お邪魔します。 — Pardon me for intruding. / Please excuse me. (said when entering a home) (Cultural · Greeting, Polite to Host, JLPT N5)

Gesture & etiquette

Pause at the threshold; remove shoes and turn them to face the door; step up into the home; say the phrase with a bow as you cross the threshold — do not say it while still outside.

Literally 'I am going to disturb you,' this phrase graciously acknowledges you are entering someone's private space. Remove shoes in the genkan (entry foyer) and align them neatly facing the door before stepping up. For a first-time visit, a small gift (手土産, temiyage) is strongly expected — omitting it is considered culturally awkward.