Could an English speaker get by in Japan?

12 comments

1. Where are you going and for how long?

2. English speaker here! I’ve been to Japan multiple times to different parts of the country. Japan is very English friendly, with many signs, menus, etc, having English translation. English is also taught as a second language in Japan, so most people you meet will probably have some basic understanding. I still recommend trying to learn as much basic Japanese as you can, though. English is primarily in large cities, but the further you explore, the more obscure it becomes.

3. If you’re just visiting for a short time you can get by. If you’re planning on living and working there then learning Japanese is essential.

4. If you go outside of Tokyo you might want to invest in a pocket WiFi and a translation gadget like Pocket Talk (or Google Live Translation on their newer phones); better than nothing.

5. I lived in Tokyo in 2003-2004 and everywhere I went people were (nervously) excited to practice their English meanwhile I was just trying to immerse myself in Japanese.

6. We’re not living in the 60s anymore mate.

7. Oh yeah. 3 solo trips to japan not knowing any japanese, easy. Lots of dual signage in the main tourist areas and major retail shops and food places have English menus.

8. Get google translate on your cell phone. Say it in English and then show the translated script-(actually most of the time is mostly Kanji and some haranga)—Works most of the time. And I emphasize most of the time.

9. I just got back from 2 weeks in Japan.

   As someone who doesn’t speak any Japanese at all, it was completely fine.

   I used Chat GPT and google translate to ask relevant cultural questions and translate. Chat GPT was super handy for asking more complex questions, cultural norms, and writing out the Kanji for people to read.

   That being said, people are very friendly and made an effort to communicate as best they could. Most signs are written in English and getting around is super easy…

   By the end of the trip we had already learned a good amount of adjectives and phrases to say to people though. It felt much better knowing the bare minimum of pleasantries when ordering food etc.

   It would be very lonely to live there and not speak enough Japanese.

10. I am just back from a few weeks in and around Tokyo with some friends who were visiting for the first time. I have lived there for 10 years and because my wife’s family is their, I return almost every year.

    By request my friends asked that I not “help” them unless they were really struggling or in trouble (or too tired to try -lol) and I can say they had NO issue at all. Sign language and a good – happy go lucky attitude is all that you need.

    There were a few instances where the menu was not in English (but not many) and google translate came to the rescue for them.

    By the time they left to go see Kyoto and Osaka without us they were very comfortable with getting what they needed and communicating as necessary.

    So as others have said – you will be fine, enjoy the adventure !!

11. Stick to the areas that cater to tourists. Don’t wander off the beaten path and wonder why nobody speaks English and only accepts cash.

12. Most Japanese have no problem reading English, but conversational English is difficult, especially American English intonation. Google Translate is inaccurate, so show them both the English you typed in and the Japanese translation.

    Also, when I saw this video I thought, “This is it!”

    https://youtu.be/-zl54TX0R4c