Going to Japan without language knowledge?!

Shanis · (#1 (**permalink**))

I want to go to Japan in the next year but i can´t speak japanese as well

I only can speak some words but i can´t write them and that are all randome words

So i want to ask if it would be enough to go only with english knowledge there? Or should i learn japanese befor i go?

Haggis · (#2 (**permalink**))

In Tokyo and Kyoto you can certainly get by without knowing any Japanese, (obviously you want to learn phrases like "Thank You" and "Hello" just to be polite) but restaurants will often have English menus to cater for tourists, and at airports, subways, railways etc. there always seemed to be English speaking staff.

Obviously the more you know the better, I'm hoping to go back to Japan and visit more places, so I guess I'll need to learn Japanese properly if I'm going to venture beyond the tourist hotspots.

Shanis · (#3 (**permalink**))

Ah thx^^ my grand cousin lives there so he can show me some nice places i think

SgtBeavis · (#4 (**permalink**))

You can definitely get buy without knowing any Japanese. However you've got an entire year. The more Japanese you know, the more you are going to enjoy the trip.

So get to work

Housetek · (#5 (**permalink**))

many threads on this topic =P

like he said above, the more you know the better time you'll have.

Make sure u know how to say directions and talk to taxi drivers, and how to ask for directions.

Ordering food, and other basics and you'll be fine.

kawaiineko · (#6 (**permalink**))

Still learning the language myself, but I can teach you what little grammar I know. I know a plethora of nouns and some about verb conjugation and the different verb types.

Shanis · (#7 (**permalink**))

Hm... ok i think i still must learn some japanese words to be polite and to say cab drivers the directins :/ anyway i will enjoy my trip^^ and i will take my motorbike with me and make a tour through japan so i can still drive by myself

Jiro · (#8 (**permalink**))

if its any help to you, i was in osaka for a week, and i didnt speak a worried of japanese and i got buy fine. I even went to the gundam store.

glaylover · (#9 (**permalink**))

Very hard to travel in the country without language knowlege, but the big cities are ok.

Kir0 · (#10 (**permalink**))

I only know phrases myself and I get by. If you are at a restraunt usually I'll point to what I want, and that works well enough.

If you need to get somewhere usually just stating the name of where you want to go will be fine.

When using money, if you arn't sure what the price is once your at the register if you hold out money, and look confused they will help you, lol.

Of course it is a good idea to learn more before hand, but it isn't impossible to get by.