Is Tokyo OK for English speakers?

What are the best cities in Japan for a native English speaker to live in? If you want to live using English, definitely the answer is Tokyo. Otherwise at least some metropolitan cities. You would find the large difficulty in finding English speakers outside these megacities…



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Short answer: yes. Many Japanese people speak at least a little English, and you can usually find them in hotels, especially if you stick to major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc. Learn a few words like “please” and “thank you” and “excuse me,” and you'll get along even better.

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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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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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Yes, there is Uber in Japan… Locals tell us that although Japan does have Uber, it's not super well-known and it's definitely not the most convenient option when it comes to traveling around the more sprawling places in Japan, namely cities like Kyoto or Tokyo.

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The best way to get around Tokyo is the subway. This extensive, efficient network will take you anywhere in the city as quickly as possible. The subway also connects to Tokyo's two major airports – Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND).

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Though you will certainly need some cash, carrying wads of money, which could easily be stolen, lost, or just spent too quickly, is not ideal. There are three main options when it comes to cards in Japan – credit cards, debit cards, or travel money cards.

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It's true that Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are all relatively international cities with a foreign population, but it's restricted to small areas. For instance, in Tokyo, you may find that it's easier to get by speaking English in small areas such as the Minato or the Shibuya ward, where most foreigners live.

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Japan is a friendly and welcoming country, steep in history and tradition. While visitors are often amazed at how polite, courteous and gracious the society is, most first-timers may experience some sort of culture shock.

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One of the first things you'll notice during your Japan travel trip is how incredibly welcoming Japanese are towards foreigners (thank you Japan!). They are well known for their politeness and deep rooted traditions, so they definitely don't expect travellers to know all the social faux pas right off the bat.

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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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Even though Tokyo is a hugely populated place, it is a relatively safe city to travel to and learn more about Japanese culture. Presently, the Global Peace Index of Japan is 12, and savvy travelers will be able to easily enjoy their trip while avoiding petty thieves or other street crimes.

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