I’m planning my first international trip. Would Japan be a good option for first-time travelers, considering factors like ease of travel, language barrier, and safety?
Is Japan a good choice for first-time international travelers?
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I’m planning my first international trip. Would Japan be a good option for first-time travelers, considering factors like ease of travel, language barrier, and safety?
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I’m not sure where you’re from, but it’s extremely unusual to be concerned about safety in Japan.
Assuming you are coming from China, you will find the cities similarly busy to your own, but with a very different vibe. Watch out for the Western tourists though as they have very odd ideas about personal space and think everyone needs to stay a mile away from them. Westerners also seem to be scared of mirrors and take any normal social observations of their weight or smell as an insult – no, I don’t understand that either.
It’s relatively safe and well signed. You may have to adjust to the signage a bit, but it is there. From my context, I had a problem with it but it may just be me… the signs WERE there. And just like any other country, when in the city be wary of people who go out of their way to pull you to the side. Most scams are things like bars where they charge exorbitant drink prices. Still, things like a real snack bar or a real maid cafe aren’t problems. There’s also an increase in pickpockets.
Just keep in mind the majority of Japanese do not speak English. However the vendors in most of the major cities are used to it as it’s still a lingua franca in terms of business. There’s also a number of tours our other options to check out in terms of more exotic options. However the more rural you go – the more you want to make sure you have someone who speaks Japanese. Also, “No Foreigners” often is the Japanese way of saying we don’t have anyone who can speak English.
One thing I would recommend is have PASMO or SUICA loaded on your iPhone before you go. It’s the fastest way to travel as you just keep loading it with currency. IT’s in your Apple wallet sections. You can’t use many Androids for this purpose as it lacks the chip required unless it’s a Japanese Android.
I personally recommend learning the basic numbering system “ichi, ni, san, etc., then hyaku, sen, man” etc., just because when shopping most places will have a register to point at but you may end up in a cash transaction.
yeah the cities and tourist destinations are a good place to go for ease, safety and language.
No. And I’ve been to Japan a dozen times. Europe is much more comfortable and cheaper for rookie travelers.
Very easy for travelers in big cities. Google maps works great for getting around, and there is plentiful and cheap buses, subways, and regional trains to get around.
Food is cheap by US and European standards, and local hotel chains are very affordable.
Hey there! I used to live in Japan, so I feel somewhat qualified to add my input here. Japan is a beautiful country and would make a great destination for a first-time international trip. It is very safe and has great public transportation. Japanese people are largely monolingual. If you cannot communicate at least somewhat in Japanese, they will TRY to speak English, but it will be a struggle. I’d keep a good translation app ready to go.
I personally was not a big fan of Tokyo, but that’s probably an unpopular opinion. I loved Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Osaka, and Hirugano. The deer park in Nara is admittedly very touristy, but it was a great time. Enjoy your trip!
Your only problem is language barrier and money conversion and i guess the difference in “culture” basically the way you act may be considered inappropriate even when you mean not to but that isn’t such a problem considering you dont live there. Safety however is literally the last thing you should be worried about as japan is top 3 most safe countries on earth
Yes! It’s incredibly safe, modern, clean with lots of interesting things to see and do. A great choice.
I didn’t find the language barrier to really be an issue, at the hotels they spoke English, many restaurants actually have tablet computers that you order from or else you just point. And there’s also translation apps on your phone. One thing I loved is that they have a card you can buy (Suica) that you upload with cash and then you just tap it to pay for everything from convenience stores to subway trains.
Its very safe and easy to get around. Be aware that their english skills are extremely low
No skipping, you got to start with the “A”s Australia is a good start
Japan was my first international trip and i loved it. I had a Japanese friend as a tour guide, so that really removed a lot of the language barrier issues.
I definitely wish I had read up on cultural practices and general politeness before i went.
For example, i had no idea that it was normal to take off shoes and put on slippers, how gift giving is embedded in their culture, bowing protocol etc.
Ever since that experience, i have made a conscious effort to learn about a new country before going there, and it really goes a long way.
I’ve been twice. It is indeed safe. Dealing with restaurants was relatively easy. The transportation is easy BUT, and here’s my only warning and the thing that moving around the country difficult, you probably can’t read the signs. In the cities, there will often be signs in Romaji that you can read, but the farther away from the cities you go, the less that is the case. So blasting through, say, a train station, it may be difficult to know which station you’re at. Perhaps that was a personal problem. What was definitely a personal problem, was being in a subway station or hub underground. On the surface, I’m an excellent navigator. I’d get in those underground spaces that were football field sized and get disoriented. You don’t need much Japanese to find one of the attendants and ask where is the train to Shibuya? Plan ahead is always a good idea. One last thing: you can find these hand drawn graphic maps, even in the guidebook. The Japanese are masters of so many details arts and crafts. Map making to scale is not one of them. There were several times that I’d look at a map and think let’s go there, it’s only a couple of blocks. It would turn out to be five blocks. Also, remember that addresses are not linear and increasing in one direction. Buildings are numbered by when they were built. So in this end of the block, you’ll find, say, #1, but #2 may be at the other end of the block. But, travel’s an adventure, right?
Japan in general is very English friendly except maybe a few parts. The subways and such are accommodating for English speakers, especially Tokyo. The one thing you should really concern yourself with is the cultural etiquette. There have been many tourists including stupid influencers that disturb the peace in Japan. There have been some negative feelings towards tourists but nothing to worry about unless you’re being stupid. Learn the etiquettes before heading out there and you should be fine. I think Japan is a great choice for first time international travelers since they’re very accommodating
The most popular parts of Japan for tourists are ready to receive tourists. Tokyo in particular is relatively easy to navigate and find people that speak English. The train system is extensive, but not too complicated and if you use Google Maps, it’s very easy to find your way around. In Tokyo and tourist areas, signage will also be in both Japanese and English. Eateries will recognize foreigners and will typically have a menu translated into English that they will trot out for you. Everyone will try their best to communicate with you. Google Lens will help you translate text that has no English translation.
Safety-wise, Japan is incredibly safe. The biggest risk to safety is no doubt yourself. If you rent a car and aren’t comfortable driving on the left side of the road, you ignore traffic controls and wander into the street, etc.
I would highly recommend traveling to Hiroshima and visiting the peace memorial museum. It’s disturbing, sobering, and wholly appropriate. Every world leader should be required to visit and take in the exhibits before assuming office.
Yeap most people said it’s safe , I too want to go solo but am focusing on getting employ rn 😢😢😢They told me will discuss further and will call you .?? is it a good sign??
Japan is an excellent choice for a first-time traveler for two reasons:
number one safety- Japan is inherently a very safe country with even petty crime being very minor. This means getting lost being confused or looking out of place is unlikely to get you into any trouble. With virtually every town or city being interesting or accessible there are very few places you shouldn’t go.
Number two- patience and politeness. The country operates on the idea of not bothering other people and going out of your way to be accommodating. This means asking for help or instructions is very seamless. People in the service industry expected and even those average people you run into are almost always up to lend you a hand. Yes a language barrier can exist but I found other countries much more dismissive with communication is an issue. Using a translation app wasn’t viewed as out of the ordinary or an inconvenience to the locals while I was there.
I won’t go into the list of things that there are to do and see because I won’t stop. It’s an amazing place. But from a strictly first time traveler perspective those are the best answers I can think of.
My brother in law just came back from Tokyo. Said it was a great experience and would easily go back.
It’s a terrible choice. You’ll find that from a tourist perspective, life is so much more comfortable and convenient, the food is irresistible, transport is reliable and everything is immaculate. You’ll have the blues for weeks when you go home for having had to leave, but worse, I haven’t had any desire to go anywhere else ever again but just want to keep going back. I’m glad I’ve seen my fair bit of countries before I went, because for the foreseeable future, my destination is already set. You’ll absolutely have a great time, but seriously, proceed at your own risk, it might just ruin your expectation for other places.
For a good chunk of the English speaking world, its going to be one hell of a plane ride. That’s probably the biggest downside.
There is an obvious language barrier, but Japan is set up pretty well to get around without knowing Japanese. And smartphone translate apps make reading menus, signs, etc… also helps.
Japan has not traditionally been seen as a cheap visit, but with the Yen in the toilet right now, if you’re coming from the US or the Eurozone your money is going to go quite a bit further than it would have 5 years ago.
My honest advice for you for a first time international trip is stick close to home.
Usually there is a lot less culture shock, easier to connect to locals and you will have an easier time with less of a language barrier.
As an example, If you are from the US, got to Canada first. See some shit that you haven’t seen, get used to using Esims and getting around and then venture out somewhere where the language barrier will be an extra obsticls
For Japan, safety is not something to worry about. Getting around might be about of a bitch, but you’ll learn.
There are no “starter countries” vs “experienced traveler countries” per se. Japan is a wonderful destination with lots to see and eat. Language barrier will exist but there are tons of English guides out there you can download. Also not super hard to learn some basic sentences
Probably so but be wary about creeps that might try to follow you/hurt you, if I were you I’d travel with someone
Absolutely—Japan is super safe, clean, and organized. Great place for first-timers.
Yes, especially in big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. Public transport is top-tier, and people are very polite.
Language can be a challenge, but signs are often in English and translation apps help a lot.
If you’re okay with some cultural differences and doing a bit of research, Japan’s an amazing first trip.
Go for it. It’s tourist-friendly, and the food and experiences are unforgettable. Just learn a few basic phrases!
Totally! If you’re even slightly into culture, food, cool tech, or just beautiful places, Japan checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s super safe, super clean, and everything kinda just works. Trains are on time to the minute. Also, you don’t need to speak Japanese to get around. Most signs are in English too, and people are generally really polite, even if they don’t speak much English, they’ll try to help.