How would i go in Japan/Toyko ?

[whoistheg]

Hi,


Just wondering how i would go in Japan/Toyko,


Background:
Seasoned traveller and travel around 3-4 times a year. Mostly to Singapore/Thailand/Hong Kong etc.. Mainly places where you can get away
easily with english/chinglish/thailish


From all the people i have talked to they think we would struggle with the language barrier (we cannot speak a word of Japanese) and possibly the food barrier. While i like the food in HK/Thai i hear its pretty different there,.


Also how hard is it getting around. I have also read that most of the signs are not in english (as you would expect) and the cab drivers dont speak a lot of english.


any tips/suggestions

 

[Flashback]

Hi,


Just wondering how i would go in Japan/Toyko,


Background:
Seasoned traveller and travel around 3-4 times a year. Mostly to Singapore/Thailand/Hong Kong etc.. Mainly places where you can get away
easily with english/chinglish/thailish


From all the people i have talked to they think we would struggle with the language barrier (we cannot speak a word of Japanese) and possibly the food barrier. While i like the food in HK/Thai i hear its pretty different there,.


Also how hard is it getting around. I have also read that most of the signs are not in english (as you would expect) and the cab drivers dont speak a lot of english.


any tips/suggestions

You won't find much need for cabs, the subway/rail system there is awesome. Easy enough to get around and has the stations / signs in english.

In regards to getting around in general, food etc. is no problem. Most places have pictures of the food so you can simply point to what you want.

I don't think you'll have any issues as the Japanese people are one of the friendliest in the world; even though there may be less english speaking people.

 

[dajop]

Also how hard is it getting around. I have also read that most of the signs are not in english (as you would expect) and the cab drivers dont speak a lot of english.

I've visited Japan several times, once for about 9-10 days. Some shorter stays, and then at the real extreme - I've even left the airport and caught public transport to fill in time on four hour transits (twice). And I do not speak any Japanese, other than a couple of courtesy words.

No dramas at all with transport, other than in cabs (although my standard way of dealing with a taxi, to say take me to a hotel, is to call the hotel, explain the situation and hand my phone to the taxi driver). In Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and a few other places had no dramas catching trains and subways - in these cities all the transport seemed have good signage in English/roman script.

Food can be challenging, but in Tokyo it is an international city so you can find plenty of places that have menus in English, and even if they don't a lot have plastic replicas of the food on the menu in the front of the store, making it easy to point and pick. And if you are really starving, can always pop into a convenience store or bakery and pick up a sandwich, bread item or the like.

If you call yourself a seasonal traveller, you have absolutely nothing to be concerned about - go and enjoy!

 

[Mal]

Yeah, you should be ok. Do a bit of prep before you go as to what you want to do and see.

One of my funniest Tokyo moments was trying to purchase some cable ties from a hardware store. The owner spoke very little English, I spoke no Japanese. However, using drawings and pointing, he managed to work out that I was after very small cable ties, and I worked out he only had large ones.

I found them up the road in a stationary store!

 

[Keith009]

I use a mix of the following:
- Wild gesticulations
- Pictures and pointing to those plastic food displays as mentioned
- Translations from hotel concierge
- Point to what other people have in their hands (eg if i want to know which direction the Paul Smith store is)
- English in a bad Japanese accent (hey this actually worked in Seoul!)

In all seriousness, I didn't find Japan all that challenging. I was able to get by with minimal hassle. The subway stations all have English signs. And English signs are everywhere (or more accurately - Engrish in a lot of cases ). If something is really important, like determining that my meals don't contain shellfish, I simply get the hotel concierge to write it down on a piece of paper in Japanese.

I also understand a bit of Chinese, and Japanese characters are similar to Chinese so that probably helped a little.

 

[Dee Thom]

From all the people i have talked to they think we would struggle with the language barrier (we cannot speak a word of Japanese) and possibly the food barrier. While i like the food in HK/Thai i hear its pretty different there,.


Also how hard is it getting around. I have also read that most of the signs are not in english (as you would expect) and the cab drivers dont speak a lot of english.


any tips/suggestions

I've been travelling to Japan for family reasons since 1995, and each year it gets easier.

In all the Cities most folk can converse in English to an extent, in the rural areas (where I spend most time) there is less English, but I've always managed to get by.

Food is no problem, there are the usual fast food outlets as here, plus the fabulous Raman(noodle) houses scattered all over, and Shopping Centres usually have food Courts. In Yoshioka, where I stay, there are Pizza shops, Italian Pasta outlets, a Chinese T/A, Maccas, Kentucky Fried Muck, plus numerous Sushi, Ramen, and other Japanese food, and this is a small rural area in Maebashi Prefecture. Don't eat in Western style hotels as it is expensive!!!!!

Travel is easy, especially by train. Try a 7 or 14day Japan Rail Pass purchased in Aus, a great way to get around and see the country.

Japan to me is easier to travel in, than say Thialand.

Hopefully other AFF folk will add their ideas as well, to give you a positive attitude to travel in Japan.

Cheers Dee

 

[whoistheg]

Thanks guys..

Yeah seasoned traveller but only to english/chinglish countries.

I have no problems getting bus/ferry/trains in HK but remember
there is a lot of English there

This will be the first country that English will be struggle

We will not spend a lot of time in Toyko and head out to see the temples
etc..

 

[Keith009]

Food is no problem, there are the usual fast food outlets as here, plus the fabulous Raman(noodle) houses scattered all over, and Shopping Centres usually have food Courts. In Yoshioka, where I stay, there are Pizza shops, Italian Pasta outlets, a Chinese T/A, Maccas, Kentucky Fried Muck, plus numerous Sushi, Ramen, and other Japanese food, and this is a small rural area in Maebashi Prefecture. Don't eat in Western style hotels as it is expensive!!!!!

Gotta love the Japanese take on Italian food too.

I love Japanese food and eat a lot of it whenever I go there. But sometimes I desire something more normal and luckily Tokyo also has a wide variety of good Western food. You'll find a lot of this in the expat districts like Roppongi.

And the best steak (yummy foie gras too) in the world is probably found in Tokyo - Keyakizaka at the Grand Hyatt Roppongi.
http://www.roppongihills.com/jp/shops_restaurants/eng/details/restaurant.php?id=e206440002

And one of my favourite French restos:
http://www.vaou.com/viewRestaurant.do?objectId=295

 

[Flashback]

Gotta love the Japanese take on Italian food too.

I love Japanese food and eat a lot of it whenever I go there. But sometimes I desire something more normal and luckily Tokyo also has a wide variety of good Western food.

And the best steak (yummy foie gras too) in the world is probably found in Tokyo - Keyakizaka at the Grand Hyatt Roppongi.
Keyakizaka Restaurant Tokyo Tokyo Reviews Gayot

And one of my favourite French restos:
Harmonie - Tokyo Restaurants

The Grand Hyatt is probably one of the priciest hotels in Tokyo, too :mrgreen:

Agree with all the above. When I went over, I was worried about the language barrier (even though I studied Japanese for 6 years) however as soon as I landed all my worries were whisked away and I enjoyed my holiday; it's still my favourite of all the countries I've been to.

 

[Keith009]

The Grand Hyatt is probably one of the priciest hotels in Tokyo, too :mrgreen:

I didn't say that I stayed there; i go there for the teppanyaki there cause it's awesome. Otherwise it's too far away from Shinjuku ni-chome aka Friends of Dorothy party central. Hilton Tokyo for me - they also do v nice foie gras.

 

[kiwitripper64]

We went to Japan 06 and went back with kids 09. Very easy to get around. Japanese are generally polite and understand that you are trying to communicate with smiles. The unexpected moments leave great memories like the elderly man who helped us get our bearings in Tokyo central.
Remember that not all ATM willl accept foreign cards.
the rest was all fun and we will be going back.

 

[Keith009]

Remember that not all ATM willl accept foreign cards.

Great advice! You'd want to look out for Citibank ATMs or the ones in post offices.

And credit cards don't seem to be very common outside hotels, big boutiques or dept stores; Tokyo seems rather cash-based. Getting some of the bars I hang out in to take credit cards for payment involved 10-15 mins of fiddling.

 

[Flashback]

Great advice! You'd want to look out for Citibank ATMs or the ones in post offices.

And credit cards don't seem to be very common outside hotels, big boutiques or dept stores; Tokyo seems rather cash-based. Getting some of the bars I hang out in to take credit cards for payment involved 10-15 mins of fiddling.

I also found places like 7/11, Lawsons, etc. had ATM's in them that would accept foreign CCs.

 

[Dee Thom]

I go there for the teppanyaki there cause it's awesome.

If your ever in BNE try Little Tokyo Restaurant near Novotel Hotel. Mama San does great teppanyaki along with other favourites from Nippon.

Cheers Dee

 

[Hvr]

Japan is very easy for non Japanese speakers. When I was there in Feb 08 people would go out of their way to help me.

Sometimes just a word was needed and with some basic gesticulations I got everywhere I needed to.

For example on a rural train platform I was waiting for a train and went up to a Japanese man who looked at me indicating no English, I said in a questioning manner "Matsumoto" he pointed and smiled. I replied "arigato" (Japanese for thank you) and got where I was going.

I found going into restaurants in the big cities that when the staff saw me coming they would pull out an English language menu and with some pointing and smiling I ate very well. Also, there isn't the grief of worrying about being ripped off like you are in Thailand or similar countries.

It is a truly wonderful country and I will be back there again next year.

Like many other posters I urge you to go there with an open mind and to enjoy the journey.

 

[drron]

You should have no problems and thoroughly enjoy the trip.after our first visit in 1984 we had so much help that I went back to Uni and did 2 years of Japanese-sadly very little of it left.
Most Japanese actually learn some English but have little practise in conversation so do not admit to their knowledge-hence people professing no English but still being able to help.Making a fool of yourself with a little mangled Japanese often will bring their English out-no longer likely to lose face.
Even way out in the country a little sign language with appropriate facial expressions will get you through.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I have been to Japan 3 times; another vote to say go to Japan.

My first visit to Japan was for work, my 2nd trip was to go snowboarding and my third trip was for an overnight stay, on an Australian/Europe transfer.

I would say there isn't much English spoken but there is enough to get by. In Tokyo English is widely understood there just not that many people who use it. The subway and train signs and most announcements are in both Japanese and English. I wouldn't not go because you don't know Japanese.

The Japanese food is very nice and there is enough fast food places to get your Western food fix. The plastic food has got to be seen to believed.

Sometimes things can be slow and frustrating but in other ways Japan can be really amazing.

Take cash as its more widely used compared to credit cards; hotels use credit card but everything else cash is easier.

And thanks for the details on Hong Kong I thought that would be harder to visit.

 

[cosi]

Sometimes things can be slow and frustrating but in other ways Japan can be really amazing.

Agree with Bundy Bear.

As a regular to Japan, one has a love/hate relationship.

It is an amazing experience but also can be frustrating when you want to do something simple.

One tip is to always carry you hotels adress in Japanese, so if you get lost, easy to ask for directions.

Enjoy the experience.

 

[medhead]

Thanks guys..

Yeah seasoned traveller but only to english/chinglish countries.

I have no problems getting bus/ferry/trains in HK but remember
there is a lot of English there

This will be the first country that English will be struggle

We will not spend a lot of time in Toyko and head out to see the temples
etc..

I spent a few years somewhere in my deep dark past with a nice lady who worked and studied in japan quite a bit. She was very proficient in japanese, but I wasn't. What i learnt from this experience is that just about all japanese people under about 45 know englsih, they all learn it at school, they can most often can read it very well. They don't speak very well sometimes, but I rarely had problems being understood provided I used the queen's english and spoke properly - no slang, no Aust blending works together. Also often they will pretend not to understand to not be caught out as having bad english. Maybe that is a bit of a stereotype, but it was rather true 15 years ago.

So i reckon you'll have no trouble with communicating.

 

[Warks]

Another vote for Japan. I've visited twice for work, once in May and the other in January. I'd favour spring over winter!

As everyone has said public transport is the best there is. I managed to travel from Tokyo to a little island somewhere a couple of hundered kms from Fukuoka in the space of a few hours using metro trains, a domestic 747 (all Y), two local trains, a taxi and then a boat. Only needed a car for the drive from the station to the water! Mind you I was in the company of two Japanese colleagues who knew where they were going. It was amazing how far and fast we went without needing a car though.

A cheap eating option is also the meals you get in the 7-11s or "Rawson Stations" or the many 7-11 equivalents. You can pick up a chilled meat (not much), veg and noodle meal on a plate and microwave it for about $5. Not bad.

As for places to visit - Nara and Kyoto. Fantastic.