It’s a beautiful country, and one of the easiest places I’ve ever been, to get around in. Signage is ample, and if a sign isn’t in English (which they often are), it’s usually going to be in Romanji (Japanese in Latin alphabet). So brush up on your Japanese phonics.
If you’re in Tokyo, the main train line you’ll be riding is going to be the Yamanote line, which is just a big loop around the city. If you can orient yourself relative to where you are on that big circle, that’ll help a lot.
An important phrase that sometimes gets left out of the courtesy phrase list is “sumimasen”. This means excuse me or sorry. Use it when you need to ask for assistance.
Get a data e-sim so you have access to a translator app. Fast internet, fast trains, good food, and vending machines that have beer. Be patient. Be aware that there are very few public garbage bins so arrange your waste accordingly.
Microsoft translator works great and you can download the libraries to work locally. Google is great for menus and things with pictures and text. Everyone is patient and use the same apps to talk to their phones and show text.
You will make it, put the effort get the reward enjoy Japan.
I’m flying to Japan this Friday. My first time… Dear lord, what have I gotten myself into
It’s a beautiful country, and one of the easiest places I’ve ever been, to get around in. Signage is ample, and if a sign isn’t in English (which they often are), it’s usually going to be in Romanji (Japanese in Latin alphabet). So brush up on your Japanese phonics.
If you’re in Tokyo, the main train line you’ll be riding is going to be the Yamanote line, which is just a big loop around the city. If you can orient yourself relative to where you are on that big circle, that’ll help a lot.
It’s gonna be alright.
Ignore the louts trying to get you into bars or clubs.
Japan has amazing food and drinks, including prepackaged items. Give it a shot.
Google maps is very reliable, including timings of public transport.
Buy knick knacks from museum gift shops.
An important phrase that sometimes gets left out of the courtesy phrase list is “sumimasen”. This means excuse me or sorry. Use it when you need to ask for assistance.
Here is a short video of phrases
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q22hN-1mLI
Get a data e-sim so you have access to a translator app. Fast internet, fast trains, good food, and vending machines that have beer. Be patient. Be aware that there are very few public garbage bins so arrange your waste accordingly.
The beer vending machines were great
Microsoft translator works great and you can download the libraries to work locally. Google is great for menus and things with pictures and text. Everyone is patient and use the same apps to talk to their phones and show text.
You will make it, put the effort get the reward enjoy Japan.