UPDATED! Japan Without Japanese: How To Travel In Japan When You Don’t Speak Japanese

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One of the major considerations with travelling in Japan is tackling the inscrutable Japanese language. 

A seemingly incomprehensible, often kaleidoscopic, barrage of cryptic symbols awaits the foreign traveller who doesn't speak or read the language. 

So just how difficult is it to travel around Japan when you don't speak the language?

Well, maybe not as difficult as it could be if you don't read this post. Here I share quick wins and hacks based on decades of experience travelling in Japan.

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Japan without Japanese The Real Japan Rob Dyer

How to Travel in Japan (When You Don't Speak Japanese)
by Rob Dyer


Japan without Japanese - Quick tips

  • Buy a phrasebook, app or learn a few key Japanese ‘survival’ phrases suitable for travel
  • Use public transport, many signs, station names, departure boards, etc are also in English
  • Get a Suica pre-paid travelcard for use on buses, subways, trains, paying for taxis and food in convenience stores - greatly reduces the need to speak Japanese day to day
  • Pre-plan key travel connections and book accommodation (minimises on-the-spot conversations when you might get stressed out)
  • Print out key destinations in Japanese. Have key destinations written out (eg printed off-screen) in Japanese to show to people during your travels. Very handy when using taxis.
  • Make the most of tourist information offices. The big ones all have an English-speaking member of staff and brochures in English. Some offer discount coupons codes when you show your foreign passport.
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Using public transport in Japan

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. Particularly if you are travelling on public transport

In the more familiar tourist locations, train station signs and announcements are in English as well as Japanese. 

Let's take a look at each of the main public transportation options in more detail...

Travelling by shinkansen (bullet trains)

The Shinkansen bullet train is Japan's pride, being the first high-speed train in the world. It attracts travellers with its high levels of safety, speeds over 200 km per hour, and frequent departures, every 3-5 minutes.

Travelling by train and, specifically, on Japan’s incredibly well-developed high-speed rail network of shinkansen is recommended. Particularly if you don’t speak Japanese.

There are announcements and scrolling screens in English in every car telling you which station is up next. Making reservations is easy to do without Japanese (again everything is available in English).

How to travel in Japan The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Shinkansen departure screens include information in English so it's easy to find your service and platform


VIDEO: How Difficult is Travelling Japan without Japanese? | Travel Tips


Seat reservations on shinkansen

Most shinkansen have both reserved and non-reserved seats in separate cars. Bilingual signs indicate whether a shinkansen car has reserved or non-reserved seating. Seat reservations can be made from one month before the date of travel until just before departure time.

They can be made at ticket counters at all major JR stations (any shinkansen can be reserved from any JR ticket office).

Some ticket vending machines with bilingual menus (Japanese/English) allow travellers to make seat reservations on shinkansen trains. However, Japan Rail Pass holders cannot use vending machines to make seat reservations.

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Screens on the outside of shinkansen include information in English about service, destination and car class

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.

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.

Japan Without Japanese Audiobook eBook bundle The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Japanese websites for online reservations are operated by the JR train companies, but typically require Japanese language skills. Google Translate can sometimes help though.

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.


Buying shinkansen tickets

You can easily buy Shinkansen train tickets from JRPass.com and travel safely and rapidly to your destination in Japan.

I have detailed post about the Japan Rail Pass that covers all you'll need to know in advance. I also have an expert guest post about the Regional Japan Rail Passes as possible alternatives to, or in addition to, the Japan Rail Passes themselves.

Search and buy shinkansen tickets HERE.

JR Pass The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Click to search & buy tickets


Japan Rail Pass - Unlimited rail travel in Japan

The Japan Rail Pass is the ultimate way to travel Japan, with unlimited rides on the Shinkansen bullet train, all JR trains, buses, even the Miyajima ferry and the Tokyo Monorail. 

A few reasons why you should consider the JR Pass:

  • Discovery  you can travel the length and breadth of Japan using a JR Pass
  • Incredible savings  unlimited use on trains, buses, ferry and monorail
  • Ultimate flexibility — choose a 7-day, 14-day or 21-day pass
  • Convenience — worldwide delivery in 7 days or less

I recommend ordering your Japan Rail Pass HERE.

The Japan Rail Pass is easily the best value way to get around Japan. I have written an extensive guide to the Japan Rail Pass here.

SEE ALSO: Japan Rail Pass Ultimate Guide


Travelling by bus

Information in English on buses is more limited, but even if it is, if you're armed with a few key words and names of your destinations, chances are you won't go far wrong.

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.

Ticketing on buses and trams in Japan tends to work differently from the rest of public transport . But, from the non-Japanese speaker's perspective, it's pretty simple once you know the system.

How to travel in Japan without speaking Japanese The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Bus fares are shown on a screen at the front of the bus

You either take a numbered ticket on entering the bus or tram from an on-board dispenser, or simply board if there is no dispenser. Ticket numbers correspond to stops. The same ticket number also appears on an illuminated board at the front of the bus, above and to the left of where the driver sits.

This displays the current price you have to pay should you wish to get off the bus. The further you go, the more that price above your ticket number increases. If there is no ticket dispenser, it likely to mean that the fare is a fixed price.

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. Chances are you won't need to say or ask anything!

Note: coaches in Japan are often referred to as limousine buses. These you usually board at the front by the driver - having purchased your ticket in advance.

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Get a Suica prepaid travel card

But if this all sounds too much to think about, you could always get a Suica card and just tap to pay.

Suica is a pre-paid e-money card - handy for paying for transportation or shopping.  You can order them in advance online for easy pick-up at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda airports or in downtown Tokyo. You can even have them posted to most countries in the world in advance of yur departure from home, so you can immediately use them on arrival in Japan.

Suica card The Real Japan Rob Dyer

The super handy Suica card can be used to pay for transportation and shopping

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.

Using a Suica card it's possible to ride city trains, subways, or buses without handling tickets or cash. Less to think about = more chance to enjoy yourself! Using the card it's even possible to get extra discounts on some lines.

You can pre-order Suica Cards HERE.


4 great Suica benefits

  • Easy pick-up at Narita/Haneda airport or in downtown Tokyo
  • Instant confirmation & flexible usage
  • Ride city trains, subways, or buses without handling tickets or cash
  • No need to calculate fares before boarding trains or subways
Japan Without Japanese Audiobook eBook bundle The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Riding taxis - some helpful pointers

If you are simply headed to a well-known local landmark, using a taxi should be straightforward enough. There will be a minimum charge already on the meter (clearly displayed just to the left of the driver) that will start to steadily increase once you get beyond the distance covered by the initial price.

However, taxis can also be the most challenging mode of transport to use if you need to get somewhere specific that isn't well-known locally – such as a small hotel, restaurant, private address, etc.

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.

How to travel in Japan The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Taxi drivers rarely speak English, so have your destination written down in Japanese if possible

The easiest way to manage a taxi ride is to have your address written in Japanese and with some sort of map – ideally a print out from an official website of your destination, Google Maps or an equivalent.

You can pay with cash, credit card and, sometimes, with a Suica Card.

Note: the rear doors of taxis open and close automatically, so you do not need to touch them to enter or exit the car.



Making the most of Tourist Information Offices

You should definitely make the most of tourist information offices. For the non-Japanese speaker these are your constant lifeline when travelling throughout Japan – especially when going off the beaten track.

The larger ones often have at least one member of staff who speaks English, and an extensive (if not entirely comprehensive) selection of translated literature. At the bare minimum they're likely to have maps of the local area, town/city centre and any significant tourist sights in English (and other major languages).

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. 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.

The same goes for sights. 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. However, it's easy to book a guided tour with an English speaker for many of the most popular spots.

List of Japan Tours and Trips


VIDEO: Can You Feed Yourself in Japan With No Japanese?


Asking a policeman for assistance

Aside from their law-enforcement role, police in Japan also serve a community role. 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.

How to travel in Japan The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Koban (police boxes) can be useful for getting directions

Koban are easily identified as "Koban" will be written in Romaji and they always have a red light above the entrance.

Pop your head around the door and try saying: "Sumimasen, michi o oshiete kudasai?" ("Excuse me, please can you tell me the way?")

The police officer probably won't speak English, but they will be used to Japanese people regularly asking for directions, and they will quickly pull out a local area street map, often pasted onto a large board for ease of reference.


Pre-plan Key Travel Connections

Pre-planning key connections and booking accommodation in advance will make life a lot easier. It allows you to focus more on the experience, in the moment, instead of worrying about not knowing when your connecting train leaves.

Major train stations in Japan can be very, very, very large.

No, you think you know what a big train station looks like, but in Japan they can be massive. They sprawl underground, sometimes on multiple levels, making navigating your way around them even more challenging.

Some have grown and grown over the years, constantly being extended and added to. This can mean that they become labyrinths - even to the locals.

The best tip I can give you is to do what I do when your sense of direction fails you: use any exit to get above ground as soon as possible so you can get your bearings on local landmarks. 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.

I find the former works more often than the latter. 😉

Public information sign The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Not all signs written in Japanese are difficult to understand


Travelling off the beaten track

Inevitably, the further you travel off the well-trodden tourist routes the less support for other languages there will be.

Small tourist information offices may have a smattering of English literature but no English-speaking staff. Venture further still and many will have neither.

However, if there's one thing decades of travelling around Japan has taught me, it's not to underestimate what a smile, some strategic hand gestures and speaking English slowly and clearly, but with a Japanese accent, can achieve.

I'm not joking. I can vouch for this tactic from extensive experience.

Whilst you might like the idea of going off the beaten track, you might not be confident enough to do so yourself. That's where guided tours and activities with English speakers or my Japan Travel Planning Services can help.

Top 10 Japan Tours and Trips (TourRadar)

How to travel in Japan The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Signs on JR Railways have station names in English


Asking locals for help

One general tip that applies particularly in the countryside is never be afraid to ask people you see on the street for help. Younger people are often good to ask as they are more likely to have a smattering of English (you'd be surprised how far you can get with them only knowing “Yes”, “No” and “OK”!).

Shop keepers are also worth a try. It's perfectly acceptable to pop into a store just to ask for directions. It will help if you have a local street map to hand (which you picked up from the local tourist office as I suggested, didn't you? 😉) If staff can help they will, and sometimes will walk you outside the store to give you your bearings before pointing you in the right direction.

Fellow Japanese travellers sympathetic to your plight will frequently come to your aid as well.

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The Japanese may generally be reserved but they can also be extremely helpful if you do ask for help or assistance. Particularly off the beaten track. Just remember to keep your tone and gestures modest. Loud voices and excessive gesticulating can alarm and put off some people.

It is possible to book activities and tours where you are guided by a local. Often by someone who does this sort of thing as a way to share their passion for local food and drink, history, culture, etc. Travel booking sites such as GetYourGuide and Viator both have a good selection of such guided tours.

Japan Without Japanese Audiobook eBook bundle The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Find your ideal Japan accommodation

Booking at least key accommodation in advance is advisable (unless your whole approach is to travel and see what you can find along the way.)

The large accommodation booking websites like Booking.com, Hotels.com, etc. can be great not least because of their size (and therefore the quantity of accommodation they cover), and because of their size they can often secure very favourable rates. Booking.com in particular has added a lot of more niche accommodation in Japan in recent years.

It’s also a good idea to look at some of the more specialist accommodation providers. 

This includes some that operate only in Japan, like:

With these kinds of solutions you’re more likely to find the local, smaller and more traditional accommodation that you really should consider building into your trip. That would include staying in a ryokan (a traditional inn) - the ultimate way to experience 'The Real Japan'.

Booking.com

FREE RESOURCE: My 9 Japanese Accommodation Hacks Checklist is well worth downloading. It’s free to subscribers (and can be found in the Resource Library if you’re already subscribed).


Using a Japanese phrasebook or app

If you want to make the effort to engage with the locals in their native tongue, take a trusty pocket language guide and/or phone app.

There are plenty of Japanese phrasebooks out there. The one you choose will largely depend on what you look for in a guide. Me? I still use my old Berlitz phrasebook and dictionary because it is small, well-organised and doesn't require charging or Wi-Fi.

RELATED: How To Choose The Best Japan Travel Guide Book

Lonely Planet's Japanese Phrasebook and dictionary is also a best-seller. Lonely Planet is rated as the world's #1 phrasebook publisher.

Recently, I've been field testing translation apps, including Google Translate (available both for Android and iOS). But have to say, in spite of its slick interface, one of the best in the apps market, I've yet to be impressed.

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. If you've found one that works well, is easy to use and doesn't rely on internet access I'd be interested to know.

How to Travel in Japan Without Speaking Japanese

UPDATED SECOND EDITION!

One of the major considerations with travelling in Japan is the inscrutable Japanese language.


A seemingly incomprehensible, often kaleidoscopic, barrage of cryptic symbols awaits the foreign traveller who doesn’t speak or read the language.


I’ve been exploring Japan since 2000 and I’ve picked up plenty of tips along the way.


I’ve distilled decades of my experience into this ebook for you.


This practical Guide and Travel Planner covers all the essential basics you need to ensure your first (or next) trip to Japan is as amazing as you deserve it to be.


Conclusion - can you travel in Japan without speaking Japanese?

So, can you travel in Japan without speaking Japanese? Sure you can. In big cities and at major landmarks and popular tourist sights, you'll be just fine most of the time.

Of course, once you get off the beaten path a bit, things will get a little more challenging. But with some careful pre-planning you can anticipate and prepare for most situations in which the Japanese language could be a barrier.

Use Japan's impressive public transport network as much as possible. Pre-ordering a pre-payment Suica card or the excellent value Japan Rail Pass will minimise the amount of times you need to speak the language. 

And wherever you find yourself, don't be afraid to ask a local for help along the way. 

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). 

Feel free to ask any questions you may have by leaving a comment below - I answer every one. And if you have any language hacking tricks you've picked up during your travels in Japan please share them as well.

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Japan without Japanese The Real Japan Rob Dyer
Japan without Japanese The Real Japan Rob Dyer

Resources

Download my FREE Language Hacking Checklist:

Book Your Trip: Japan Travel Essentials

Click to See My Recommendations

Book Your Flight
Find the best flight by using Skyscanner. It's my go-to flight search engine because it has the most comprehensive global search options.

Book Your Accommodation
I frequently use Booking.com as they consistently offer the cheapest rates and most flexible cancellation options for hotels and guesthouses. Use Hostelworld if you're looking for budget-priced options.

Book Your Japan Rail Pass
The best official agent by a country mile is JRPass.com. Clear and easy to use website. Excellent customer service.

Book Your WiFi
I never travel in Japan without pocket WiFi. Get Ninja WiFi for unlimited internet everywhere, use Google Maps, supports up to 10 devices.

Book Your SIM Card or eSIM
Order your physical
SIM Cards or eSIMs to stay connected and in touch while in Japan.

Book Your Hire Car
Rent a car in Japan without speaking or reading Japanese via Booking.com's Car Rental portal.

Ready To Book Your Trip?
Check out my Recommended Japan Travel Resources. The list covers all the essentials. It’s filled with carefully selected travel resources. And I only include the best travel resources - those I use myself or recommend to my clients.

Need Help Planning Your Trip?
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Japan Travel Store includes essential travel items as well as my books, travel guides and more.

Leave A Comment / Ask A Question

  • Chris Loyal says:

    I love the amount of information available here, I hope to use your services when I have the budget to go to Japan. Keep up the good work!

  • Rob this is an excellent guide. When we travel to rural or remote areas abroad, no one speaks English. Understandably so. Following these tips prepares you for language or even cultural barriers. We print stuff out and have phone numbers handy for hotels or rentals so drivers can speak to folks in their native tongue.

  • Many thanks Rob for putting together these resources.

    I’ve been travelling to Japan since 2014 (4 times in 2016) and mostly travel on my own though lucky to have Japanese work colleagues and several ‘chance’ encounters to meet some friendly locals.

    I can highly vouch for the JR pass and whilst having an itinerary is helpful especially for first time travellers, I do like to keep a buffer for adhoc exploring. One app which has helped a lot is Hyperdia for checking train schedules. Especially when meeting Japanese friends, it helps to be punctual if not early.

    The language barrier is a challenge for myself and fortunately I can gladly eat any Japanese cuisine when it comes to dining. Sometimes it’s the fun of a lucky draw when ordering a meal.

    • You’re welcome Dean. Good to hear of your chance encounters with locals. I find they’re often some of the most memorable experiences from trips.

      HyperDia is no longer updated, so now I recommend using Jorudan’s Japan Transit Planner: https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/ (I much prefer the interface and there’s app versions too.)

      I’ve included Jorudan in my list of Recommended Resources, which you might want to check out/bookmark here: https://www.therealjapan.com/resources/

  • Micah Standing says:

    These are wonderful tips, Especially for the ones who do not know japanese at all.

  • carolstravels says:

    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. I have been learning some basic Japanese for around 4 months and will make my first visit in a few weeks – very excited!

    • Thanks for your comments @carolstravels:disqus – I totally agree!

      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.

      I’m a bit of a book-lover, but with phone apps as well, there’s really no excuse not to make the little effort it takes. You’re absolutely right about just learning a handful of key phrases – they’ll not only be really handy but will often be well-appreciated by the locals – especially in Japan!

      I’m excited for your first trip to Japan – I’m sure you will LOVE it!

      Be sure to pop in and tell us how it went.

      You may want to consider subscribing to The Real Japan, to get access to my free (and growing) Resource Library. You’ll also get an invite to join my Private Facebook Group – The Real Japan Pioneers :-). Everyone in there is really helpful. Here’s the link if you’re interested: https://www.therealjapan.com/subscribe

  • If you are catching a taxi in Japan, your best best is to get the phone number of the place you are heading to. The driver can enter this into the GPS and find your destination in a matter of seconds.

  • Been there about 15 times in the last 7 years, will be there again next week, & I completely agree! Even before the subway & bus signs were translated in English a few years back, you could definitely get by. Thanks for sharing!

    • Thanks for sharing your thoughts Daisy, and for the encouragement to others to discover and explore more of Japan.

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