I feel the same as you, particularly because 駄 (da) and 菓子 (kashi) can each be associated with a different set of puns that don't come through quite as well in

I feel the same as you, particularly because 駄 (da) and 菓子 (kashi) can each be associated with a different set of puns that don't come through quite as well in the transliteration. I also just find Japanese easier to read compared to English, but maps are definitely easier for me when the labels use whatever language is local.