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Malik Malik
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Do you have to speak japanese in order to travel in japan?

When I finish college and become an adult one day I want to travel to Japan right now this is my dream but I am worried that since I only know english I might have a hard time reading sins and understanding what people are saying. I dont want to have to study everthing in japanese it is impossible for me to understand it fluently
thecheapest902 by thecheap...
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Public transportation in large cities have English statement and announcement. I think you can walk around there without Japanese skill.

However, if you want to travel in countryside, you need some Japanese skill.
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Other Answers (6)

  • Never-Again by Never-Ag...
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    No - and train/subway stations have signs in English or the alphabet, so you can get around quite easily. That said, any Japanese you learn will help you a lot, at least the common everyday expressions.
    There are some restaurants that deal with enough foreigners that they even have menus in English. You should not depend on that, however. But many have plastic food displays outside their restaurants and you can always take the waiter or waitress outside and point at what you want.
    And if you get lost, find somebody young, like a teenager or young adult and WRITE out your question in simple words - probably they can help you get what you need.
    42% 5 Votes
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  • ZOOMZOOM31 by ZOOMZOOM...
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    Okay, as a native Japanese dude I should tell you one thing. Though you could travel without uttering any word people would appreciate your attitude if you learned the basic 1-2-3 like greetings.

    - ohayo gozaimasu for good morning
    - konnichiwa for hello
    - konbanwa for good evening
    - sumimasen (some say suimasen but I don't think it's correct. Same as the "I could care less" vs "I -couldn't care less" argument) for I'm sorry and excuse me
    - sayonara for goodbye
    - ogenki desuka? for how are you?
    - kore kudasai for I'll take it (good to use at one of these souvenir shops!)
    - nanji desuka? for what time?
    - mayoi mashita/maigo desu for I'm lost

    Welp that's enough for two week trip cause I know how hard that is. Can't be too cruel. =)

    We're the nation of hospitality to guests (and hostility to native misfits..). You don't have to worry about that so bad. If you're in trouble someone will be there for you. Enjoy your trip. Von Voyage!!

    Source(s):

    I'm fully Japanese born & raised in Japan. English isn't my first language.
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  • Charlie The Rabid Unicorn by Charlie The Rabid Unicorn
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    Most services in Japan are offered in either Japanese or English, but there is a chance you'll encounter a situation where no English signs are available. The occasional tourist will speak English, but more often than not, Japanese.

    At least study the basics before you go. Bring a translator or a dictionary just in case.
    0% 0 Votes
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  • michinoku2001 by michinok...
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    No, plenty of tourists manage without being able to speak Japanese.
    8% 1 Vote
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  • Steven by Steven
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    si el motivo de tu visita seria recreacional, no tendrás problemas, pero si pretendes ampliar tus estudios es un requisito obligatorio.
    suerte.
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  • Sukone by Sukone
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    no you might have a translater
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