Is There a Big Language Barrier in Japan?

Language barrier in Japan is not a problem for your trips. As an English speakers, you can travel in the country without a difficulty, for the English services are can be obtained easily in cities. You can find the bilingual stuff in airports, train stations, bus stations, hotels, etc. It would an exciting and pleasant trip to discover the exotic land.

Is Japan Accessible for English Speakers?

Japanese doesn’t speak English, but to facilitate commerce, many Japanese have learnt English more or less. Particularly in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, you can find some people who know English. The tourist information centers, airports, train stations, large hotels, etc. usually offer English services. Meanwhile, the younger people know more English than the elders. However, the small towns and countryside areas show a low English proficiency.

Japan is friendly to English speakers as well as visitors of other foreign languages. In the most-visited places, English can be accepted well, while Chinese and Korean also become more and more widespread gradually. You can travel with little language barrier around these spots.

English Services to Break the Language Barrier in Japan

Japan provides English services for the oversea visitors across the country. You can find the English maps and more materials about the attractions as well as local transportation at almost every tourist information center, and bilingual receptionists there could also help you in finding your destination or answering your questions. This makes the language barrier in Japan is not dreadful.

An English Map Provided

English Timetable in Tokyo Railway Station

Usually, many hotels employ staff who have a great proficiency in dual languages to welcome and entertain guests, which guarantee to talk effectively and remove the difficulties in checking in and enjoying the hotel services.

On public transportation, the English broadcast onboard will tell you which station to get off, such as the Narita Express train connecting Narita Airport and Tokyo downtown, making the journey in this alien country easier. Additionally, touch-screen machines, like self-service ticketing machines, often provide services with options of multiple languages including English.

Learn Simple Phrases of Japanese If Interested

Although it’s needless to mind the language barrier in Japan, it wouldn’t be better to acquire some knowledge of Japanese language and culture. You can learn some common Japanese expressions before your travel, such as konnichiwa (hello) and arigatou gozaimasu (thanks a lot), which can enhance the communication during your stay in Japan. If you have the energy or interest in Japanese, you can also explore some rules of Japanese pronunciation and grammars, which could further help you to understand as well. A Japanese phrasebook is good to bring along on your journey to Japan.

Friendly Tips for Visitors Knowing Little about Japanese

Barrier-Free Check into the Hotel

 Body language, such as nodding and smiling, may help you to express what you want to say, even if the locals don't understand your words. Also, be patient. You can understand each other as quickly as possible with great patience.

 Please ask questions politely. Being polite is a great help to make the other pleasant when you're trying to talk with local people. Thus, the people would be more willing to help you, and this is also a respect for their culture.

 Google Map is a useful App as getting to Japan, helping a lot to find the right destinations.

 You can download a translator on your phone, which could output the translations of what you want to know or say.

 At restaurants, you can ask if there is an English menu. Around the highly visited places, menu in multiple language can often be offered.

 There is a high possibility that taxi drivers could speak English in the major cities like Tokyo. However, if the driver can’t or know little, you may show your destination on the online map, or point out the landmark of the place. Alternatively, you can obtain cards from terminal stations or hotels, and then ask staff for help to write your destinations in Japanese.

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