Is it necessary to know Japanese to travel to Japan?

Many people want to travel to Japan, but they are afraid or embarrassed because they do not know how to speak the language. In this article, you will understand why you don’t need to worry about the Japanese language to get by in Japan, as well as some useful tips that will help your trip.

Japan is a country made entirely for tourists and foreigners. Anywhere you go, you will find signs with words in English or Roman letters (romaji). Things like traffic signs, train stations, neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, menus, products, etc.

We prepared a video below from our friend Rodrigo Pedraça, who will talk more about this subject and give some tips so you won’t get lost when visiting Japan without speaking the Japanese language:

Embedded video (YouTube)

Why is it not necessary to speak Japanese?

In Japan, everything is designed to make life easier for everyone, so you will rarely need to communicate to solve problems. Brazilians are so accustomed to this ease that many have lived in the country for over 20 years and have not learned to speak the language.

The Japanese are already used to foreigners; they can understand the gestures and basic English words that tourists tend to use. You should at least learn a few basic words that can help you get by in a pinch. As mentioned in the video, you should know at least how to say:

• Konnichiwa – Good Afternoon, Hi;
• Sumimasen – Excuse me, sorry;
• Arigatou Gozaimasu – Thank you;
• Wakarimasen – I didn’t understand;

If you want to delve deeper into basic words, read our articles below:

• Guide to Japanese words for tourists
• Basic questions in Japanese
• 1000 basic Japanese words – Nouns

Do you need to know how to speak English to get by in Japan?

You also do not need to know how to speak English to visit Japan, as most Japanese do not speak English. Sometimes, a fluent English speaker struggles much more than someone who knows the basics of Japanese.

An ATM from the convenience stores automatically adapts to the Portuguese language when you insert your credit card. In public places, you will find a lot of material, information, and signs in Portuguese.

It is important to remember that most signs are not filled with sentences in English, just words converted to Roman letters, allowing those who cannot read Japanese to find their way.

You can travel comfortably in Japan even without knowing anything at all in English or Japanese. Your trip will still be enjoyable, and you will be able to go to the most remote and isolated places without fear of getting lost, thanks to current GPS technology, maps, and smartphones.

You can also use gestures to explain and point out what you want. Don’t worry; when you are there, you will see how easy it is to get by in Japan! I hope you enjoyed the tips in this article. We appreciate your comments and shares.