Chief
Related Posts
Bowl Leader
Is firm travel back up to pre covid levels?
People of United Airlines
Travel much, buddy?
Cloud surfing to Vegas.
More Posts
The court of public opinion needs a mediator 😩
Any REIT ETFs that people like?
Roth vs Traditional 401k, thoughts?
Additional Posts in Travel Recommendations
Rising Star
W south beach or Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Yep! Female solo traveler who doesn’t speak the language did fine. There are plenty of English signs and I didn’t have any issue with traveling by trains or buses or even getting around by walking. I was in Tokyo for a week and then Kyoto for another.
I think so. I felt really safe, at least in the busy/touristy areas. It was very easy to navigate with google maps and the train maps also show romanized Japanese. Generalizing here, but I found the local Japanese to be friendly and helpful.
😂 you felt safe in Tokyo? Was safety ever a concern in the safest country on earth where there is virtually zero crime? 😂. I don’t know anyone who even wonders if they will be safe in Tokyo.
Pro
Very safe
Chief
I didn’t actually mean safe, I more meant will I be able to get around, will cab drivers understand me, will I be able order food, etc., or is some Japanese required.
Yeah it’s easy. You’ll have the best time of your life. The 7/11 food is awesome.
Seriously their 7/11 is amazing. I ventured there many late nights when the jet lag hit me.
Especially closer to Midtown Tokyo (more tourist heavy area), English speaking & signs were not hard to come by. Trains were an easy mode of transportation and the city is very walkable.
If you have a smartphone (with google translate and google maps), you won't have any difficulties.
I've been traveling a couple of times in China where people don't speak much English either, and all the signs are in Chinese, and even without Google maps/translate things were alright. After a while, you will also start recognizing symbols (specifically connected to locations).
Echo the sentiments above-I think the key is having smartphone access
Not speaking Japanese is really only a problem going to the more rural parts of Japan. All train stations will have the station name written phonetically in English so there’s really not even a need to take too many taxis. Don’t miss spending an afternoon exploring “depa-chika” (basement) in the big department stores. You will be blown away by the grocery and food selections. Great place to find gifts to bring home. Near impossible to have a bad meal in Japan, regardless of type of food you choose.
One thing I forgot to mention. When going to Japan, always have a handkerchief handy as many of the public restrooms have no papertowels with which you can dry your hands. No hand dryers either. Public restrooms are usually clean, many times with bidet toilets.
I’m living here with minimal knowledge of the language and am doing fine. No issue at all.
Female as well.
Yes. I did it (without a working phone) as a 26 year old female solo traveler, a few years ago. IT WAS AMAZING. I do recommend you pay extra for your phone to work though. Makes it much easier to navigate.
Absolutely yes, do it. Restaurant staff seem trained in all the “restaurant” English (including asking about allergies!). Use a smart phone for directions - and your hotel may have one for you. A few places we stayed at had a complimentary smart phone (“Handy”) that came in the room.