll use most as a visitor.
A slight tilt of the head and upper body forward, about fifteen degrees. This is the informal bow—used with friends, colleagues outside of work, and juniors. Think of it like a wave of the hand. This is the bow we'll focus on in this article, because it's the one you'll use most as a visitor.
Keirei (~30°)—The Formal Bow
A deeper bow with the upper body moving forward about thirty degrees. Used when greeting customers, professional seniors, and people of authority. This is the standard bow in business settings.
A deeper bow with the upper body moving forward about thirty degrees. Used when greeting customers, professional seniors, and people of authority. This is the standard bow in business settings.
Saikeirei (~45–90°)—The Deep Bow
The most formal bow, ranging from forty-five degrees to a full ninety. Used for deep apologies—you'll occasionally see this on TV when a public figure is caught in a scandal. But it's also the gratitude bow. When someone expresses deep appreciation, they'll hold this bow for several seconds. You might see it when buying something expensive: the staff will walk you to the door, hand you your bag, and bow until you're out of sight.
The most formal bow, ranging from forty-five degrees to a full ninety. Used for deep apologies—you'll occasionally see this on TV when a public figure is caught in a scandal. But it's also the gratitude bow. When someone expresses deep appreciation, they'll hold this bow for several seconds. You might see it when buying something expensive: the staff will walk you to the door, hand you your bag, and bow until you're out of sight.
Don't worry about making your bow perfect. Bowing is something Japanese people practice from childhood—as a visitor, the effort is what matters most.
A Note on the Eshaku Bow
Sometimes a full bow isn't possible—maybe you're pushing a stroller or carrying something heavy. In those cases, a simple head nod works just fine. The person you're greeting will understand.
In rural villages, you'll often share the road with cars. Pay attention to the driver—you might see them bow their head as a thank-you. A quick eshaku nod back is all you need. The same goes if someone stops to thank you for stepping aside, or if you pass a cyclist on a narrow path.
Be careful out there!
Four Japanese Greetings Every Visitor Should Know
1. Ohayō gozaimasu (おはようございます)—"Good morning"
Use this until noon, just like in English. But you might hear Japanese people use it throughout the day in various settings—the "gozaimasu" ending expresses politeness, humility, and gratitude, which makes it appropriate in formal situations at any hour. As a visitor, ohayō gozaimasu is the safest go-to for mornings. You may hear shorter, informal versions among friends—like "ohayō," "ozasu," or even just "masu"—but avoid using these with strangers or anyone older than you.
Use this until noon, just like in English. But you might hear Japanese people use it throughout the day in various settings—the "gozaimasu" ending expresses politeness, humility, and gratitude, which makes it appropriate in formal situations at any hour. As a visitor, ohayō gozaimasu is the safest go-to for mornings. You may hear shorter, informal versions among friends—like "ohayō," "ozasu," or even just "masu"—but avoid using these with strangers or anyone older than you.
Fun fact: The literal meaning is closer to "It's early!" or "We're up early!"
2. Konnichiwa (こんにちは)—"Hello / Good afternoon"
One of the most recognized Japanese words in the world. It follows the same daytime timing as English greetings. Konnichiwa isn't technically informal, but it feels casual to many Japanese speakers since it doesn't carry sentence-ending particles like "masu" or "desu." You may hear shortened versions like "kon-cha" or "chiiwa" — these are mostly used by younger people, athletes, or students in clubs.
One of the most recognized Japanese words in the world. It follows the same daytime timing as English greetings. Konnichiwa isn't technically informal, but it feels casual to many Japanese speakers since it doesn't carry sentence-ending particles like "masu" or "desu." You may hear shortened versions like "kon-cha" or "chiiwa" — these are mostly used by younger people, athletes, or students in clubs.
Fun fact: The literal translation is something like "How is this day?" or "This day is...?"
3. Konbanwa (こんばんは)—"Good evening"
Same timing convention as English — use it in the evening. Among the three formal greetings, konbanwa is used the least in casual settings. But it's good to know, especially for evening walks or arriving at a ryokan.
Same timing convention as English — use it in the evening. Among the three formal greetings, konbanwa is used the least in casual settings. But it's good to know, especially for evening walks or arriving at a ryokan.
Fun fact: The literal translation is "How is this evening?" or "This evening is...?"
4. Domo (どうも)—"Hello / Thanks / Hey"
Domo is the Swiss Army knife of Japanese expressions. It can mean hello, thank you, or even express surprise—all depending on context. You'll often hear it paired with "hai" (はい) or doubled up as "domo domo." A similar multi-purpose word is sumimasen (すみません)—which covers "excuse me," "sorry," and "thank you." The difference is formality: domo feels more casual, while sumimasen is the safer choice when you want to be polite in a pinch. Domo also works as a politeness booster. You've probably heard "domo arigatō gozaimasu"—and no, those aren't just Mr. Roboto lyrics. A book could be written about this one word, but for our purposes: it works as a hello.
Domo is the Swiss Army knife of Japanese expressions. It can mean hello, thank you, or even express surprise—all depending on context. You'll often hear it paired with "hai" (はい) or doubled up as "domo domo." A similar multi-purpose word is sumimasen (すみません)—which covers "excuse me," "sorry," and "thank you." The difference is formality: domo feels more casual, while sumimasen is the safer choice when you want to be polite in a pinch. Domo also works as a politeness booster. You've probably heard "domo arigatō gozaimasu"—and no, those aren't just Mr. Roboto lyrics. A book could be written about this one word, but for our purposes: it works as a hello.
Putting It Together: The Steps
Step One: Acknowledge
When the other person comes within visual range—close enough that you can see their face—you might catch each other's eye. Take that moment to acknowledge them with a small eshaku bow and a smile. This initial gesture removes any awkwardness and gauges the other person's response.
There are two outcomes. First, they return the bow or nod—this is your green light to use a verbal greeting when you pass each other.
Second, they don't return the gesture. That's fine. You don't need to initiate a verbal greeting. They might still say hello as they pass. If so, return it. If not, no worries—step one is already done.
Step Two: Greet
As you approach closer and come into audio range, look toward the person again. If they meet your gaze, greet them using whichever phrase fits the time of day. They'll likely return the greeting, or respond with a bow or nod.
If You Don't Get a Response
Don't worry about it. Give them the benefit of the doubt. There's a whole list of reasons someone might not respond—the most common being that they were surprised to hear a tourist greet them in Japanese, and by the time it registered, the moment had passed.
No matter the situation, greeting with a smile is its own reward. You did what was respectful. That's how we create the feeling of community—even as visitors passing through.
Keep Exploring
Greetings are just the starting point. Japanese etiquette extends into body language, dining, and even how you walk down the street. Here are some related guides to help you navigate Japan with more confidence:
👋 5 Important Gestures in Japan Every Tourist Should Know
🍜 Eat Like a Local: Japanese Food Etiquette
🚶 Is It Okay to Eat While Walking in Japan?
🏡 What It's Like Living in Japan as a Foreigner
If you have any specific questions about greetings or Japanese etiquette, drop a comment below. Thanks for reading!
🍜 Eat Like a Local: Japanese Food Etiquette
🚶 Is It Okay to Eat While Walking in Japan?
🏡 What It's Like Living in Japan as a Foreigner
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