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This is a very common concern for people traveling to Japan for the first time. If you don’t speak any Japanese, and there’s no one around who speaks English, are you going to be able to make yourself understood, will you be able to get from A-B, and how the heck are you going to find anything to eat? Do not worry, let us explain…
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Quick Summary
There’s a lot more English in Japan than you might think – especially in the transport system where there are always English signs and announcements. Most tourist sights also have some level of English. People can often speak English but are shy. In my experience, if you try and speak Japanese with them first, they’ll be more likely to try English with you. The more authentic a place, the less likely it is that you’ll find English menus – but, we have some tricks on combating that in the piece that follows.
Do Japanese People Speak English?
Japanese is the main language spoken in Japan. However, according to studies somewhere between 13 and 30 percent of Japanese people also speak some level of English. although only around 9 percent say they feel confident using English.
There are many reasons why more Japanese people don’t feel comfortable speaking English (you can find a perspective from a Japanese company on the subject here) but one reason is that the Japanese are generally quite shy people and even if they do know some English, some people may not feel comfortable trying to speak English with you in case they make a mistake or are misunderstood.
This is also why you might walk into some smaller bars or restaurants in Japan and they say no to you. The customer is very important to anyone who runs a Japanese business and, if they don’t think they can serve you to the best of their ability because they can’t communicate with you, they would rather not try. Don’t take it personally.
You’ll be most likely to find English speakers in the bigger cities aiming at first-time tourists – like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka – and, in tourist-friendly occupations like working in hotels, or, the ticket office where you exchange your Japan rail pass.
So, unless you’re staying in a very local hotel (most of which only have websites in Japanese anyway) or traveling in a small town, someone in your hotel will speak English so don’t worry that you’re never going to not be able to make yourself understood at all.
But when you do find someone who can speak English, even just a tiny bit, you’ll be amazed at how kind and helpful Japanese people can be.
A Quick Story
One night we were trying to find a karaoke bar in Osaka and were hopelessly lost. A man came up to us and asked if he could help. We told him the name of the bar (a bit embarrassing as it was called Kama Sutra!) and not only did he know where it was – it was just by his house so he offered to walk us there, once he’d bought his ice cream.
He walked us to the bar, then, asked if he could join us! He took his ice cream home. Then came back about ten minutes later and sang a few songs with us!
If that sounds like fun you’ll find all the details about Kama Sutra in our Osaka itinerary.
Is English Used on Transport in Japan?
You’ll definitely see a lot of English (or Romaji, which is English letters used to spell out Japanese words) when you’re getting to and from the airport and getting around on the trains in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
Are Train Ticket Machines in English?
Most ticket machines in Japan now will have a language button that means you can swap the option to English – on the Tokyo Metro, for example, it’s on the top right of the screen and clearly marked ‘English’, on the Shinkansen seat reservation machine it’s along the top with other languages like Chinese and Korean.
If you push that, you’ll find it easy to book tickets, or, seat reservations by machine. If you do feel you need some extra help, there are lots of YouTube videos that can help you with the actual sequence of buttons to press.
One thing that, last time I was in Tokyo anyway, didn’t always have English was all the metro maps above the ticket machines that tell you the cost of the ticket. Look around though and you will find one with English writing. Or, the ticket machine will tell you this in English.
If you are using a Suica or Pasmo card or one of the many discount travel passes like the Tokyo Subway Ticket (see our post on that here) or, the Osaka Amazing Pass (which also gives you discounts on attractions – see more about that here) that won’t matter though as you just tap the card as you go through the barriers and the amount left on your card will be displayed on the screen.
Reading Train Tickets and Seat Reservations
The tickets are in Japanese and English, but they are pretty easy to understand as they follow a set format – and, all of the essential information is in English, so you will be able to decipher it.
So, this is a seat reservation ticket – if you’re using a Japan Rail Pass, this is the ticket that shows you what train you’re getting on and where you’re sitting. As you can see, much of the information is in Romaji/English characters including…
Where the train starts (Kagoshima Chuo) and where it’s going to (Shin Osaka)
The departure date (Apr 4) and departure time (15.01). 19.24 is the arrival time. C16 is how many cars there are on the train.
Sakura 562 is the number and type of train – you’ll see words here like Sakura or Hikari. This is also shown on the signs on the platform and is how you identify that you’re on the right service if more than one train is arriving in quick succession.
Car 4 – Seat 15B is the seat you are assigned. And I’m sure you can work out what the non-smoking sign means.
Also, don’t forget the amazing app, Navitime that can help you plan your journeys in English. It’s a really good idea to have done this before you get to any machine or ticket office as then you can write down exact times and train numbers before you try and book. We have sheets and tips to make this much easier in our Ultimate Japan planner and our Shinkansen and Rail Pass planner…
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. Choose from our 62-page Japan Super Planner, which includes tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing. Or, try a specific planner like Tokyo Tips, Kyoto Tips, or the Rail Pass Planner. Find them at our Etsy Store. Use code BLG25 at checkout to get 25 per cent discount.
On the Platforms
All of the stations have their signs in both Japanese and, Romaji – English lettering – so you’ll always know where you’re getting off.
When you first walk onto a Shinkansen platform, you might panic because it looks like the sign is all in Japanese, but don’t worry – just keep staring and it will swap to English.
Unless you’re running very late and the train is literally pulling into the platform (which isn’t the best time to arrive anyway as you need to find the right car – see more in our guide to using your Japan Rail Pass here) you will always have enough time to wait for the English signage.
On the Train
On the Metro and Shinkansen announcements and signs are in both Japanese and English so again, you’re very unlikely to miss your stop because you couldn’t work out where you are (although, when you hear that announcement start sorting yourself out as, unless it’s the end of the line, the trains don’t stay too long on the platforms).
See, getting around Japan is pretty easy even if you don’t speak Japanese. And, don’t forget you can use the Navitime app to help plan your journeys in advance. This is all in English and can help you decide what time trains you need to get – it even tells you the platform sometimes.
Ordering in Restaurants When You Don’t Speak Japanese
The picture below is of the menu in a standing bar I went into in Tokyo … I had no clue at all what was going on. But, I still managed to get a beer so everything was okay.
Thankfully not everywhere is quite so tricky.
Many restaurants in the big cities will have an English menu, and, if you don’t look Japanese will ask you if you would like one when you sit down – the words to listen out for sound a bit like eergo no menu – that’s the phonetic sound of English menu.
If you want to try and ask in Japanese, then ask….
Eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka?
or phonetically it’s more like
Eergo no menuuu wa arimas ka?
Hai means yes and iie, sumimasen means no.
The Most Important Word to Know in a Restaurant in Japan
Normally in Japan, the waiting staff won’t come to your table unless you call them. If they are used to serving foreigners they might realize that you don’t know that, but if you’re ready to order there’s nothing rude about calling them over. Use sumimasen (excuse me) to get their attention.
What if They Don’t Have an English Menu?
If you hear no then what do you do?
Well in Japan there are a few options that might still mean you could eat in this place – if you’re willing to take a little bit of a leap of faith.
1. See if There’s a Ticket Machine
If there is, the top left button tends to be the best-selling item in the restaurant – just order that and see what happens.
Here’s where to find more details on how to use a food ticket machine in Japan.
2. Look at the Menu Anyway
Some places will have a menu with pictures – so just pick something that looks good and see what it actually is when it turns up.
3. Turn to the Plastic Food
Outside many restaurants in Japan, you’ll see a display cabinet containing models of dishes – these show what the restaurant sells and you can just pick something that looks good.
Going to see the places where they make plastic food is a fun thing to do in Tokyo, see more about it in our guide to spending four days in Tokyo.
Get a Recommendation
Ask osusume wa nan desu ka? – or phonetically, o sue sue meh wa nan des ka?
This means what do you recommend – and they might point to something on the menu which you can either take a gamble on or, use Google Translate to get a bit more information.
If you’re a little bit more fussy or nervous about Japanese food. and would prefer not to take a chance, then don’t worry about deciding to try somewhere else. Just smile and apologize – sumimasen is the word you need here (see it’s super useful to learn that one) – and back out smiling and bowing.
I’ve had to do that once in the fish market in Fukuoka where none of the other options worked and I couldn’t even see anyone eating anything to point at – but the next place I went to we managed enough smiling and pointing at pictures to get me a very yummy meal so everything worked out just fine in the end
What About If You Have Allergies?
Then the safest thing to do is to download an allergy card to show the staff when you walk into the restaurant so there’s absolutely no misunderstanding.
Here’s one you can download for free. But there are plenty more out there if this one doesn’t quite work for you.
It’s generally not the done thing to make changes to items on a menu in Japan, so, again, some restaurants might say they can’t help, but most will try their best.
How to Pay in a Restaurant
While you’re eating, keep an eye out to see how people pay. Sometimes you’ll need to ask for the bill, in many less formal places though they will place the bill facedown at some point during the service and you’ll go and pay it at the counter at the front. Just see what other people do and copy them.
How to Buy Things In Shops
Most shops will have signage and pricing in Japanese, and, unless it’s a shop that aims at a lot of tourists you might not find someone who speaks English – but, unless you have a complex request, the price is all you really need to buy an item.
Just take it to the counter and pay for it.
If you’re buying clothes and want to try them on, the assistant will understand, just remember to take your shoes off before you enter the cubicle.
Top Tip: Japanese sizes are very small. If you do need something in a larger size because you forgot something or it’s broken, then have a look at the ’emergency’ shopping guide in our Japan packing list to find places that might have larger sizes or the things you need.
If you’re unsure about the price or are buying a few different items, don’t panic. You’ll either see it on the till or the staff may type this into a calculator and show you just to make sure there’s no misunderstanding.
When it’s time to pay just place the money, or your card, on the tray that will be placed in front of you.
If you’re buying something in a convenience store, they might ask you a few more questions like if you want it heated or if you’re eating in – you can find out more about these in our guide to convenience store sandwiches in Japan.
Don’t forget, to say thank you – the words you need are arigatou gozaimasu.
Markets Can Be Trickier
The only time I really get confused is markets as I’m often not sure what things are. Sometimes you’ll find someone who can explain, often, you just have to guess.
If you want to get the best out of your visit to somewhere like Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo, Nishiki Market in Kyoto, or Kuramon Market in Osaka, you might want to take a tour.
Have a look at ByFood who offers foodie experiences in all of them.
Again though, if it’s really important, they’ll spell it out even in a market as these fun signs from the old Tsukiji Fish Market show.
How Much English is Used in the Theme Parks?
A trip to Universal Studios or Disneyland/DisneySea in Tokyo is a really fun way to spend a day (or three) during your trip to Japan, but you shouldn’t expect exactly the same experience as you would get in the parks in the USA.
The parks cater very much for a home crowd and, while this makes them different from the US parks – which is part of the fun of visiting them – it can be a bit disconcerting because you’re kind of expecting Mickey Mouse to speak English – and then he doesn’t.
It won’t spoil your fun if you don’t let it and just see this as all part of being able to see a totally different park than you’d find in the US.
If you’re looking for somewhere to write all your Japan plans check out our Japan-themed notepads on Amazon.
With 120 lined pages they are perfect for planning all the elements of your Japan visit.
Getting Around the Theme Parks
In the modern world, all the parks have apps that you can change into English to see what’s happening, how long queues are and to book any special passes you might want to use.
Main signs like toilets or transport are also in English.
If you have a problem, then in Tokyo Disneyland go to Main Street House in World Bazaar. In Tokyo DisneySea, you should go to Guest Relations and, in USJ, visit Guest Services near the front gate.
There will usually be someone there who can speak some English – or, they’ll be able to call someone to help you. In an emergency, alert a cast member, even if they can’t speak English they will call someone to help.
In a real emergency, like the January 2024 earthquake, announcements in the park were in English as well as Japanese – and, the staff clearly conveyed what to do if the earth begins to shake with sign language (even Donald Duck and Eeyore were helping show people what to do).
For more tips on what happens in Disney if there is an earthquake alert, take a look at our earthquake advice post – it also shows Eeyore being adorable.
Rides, Shows, Characters, etc
If you’ve been to a theme park before you’ll know the deal when you get to a ride – they’ll ask you how many people and you can just hold up your fingers to show them.
For most of the rides though, the back story will be in Japanese. A few of them have an English version, but, otherwise, you’re just going to have to wing it and try and work out what is going on from the visuals around you!
Because, a few of them are different stories from the parks in the US (like the Tower of Terror above) I’m also starting to add guides to the ride backstories, and other things you might find a bit confusing about Tokyo Disney in my Tokyo Disneyland Planning Group so you might want to head over there to see more.
Shows and parades are in Japanese and face characters will generally speak Japanese.
Eating in the Parks
Menus in the restaurants on the Disney app are only in Japanese, but don’t worry, in the park you will find English menus on the sign outside and inside – but also check out our katakana tip below for some help there.
Oh, and a sneaky tip – words like hamburger and cheeseburger sound pretty much the same in Japanese as English so if all else fails, just order those!
The Magic of Katakana
Japanese uses three different alphabets – hiragana, katakana, and kanji and, often you’ll find all of them used in one sentence. Japanese is written with no spaces, and has a few words that are spelt or sound the same, and so, swapping between alphabets is one way to distinguish when one word starts and another one finishes or which version is in use.
While it takes a lot to learn enough vocabulary to understand hiragana, and kanji is very tricky to learn, learning katakana might make things a bit easier for you – especially in theme parks.
You see katakana is used to spell out words with a Western background – sometimes called loanwords, and a lot of the menus, maps, and signs in the theme parks (and in some other places) use this alphabet.
What this means is that, if you can spell out the words using the sounds of katakana, you might understand a lot more than you think…
If you don’t believe me… try this.
When you’re going to the Disney Parks in Tokyo, you’ll see this line of characters a lot…
ディズニーランド
That’s written in katakana and, if you translate that into sounds, it reads like this…
Dee Zu Nii Ra N Do
Say it out loud – can you now translate what that says?
That’s right – it’s the katakana way of spelling Disneyland.
See, now you can read katakana!
You’ll be surprised how much you can understand if you learn katakana.
Okay, so you might not be fluent before you leave, but, if you can find a katakana chart, translating the maps and menus on the theme park maps or apps can not only help you understand a lot more about what’s on offer, but it can also help pass the time in the queues!
A good book for learning to recognize, write, and understand Katakana is this one – I used its sister book to learn to write Hiragana.
How to Use Google Translate
The Google Translate app is one of the best apps to have on your phone before you travel to Japan.
You can use it to translate menus and information signs just by holding your camera over them. Or, you can type in an English phrase and it will give you the Japanese letters to show people, or, push the sound button on the screen and it will say the phrase out loud.
It’s not always perfect, but it will help you a lot.
If you only note down one thing in this post that’s going to help you get around Japan if you don’t speak Japanese this would be it!
Have you joined our Japlanease Facebook Group yet? It’s the perfect place to ask questions and get answers from me, and other Japan fans and travelers. Join it here.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan five times before- solo and with my partner – and I’ve just returned from trip six in June 2023. So, everything here is pretty up to date.
