Japan Travel Tips: Commute, Food, Language

Welcome to my travel blog where I share my experiences for traveling to Japan and the challenges I faced there regarding food, commute, and language. In this post, I’ll highlight some of the difficulties I encountered and provide travel tips on how to navigate them during your trip to Japan.

Food is an essential part of any travel experience, and Japan has a rich and diverse culinary culture. However, navigating the food scene in Japan can be challenging, especially for those with dietary restrictions. As a vegetarian, I struggled to find suitable food options, and language barriers made it even more challenging. However, I discovered that many restaurants have English menus, and it’s helpful to learn some basic Japanese phrases to communicate your dietary needs.

Another challenge I faced in Japan was getting around. Japan’s public transportation system is efficient and reliable, but it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. The language barrier can make it difficult to navigate the train and bus systems, but there are many resources available, such as smartphone apps and travel guides, to help you plan your commute.

Finally, language is perhaps the most significant challenge for many visitors to Japan. While many Japanese people speak English, it’s still essential to learn some basic phrases and customs to navigate daily interactions. Learning some basic Japanese phrases can make a huge difference in your experience, from ordering food to asking for directions.

Overall, Japan is an incredible destination with many unique experiences to offer. While there may be challenges in regards to food, commute, and language, with some preparation and research, you can enjoy your trip to Japan to the fullest. Stay tuned for more travel tips and advice from my trip to Japan.

Travel / Commute

Tokyo

JR Pass

International travelers assume they have to buy a JR pass which is not entirely true. Its an expensive one but totally worth it if you are planning to move around Japan (other cities).

            Use this calculator (https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/) to see how effective it is for you.
            In addition, it will cover a lot of local travel as well on all JR routes.

            I ended up buying this as we went to 5 cities in Japan.

SUICA/POSMO Card

Japan has a few private train operators which covers different lines and could be confusing as times.

Suica & Posmo are pre-paid card for you local travel on metro lines. Buy these if you want to save yourself from the hassle of buying tickets every time you take a train tip. I did not buy this as it wasn’t a big hassle for me & my son was enjoying the experience of buying the tickets every-time. 

24 hour / 48 hour / 72 hour Train Pass

If your day is packed with travel then I would recommend buying one of these passes.
The 72 Hour pass can be bought for  only 1500 Yen (as of June 2019) and can be used on all lines (except JR). It pays out itself if you take at-least 3 local train trips per day.

I took the 72 hour pass and used it to the max, so was totally worth it.

Osaka – Osaka Aquarium

If you plan to go to the Osaka Aquarium (must see if you have kids), then I would recommend buying the Osaka Metro Line Plan ticket for Aquarium + whole day travel for 2600 Yen from Osaka Station or most other stations.

This is a no brainer as the aquarium ticket itself costs 2300Yen (as of June 2019) for adults and going to and back from aquarium will cost at least 360 yen (180 one way).

Checkout latest tickets prices here:

Food & Nibbles

Japanese food is world famous and there is so much to try and eat that you will be spoilt for choices.

Japanese people take their food very seriously, impact food in Japan is an art and a way of expression of their immense love for it.

When we think of Japanese food, Sushi is the first thing that comes to out mind but it is much more than that. You have Ramen (noodles), Tempura (fried dish made from seafood and vegetable), Okonomiyaki (or japanese pancake) etc.

Non-Vegetarians/Meat or Sea food lovers: The choices and combinations are endless and Japanese love their sea food, pork and beef.
From road side vendors to take away food plazas to high end restaurants, you will have a great time.

Vegetarians & Vegans: You will struggle abit being in this category as Japanese people love the sea food and meat.
Having said that you would still be able to get some take away food like rice or fries from McDonalds (yes they are everywhere).

• I would recommend carrying a lot of packed / ready to cook food, breads, fruits etc to keep you filled when you are out and about.
  Your best bet would be to have a big breakfast in your hotel (that’s what we used to do with kids) which will keep you going for most past of the day, then grab something on the go or find some vegetarian friendly restaurants and then finish off your day in your hotel with the food you might have brought with you.

• 7-eleven and other convenience stores are at every corner and they have a wide variety of food (mostly non vegetarian). But you can use these places to warm up your food (rice etc) as most of them have microwaves which are free to use.

Language

If there is one thing that gives a fright to any international traveler while visiting Japan, Language might be it – and rightly so.

As I mentioned earlier Japanese culture and people give a lot of importance to their tradition. This is one of the reasons it is a bit hard to find English speaking people. With a bit of prep and the help of Google Translate mobile app, you should be able to navigate through most of your journey with a breeze.

I must admit I have been fond of Japan for a very long time, and thats the reason I even did a Japanese speaking course about 15 years ago. I did forget almost all of it but with a bit of revision I was able to remember some basic salutations and ask some questions when needed.

In summary, Japan is a country that offers an incredible travel experience, but it’s not without its challenges. By being prepared for the challenges of food, commute, and language, you can make the most of your trip to Japan.

Remember to research, plan ahead, and keep an open mind to fully appreciate Japan’s culture and beauty. I hope these tips have been helpful in making your trip to Japan an unforgettable experience. For more advice and travel tips, stay tuned to my blog page. Happy travels!