1
Ask in plain English
Type or say what you want to say — “Can I sit here?”, “Is this train going to Shinjuku?”, or anything else on your mind.
Japanese you can actually use — in stations, shops, and daily life.
TabiTalk is a Japanese learning app built for the conversations you actually have in Japan.
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Beginner friendly — romaji + audio, no hiragana needed
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Works offline when you’re out and about in Japan
A Japanese learning app for real moments in Japan
Go from “How do I say this?” to confident small talk with a simple loop: ask, translate, then practise the scenario.
2
Get natural Japanese (with backup)
See the phrase in Japanese with romaji, audio, and quick notes on politeness and nuance so you know why it works.
3
Practise the full scenario
Turn it into a mini role-play. Practise both sides of the conversation so you can walk up, smile, and actually say it.
Made for real trip moments
TabiTalk is organised by situations you’ll actually run into in Japan, not by textbook chapter.
🚆 At the station
Buying the right ticket
Ask staff which platform to use, whether a train stops at your station, or how to charge your IC card, without needing perfect grammar.
- Describe where you’re trying to go in English.
- See natural Japanese you can repeat with audio.
- Practise follow-up questions so you don’t freeze.
🍜 At the restaurant
Ordering like a human
Go beyond pointing at the menu. Learn how to ask for recommendations, adjust your order, and say thank you in a way that feels natural.
- Role-play the full interaction, from greeting to bill.
- Pick phrases that match your style and politeness level.
- Save your go-to orders for next time.
🧭 When you’re stuck
Asking for help, kindly
Whether you’re lost, confused by a sign, or not sure what to say, TabiTalk helps you ask clearly and politely.
- Use image and text translation for signs and menus.
- Learn go-to phrases for apologies and thanks.
- Practise common “I’m lost” scenarios before you need them.
Why TabiTalk, not just a translator?
All tools help in different ways. TabiTalk is built specifically for travellers who want to speak, not just tap a translate button.
| TabiTalk | Translate apps | Course apps | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designed for | Real-life travel moments, stations, shops, and daily life. | Single-sentence translation on the spot. | Long-term study, levels, and tests. |
| Core loop | Ask → translate → practise the scenario. | Type → show one-off translation. | Follow lessons, drills, and quizzes. |
| Speaking practice | Built-in role-plays and prompts to speak out loud. | Usually just reading or playing audio. | Some speaking, but often outside real travel context. |
| Offline use | Core phrases and dictionary designed to work offline. | Often limited or unavailable without data. | Some lessons offline, but not focused on trip moments. |
| Explaining the “why” | Short notes about politeness, nuance, and alternatives. | Little or no explanation — just output. | Explains grammar, but often far from your next trip. |
Who TabiTalk is for (and not for)
Perfect if you…
- Have an upcoming trip to Japan and want to feel less lost in everyday interactions.
- Care more about being understood and polite than passing a grammar test.
- Prefer practical examples you can use tonight over long, abstract lessons.
- Like the idea of practising short role-plays on the train, in your hotel, or at home.
Probably not for you if…
- You’re looking for a full textbook replacement or JLPT-focused curriculum.
- You want detailed breakdowns of every grammar point and kanji from day one.
- You never plan to speak Japanese out loud and just want simple one-off translations.
Why I built TabiTalk
TabiTalk started as a messy collection of phrases on a phone, written on trains and in tiny restaurants across Japan. Every trip, the same thing happened: phrasebooks and course apps were great at home, but disappeared the moment a real person started talking back.
I wanted something that felt like a calm friend in my pocket: quick phrases for the situation I was in right now, a bit of guidance on politeness, and a way to practise so I wouldn’t blank when it mattered.
If that sounds like you too, TabiTalk was built for you. Read the full story →
If this sounds familiar…
- You’ve tried other apps but still feel tongue-tied when someone speaks to you in Japanese.
- You wish you had a few “go-to” phrases you can rely on in shops, stations, and cafes.
- You like learning, but you don’t want your whole trip to feel like homework.
TabiTalk won’t make you fluent overnight. But it will help you survive the tricky moments and enjoy the small human interactions that make a trip to Japan special.
Built for real life
Ready for the moment
Quick phrases for tickets, ordering, directions, shopping, and small talk — organized by situation.
Speak & get feedback
Practice out loud with natural examples. Get hints so you sound more local, not robotic.
Offline-friendly
No data? No problem. Core phrases and dictionary stay available when you're on the go.
A peek inside
FAQ
Is TabiTalk for beginners?
Yes. We focus on practical phrases first, with romaji and kana support so you can speak from day one.
Does it work offline?
Core phrases and dictionary entries are available offline so you can get unstuck in the moment.
Which platforms are supported?
iOS and Android at launch. A web version is planned.
Get TabiTalk before you land
Install the app now so your phrases, scenarios, and offline help are ready the moment you touch down in Japan.
Available on iOS and Android.