I'm thinking about going to Japan next year. Can I survive alone and not being able to speak any Japanese?

Answer 1

You must at least learn some survival Japanese, even if you're just going to visit for 2 weeks. Yes, many signs are in English, but mainly in big cities like Tokyo. If you venture to the countryside or the suburbs, you'd be out of luck.

And as for the people who say that "Everyone in Japan speaks English", what part of Japan did you all live? I lived in Kuki, a small town in Saitama Prefecture, and I can assure you that the average person there couldn't speak English. I'll never forget early in my stay the agonizing 5 minutes of charades I had to do for the kaitenzushi chef just to say "to go", because I didn't know how to say mochi kaieri.

Yes, they all learn English in junior high and high school, but they never practice it, and they mainly focus on reading and rote memorization rather than conversation. My boyfriend was an Assistant Language Teacher in the JET Program for 3 years, and this is what he told me. Also, the teachers themselves can barely speak it as well. I taught English at an eikaiwa- an English Conversation school company (we teach English to adults), and I recall one student was an English teacher. It was great that she knew she needed help, for English was so poor that I wondered what she'd been teaching her class the whole time!

To the original poster, again- learn some survival Japanese. Learn to read the kanji for and pronounce the words for "police", "train station", "hospital", "post office", "bathroom", "men's room/ladies' room", "excuse me", "please", "thank you", etc.

Answer 2

Dear PSP,


To make it easier for you, the following is the information that has been compiled for you based on each age group of the general Japanese people that would be able to give an insight as to what you may be able to expect over there:


Age 12-25
About 80% have a good understanding of basic English and are able to converse using simple terms. However, only 20% are able to speak casually with minimal difficulties while the other 80% have trouble constructing (speaking) full sentences. But do note that almost of them can understand what is being said to them.

Age 25-40
About 50% have a good understanding of English of which 20% are able to speak with minimal difficulties. A number of Japanese from this age group are able to speak averagely fluent and these are usually those that work with multinational corporations requiring the use of English at work.

Age 40-55
Less than 33% barely understands English while a handful is able to speak English without much difficulties.

Age 55+
Almost all from this age group do not understand English.

Answer 3

I think your real question is "Can you survive, work and live in Tokyo without any Japanese language skills?" The answer depends on your educational and career history. For example, I have two colleagues, both were transferred to Japan with very little Japanese language skills. The company had assisted them with everything. I mean everything, work visa, bank accounts, apartment hunting, and neighborhood orientation. If you are a part of a coporation or company with access to all of the support and benefits, then yes you can survive in Japan without any real Japanese language skills. You will learn how to do the daily things by trial and error.

On the extreme opposite end, if you just want to packup, come here and try and start a new life, you will have some large obstacles to overcome. Someone will have to help you with so many of the common and necessary things in life. Finding work will be less difficult given you have a MA or MBA or engineering degree.

Somewhere in the middle, things are still difficult. With a job that values your English and trade/technical/cognitive skills, you will need help with everyday things. For example, how to know what your utility bills say, and when and how you should pay them? How to do your yearly national and local taxes? Some larger cities and wards offer assistance or atleast contact to people who can assist gaijin in Japan with national and municipal related matters.

In the end there are dreams and aspirations that require years of preparation and planning. Impossible is nothing, it just may not be possible as soon as you think.

Yes I live in Japan. Tokyo.

Answer 4

Honestly, Do all of you answering live here?? I find that trying to find an engilish speaker any where else other the Tokyo is Impossible. To the original OP you will not find english speaker's anywhere in Japan except the Tokyo region. Belive what the other say,but, visit Kyoto, Nara, or Wakayama, and your hopes of finding an English speaking person are the same as the odd's on hitting the Lottery. You will most likely expierence speaking english to japanese like a repellent they will avoid answering you because they don't want to be embarressed by thier poorr english

Answer 5

Probably, you will feel miserable being alone and lost, sorry to say. People are nice, so they will try to help you, but don't expect them to understand your English perfectly. Some people speak English, but older generation don't. You should try to speak with simple words and bring an English-Japanese dictionary. You can also bring a small note which you can draw a picture for them to explain what you are saying, like a Pictionary game! If you can make this trip as your adventure, you'll be fine. Oh, one more thing, their address system is not the same as U.S. For example, if you want to go to one specific place, and if you ask someone for the direction, they'll probably give you a direction like this. "You go strait here, until you see the bakery on your right, then take a left on the corner, and go walk to the next traffic signal. Turn right and you will see this building next to the red roof noodle shop." Many streets don't have names! Good luck!

Answer 6

Oh, yeah. Most people get six years of English in jr. high and high school, so they have a very basic functional level. And English is "cool" so it's often written on all sorts of stuff. Many signs are also in English and Japanese. And there are all sorts of tourist pamphlets available in English. If you stick to the tourist track, you might never have to speak Japanese at all.

If you want to learn some Japanese though, I'd recommend learning the "katakana" script -- that's 46 phonetic symbols that cover all the sounds in Japanese. They use this script for writing things in foreign languages, so it'll help you read a menu, once you get around the fact that beer is "biiru" and roast pork sandwich is "ro-suto po-ku sando".

)-:As long as the North Koreans aren't bombing, you should be able to survive just fine.

Answer 7

Tokyo may be one of the most cultural placses to stay, while in Japan. I think youshould visit Roppongi, there you can find people from the military or other occupations speaking english, and of the so called Gaijin neighborhoods are presented in Roppongi Area.

Answer 8

You don't say how long you're coming here for, but if it's short term - tourism for example - you'll be okay! It would be polite to learn the words (and their correct pronunciation!) for 'excuse me' and 'sorry' before you come though! (Hello and bye-bye will get you through ...!)

There's a lot of English around, but don't just assume that you'll find it when you NEED it!!

Also, try to memorise the kanji for entrance and exit, it'll save you trouble...!

If you find yourself looking for a toilet, looking desperate and saying to someone "sumimasen - toire wa ... doko desu ka?" will get instant results! Toire is the word 'toilet' but with the t at the end lopped off, and the L sounding halfway between an R and an L!
; )

Edit - what 'I hate hippies' says is true - the people who DO speak English are mostly very poor at it, just a few words here and there. Unless you're (un)lucky enough to find someone who's desperate to practice their English 'skills' on you..! Japanese learn English grammar at school, but until fairly recently it was only on paper!

Yes, I DO live in Japan. And the only recommendation I would make is to avoid rush hour trains!!!!!

Answer 9

Yes definitely, I went to Germany alone for 12 months and couldn't speak a word of German. You will be surprised how fast you learn Japanese. Just remember if you really need to speak to someone, must can speak English. In fact most would like to practice their English, by speaking to you all the time.

Answer 10

Yes you can as long as you stay in the main areas. Everyone in Japan learns English, however their culture does not let them brag about it, nor let them want to make mistakes.
All centrally located train stations will show stations in English as well. Take along a good guide book, and it will help you get around much better. There is no tipping in Japan, and if well planned, it is about the same price traveling in Hawaii, Chicago or New York.