Polite to Stranger
Workplace · Greeting
いらっしゃいませ。お待ちしておりました。応接室にご案内いたします。 — Welcome. We've been expecting you. Let me show you to the reception room. (Workplace · Greeting, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N4)
You
いらっしゃいませ。お待ちしておりました。応接室にご案内いたします。
いらっしゃいませ。おまちしておりました。おうせつしつにごあんないいたします。
Welcome. We've been expecting you. Let me show you to the reception room.
Romaji: Irasshaimase. Omachi shite orimashita. Ousetsushitsu ni goannai itashimasu. / Reply Romaji: A, osore irimasu. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
Reply
あ、恐れ入ります。よろしくお願いします。
あ、おそれいります。よろしくおねがいします。
Oh, thank you. Looking forward to it.
Gesture & etiquette
Stand promptly when visitor arrives. Warm welcoming smile, slight bow (30 degrees). Walk slightly ahead at a moderate pace, glance back occasionally to ensure they're following. At doors, open and gesture them through with 'douzo.' At the room, indicate the seat: 'okakeku-dasai mase' (please have a seat).
Receiving visitors at a Japanese office follows a script: 'irasshaimase' (welcome) → 'omachi shite orimashita' (we've been expecting you, if scheduled) → escort to reception room. Walk slightly ahead of the visitor, not behind. Open doors for them. Once in the room, gesture to the upper seat (kamiza — far from the door) — visitors always sit in the seat of honor. Offer tea within a few minutes of seating.