Is it okay to not speak Japanese in Japan?

Don't worry, you can visit Japan without speaking Japanese. You will find people are incredibly nice and welcoming. However, it would be a good idea to invest in a phrasebook to get a few key phrases and expressions. Your travel book might have a section on language to cover the basics.



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The truth is, you do not need to speak any Japanese to have a successful, wonderful trip to Japan (and if you're looking for travel inspiration, check out our favorite destinations in Japan). However, learning a few key Japanese phrases can make your trip just that much better.

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So, if you need to ask someone for directions or go to a hotel or a restaurant, you will generally have no problem only speaking English. Of course, you may go to a bar or a restaurant and get turned away because you only speak English, but don't be offended if this is ever the case.

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English is in common use in Japan with Chinese and Korean also becoming more common meaning that you can certainly get around without using Japanese. This is most true in the big cities and in areas frequented by foreign visitors. But as you move outside of the cities, foreign languages will quickly dry-up.

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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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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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Is Japan good for solo travel? Solo travel in Japan is safe and it's easy to get around thanks to the country's excellent transport links. It's also a place where being alone is celebrated. In some countries, you may feel out of place if you go out to eat or drink solo, but not in Japan.

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You don't NEED Japanese, but it's polite to know a few basic words and phrases. Getting around the major cities with just English is perfectly doable, everything is well signed in English at tourist destinations and in stations. Learn to say thank you (Arigato gozimasu) as you will say it 50 times a day.

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