Japanese Counters in Real Scenes: Shops, Hotels, Trains
Japanese, Labeled · No. 02 — Japanese Counters in Real Scenes: Shops, Hotels, Trains
"Two coffees," "two bottles," "a table for two" — all different words for "two of them" in Japanese. Which counter goes with what?
The 15 counters behind most daily situations, their changing readings, and phrases for using them.
What's inside
- 15 core counters in one table, each with its trap
- Full 1–10 readings for the 3 irregular systems (hon, nin, tsu), plus days of the month 1–10
- 4 scenes with ready phrases: shopping, restaurants, hotel, station
- A practice set of 7, plus the fallback rule when a counter won't come
Format
PDF, 10 pages. Last checked: November 2026.
Who this is for
People in Japan who order, book, and buy out loud.
Not for: Students needing the full system for an examination.
What this guide does not cover
Counting money; specialist counters beyond one note; handwriting.
How the labels work
Claims are labeled Known (checked against official sources), My read (the author's interpretation), or Don't know (it varies — the guide says how to check).
By One View From Japan — a Japanese data professional based in Japan. Japan from the inside, with the guesses labeled.
Drafted with AI assistance; every claim and figure reviewed by the author.
Questions: riku-muse@muse.ai
FAQ
Q: What if I forget the right counter while someone waits?
A: Use tsu (1–10) or ko. Staff repeat your order back with the correct counter.
Q: Are these standard readings?
A: Yes — standard Tokyo forms; dual readings are both shown.
