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I'm literally taking a break from planning a 2-week Japan trip in the fall and have been stressing all day because our translator (my weaboo friend who just so happens to actually be a native speaker) dropped out of the trip this morning, so I went to Lemmy to relax for a second and this was the first post I saw
Google lens and Google translate does a really good job at translation.
A lot of signs are in English.
If you're really concerned, this book is really great "Japanese Point-and-Speak Phrasebook"
Source: I was there last year.
Was just there for 2 weeks, can confirm this is all you need.
Also Google maps for the subway.
Those worked great for me when I was in Japan. Google Maps was also great for getting around, it would have been really hard to navigate without it.
The hardest part was navigating services. It was really hard to figure out how to get IC cards and cell service, and getting online tickets was a nightmare dealing with horribly buggy websites. I normally like to plan things on the fly when I travel, but for Japan I really recommend doing research ahead of time and getting tickets for things you want in advance.
"Japanese Point-and-Speak Phrasebook"
I've been seeing this title come up a lot in my planning. This comment might be the thing that pushes me to getting it!
Haha I thought the same, like it was some hail corporate thing. But I saw it in a bookstore, and I absolutely love it. The writer is a Japanese native and just really passionate.
Best of luck on your travels!
A lot of signs are in English.
So they do have subtitles!
Unless you are planning to do something very specific that requires a lot of verbal communication, you don't need a translator to enjoy two weeks in Japan.
Put a translator app on your phone (one that works without an internet connection) and get a pocket guide of common phrases. The Japanese will largely respect that you are trying to communicate in their language, and you'll find quite a few who understand English.
People are very friendly there, and many speak some amount of english, especially in Tokyo. A lot of signs have English translation on them too. Learn some polite phrases and try your best, and use a translator app if needed. You will do just fine!
This is what I've been hearing a lot. Still, it seems a bit rude to go there without anyone in our party who can fluently communicate. I suppose I've got plenty of time to brush up on some simple polite phrases!
That's 99% of tourists probably, don't worry about it.
Gotta check out the YuruYuri sewer covers.
https://www.city.toyama.lg.jp/kurashi/suido/1010356/1010360/1014079.html
Also try to avoid visiting during their golden week celebration.
Went there myself for a 10 day trip last year and bought a 14 day sim card for about $40 that covered translation using google lens. Also Tokyo is extremely English friendly with subtitles literally everywhere even road signs
That's super reassuring to hear!
You don't need any sort of translators. Just make sure to do your research first. You'll be fine (travelled there twice).
You don't need any sort of translators.
If they're looking to hit up the countryside I'd still recommend some translation. Luckily, just throwing stuff into google translate works pretty well these days.
Last time I was there was a long time ago, but even google maps in japan was in japanese!
Luckily some police officers speak some english.
Pro tip: if you’re not a weeaboo, Japan is pretty boring and stuffy. Speaking from experience.
Not a weaboo insofar as I don't like anime, but I love contemporary Japanese architecture/Japandi design and their denim culture. The rest of the people in our group all have their own interests in going. I'm not particularly worried about not enjoying the trip, but losing our resident duoglot has killed a bit of my excitement
I lived in Japan for a year and I was under a microscope for a few months until they were sure I wasn’t a fetishizing weeb. My hosts and people I met had many ways of working these inquiries into the conversation. But it became clear very soon that weebs looove Japan, but most Japanese I met don’t love them back.
Or youre into, food, alcohol, winter sports, warfare, or beatiful country side.
Japan has some the finest representations of the listed items in the world, and for some of those categories arguably the best.
Japan isnt just anime and cringe.
You’re still a weeaboo too
Trying to make sense of this comment and failing