Can I go to Tokyo without speaking Japanese?

Do you need to speak any Japanese to travel around Japan? Absolutely not. You can travel to Japan without learning any of these words and have a great time. People ask us about the Japanese language barrier all the time, with common questions such as, Do Japanese people speak English?



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Do you need to speak any Japanese to travel around Japan? Absolutely not. You can travel to Japan without learning any of these words and have a great time. People ask us about the Japanese language barrier all the time, with common questions such as, Do Japanese people speak English?

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You can learn more about this in our Culture and Social Etiquette section. There are many pros and cons to living in Japan and expats can feel overwhelmed with the list of dos and don'ts. Luckily, Japanese society is very welcoming of foreigners and forgiving should you commit a faux pas.

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Japan has earned a reputation as having some of the lowest crime rates in the world, both theft and violent crimes. While the Yakuza, Japan's organized crime syndicate, often plays a role in movies, they are not likely to target tourists. While in Japan, simply exercise common sense and don't make yourself a target.

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Most Japanese taxi drivers do not speak English, so you should try and show the driver a name card showing your destination in Japanese characters, or point out the place you wish to go on a map. Japanese cabs also now often have SAT NAV which will aid finding your destination if you know the telephone number of the ...

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Japan has a reputation as an expensive place to travel to, but it's an image that doesn't hold up on the ground. With a little strategy, a visit can be very reasonable – budget-friendly, even. Many of the country's major sights, for example, cost nothing, and free festivals take place year-round.

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In fact, however, Japanese people are not as shy as it's said they are. In Japan, being quiet or calm is considered as a virtue which comes from Samurai period, so in the place, Japanese people tend not to be fond of being too friendly, especially when they talk with strangers.

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Visas and residency Check the entry requirements for Japan in our travel advice. If you are intending to stay over 90 days, you will need to obtain a visa from your nearest Japanese Embassy/Consulate prior to your travel to Japan.

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Japan has always been reputed as an expensive place to travel. But in reality, you don't need to splurge when visiting the country, especially Tokyo. Compared to other cities in Japan, Tokyo is more expensive because it is a metropolis.

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