Traveling to Japan is sure to be the trip of a lifetime. It’s such a gorgeous country with so much to explore, from bustling metropolises like Tokyo to incredible rural landscapes.
Japan has a lot to offer, and in recent years it has become a dream destination for travelers. Japan is very much its own country, with little western influence and a completely different culture to experience and immerse yourself in.
But here’s the thing, with that independence also comes some problems with language barriers!
Over 98% of people living in Japan are Japanese, and English fluency is expected to be as low as under 5%, with other languages being even lower.
If you’re traveling to Japan from another country, you might find the lack of English difficult to navigate.
But not to worry! In this article, we’re going to be breaking down just how much Japanese you’ll need to know to get around, as well as ways to function in the country if you don’t know any at all!
Will It Be Hard To Go To Japan Without Knowing The Langauge?
The answer to this question is yes – and no! To start, we want to outline that countless people have traveled to Japan and continue to without any knowledge of the language.
In the 1990s Japan invested a lot of money into tourism, and as a result, it has become a much easier place for people to travel to.
That said, not many people speak English in Japan, so you’re going to need to find other ways to get around.
Language barriers can be difficult, simple things like ordering food at a restaurant or asking someone on the street for directions become suddenly difficult.
But that’s not to say these things will be impossible. Generally, although reserved, Japanese people are very friendly and more than happy to help you out should you get lost or need any kind of help.
But the language barrier will always be there, so there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind before going on your wonderful trip!
Cities And Rural Areas
So one thing we’d like to point out is that there will be a difference in how suitable a place is for a tourist depending on if it’s a city or a rural area.
Large metropolitan areas like Tokyo are much more tourist-friendly, with some English signs and even menus at restaurants.
However, if you go somewhere rural, there is going to be a lot less support for English speakers, and it’s also much less likely you’ll run into someone with even a small amount of English to help you.
Basic Japanese To Help You
There are a few phrases that you can learn before embarking on your trip that will be integral when looking for help. We’ve outlined these below:
“Hello,” this is a simple one that is going to help you out no matter where you are or who you meet. The general greeting in Japan is Konnichiwa. You can also say Ohayō, which means “good morning” or Konbanwa, which means “good evening.”
“Thank you” is an important thing to know, and you can say that with “Arigatou Gozaimasu.”
If you want to ask someone where something is, you can say __ wa Doko Desu ka? Fill in the blank with the place you’d like to find. Keep in mind if you’re looking for something general like a hospital or a bank, they might not know the English word for that, so it’s best to ask for a named place.
“I need help” – this can be an important one depending on the situation you find yourself in, and can be expressed with the word “Tasukete.”
Street Signs
Because of the increase in tourism, you’ll be happy to hear that a lot of Japanese street signs are in English.
Keep in mind that this is mostly in cosmopolitan areas and that you won’t find the same in rural areas – unless they are places well known for tourism.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics has meant that many street signs are in English to help tourists, so anywhere you go in the centre of Tokyo is likely to have some signs that will help you.
Make sure you pay attention to them and listen to what they’re saying.
Do I Need To Learn Japanese To Live In Japan?
Whilst a tourist can get by with just a few phrases, if you’re looking to eventually live in Japan, there is going to be a lot more need for you to learn the language.
Japan does not have a lot of English speakers, so to get by in everyday life, learning Japanese is going to be vital.
And we know that Japanese can be a difficult language for foreigners to learn, especially the script with all of those pesky kanji letters, but that’s not to say you should be disheartened.
If you do move to Japan and find ways to properly immerse yourself in the culture and communities around where you live, there will be a lot of chances for you to learn to speak.
Generally, Japanese people are happy to engage in conversation in the right settings and will be patient with you if you can only speak a little.
It’s all about immersing yourself, studying hard in your free time, and finding opportunities to speak.
Let’s say you’re looking to move to Japan in the next year or so, in this case, you can use the time you have to learn as much of the basics as you can before the big move.
This will make everything a lot easier once you show up and have to start navigating the country.
You will still be able to live as a foreigner without any knowledge, but sooner or later you will probably want to learn something as not speaking the language can be an isolating experience.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! You do not have to learn Japanese to go to Japan, but you may come into some problems navigating without any knowledge of the language.
Generally, we would recommend learning Japanese if you’re interested in it because it’s an extremely beautiful, rich, and rewarding experience to have.
We hope that this article has told you everything you need to know about this topic and that you now feel a lot more confident about going to Japan without any knowledge of Japanese.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
