Advice request. If you are just fluent in a minor language, you will find it challenging to converse with people . Some apps were really good, others not so much, but my final choice goes to Google Maps. I love drawing manga, watch anime, eat sushi and all things related to Japan ;), Your email address will not be published. Some have grown and grown over the years, constantly being extended and added to. He or she can also find you the best options to move from A to B. Then my. of course keeping the hotel card and destination written in japanese (ask your concierge to write it for you) is important. Or maybe you just want to hand over the entire trip planning to me? Google Translate can sometimes help though. Can You Get By With English in Tokyo? In the more familiar tourist locations, train station signs and announcements are in English as well as Japanese. They understand more than they want to let on. The Ultimate Tokyo Travel Guide The Blonde Abroad LOL. How To Travel Japan Without Knowing Japanese - Visit Nagasaki None of the other apps I've tried have me converted either yet and I'm a bit of a technology geek so I'm more than keen on the idea. FREE RESOURCE: My 9 Japanese Accommodation Hacks Checklist is well worth downloading. Less to think about = more chance to enjoy yourself! Use Japan's impressive public transport network as much as possible. Signage in most public places and all stations will include either English or Romanized characters of Japanese names so you should be able to always tell what station, street, or location youre at. Also, most stations will have their announcements repeated in English. Works every time! via Discover Cars, Find Cheap Flights Before you strap on your hiking boots, though . There are other nice navigation apps that are probably much more suitable to move around while in Japan, but the time required to fully understand them and to make a fair use is not worth it. Feel free to ask any questions you may have by leaving a comment below - I answer every one. Pocket WiFi WiFi is a must. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. If it is your first time in Japan, you are probably asking yourself if its going to be difficult to travel to Japan without knowing the Japanese language. ("Excuse me, please can you tell me the way?"). Anyway, I will show you some tips to help you find your way later in this article. They also have a bit more set-up than the usual process. Book Your Hire CarRent a car in Japan without speaking or reading Japanese via Booking.com's Car Rental portal. September 28, 2022 by Kimota Visiting Japan can be quite difficult if you don't know any Japanese, as most people in the country don't speak English. It has more than 4,4k ratings in the App Store with an average of 4 stars. In addition to the above apps, there are a few other tips to help you navigate the overwhelming world of Japanese cuisine and restaurants. The first choice by newcomers to Japan is typically teaching English at private English language schools, or eikaiwa. Doing this can save you money and will save time since youre not purchasing single-ride tickets every trip. From left, crisp nori chips with toasted sesame oil, spring chicken miso soup, and yakitori chicken with ginger . Please log in again. Luckily, navigating around Japan can be easy with a bit of preparation. Advice request, Get answers to your questions about Tokyo, Going To and From Haneda LATE AT NIGHT (including SQ633, 634, 635, 636, Air Asia X), Japan (starting Tokyo) itinerary for 14 day. Now you wont just be getting around Japan without knowing Japanese but thriving as a respectful and prepared tourist, ready for any adventure that Japan has to offer. I wont recommend being an adventurous explorer in Japan, at least during your first time in the country. Everyone in there is really helpful. ); if speaking in English to a . Getting around Japan with English only - Tokyo Forum Get Ninja WiFi for unlimited internet everywhere, use Google Maps, supports up to 10 devices. For those with unlocked phones, you can purchase a tourist SIM Card when arriving in Japan. Do you need to learn Japanese? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rppnse7IkM). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17064105', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tokyo - Osaka/Hara/Kyoto down to Hiroshima) you will have no problem. If your time in Japan will be spent in one specific region, there are regional versions of the JR Pass. Its filled with carefully selected travel resources. a)when you wear the yukata (the japanese robe they give you), make sure the left side wrap over the right side (the other way around only goes for the corpse in funerals!!). You can do this after you arrive, but do learn Japanese. Useful Travel Tips on Japanese Language and Culture, Valuable Reflections on my 17th Trip To Japan (Includes 28 Day Itinerary), Details on the eBook edition are available HERE, Details on the Audiobook edition are available HERE, SAVE 20%! In here youll find all sort of food ready to take with you and at the lowest price. There are at least two koban in Tokyo where you will always have an officer with language skills to help foreigners (the Kabukicho Koban in Shinjuku and the Shibuya Ekimae Koban). Around 90% of the country are native Japanese speakers and outside of touristy locations, those who speak English might be few and far between. 5 Risks and How to Avoid Them, How To Stay In A Decent Cheap Hotel In Tokyo, Nanten-en Ryokan: A Peaceful Haven In Rural Amami, Osaka (Review), https://www.therealjapan.com/top-7-etiquette-tips-for-travel-in-japan/. Travelling by train and, specifically, on Japans incredibly well-developed high-speed rail network of shinkansen is recommended. I have written, an extensive guide to the Japan Rail Pass here, Easy pick-up at Narita/Haneda airport or in downtown Tokyo, Ride city trains, subways, or buses without handling tickets or cash, No need to calculate fares before boarding trains or subways, Rent a car in Japan without speaking or reading Japanese via, Want feedback on your travel ideas? Visiting Japan without speaking Japanese can be intimidating, but it is possible. 1. Fuji, ride the Shikansen (I'm starting a Masters degree studying railroads this Fall, so this is a huge draw for me), see a maritime museum in. via Booking.com, Find a Rental Car It is possible to visit Japan without speaking Japanese, though it may be difficult at times. Answer (1 of 3): It's not as hard as you might expect. And thats it, you manage to get to the end of this easy guide on how to travel in Japan without speaking Japanese. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. How Much Japanese Should I Know to Go to Japan? A cheaper option that can also cover multiple devices is a pocket wifi. Introduction Traveling to Tokyo without speaking Japanese may seem like an impossible task, but it's actually quite possible with the right preparation and resources. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Seat reservations can be made from one month before the date of travel until just before departure time. If you plan on using the rail system to get around Japan, the most important purchase will be a Japan Rail Pass, or JR Pass. However, Japan Rail Pass holders cannot use vending machines to make seat reservations. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. ask - the Japanese are incredibly polite, and may not immediately recognise you need help, but if asked are only too willing to help [and even go out of their way to help] you (because they see you as their guest in their country); if dining out, many restaurants have plastic models of dishes available [usually with price clearly shown] - so just take the waiter outside/into the foyer and point to what you want - easy, so you won't starve!. Screens on the outside of shinkansen include information in English about service, destination and car class. How To Visit Japan Without Speaking Japanese - Visit Nagasaki Google Translate has a very helpful camera feature where you can point the phone towards what you are trying to read and it will translate in real-time. Did anyone fly Delta Airlines Singapore - Narita recently. How Difficult is Travelling Japan without Japanese? | Travel Tips September 27, 2022 by Kimota Travelling Japan without Japanese can be difficult as you will not be able to communicate with people as easily, and may not be able to understand signs or menus. 1. Is London the Greatest City in the World? The rule is, if you want to get ahead, learn to speak at least B1-2 level so that you can interact with Japanese people (the vast majority of whom speak no English). Non-smoking (sometimes hard to find in Japan). Ticket numbers correspond to stops. Five climbs around Tokyo to get your Mount Fuji fix One general tip that applies particularly in the countryside is never be afraid to ask people you see on the street for help. Can You Travel Without A Car In Japan Click here to watch it on YouTube. How did I do this? It cannot be used on high-speed bullet trains or long-distance buses. Note that the price is only reflective of single-ride tickets so if you have one of the above-mentioned passes, this information is irrelevant. How To Visit Japan When You Don't Know Japanese After three years in Bangkok, he currently lives in Germany with his wife and dog. You can purchase a SIM card at certain kiosks around the airport but if you arrive at an odd time, they might not be open. The peak cherry blossom season lasts from mid-March to mid-April. Koban are easily identified as "Koban" will be written in Romaji and they always have a red light above the entrance. via 12Go. Most of the time you can get away with little or no Japanese if you speak English and dont mind living in a bubble of English-speaking kaijin friendly Japanese. It's my go-to flight search engine because it has the most comprehensive global search options. 1) order food is probably no problem. How To Plan A Trip To Japan In Just 4 Steps! Lucky you! If you want to be sure of what youre ordering, the Sushi Dictionary app might be perfect for you. Ticketing on buses and trams in Japan tends to work differently from the rest of public transport . You can easily buy Shinkansen train tickets from JRPass.com and travel safely and rapidly to your destination in Japan. Is it hard to visit Japan if you don't speak Japanese? via Skyscanner, Get a Travel Insurance Well let me tell you, when I reutned, I still only knew those 3 words, I didnt pickup any other words..and I didnt have any problem at all communicating with everyone cos most people understand english. This card has huge advantages that make your life so much easier. It's perfectly acceptable to pop into a store just to ask for directions. Once in the city, SIM cards are sold at BIC Camera stores and Yodobashi Camera. For directions, help with the language, choosing and finding restaurants, and even knowing what youre ordering, having data on your phone and certain apps is practically a necessity. The app will show translations of any sushi option you come across so you can understand the whole menu and order exactly what you want. Walking around and trying to find a specif address can be a real challenge if you dont know any Japanese. As I told you at the beginning, the Japanese train system is not that simple if youre not used to it, and buying single tickets each time you want to ride the train can be really complicated. You can even use the camera to translate from a picture for free. They may be black and white photocopies rather than their glossy, full colour and more detailed Japanese counterparts, but they'll do the job and at least you can read them. As stated in the title of this post, I am traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? UPDATED! Japan Rail Pass: The Ultimate Guide (2023 Edition) Here I share quick wins and hacks based on decades of experience travelling in Japan. I agree on the cultural aspect too. Thanks Ryan glad you got a lot from it. Photo: Piyawan Charoenlimkul/Shutterstock. Tokyo Buses Tokyo's buses are extensive and efficient, but they're not ideal for tourists. No! Shopping and eating out may . Picking the right phrasebook for you is probably not easy because we all have our preferences when choosing books. But if this all sounds too much to think about, you could always get a Suica card and just tap to pay. This includes some that operate only in Japan, like: With these kinds of solutions youre more likely to find the local, smaller and more traditional accommodation that you really should consider building into your trip. For each dish, youll have the English translation, the Romanized spelling of the Japanese, and the Japanese word in both kanji and kana scripts. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Search for a destination, topic or article, Tozome 2020 - 2023, How to Plan a Holiday: 7 Easy Tips For Your Perfect Getaway. If you plan on using the bus, as some places can only be reached by bus, I also found a short video that has a simple and clear information. How To Enjoy Japan Even If You Don't Know Japanese We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. No knowledge of Japanese is needed to visit tourist areas in Japan and big cities like Tokyo. Excellent customer service. Toilet: Toire While you don't need to know all of these phrases, they will make you feel much more comfortable in a foreign location. The Japanese will appreciate your effort anyway. Thanks again. Note: coaches in Japan are often referred to as limousine buses. These schools actually prefer their teachers don't speak Japanese, as they strive for an authentic, "English-only . Most cell phone plans have options for international travel but they are usually inhibitingly expensive. Normally, you have good policies with WorldNomads travel insurance that can even help you find the nearest hospital for you thanks to their 24/7 emergency team. The locals do not speak much English but they are very friendly and helpful. The same goes for sights. 1. Pre-planning key connections and booking accommodation in advance will make life a lot easier. Small tourist information offices may have a smattering of English literature but no English-speaking staff. They sprawl underground, sometimes on multiple levels, making navigating your way around them even more challenging.
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