^{A question I am often asked is ‘how easy is it to travel in Japan if you don’t know the language”. After four self planned independent holidays there, I can confidently say it’s not a barrier to travelling in Japan, and certainly no more difficult than travelling in any other country where you don’t speak the local lingo. In my experience, it’s been easier.}

^{Japan is very tourist conscious, and its efforts to be tourist friendly for international visitors who don’t speak Japanese got a big boost in preparations for the Tokyo Olympics. Although the pandemic put paid to big Olympic crowds, the event did see a marked improvement in english signage, menus, brochures, information offices and other aids for english speakers. Taxis, hotels and the guiding industry also put extra efforts to boost their English skills.}

^{Even more remote regions, off the beaten tourist track, became more open to providing information in English in an effort to attract tourism in their areas. I learnt a lot more about these areas when they began offering free online internet tours in English during the pandemic!}

^{First time visitors to Japan are likely to follow a main tourist route – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima where there’s an abundance of assistance for english speakers. You will have little difficulties.}

^{All Shinkensens (bullet trains) and other major trains, including the central circular Yamamoto line in Tokyo, have announcements and signs in english. Major train stations have loads of english signage, and english speaking train personnel.}

^{“The next stop is Yokohama. Please get off on the left side of the train.” Yes, up comes the english direction on a tv screen or in an announcement about which side of the train to alight from for the oncoming platform! On Shinkensens you might sometimes detect an Aussie accent in announcements. She is a West Aussie.}

^{There also are information and booking offices with english speakers at train and bus stations. Some special services such as the lovely Sakura trams in Tokyo offer english brochures about what the trams offer and where they go.}

^{Major train stations such as Tokyo Station and Kyoto Station have their own English language websites with station plans and directories. Well worth studying before you go to Japan. These stations are small cities within themselves with fabulous restaurants and shops! I love them!}

TRANSLATOR APPS

^{The big game changer these days are free translator apps that you load onto your phone, such as Google translator. There also are an abundance of other translator devices to buy, and you can hire them at major airports in Japan. Translators transform Japanese signage, menus, etc into English (and other languages), and the accuracy these days is pretty good. My husband was like a kid in a toy store using Google translator on our trip to Japan last November.}

^{We’ve found that Japanese are starting to carry translators too, especially in stores. We wandered into a lovely shop in regional area on one occasion where no english was spoken. The shop keeper delightedly produced her translator as my husband produced his! We had quite a conversation and ended up chatting for about half an hour!}

^{Going off the usual tourist track where English is not widely understood, you can expect some difficulties. But nothing insurmountable if you have done your research homework and preparation, keep your cool, and have a Japanese/english dictionary and a translator app. Actually, I have never had to resort to a dictionary in Japan.}

^{On those occasions when language has been a stumbling block, I’ve found that Japanese people are aware of our problem, and watch out for us to ensure we reach our destination, often going out of their way to help, despite the language barrier.}

^{Many areas also have volunteer free guides who speak english. This includes Tokyo. And of course, there are the usual fee paid english speaking guides and tours available.}

http://www.tokyofreeguide.org

^{We sometimes go on half day paying tours with english speaking guides – there’s an excellent one hour Tokyo familiarisation bus tour for around $20 Australian – the Hato Bus – that leaves from outside Tokyo station. I highly recommend it.}

^{I have found that travelling independently in Japan is remarkably easy. Public transport is excellent, particularly if you use the wonderful rail networks. Japan Railway passes (JR) are sold in countries around the world ahead of your trip. Other rail and bus passes are available in Japan.}

^{RESEARCHING OUR TRIPS}

^{My effort into researching our trips always pays off, and is a substantial help towards achieving a good visit without knowing the local language.}

^{My first stop is always the local official Japan Tourist office – JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organisation) – in Australia it is based in Sydney, and easily accessed via their extensive website or by email contact. They offer the latest information, travel updates, a regular newsletter and an abundance of brochures and booklets – some you can download, and others they will snail mail to you free. These are brochures produced in Japan that you can’t generally access at regular travel agents. They will also answer your queries and offer advice by email.}

^{It’s exciting when the postman delivers a parcel packed with a treasure of current brochures, maps and information that I’ve asked for from the JNTO.}

https://www.japan.travel/en/au/

^{I generally book hotels and ryokans within walking distance of train stations in Japan – less complicated than if you have to find your way further afield. If I have to get a taxi, I get someone (hotel assistant etc) to write my destination in Japanese – just in case I get a driver who can’t understand me.}

^{It is also useful to ascertain if accommodation has english speaking staff and if they have western style beds. Most of the big chain hotels and western style hotels do, but some hotels and ryokans only offer Japanese style bedding. Which is fine if your knees can handle getting up from the floor.}

^{To experience some very special places, it is often necessary to sleep Japanese style on floor level futons – for instance, the wonderful small ryokans at the charming village of Tsumago in the beautiful Kiso valley – we stayed at Fujioto’s where the tariff included magnificent breakfast and dinner feasts! I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Lucky you weren’t a fly on the wall, observing my ‘senior’s acrobatic approach’ to getting up off my futon!}

^{Another worthwhile futon effort was the small family run Oki’s Inn in a traditional shopping arcade in Kyoto. A former townhouse from the early 1900’s and bakery, it only offers four bedrooms, each with modern ensuites. The couple who run it actually met in my home town in Tasmania! They speak good english! It’s a great experience to stay there.}

https://www.okimachi.com/?lang=en

https://www.tsumago-fujioto.jp/en/

^{Check out the local community office in the arcade. They did a sterling job supporting the local shopkeepers and community during the tough pandemic years, and they have resumed their popular local walking tours with english speaking guides at very cheap prices!}

^{Ask for Kyoko and tell her Therese sent you! Back in 2019, she endured my endless emails with a million questions about the community walking tours. I now regard her as a good friend. And ask her if ‘Hiromi’ is still leading walks. Hiromi is an excellent English speaker and a wonderful guide. Kyoko will also be able to provide you with information on knife sharpening classes with a Master. Hubby Mike did the class last November – our Oki’s Inn landlord volunteered to translate – a highlight of Mike’s 2022 trip.}

BUSES

^{We have used buses in Japan too and again this is where our research proven essential. On a bus trip from Matsumoto to the beautiful Kamikochi in the Northern Japanese Alps in Nagano prefecture, our research suggested we get off at the Tashiro Pond, about three kilometres short of our destination, and complete the journey on a short delightful trek. So we were ready and watching out for the earlier hop off bus stop. Most of the Japanese passengers got off there too, doing the same thing. So that was a big hint we were getting it right!}

^{BOOKING ACCOMMODATION}

^{I always ensure that some english is spoken at our accommodations. All the main international booking sites offer Japanese accommodation. It’s worthwhile watching out for specials!}

^{I usually use the Qantas site (even if I’m not flying Qantas), Booking.com, Expedia and Japan’s own Japanican –} https://www.japanican.com

^{With hotels that are part of major chains and some ryokans, I will book direct if their price is the best. I have found no problem in doing this. Chains I have used include Mitsui Garden hotels and Daiwa Roynet, and I’ve always been pleased with the accommodation price wise and quality wise. NOTE that many accommodations can have quite small rooms – we always ensure we book a room with at least 18 sq m – enough to accommodate a Queen size bed or two singles.}

^{When the pandemic hit, cancelling our planned 2020 JAPAN trip at the last minute, all these sites returned my accommodation money in full – no cancellation fees. No hassle.}

^{That included by direct booking at Fujioto’s in Tsumago. I’m sure they were losing most of their bookings at the time, but they demanded no cancellation fee. I did finally get there in 2022!}

^{One booking for the WAT Hotel in Takayama in the Hida region was a ‘no refund’ booking I had made to gain a cheaper rate. I did not expect any money back when I cancelled. However, I was asked for the reason I was cancelling, and subsequently was returned my full accommodation cost. I mention that hotel because it was a very honourable thing to do.}

^{GOOGLE WALK, REVIEWS AND NHK TV WORLD}

^{Another thing we do in preparation for our Japan trips is to google walk from train stations to our accommodation or to particular places we want to visit. We do our google walks on our computer before we leave home – as a result, when we arrive in a new place, it feels familiar to us. And we roughly know where we are going! MJ loves doing the google walks and noting down landmarks that we can spot en route.}

^{As with every trip I do, I check review sites such as Trip Advisor and other bloggers for useful information.}

^{And we regularly watch NHK TV World – a Government run Japan station in English that has an amazing array of programmes on Japan, its culture, tourism and food. Its international news programmes are excellent too.}

^{I’ve got loads of ideas on where to go in Japan from NHK. We mainly use the free app and chrome it to our TV. You can also access it free on Apple TV.}

^{About a week before we left on our November 2022 trip, NHK ran a programme on a beautiful place called Amanohashidate (天橋立) by the sea. I’d never heard of it before, and was delighted to find that it was in Kyoto prefecture – an ideal day trip – two hours by rail from Kyoto where we were staying for several days. So it immediately was included on our itinerary.}

^{What a gem! We saw no other foreigners there, and being a mid November week day there weren’t a lot of Japanese tourists. I imagine it’s very popular in summer. The train journey from Kyoto to Amanohashidate was also excellent, with loads of interesting scenery along the way. I’ll be writing a separate blog story on Amanobashidate soon.}

^{MY TINY JAPANESE VOCABARY}

^{I have slowly built up a small vocabulary of about 50 common Japanese words and phrases to express politeness – thank you, good evening, good morning, excuse me, pleased to meet you, delicious, excellent, etc. I find my effort is appreciated, even if I can’t engage in an actual Japanese conversation. Help with this is readily available free on the Internet.}

^{Three of my essentials are:}

^{Idesu ka. May I? I use this all the time when I want to take a photo of a Japanese person, a house or object. Who wants a tourist pointing a camera at you? But if that tourist politely asks if it’s ok, it’s remarkable how many people will smile and indicate ‘yes’. In fact, I’ve only ever had one refusal – a young policeman who was very apologetic. I presume police aren’t allowed to have their photo taken with the public.}

^{Itadakimasu – always said before a meal in thanks for the food. Definitely one to learn as Japanese say it religiously before beginning to eat.}

^{Gochisousama – it was a real feast. Said in appreciation of a good meal once you are finished. Say it to your host or waiter – it always brings a smile to their face.}

^{Do try to learn common courtesy words such as ‘thank you’. They are simple words in Japanese. I have seen cafe/restaurant tables of westerners who either did not have the confidence to say these words, rudely couldn’t be bothered or they said it in English which the waiter did not understand. Just do it! Doesn’t matter if you don’t pronounce them exactly right, though you will hear them often enough and soon get them correct. Arigato – thanks!}

^{Those occasions when my lack of Japanese language skills have presented a dilemma have turned out to be occasions that always bring a smile to my face when I remember them. They have been solvable dilemmas. Common sense usually wins out.}

^{LEARN THE CULTURE}

^{I also advise to generally gain an appreciation of Japanese culture – things to do and not to do. For instance: Don’t talk loudly in public areas or on public transport. Don’t eat while you are walking or on a suburban train. Eating is fine on Shinkansens and other long distance trains – in fact most people buy meal boxes known as ekiben for their trip or buy from the food trolleys that often come through carriages. Ice-creams are highly recommended from these trolleys – perhaps the most frozen hard ice-creams you will ever encounter, but worth the wait until they soften up! Oishi! Delicious!}

https://www.jrpass.com/blog/guide-to-ekiben-the-best-bento-box-for-on-the-train

^{DOES ANYONE SPEAK ENGLISH?}

^{I have also learnt to ask ‘Do you speak English?’ All Japanese school children learn english, though the focus is on grammar rather than conversation. At a pinch, kids might be able to help!}

^{Famously, on a shinkensen, I sat next to a Japanese woman in silence for about an hour after greeting her with one of my few Japanese phrases for “Good morning,” as I sat down. She returned the greeting in Japanese, and no more was said until she noticed my teenage son, across the aisle, writing a postcard in Japanese to his teacher back in WA.}

^{“He’s writing in Japanese’ she exclaimed in English. “And you are speaking english,” I replied. We were both equally shocked! Turned out she spoke excellent English having lived in New York, but because I greeted her in Japanese and spoke no further, she thought I didn’t want to engage in conversation. We ended up deep in conversation for the remaining hour of the train trip. I’ve told this story in one of my other blog pieces, but it’s worth repeating.}

^{You might think I was being accompanied on that occasion on the train by a Japanese speaker in my son. But no. When the pressure to interpret was on, he lost confidence and wasn’t a lot of help. So I would resort to my fail safe – sign language! (This was before google translator).}

^{Japanese people are very polite, and generally won’t generally intrude on your space unless you make it clear you need assistance or want to engage. However, I’ve found Japanese in recent years are much more open to coming to the aid of international traveller than they were when I first visited 20 plus years ago. Possibly because more and more Japanese are travelling internationally themselves as independent travellers, rather than on Japanese guided tours. On recent trips, I’ve been hearing comments such as “Oh, we visited Australia on holiday,” Or “my granddaughter is on a working holiday in Australia.”}

^SUMMARY

^{In a nutshell – Have confidence in yourself as a traveller in Japan, do your pre trip research and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be afraid also to use those few Japanese words and phrases you’ve learnt. Japanese don’t really expect you to be able to speak Japanese. However, they are delighted when you attempt a few phrases, especially if you are extending common courtesy. Many will want to try some English conversation with you too!}

^{Is Japan worth the effort – absolutely! Culturally, scenery wise, and food – it’s fabulous. As for the myths that it is overcrowded – there is a vast number of wonderful places that are not overcrowded even in Tokyo – and with trains, simply don’t travel in peak hour! Expensive – absolutely not, unless you want to frequent Michelin star restaurants and high end hotels.}

^{There are many myths enduring about Japan that stem from decades ago when it was regarded as very expensive, not tourist friendly, and a country where little english was spoken. How things have changed! And that furphy – overcrowded. There’s that common image of the packed road crossing at Shibuya in Tokyo. It’s right in front of a railway station, and traffic in all directions is stopped to let pedestrians to cross the whole intersection in an orderly fashion. Take another look at that photo. How many people do you see bumping into each other?}

^{Of course, you can put yourself into a crowded situation – I bet you can in your own country too. But employ strategies. Don’t get onto trains at peak time – an hour or so in the mornings and evenings – go early to popular attractions, be mindful of where you visit on weekends and public holidays when Japanese might be visiting popular places, and visit the many areas of Tokyo where it’s not overcrowded.}

^{In Tokyo, a city I rate as one of the most beautiful and delightful in the world, I mainly stay in Kyobashi, close to Tokyo railway station. I branch out by to explore Tokyo’s suburbs. In early mornings, I take quiet ambles to the neighbouring suburbs of Ginza and Nihonbashi with my camera. There are very few people about. At weekends, part of Ginza, a highly fashionable CBD area, main streets are closed off to traffic, turning it into a delightful pedestrian mall filled with families and other shoppers. This happens in other popular shopping suburbs as well.}

^{Japan is an exploration delight, full of wonderful surprises – even if you don’t speak Japanese. Do I wish I had a full grasp of the Japanese language? I do. It would open up so much more of this exquisite oriental flower called Japan to me. But it is a complicated language, and at my age it’s a bit late in the day to grasp it. Armed, however, with my translator and my meagre list of Japanese words, I know I can continue to discover, explore and enjoy Japan.}

^{Any questions? Just ask me. I’m happy to share our experiences.}