Polite to Guest
Cultural · Greeting
You
お暑い中、わざわざお越しいただきありがとうございます。
おあつい中、わざわざおこしいただきありがとうございます。
Thank you so much for coming all this way in this heat.
Romaji: O-atsui naka, wazawaza o-koshi itadaki arigatou gozaimasu. / Reply Romaji: Ie ie, dou itashimashite.
Reply
いいえ、どういたしまして。
いいえ、どういたしまして。
Not at all, please don't worry about it.
Gesture & etiquette
Greet at the entrance with a 15-degree bow. If indoors, offer a cool drink immediately after seating — this is standard hospitality in summer and will be deeply appreciated.
Acknowledging the weather or effort required to visit is a cornerstone of Japanese hospitality (おもてなし). 「わざわざ」recognizes the guest's effort; omitting it can feel slightly cold. This phrase applies to hot summer days — in winter, swap 「お暑い中」for「お寒い中」.
#greeting#seasonal#summer#hospitality#welcome#guest#omotenashi