[Columbine]

If you can, find a map/guidebook with the names of places in both romaji AND kanji/kana. Then you can at least hop in a taxi or point at where you're trying to get to and it's a piece of cake. I don't speak a lick of Chinese and that's how I got about in China, with very few problems. Most hotels and things will have someone at front desk who can direct you about as well.