Do I have to learn Japanese to visit Japan? The answer is yes, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Learning Japanese before you go to Japan will make your trip more fulfilling and exciting. In this blog post we will discuss the benefits of learning Japanese for traveling to Japan, the basics of learning Japanese and tips for learning Japanese.
Why Learn Japanese for Traveling to Japan?
Japan is known for its rich culture, stunning scenery, modern cities, and unique cuisine. But if you want to get the most out of your trip, you should learn the language. If you can communicate with locals in their native language, you will have a more immersive experience. Learning Japanese will also help you better understand Japanese customs and culture.
Benefits of Learning Japanese for Travel
There are many benefits to learning Japanese before traveling to Japan. Understanding Japanese will allow you to read signs, ask for directions (although Google Maps may help), and enjoy shopping.
Learning Japanese also leads to a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. Language is deeply connected to culture, so to understand Japanese culture, you need to understand the language. By doing so, you will be able to understand unique aspects of Japanese culture, such as art, architecture, music, and cuisine.
Finally, it will be much easier to make friends. Even if you do not understand Japanese at all, you can easily get along with locals if you understand basic Japanese. If you can communicate with them in their native language, you can show that you are interested in their culture, and they will be more likely to open up to you.
Basics of Learning Japanese
Japanese is a difficult language to learn. It has three different writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. It also has complex vocabulary and grammar. But don’t let that discourage you. If you just learn the vocabulary and grammar you might need on your trip, it won’t take long. Also, if speaking and listening are sufficient for you, there is no need to learn the characters.
Tips for Learning Japanese
Learning a language can be difficult, but if you learn it the right way, it becomes much easier. Here are some tips to help you learn Japanese.
Learn Japanese you will need
You can focus on learning the Japanese you will need to save your time. There are many possible situations in which you will need Japanese, but if you need Japanese for the following purposes/Can-dos, you can learn it for free in the online course of the book Irodori（Starter level）.
| Lesson in Starter Level | Can-dos |
|---|---|
| 1 | Can exchange greetings when meeting someone. |
| 1 | Can say goodbye when leaving. |
| 1 | Can thank or apologize to someone. |
| 2 | Can ask someone to repeat something if you don’t really understand. |
| 2 | Can answer when someone asks if you speak Japanese and ask if someone speaks other languages. |
| 2 | Can ask how to say something in Japanese and understand the answer. |
| 6 | Can look at a menu in a fast food restaurant and understand what is available. |
| 6 | Can order in a fast food restaurant. |
| 6 | Can ask and answer questions about what you want to eat when eating with other people. |
| 6 | Can order food at a restaurant and ask for a plate or glass, etc. |
| 6 | Can look at signs in different restaurants and understand what each place is. |
| 13 | Can ask if a train or bus goes where you want to go and understand the answer. |
| 13 | Can listen to the name of a station being announced on a train and ask someone if you don’t really understand. |
| 13 | Can ask questions about how to get where you are going and understand the answers. |
| 13 | Can look at common signs in a station and understand what they mean. |
| 14 | Can ask where the toilets are, an ATM, etc. |
| 14 | Can read a sign in a shop, restaurant, etc. and understand when it is open, closed, etc. |
| 15 | Can ask someone where to buy something and understand the answer. |
| 15 | Can look at the floor plan of a store and find where to go to get the item you want. |
| 15 | Can ask staff in a shopping centre, etc. where to go for a particular item and understand the answer. |
| 15 | Understand the meaning of common signs in a department store or shopping center. |
| 16 | Can listen to and understand the price of a product. |
| 16 | Can ask a shop assistant the price of something and understand the answer. |
| 16 | Can say how much you need when shopping. |
| 16 | Can answer questions at the checkout in a grocery store, such as “Do you want chopsticks?” and “Do you want a bag? |
| 16 | Can look at a discount sign in a shop and understand the price. |
| 17 | Can read the price list at a local facility and understand how much to pay |
As you can see, the book covers basic greetings as well as the Japanese needed for eating out, transportation, and shopping situations. Essentially, it is a textbook of Japanese for everyday life in Japan, not all of which is necessary for travel, so there is no need to go through every lesson.
For more information about this textbook, please read the following posts.
Practice Every Day
The best way to learn a language is to practice it every day. Even a few minutes a day will help you improve.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Making mistakes is part of the learning process, embrace it and use it to improve.
Have fun
Learning a language should be fun. Find activities that you enjoy and try to make them part of your language learning routine.
Conclusion – Benefits of learning Japanese for your trip to Japan
Learning Japanese before you travel to Japan is a great way to enhance your travel experience. Not only will learning Japanese make your trip easier, but it will also help you understand the culture and connect with the locals. There are many resources available to help you learn Japanese, so don’t be intimidated. By learning as much Japanese as you need, you can master the basics in a relatively short time. Please give it a try.
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