Japan in Oct. Any ideas?

[Raymond Lin]

Do most people in Japan understand basic English. Like Taxi drivers etc?

Most people in Tokyo do, English is taught in Japan schools so in theory they know the basics, but they would know basic English like you know basic French… which is not a lot. I had a chat with a American girl who taught English there but she was working in the Robot Restaurant on the side, she told me that the Japanese mentality is that if they can't pronounce the words right, they rather not say it at all so a lot of them won't speak English because they know they are not saying it right. Meaning they just won't speak English to you. Also accents will be difficult to overcome, on top of that, the whole mixing up the R and the L (remember the scene in Lost in Translation?), this is true…they mix up the L and the R there a lot.



I would say outside Tokyo, English would be alien to a lot of people, I got by with point to things. I only took taxi twice (to and from station to hotel) and I just showed the driver the address of the hotel, I stayed in a big hotel though in Hiroshima (actually the tallest building in the city) so it makes it easier for the driver may be?

Also, taxi drives in Japan seems to be on the retirement age, you will know what i mean when you get there, they seem to be only men in their 50's, 60's driving, I didn't see anyone who is 30 or 40's.

I would use Google translate on your phone, it can translate words/writing to English okay…you have to read between the lines a bit to understand it. But i have an advantage in that I can read a bit of Chinese and Japanese uses a lot of Chinese characters which means the same thing but pronounce differently so things like Male/Female in loos I know already, Exit/entrance, things like that I know the writing.

Also….escalators. In Tokyo you stand on the Left hand side, in Osaka/Kyoto you stand on the right hand side. Don't mix this up or you will end up with a lot of angry japanese people behind you but very politely telling you to step aside. Which leads me let me to teach you the most important word .

Su-mi-ma-sen - Excuse me.

 

[opethdisciple]

Most people in Tokyo do, English is taught in Japan schools so in theory they know the basics, but they would know basic English like you know basic French… which is not a lot.

I would say outside Tokyo, English would be alien to a lot of people, I got by with point to things. I only took taxi twice (to and from station to hotel) and I just showed the driver the address of the hotel, I stayed in a big hotel though in Hiroshima (actually the tallest building in the city) so it makes it easier for the driver may be?

Also, taxi drives in Japan seems to be on the retirement age, you will know what i mean when you get there, they seem to be only men in their 50's, 60's driving, I didn't see anyone who is 30 or 40's.

I would use Google translate on your phone, it can translate words/writing to English okay…you have to read between the lines a bit to understand it. But i have an advantage in that I can read a bit of Chinese and Japanese uses a lot of Chinese characters which means the same thing but pronounce differently so things like Male/Female in loos I know already, Exit/entrance, things like that I know the writing.

Also….escalators. In Tokyo you stand on the Left hand side, in Osaka/Kyoto you stand on the right hand side. Don't mix this up or you will end up with a lot of angry japanese people behind you but very politely telling you to step aside. Which leads me let me to teach you the most important word .

Su-mi-ma-sen - Excuse me.

I might need to learn the word sorry as well.

 

[opethdisciple]

OK back the subject of trains. These bullet trains. If I ask the taxi driver to take me to train station. And I gesticulate with my hands and say 'Bullet train Tokyo Kyoto', they will take me to the right place?

I.e there is only one station in each city to catch these trains from?

 

[Raymond Lin]

Thi


I might need to learn the word sorry as well.

Learn the numbers

1 - itch
2 - Ni
3 - San

Nissan uses the number 23 in their racing cars a lot….23 pronounce just the same…use that as a trigger to remember 2 and 3 in Japanese.

I never had to say sorry…I did learn to say Good Morning, random Japanese lady said Good Morning to me in the hotel corridor and I said it back, I felt really fit in at that point

OK back the subject of trains. These bullet trains. If I ask the taxi driver to take me to train station. And I gesticulate with my hands and say 'Bullet train Tokyo Kyoto', they will take me to the right place?

I.e there is only one station in each city to catch these trains from?

erm….there are a lot of train stations in Tokyo, it starts in Tokyo Station (I think), but it stops in a few stations before it leaves the city (but by Tokyo city…this is massive) before it gets to the country side. I wouldn't take the taxi in Tokyo though, I would take the underground, it is very convenient. There is one down side…it is a beast…it is huge and complex, i have been to New York, London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin, Munich, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Prague, Hong Kong none of them compare to the Tokyo underground. It is run by like half a dozen private companies, you can be on 1 line (say the Northern line in London as an illustration), without getting off the train, all of the sudden you are on a different line because you are at a different station just because a different train operator owns the line from that point onwards. I almost got caught out because Google maps will say you need to change from X line to Y line, but it is the same train !

Also, the exists (or entrances) don't all lead to the same underground lobby/platform where so if you need to get to Exit D from ground level to get on a train, don't think you can get in from Exit C and find your way to Exit D from underground…they often don't link together. It caught me out a few times.

p.s. get a Suica or Passmo card when you land, it is just like the Oyster card in London. You can even use it to buy drinks from vending machines.

 

[Cavallino]

Do most people in Japan understand basic English. Like Taxi drivers etc?

If I have for example the address of the place I'm staying on on a piece of paper or say take me to the train station they will understand?

The Japanese people will do their utmost to try and understand what you are saying. There will be a mixture of abilities for sure and I would also say that most taxi drivers, generally, are not so good at speaking in English.

But to get by you can easily prepare yourself by getting the names of the places you want to go to stored on your iPhone in Kanji/Hiragana.

Oh by the way, no need to tip in Japan (just incase you didn't know already!).

I can also vouch for Google Maps, its extremely valuable out in Japan.

Oh and another thing, if you do intend to use local trains and what not, consider getting a SUICA card (Japanese Oyster card basically).

You can actually buy one preloaded and have it sent to your home before your holiday, saves having to go to one of the key stages to go and buy one if you don't want faf around with purchasing individual tickets, just a thought

 

[Cavallino]

Suica card order online at : https://www.japan-rail-pass.co.uk/s...Me8zZEdMwhsi84CDgm2Ic9twXNqfx9r8aAlEyEALw_wcB

Just a thought, if you want to top up the card you can only top up using CASH. Which is a bit of a pain, but as you probably know, Japan is also a very hard cash centric society (but plastic is equally accepted of course).

Incidentally, I would also recommend to depart from SHINAGAWA station to get to Kyoto.
(Shinagawa station is one of two stations in Tokyo that go to Kyoto, the other station is of course Tokyo station as RL mentioned).

But for ease, I would say Shinagawa personally.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Oh yes, cash is king in Japan. In fact I think i only used my card once?

You can only top up train ticket machines by cash, plastic is also more accepted now but I would advise having cash with you. My budget was £100 a day which works out about right and I didn't really go all out, but temples, sky decks on skyscrapers and museums all add up.

If you need a cash point, find a 7-Eleven. p.s. the convenient stores culture there is amazing, i really miss it. The food there is great quality, yes really!

 

[Cavallino]

If this is the first time you are going, I really do envy you
Nothing beats the first time going to Japan.

If you are a tech head, do stop by a YODOBASHI CAMERA or BIC CAMERA.
Prepared for your mind to be blown, when you compare to Dixons, Currys et al.

 

[Raymond Lin]

If this is the first time you are going, I really do envy you
Nothing beats the first time going to Japan.

If you are a tech head, do stop by a YODOBASHI CAMERA or BIC CAMERA.
Prepared for your mind to be blown, when you compare to Dixons, Currys et al.

I envy you that you go back just for work! Getting paid to go to Japan? I want that Job lol

 

[opethdisciple]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Yes it will be my first time to Japan. Gonna be like kid in a candy store.

The Suica card is usable all over Japan? (For the tubes not the Shinkansen)

 

[Raymond Lin]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Yes it will be my first time to Japan. Gonna be like kid in a candy store.

The Suica card is usable all over Japan? (For the tubes not the Shinkansen)

Suica is Tokyo, Osaka has its own card I believe.

I only bought the Pasmo card (like Suica) in Tokyo. In Osaka I just used cash.

Oh…you will get round to this, but when you go eat at a restaurant, mostly Ramen places, they will have a machine at the door where you order, most have pictures but those that don't….The most popular item is the one on the top left hand corner. So if you are unsure, pick that one. The 2nd most popular is the one next to that. Lower down items are usually add ons/extras.

This machine takes Suica/Pasmo card for payment, that black square bit.

 

[opethdisciple]

And things like earthquakes.... you guys not scared?

Japan is like the centre of of the world for natural disasters?

 

[Raymond Lin]

And things like earthquakes.... you guys not scared?

Japan is like the centre of of the world for natural disasters?

It crossed my mind once like you just thought of it now, but once I landed, I never thought about it.

 

[Cavallino]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Yes it will be my first time to Japan. Gonna be like kid in a candy store.

The Suica card is usable all over Japan? (For the tubes not the Shinkansen)

Yes Suica is useable all over Japan, (previously it was only Tokyo, but all the IC cards banded together and generally all useable allover Japan.

And things like earthquakes.... you guys not scared?

Japan is like the centre of of the world for natural disasters?

I went to Japan end of July, and we had WiFi onboard, and I checking BBC news to discover that there was a typhoon making its way towards Japan and on the tail of the plane I was on!

Another time I went, I remember I was visiting Asakusa temple and heading back to my room on the 9th floor, entered and noticed the pictures were fairly askew. Earthquake, but interestingly did not feel it at the temple.

So, indeed, yes, you are going into a natural disaster prone country, yes it could happen, but this is a relatively small risk that you take, and honestly, you are going to be in awe of the sights and sounds that the only time you will remember about this topic, is when you are well on your way back home.

I envy you that you go back just for work! Getting paid to go to Japan? I want that Job lol

I want to say it sounds better than it really is....

Ah screw it, Im not going to say that
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[Cavallino]

Folks, do any of you know why my multi quoted text is coming up as black?

 

[DarrenM343]

Folks, do any of you know why my multi quoted text is coming up as black?

I get that sometimes and I don't think it's anything I've done. I tend to copy into notepad then paste back in again which seems to remove any formatting that for some reason gets added occasionally.


Great thread, advice and pictures.

 

[memyselfandi]

OK back the subject of trains. These bullet trains. If I ask the taxi driver to take me to train station. And I gesticulate with my hands and say 'Bullet train Tokyo Kyoto', they will take me to the right place?

I.e there is only one station in each city to catch these trains from?

Is it really difficult to work out what stations you need to go to ahead of time, and even the work for station? If you are catching a shinkansen from Tokyo it will likely be from Tokyo station. To get to there it's easiest to catch the local Yamanote line loop or maybe the Maranouchi subway depending on where you are in the city. Generally if you are using a taxi then you are doing it wrong.

The shinkansen will stop in Kyoto at, Kyoto station (hopefully they've fixed the roof). Going from there to Fukuoka you'll probably need to change trains at Shin-Osaka (where the shinkansens go there rather than the main Osaka station) and they will then stop at Hakata station in Fukuoka.

Work out what trains you want and go to the ticket office with it written down. Makes things a lot easier. Look up what the Japanese for non-reserved is so if you want to wing things you know what carriages to use. Hyperdia app is useful and if you are worried if you aren't going to have working phone internet access then grab maps.me off the Google Play store and download the offline maps for Japan before you go.

Japanese people learn English in school but they don't really learn conversational English so they tend to be fairly unwilling to use it out of fear of looking bad. They will still try and help you though and they may ask for things to be written down if they don't understand what you are saying. Just have the attitude, smile a lot, shrug a lot and be of the opinion that you are a visitor in their country ... it is your problem you can't speak Japanese not their problem they cannot speak English. Outside Tokyo it can be less likely that good English will be spoken but it will vary (large hotels reception in Fukuoka wasn't great, station cleaner I had a chat with over lunch at Hiroshima station spoke perfectly reasonable English).

As for what to ... look at one of the many previous threads which are on here.

I'm out there for three weeks from mid-October visiting Tokyo, Kanazawa, Osaka and Tokyo (probably via Nagoya). It'll be my 6th trip.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Is it really difficult to work out what stations you need to go to ahead of time, and even the work for station? If you are catching a shinkansen from Tokyo it will likely be from Tokyo station. To get to there it's easiest to catch the local Yamanote line loop or maybe the Maranouchi subway depending on where you are in the city. Generally if you are using a taxi then you are doing it wrong.

The shinkansen will stop in Kyoto at, Kyoto station (hopefully they've fixed the roof). Going from there to Fukuoka you'll probably need to change trains at Shin-Osaka (where the shinkansens go there rather than the main Osaka station) and they will then stop at Hakata station in Fukuoka.

Work out what trains you want and go to the ticket office with it written down. Makes things a lot easier. Look up what the Japanese for non-reserved is so if you want to wing things you know what carriages to use. Hyperdia app is useful and if you are worried if you aren't going to have working phone internet access then grab maps.me off the Google Play store and download the offline maps for Japan before you go.

Japanese people learn English in school but they don't really learn conversational English so they tend to be fairly unwilling to use it out of fear of looking bad. They will still try and help you though and they may ask for things to be written down if they don't understand what you are saying. Just have the attitude, smile a lot, shrug a lot and be of the opinion that you are a visitor in their country ... it is your problem you can't speak Japanese not their problem they cannot speak English. Outside Tokyo it can be less likely that good English will be spoken but it will vary (large hotels reception in Fukuoka wasn't great, station cleaner I had a chat with over lunch at Hiroshima station spoke perfectly reasonable English).

As for what to ... look at one of the many previous threads which are on here.

I'm out there for three weeks from mid-October visiting Tokyo, Kanazawa, Osaka and Tokyo (probably via Nagoya). It'll be my 6th trip.

6th?! Jealous !!! If I weren't going to Taiwan this year I'd go back again but next year I might skip due to the Olympics, or go late again in October.

Re English, I needed to put a sim card into my phone and needed something pointy, went to the hotel reception (big modern hotel https://www.the-royalpark.jp/the/fukuoka/en/) and trying to ask for a paper clip…no dice. I had to go back to my room to grab my phone and show them what I need by pointing at the hole before it clicked.

Lots of pointing, smiling and hand gestures normally works.

Another tip when ordering food, if you are in an area where there is no English menu, take photos of the plastic food in the window, go inside and show them the photo. It worked for me in Kyoto.

 

[opethdisciple]

One big/small problem. I cant use chopsticks!

 

[memyselfandi]

One big/small problem. I cant use chopsticks!

That's not really a problem ... a). you have plenty of time to practice before then and b). as long as you do cover yourself, the walls and the ceiling it doesn't really matter as long as the food gets from the bowl/plate into your face.