What do you do in Japan if you don't speak Japanese?
Show, don't explain. Staff will help anyone who makes the request clear, and the fastest way to be clear is one written Japanese sentence on your screen — a menu question, an allergy, an address for a taxi. Start with "sumimasen", show the sentence, and expect a gesture or a written reply back. Pointing at what you mean is normal here, not rude.
Where this answer comes from
- "No" is often implied, not spoken Direct refusal can feel harsh. Phrases like "chotto…" (a little…) or "muzukashii desu"…
- "Sumimasen" is your magic word Sumimasen means "excuse me," "sorry," and "thank you"—all at once. Use it to get…
- Silence is comfortable Pauses in conversation aren't awkward—they're part of the rhythm. Filling every silence…
Say it in Japanese
Show the card to the staff. The Japanese, how to read it, and the recorded voice.