Domo

"どうも (Domo)" has several meanings. 

1. Hi/ Hello/ Hey
2. Thank you
3. Somehow

If you use it without combining with other words and just say "どうも (Domo)", it usually means Hi/ Hello/ Hey and is a casual greeting between close friends. If you use it after someone does something for you, or when talking about something nice someone did for you, it's a short form of expressing your appreciation. (Kind of like the abbreviated version of "Domo Arigato Gozaimasu".) 

However, when you use it in within a sentence, it usually has this nuance of "somehow~" or "I'm not sure but~" or "it seems to be~", which shows the situation of something which is vague and not so clear. 

It's a little bit difficult to use "どうも (Domo)" in a sentence, so if you are a beginner of the Japanese language, I recommend for you to just use "どうも (Domo)" to a new Japanese friend when you want to greet him/her to simply say "Hi!".

Sumimasen/Suimasen

You may sometimes hear people saying "すみません (Sumimasen)" or "すいません (Suimasen)", in various situations. But what do these words mean?

The origin of the word comes from the word "済む (Sumu)" meaning end/ finish/ complete. The word "済む (Sumu)" also includes interpretations such as "it's solved", "~ is satisfied". This meaning changes when it is the negative form "～ません (~masen)" is added to the end of the word, and turns into "済みません (Sumimasen)", which the exact translation now means "can not be solved" or "can not be satisfied". 

Because the pronunciation of "すみません (Sumimasen)" gradually changed, it is pretty common for people to also use "すいません (Suimasen)" too. 

"すみません (Sumimasen)" and "すいません (Suimasen)" are used in various situations to express the following in a casual manner:

1. I'm sorry
2. Excuse me
3. Sorry to cause you trouble
4. Thank you

It's very useful because you can use it in various situations, and it makes you sound very Japanese by using this word, but please be careful, because it's basically a casual way of expression.

• When you bumped into someone on the train and want to apologize very casually.
• When you got lost in the streets and want to stop someone to ask for the direction to the nearest train station.
• When you want to call the waitress to request for the beverage menu.
• When you are trying on the size M clothing but it's too big for you, and the shop clerk brought the S size for you.

If you want to sincerely apologize or show your gratitude in a bigger way, it is better to use expressions such as "申し訳ございません(I apologize)" or "ありがとうございます(Arigato gozaimasu)".

Really Convenient Convenience Stores "Konbini” in Japan

• What is "コンビニ (Konbini)"? Japanese abbreviated form of "Convenience Store".
• Which are some of the major "コンビニ (Konbini)" chains in Japan?

7-ELEVEN https://www.sej.co.jp/in/en.html
LAWSON https://www.lawson.jp/en/
Family Mart https://www.family.co.jp/english.html
Mini Stop https://www.ministop.co.jp/english/
NewDays https://retail.jr-cross.co.jp/en/newdays/
Daily Yamazaki https://www.daily-yamazaki.jp/index.html *No English HP

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Before you visit any convenience store or so called "コンビニ (Konbini)" in Japan, you might just think that it's just somewhere you might stop by for buying a cup of coffee or some snacks, but there's so much more to enjoy in a typical "コンビニ (Konbini)" in Japan. Food and beverage, ball point pens, charging cables, cosmetics, shampoo, stockings, underwear, toothbrush, medicines (in some stores), and service of copy machines, ATM ... so you could pretty much gather many of your needs at a "コンビニ (Konbini)" without hopping to various stores.

To begin with, you might be surprised by the wide range of food selections. All "コンビニ (Konbini)" have Sandwiches, Onigiri (= rice balls), and Bentos (=lunch boxes), but that's not it. Soba (Buckwheat) noodles, creamy gratin, spaghetti, chinese style bowls, fried chicken, french fries, and various sweets produced by each "コンビニ (Konbini)" stores. The quality of the food is pretty good for something you can casually purchase quickly, at a reasonable pricing, and the hot foods, such as fried chicken, displayed near the cashier is popular too.

Another interesting thing, is that sometimes, these "コンビニ (Konbini)" produce their own brand products, so customers go to a certain "コンビニ (Konbini)" to purchase goods which can only be bought in a particular "コンビニ (Konbini)" chain. This is just my personal opinion, but I think you should check out the below products of each "コンビニ (Konbini)" chain:

Family Mart

• "Sopo" Cosmetics: Eye shadows, mascaras, etc., in trendy colors and mini sizes.
• Socks: Comfy good quality socks available in both basic and eye catching colors.
• "Fami Chiki" Fried chicken: Popular for its juicy meat and crispiness.

Lawson

• "Karaage kun" Japanese style fried chicken: Popular not only for its taste but also the mini size.

Mini Stop

• Soft Serve Ice Cream: Mini Stop is famous for the sweets, but I think it's the soft serve ice cream that made them famous.
• "Halo-Halo” dessert: The name "halo-halo" comes from the Philippines, which means "mixed up" in Tagalog. It's a mixture of soft serve ice cream, fruits, jelly, nata de coco, and shaved ice. It's only sold during the spring and summertime, so be sure to stop by when you're looking for a cold refreshing dessert in your trip during the warm/hot seasons.

"Reiwa"? What is the "Gengo" year?

• What is "元号 (Gengo)"?  Japanese era name, used to describe the year.
• What is the origin of using "元号 (Gengo)"?  Japanese Diplomats in ancient days introduced this culture of "counting the era" after visiting China.
• What is the "元号 (Gengo)" now?  It is now "令和 (Reiwa)", the era which started since May 2019.
• When does this "元号 (Gengo)" change? It changes each time a new emperor reigns, and continues as Year 1, 2, 3 ... and onwards until the emperor changes.
• Who decides the "元号 (Gengo)" name of each era? The Japanese cabinet.
• How is this "元号 (Gengo)" used? For Japanese governmental related documents, calendars, and especially in New Year greeting cards.
• What is the meaning of "令和 (Reiwa)"?  "Cultures are born and grow, when people beautifully bring their hearts together."
  

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During your visit in Japan, you may sometimes encounter words such as "令和 (Reiwa)" or "平成 (Heisei)". These are words which describe the era or "元号 (Gengo)", and is used in a similar way like the western A.D. year system. The "元号 (Gengo)" is changed each time a new emperor reigns. 

The current "元号 (Gengo)" is "令和 (Reiwa)" which started from May 1st 2019, at the same time Prince Naruhito of the royal family had been appointed as the new emperor of Japan. 2019 was the 1st year of "令和 (Reiwa)", so if you are to describe the year 2023, you would say "令和5年 (Year 5 of Reiwa) ".

The "元号 (Gengo)" is used often in official governmental documents, so when you see some posters made by the Japanese government, you will often see "令和5年" instead of "2023". For example, when the Japanese have to submit official documents to the city hall, upon moving, marriage, tax payments, etc., the citizens always will have to write the year in "元号 (Gengo)" style. The "元号 (Gengo)" is also used very frequently upon celebrating of the new year, especially in greeting cards, also called "年賀状 (Nengajo)". If you are to send a New Year's greeting card to your Japanese friend, you will sound very familiar to Japanese cultures by writing the latest "元号 (Gengo)" of the new year!