3 ms·

I work remotely as a game developer been saving a bit of money living outside a big city in the US. Tokyo/Japan has always been a dream destination for me figur

by mentos 7y ago

I work remotely as a game developer been saving a bit of money living outside a big city in the US. Tokyo/Japan has always been a dream destination for me figure if I don’t visit in the next few years while I’m flexible I may never. Any suggestions for someone visiting that does not speak Japanese?

42droids 7y ago
Hey, Japan is awesome. Visiting in the winter, excl. Xmas and New Year is the best. Japanese knowledge is not needed in Tokyo. Outside, the smaller the place the less likely they will speak English. You can get around with Google Translate. Food is cheap and outstanding. Travelling is not so much - you have to be creative. :) Check some articles here https://www.youcouldtravel.com/destinations/japan https://www.youcouldtravel.com/destinations/japan if you want to visit. Also happy to help if you have questions + lots of info online. Good luck!
CPLX 7y ago
If you're literally talking about "visiting" as in a vacation or short trip, you'll find that English works just fine and you'll be able to do/see pretty much anything, perhaps with the occasional hand gesture or momentary confusion.
- h1d 7y ago
  > English woks just fine Umm, no. People do not speak English unless it's hotel or airport but you have plenty of signs written in English to support moving around. People will try if you ask simple questions though.
  - lbatx 7y ago
    Umm, yes. Or more properly, English plus hand gestures. We're not talking about defending a doctoral thesis here. We're talking about getting around, shopping, and eating. Every subway station has signage in English. You can point to things on a menu. Proof: millions of tourists go to Tokyo every year and very few speak Japanese.
johnwalkr 7y ago
It's very easy to get around, not speaking Japanese is not a huge barrier for visiting. It's also probably not as expensive as you think. As this discussion shows, there is a whole range of sizes/prices for apartments, the same is true for transportation, food, events and hotels. For a trip, I'd recommend $150/day/person but a smaller amount is possible with comprimises.
SapporoChris 7y ago
Smartphone with google translate should help you with most situations, but be quick and familiar with it! Rent a sim card/data plan for Google maps (or your preferred alternative). Don't be shy about asking for help. Subway staff, police officers, etc. Do master the simple basics such as Where is X, This please, etc. There are restaurants that will not have an English menu and your translation app may or may not work, however many restaurants will have displays of food with prices, and you can take a photo and simply show the photo! Shinagawa is more international, and thus you'll find more English speakers, but don't limit yourself to that Ward. Your question was specific to Japanese language barrier, but one external suggestion: August is pretty miserable in Tokyo unless you're acclimatized to hot and humid environments, try to avoid that month.

by mentos 7y ago

42droids 7y ago

Hey, Japan is awesome. Visiting in the winter, excl. Xmas and New Year is the best. Japanese knowledge is not needed in Tokyo. Outside, the smaller the place the less likely they will speak English. You can get around with Google Translate. Food is cheap and outstanding. Travelling is not so much - you have to be creative. :) Check some articles here https://www.youcouldtravel.com/destinations/japan https://www.youcouldtravel.com/destinations/japan if you want to visit. Also happy to help if you have questions + lots of info online. Good luck!

CPLX 7y ago

If you're literally talking about "visiting" as in a vacation or short trip, you'll find that English works just fine and you'll be able to do/see pretty much anything, perhaps with the occasional hand gesture or momentary confusion.

h1d 7y ago
> English woks just fine Umm, no. People do not speak English unless it's hotel or airport but you have plenty of signs written in English to support moving around. People will try if you ask simple questions though.
- lbatx 7y ago
  Umm, yes. Or more properly, English plus hand gestures. We're not talking about defending a doctoral thesis here. We're talking about getting around, shopping, and eating. Every subway station has signage in English. You can point to things on a menu. Proof: millions of tourists go to Tokyo every year and very few speak Japanese.

johnwalkr 7y ago

It's very easy to get around, not speaking Japanese is not a huge barrier for visiting. It's also probably not as expensive as you think. As this discussion shows, there is a whole range of sizes/prices for apartments, the same is true for transportation, food, events and hotels. For a trip, I'd recommend $150/day/person but a smaller amount is possible with comprimises.

SapporoChris 7y ago

Smartphone with google translate should help you with most situations, but be quick and familiar with it! Rent a sim card/data plan for Google maps (or your preferred alternative). Don't be shy about asking for help. Subway staff, police officers, etc. Do master the simple basics such as Where is X, This please, etc. There are restaurants that will not have an English menu and your translation app may or may not work, however many restaurants will have displays of food with prices, and you can take a photo and simply show the photo! Shinagawa is more international, and thus you'll find more English speakers, but don't limit yourself to that Ward. Your question was specific to Japanese language barrier, but one external suggestion: August is pretty miserable in Tokyo unless you're acclimatized to hot and humid environments, try to avoid that month.