greetings

Timing is everything. Use the wrong one and expose yourself as a time-challenged 外人 gaijin (foreigner).

Morning menu: Until ~11:00, or whenever you stop looking sleepy.

• おはようございます ohayō gozaimasu (formal good morning)
• おはよう ohayō (casual, for friends/family)

Daytime special: 11:00-16:00ish, safe choice when in doubt.

• こんにちは konnichiwa (good day)

Evening snack: After sunset or when convenience stores switch on their lights.

• こんばんは konbanwa (good evening)

Leaving the scene:

• さようなら sayōnara (formal farewell, long-term)
• じゃね ja ne (super casual “see ya”)
• お疲れ様です otsukare sama desu (good work/thanks for your effort)

Pro tip:

When in doubt, bow slightly and say the greeting you hear others use. If you’re really lost, a deep bow covers most social situations.

Pro pro tip:

Don’t repeat back いらっしゃいませ irasshaimase (Welcome to our shop). It’s staff-only territory. Just nod and pretend you’re deeply interested in the nearest shelf.