how to get around japan without speaking japanese

Taxi drivers rarely speak English, so have your destination written down in Japanese if possible. How easy is it to get around Japan without speaking Japanese? Going (Scotts Cheap Flights) Review: Is This Flight Tool Worth Using? For me, these are some of the best phrasebooks that I found really useful for the trip: These are my favorite Japanese phrasebooks that I found clear and easy to use. This is the best guarantee that youll have a smooth travel with no worries, but theres an inconvenient in choosing this option. Your email address will not be published. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your trip. Also, most stations will have their announcements repeated in English. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. How To Travel In Japan Without Speaking Japanese. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Do You Need To Know Japanese To Travel To Japan? - Matador Network Of course not! For reservations and more information about all the options, the Japan Rail Pass website has English and everything else you need to know. via Skyscanner, Get a Travel Insurance The police in Japan are not like the police we are used to seeing. It allows you to focus more on the experience, in the moment, instead of worrying about not knowing when your connecting train leaves. Ive been exploring Japan since 2000 and Ive picked up plenty of tips along the way. Either way, when youre done, the server will count the plates and send you to the cashier with a bill. Knowing that there are millions of people using public transportation every day in Tokyo alone, this system is really a time saver and free of complications. With this app, you can narrow it down by cuisine. Everything around me is a mystery. As you probably have guessed, this kind of option, where everyone prepares the things for you, has a price. If you want to have a glimpse of what awaits you in Japan, just watch the video below that explains it in a funny way. How Much Japanese Should I Know to Go to Japan? Book Your Hire CarRent a car in Japan without speaking or reading Japanese via Booking.com's Car Rental portal. How to Get Around Japan on the Cheap in 2023 - Nomadic Matt's Travel Site Is it hard to travel to Japan if you only speak English? Be aware that you have to purchase the JR Pass before entering the country. Bilingual signs indicate whether a shinkansen car has reserved or non-reserved seating. A local guide will be able to take you throughout Japan without the risk of getting lost. Here are some basic phrases that should come in handy around Japan: The most helpful people will always be in uniform, and ready to listen and try their best to help whether you speak in broken Japanese or English. 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. Copyright 2014 - 2023 The Real Japan / dsomedia Limited, all rights reserved. Often by someone who does this sort of thing as a way to share their passion for local food and drink, history, culture, etc. You can easily use the public transportation system to get around the cities and . There is a one-time fee for the pass and will cover either seven, 14, or 21 days. Suicas cost around $18 up front, split into a $4.60 issuing fee and a $13.80 initial charge. It is possible to book activities and tours where you are guided by a local. You will most likely be more at ease if you learn some basic . This could be staff at the station, shops and restaurants, taxi drivers, or the most helpful of all, tourist information and hotel . Pre-orderinga pre-payment Suica card or the excellent value Japan Rail Pass will minimise the amount of times you need to speak the language. There is a one-time fee for the pass and will cover either seven, 14, or 21 days. 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. There are several apps that can help non-Japanese speakers find their way around Japan including Google Maps which provides directions in any language; Hyperdia which helps plan routes on public transportation; Jorudan Trains which offers real-time information on train schedules; Navitime which provides detailed maps; Pocket Wi-Fi which allows u. For people with no restrictions regarding food, not knowing the language isnt really a problem and can be quite fun, but if you cant eat everything you might have some problems passing the message. Finally, they will also know how best to navigate public transportation systems so they can help you get around quickly and easily avoiding any potential confusion or misunderstanding due to language barriers! How To Visit Japan Without Speaking Japanese - Visit Nagasaki No.4 - Travel Insurance. how to travel Japan without speaking Japanese - YouTube Not all signs written in Japanese are difficult to understand. But did you know about the Welcome Suica card? I love drawing manga, watch anime, eat sushi and all things related to Japan ;), Your email address will not be published. June 9, 2023. Take a phrase book or print some phrases you think you'll need and if you get stuck you can show it to who you're trying to speak to. Recently, I've been field testing translation apps, including Google Translate (available both for Android and iOS). No.5 - A Plan. Ferries are also available for traveling between islands or across bodies of water such as Tokyo Bay or Osaka Bay. RELATED: How To Choose The Best Japan Travel Guide Book, Get the Lonely Planet Japanese Phrasebook. But with some careful pre-planning you can anticipate and prepare for most situations in which the Japanese language could be a barrier. How to Get Around Japan - Away From Origin: Origins Redefined A few Japanese phrases have been memorized and your JR Pass is purchased. Navigating Japan without speaking Japanese may seem like a daunting task but it doesnt have to be! Visiting Japan without speaking Japanese can be a daunting prospect for many. Can You Live In Japan Without Speaking Any Japanese Or maybe you just want to hand over the entire trip planning to me? Photo: Piyawan Charoenlimkul/Shutterstock. via Booking.com, Find a Rental Car Dont hesitate to find a koban if needed (in 2019 there were 826 koban in Tokyo alone). Even knowing just a handful of key words and phrases can get you a long way in Japan and thereby get you closer to its unique culture. Koban are easily identified as "Koban" will be written in Romaji and they always have a red light above the entrance. This can make things like getting around, ordering food, and finding your way difficult. link to Can I Use My Debit Card In Japan? The bus system in Japan is also efficient and can be used for shorter trips or for traveling between cities or prefectures (regions). Learning some of the basics would be a great idea. There are many ways to travel in Japan without being part of a tour group. 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. Unfortunately, there's the small issue of the language barrier that makes things a little difficult! Following these tips prepares you for language or even cultural barriers. Me? I'm sitting in a kind of snack bar in Kyoto, confronted with a menu written entirely in Japanese. And if you have any language hacking tricks you've picked up during your travels in Japan please share them as well. To help those who are planning on visiting, I've put together a couple of travel tips for English speakers, after all, having visited so many times with minimal language skills, I've picked up a couple of . Im a bit of a book-lover, but with phone apps as well, theres really no excuse not to make the little effort it takes. Knowing just a few Japanese phrases off the top of your head will show that youre trying and those dealing with you will be very appreciative and maybe even more helpful because of it. How to get a job in Japan without speaking Japanese ?? ( visa? + tips How to travel in Japan as an English speaker - The Wandering Suitcase There are many back roads with only Japanese names, so you should get a bilingual map. From ancient history and architecture to the impressively advanced modern society, theres a little something for everyone. Or tried to ask for information about near hospitals without speaking or writing what you need? The truth is that once you get how it works, you can use it even if you dont speak Japanese. The easiest way of travelling without problems is to have a travel agency taking care of everything for you. Other than the advantage of not having to carry great amounts of cash with you, this card is essential for transportation. My enforced silence on the mountain . The key thing with buses and trams is to either know the stop you need to get off at or to know what the cost of your journey is and get off the bus/tram when the indicator board at the front gets to your price. This was one of the first questions that came to my mind when I was planning my trip to Japan. In cities especially, if you need directions then you can pop into a Koban (police box) and ask for directions, which they will gladly offer using probably using a map. Note: They do not cover high-speed bullet trains ( shinkansen) or long-distance buses. 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. More remote tourist sights, such as temples, shrines and castles may simply have the main points of interest covered in a couple of pages of typed up, translated notes. JR East has an English language website allowing regular ticket users and JR Pass holders to book tickets and make seat reservations for selected trains in Eastern Japan and Hokkaido. September 13, 2022 by Kimota. If there is no ticket dispenser, it likely to mean that the fare is a fixed price. Technology has made it much easier to navigate around any country even if you dont speak the language! Compared to the rest of Asia, Japans tourist SIMs are fairly expensive. Required fields are marked *. How To Enjoy Japan Without Knowing Japanese - Visit Nagasaki And whats better, they are not expensive (around $6 and $13 USD in general) and therere usually cheaper on Books A Million. Board buses without coins, enter stations without tickets; use Suica to pay for goods at stores, kiosks, or vending machines, or for services like lockers, parking, or taxis. These restaurants are usually inexpensive, just costing a few dollars per plate. When you first meet the Japanese train system, it can be a little overwhelming if you havent done some research previously, but Japan has one of the most highly effective train systems in the world, with millions of people using it every day. Buying an IC card is the easiest and one of the best tips I can give you for your travel. Very convenient when youre traveling to the other side of the world. I want to visit Tokyo, see Mt. Sometimes, translation is a bit more accurate if you use the online mode, but offline mode is not bad and it can really save you when theres no other way. Needless to say that if you get lost and you manage to find a tourist information office, they can get you back on the right track and help you not to get lost again. Instead, one of them kindly accompanied her to the hotels entrance. At first sight, this might sound like a crazy adventure, but to tell the truth, it is possible to work around some language barriers and have a great time without knowing practically any Japanese word. Alas. In this article, we will provide an overview of Japans transportation system and offer tips on how to navigate the country without speaking Japanese. We print stuff out and have phone numbers handy for hotels or rentals so drivers can speak to folks in their native tongue. And I only include the best travel resources - those I use myself or recommend to my clients. Use Google Maps This app is great for finding directions in any language The only thing you have to do is to tell them what you want, and theyll prepare everything. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways, and more! Youll also get an invite to join my Private Facebook Group The Real Japan Pioneers :-). Book Your FlightFind the best flight by using Skyscanner. Around the start of last year, I discovered the blog West Coast To Far East.. It's run by an interesting guy called Sean who, rather impressively, relocated in 2016 with his family - all the way from Hollywood U.S.A. to the mountains of Hida Takayama, in Japan's rural Gifu . I would always, always recommend that people at least learn please and thank you in any language when visiting it makes such a difference and takes very little time to be polite Hello, goodbye, good morning, sorry and help are also usually very easy. Clear and easy to use website. Rural areas are less English-friendly, but it's still possible to visit without knowing Japanese. 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. One general tip that applies particularly in the countryside is never be afraid to ask people you see on the street for help. They are a wonder of transportation, racing around at speeds up to 320 kilometers (200 miles) per hour. 1. (See how to install Google Translate for offline use further below). Despite the fact that it is difficult to communicate in Japanese, it is relatively simple to get around. How to find an internship / part-time / full-time job in Japan as a foreignerThis is the shortest video I've ever made! Observe locals and learn from their social behavior. There are numerous options for pocket wifis and most offer pick-up and drop-off at airport kiosks. Here's how you can get around without speaking a word By Silke Pfersdorf I can see the characters. The first thing is to make sure you have enough cash on you. For example, many restaurants have English menus and English-speaking staff members who can help you order food or drinks. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. But, on the other hand, if you follow a planned touristic itinerary, you will have all the chances of getting along with a trip without major problems. Check out the video below if you want to see how it works. Shopping malls also have lots of different food, and they usually speak a little English so you shouldnt have problems there. Some examples on the app are: There are also other features you can filter through that might be very helpful for you: Speaking of cuisine, you might be visiting Japan just for the fresh and delicious sushi. Google Translate can sometimes help though. How to get around in Japan - Lonely Planet Please share these 5 Essential Things You Need Before You Go To Japan, 38 Japan Travel Sites and Resources Every Traveller Should Know, How The Japanese Anticipate Other Peoples Needs, How To Choose The Best Japan Travel Guide Book. Even if you dont know the Japanese language, you can always use some phrases to make your travel easier and nicer. They sprawl underground, sometimes on multiple levels, making navigating your way around them even more challenging. You board buses in Japan either in the middle or at the back, exiting at the front, next to the driver, paying when you get off. But when you leave the city foreign languages dry up quickly. Travel to Japan without speaking any Japanese - Reddit The language barrier is a challenge for myself and fortunately I can gladly eat any Japanese cuisine when it comes to dining. Required fields are marked *. He or she can also find you the best options to move from A to B. And thats it, you manage to get to the end of this easy guide on how to travel in Japan without speaking Japanese. Aerim 8 yr. ago As long as you stick to urban areas, you will be just fine. Japanese websites for online reservations are operated by the JR train companies, but typically require Japanese language skills. It discusses the challenges of communication and navigating unfamiliar streets, and offers advice such as learning basic phrases before your trip, carrying a phrasebook, using technology such as translation apps and GPS navigation systems, and making friends with locals or other tourists. Can you get around Japan without knowing Japanese? This card has huge advantages that make your life so much easier. Inevitably, the further you travel off the well-trodden tourist routes the less support for other languages there will be. Google Translate: Great free app to help you with the Japanese language. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Daisy, and for the encouragement to others to discover and explore more of Japan. However, if you still have unanswered questions or niggling doubts about any aspect of travelling in Japan when you don't speak the language, I suggest taking a look at my dedicated guide How To Travel In Japan Without Speaking Japanese (there are both eBook and Audiobook editions available). to be done usually helps. With how accommodating Japanese people are and the above tips, you should be able to have a successful adventure traveling in japan without knowing japanese. Particularly if you are travelling on public transport. Using a Suica card it's possible to ride city trains, subways, or buses without handling tickets or cash. Make sure you hit the down arrow to download the language into your phone. There are small police boxes throughout Japan called koban () where youll find a few policemen always willing to help. Is it hard to visit Japan if you don't speak Japanese? Getting around Japan | How to get around in Japan | Rough Guides In here youll find all sort of food ready to take with you and at the lowest price. Using a translation app can be helpful in many situations, from verifying what you might be eating to asking for certain things. 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. Ticketing on buses and trams in Japan tends to work differently from the rest of public transport . This includes the bullet train, or shinkansen, which can take you between cities, as well as the metro and bus systems within cities. Particularly if you dont speak Japanese. Taxis are available in most major cities but they can be expensive compared to other forms of transport so they are best used for short trips or if you need a door-to-door service. It is made up of trains, buses, taxis, ferries, and other modes of transport that make it easy to get from one place to another quickly and easily. Please log in again. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc. You want to find the best restaurants to truly experience Japanese cuisine. You can then either continue to your destination exit over ground or try going back into the underworld and use your general sense of navigation to get you there. travel off the well-trodden tourist routes, guided tours and activities with English speakers, Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone in Japan, The Delights of Eating Your Way Around Japan, https://www.therealjapan.com/top-7-etiquette-tips-for-travel-in-japan/. Understandably so. These you usually board at the front by the driver - having purchased your ticket in advance. Tyson Peveto is an American travel writer living abroad since 2017. The reason I love it so much is that it is fully compatible with every device and you are probably already used to using it (at least I use it all the time). This displays the current price you have to pay should you wish to get off the bus. This is because drivers will usually not know exactly where your destination is, in part due to the surprisingly vague postal address system employed in Japan, and in part as they do not have to learn the street network in their area to qualify as a driver. February 22, 2023 9 Mins Read . Download my FREE Language Hacking Checklist: When it comes to the capital Tokyo, the larger (and more popular with tourists) cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and other big or popular tourist destinations, the non-Japanese speaker will probably fare just fine. Prices will be shown to you on a cash register or bill so dont worry about needing to know the numbers in Japanese. Aside from the information published in English by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), local offices will sometimes have information about local sights that you cannot get anywhere else. On her first trip to Japan, a friend of mine had a hard time finding her way to the hotel because the plane landed late at night, and she wasnt used to the streets names and signs. How To Plan A Trip To Japan In Just 4 Steps! 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. If you want to be sure of what youre ordering, the Sushi Dictionary app might be perfect for you. In Japan, youll find lots of different foods, but if you really want to taste the best and avoid some surprises in certain recipes, only a guide that knows the country can help you. They also have a bit more set-up than the usual process. Luckily, navigating around Japan can be easy with a bit of preparation. Carry a map Having a physical map with you at all times will help you orient yourself if you get lost They can be purchased and recharged at most stations and convenience stores. Smart-EX is an app in English available to users in the United States, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia for purchasing tickets for the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen. Hiring a guide when visiting Japan can be very beneficial particularly if you dont speak Japanese! It's perfectly acceptable to pop into a store just to ask for directions. Thanks for your comments @carolstravels:disqus I totally agree! You can pay with cash, credit card and, sometimes, with a Suica Card. These trains run on special tracks, separate from the other trains. Is London the Greatest City in the World? There are several apps that can help non-Japanese speakers find their way around Japan including Google Maps which provides directions in any language; Hyperdia which helps plan routes on public transportation; Jorudan Trains which offers real-time information on train schedules; Navitime which provides detailed maps; Pocket Wi-Fi which allows users access internet anywhere; Line Taxi which helps book taxis; Uber which allows users to order rides through their smartphone; and TripAdvisor which provides reviews on restaurants, hotels, attractions etc.. All these apps make it much easier for travelers who dont speak Japanese to find their way around! In addition to my well-thumbed Berlitz Japanese Phrase Book, I have ones in the same series for German, Italian, French, Croatian, Portuguese, and Czech. It is better, in my opinion, to use an app that you already know (like Google Maps), which will give you the basic information you need. There are also passes for specific regions of Japan (Thoku Area Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, etc) for travelers focusing their itinerary on a specific area of the country. That's where guided tours and activities with English speakers or my Japan Travel Planning Services can help. In addition to the above apps, there are a few other tips to help you navigate the overwhelming world of Japanese cuisine and restaurants. Especially when you travel to a country like Japan where everything is different from what youre used to. Note: the rear doors of taxis open and close automatically, so you do not need to touch them to enter or exit the car. FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/SamtimeNews Show more Show more Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Do Japanese People Speak English? If you want more help travelling in Japan when you don't speak the language you might like to check out my eBook on the topic, or the Audiobook Edition, or book a Travel Planning Call with me and I'd be happy to walk you through the solutions.
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