Japan is a nation that is not scared of technological advancement but is fiercely confident and proud of its heritage. Temples, shrines, tranquil gardens, and customs of the past blend with towering buildings and futuristic structures, fast bullet trains, and enthralling pop culture.
Your First Trip to Japan: What to Expect
As I planned my trip to Japan, I was overwhelmed. Everything seemed somewhat confusing, particularly the train system. I tried to gather as much information as I could to ensure an easy trip on our first visit to Japan.
As difficult and exhausting as the experience was, the hours of study paid off. We landed in Japan prepared and confident, well aware of the cultural differences to anticipate. Of course, there were things we learned in the process, but it eased our anxiety to have the basic knowledge of what we could expect from our first visit to Japan.
To help reduce any anxiety you have about traveling to Japan in the beginning, we’ve compiled a few tips and notes that we learned from our very first visit.
Planning your first visit to Japan can be both thrilling and daunting, with its complex mix of ancient traditions and cutting-edge technologies. One way to ensure an enjoyable and hassle-free journey is through group tours to Japan; these provide a structured itinerary, knowledgeable guides, and ease of navigating its complex transportation systems on their own.
With group tours, you’ll experience iconic sites such as Kyoto Temples, bustling Tokyo streets, and Mount Fuji, all while learning more about its culture and history from local experts – not to mention meeting fellow travelers on your journey that makes your experience not only educational but socially enriching as well!
Language
It’s no surprise that Japanese is the most spoken tongue in Japan. English can be taught in schools, and a few people we spoke to were keen to talk with us to test their talent. Yet, a large number of Japanese individuals are not familiar with daily spoken English.
We observed that English wasn’t spoken in towns with smaller populations that needed more Western tourists. Locals might use the translation function on their mobile phones to contact us. They would write their message and then translate that message into English.
In tourist areas with large populations, such as Tokyo or Kyoto, English was more frequent. Hotel employees and some restaurant employees spoke decent English. In other instances, English words were pronounced like they were Japanese, and it was difficult for us to comprehend.
Most important signs (in train stations, subway stations, significant road signs, etc.) were written in two languages: English and Japanese. My main doubt was that I wasn’t capable of reading the signs for destinations at train stations, but this wasn’t a problem, and we were always able to tell you the perfect way to get off!
Despite obstacles in communication, the Japanese people were friendly and willing to try to benefit us when we needed help.
