by ArtaXerxes on Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:29 pm
Hi
Yes I do speak some Japanese and it does help, especially in more rural areas, but it isn't really a must-have. English is taught in schools but not always to a high standard, things may have improved now, but for adults who went to school in Japan 10-20 years ago, they would have been taught by Japanese teachers who themselves were not that fluent.
Having said that practically every town I visited had an English speaker at the information desk. They are there to help you, so ask them to write down addresses, or things you might need, in Japanese on a card so you can show this to someone if you need some help.
Also lots of Japanese are very shy about speaking English becasue they are afraid of making mistakes and sounding foolish, even though they actually speak well. None of that British attitude of mangling foreign languages and being proud of it! So learn a few basic phrases - especially ' Eigo o hanashimasu ka?' Do you speak English?'
One thing you could try is to speak English with a Japanese, or even American accent! You are often understood more easily, probably because American English is what they are taught, and what they hear in movies etc.
Don't worry about reading station signs because all of them have the names written in both Japanese and the Roman alphabet.
Don't forget to try the onsen baths, especially the ones built around outdoor volcanic springs. The etiquette is to wash and rinse yourself outside the bath (don't be shy) then slide in without making a big splash.
Hope that helps, send me a PM if you have any specific questions. If I don't know the answer, I have friends working out in Japan who can probably help.
