[Firebird]

I am currently in Japan, but cannot speak alot of Japanese but read hiragana and katakana and i can only recommend you to learn these, as even the few things you will be able to read can be very helpful. Its alot easier spotting a ramen bar or a internet cafe if you can read the ~70 signs. It would be perfect if i could read many Kanji, but i cant, but i still came around till now, so dont worry, as said above, japanese are very helpful but many dont want to speak English or cant, so you are lucky you speak japanese (every word counts!)