Hey, all. I'm heading to Japan August 4th to meet my wife and kids in Niigata. I'll be flying from the US to Narita and then I'll have to take the Narita Express from the airport into Tokyo. In Tokyo I'll have to take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata.

I hardly speak a word of Japanese. My wife wrote for me in Japanese: "I need to get the Express from Narita to Tokyo. Where is the train? Where do I buy a ticket?" and "I need to get on the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata. Where is the train and where can I buy a ticket?" as well as "I need to call my wife in Niigata. Can you help me?"

For you natives, how easy will it be for me to find my way around? Do enough folks in the "green windows" speak English to be able to help me? How about folks in the Information booths? Or people walking around in general. I sure as heck don't want to get lost in Tokyo. Think I can do it alone?

are you white? oh just a question

Why, yes, I am! Will that have some affect on my ability to communicate effectively while I'm in Japan? Should I have been a black man instead? Or maybe Hindi?

actually i think it does matter. if you're japanese, people might assume you know japanese. since you're white, they won't expect you to know japanese. that, and japanese people love white people. so i've heard. if you have any troubles, i say just call your wife on your cell and she'll help you out if you encounter anything. japan is pretty cool. people know english.

YOU JUST NEED TO KNOW ONE PHRASE!

AH~ SO DE SU KA?


that means .. is that so??

fits with anything someone says

and SUMIMASEN .. thast excuse me

ARIGATO .. or DOOMO .. is thank you

and if someone askes you a question you can say .. HMM SODESUNE~
tat means hmm lets see

i think thats all you need

Hmm...My cell phone won't work in Japan! No service. I'd call her on one of those green payphones but I'm not exactly sure how to use it. The last two times we went we went together and so I just followed her around as she read the signs and talked to the people. This time, she left a week ago with the kids because I couldn't take that much time off work. So I'll be going out alone to meet her.

My biggest worry is just missing the trains and/or getting on the wrong one.

you'll manage fine, most people speak english, im going to japan 9th steptember btw, gonna be in tokyo for a week or so before i leave to sapporo for study, if you get lost, maybe we'll meet!

2 If I do get lost, I'll look for you in the station. I've seen a bunch of white dudes in Tokyo selling crap jewlery from briefcases on the sidewalks and back alleys. Guess I could always turn to that for a source of income. I'll look for you if I get stuck. Keep your eyes open for a white dude with a briefcase full of junk jewlery.


ah...

Nevermind. You woudn't be able to tell me from the others. We all look alike.

sarcasm aside i think it will help you actually
since westerners are looked upon favourably a lot will automatically
assume ur nihongo is limited and will automatically understand
that you might need help in communication

just be sure to specify what language you speak
"watashiwa amerikajin des"
i am american
so they kno that they will need to help you with english

but learning some of the language is strongly advised....
Baka means stupid
u might hear that if u dont kno anything at all
and dont try to make sense of the language since im assuming ur a
casual traveller, ur gonna rape the language
memorizing phrases should suffice

no worries skeptic, hmm, i guess i shouldnt tell that to a guy who calls himself skepticguy..

Pimsleur Japanese. It pretty much reviews you on the basics of conversational language.

I heard the first Unit is decent but the 2nd 2 are a bit slow and more useful in business situations. But I never used them myself so don't know.

Yeah, I know a few phrases but I wasn't aware of "watashiwa amerikajin des". I'll keep that one in my wallet and practice it on the flight! Thanks!!

^ mou ichi dou
"Please say it one more time."

eigo wo hanasemasuka?
"Do you speak English"


do you know what the five vowels sound like?
unlike English, they are always pronounced the same
good luck, man
I was in Hitachi 7 years ago, and there were alot of people who could speak English, but most people won't say much in English to you anyway, because they are afraid of making mistakes
maybe things have changed, or are different where you're going

Thanks for the tips.

I actually only need to get from the airport, to Tokyo, to Niigata. Once in Niigata, reunited with my wife, I'll be fine. So far, I'm getting the impression that I won't have much trouble finding folks with whom I can communicate in the airport or Tokyo.

I remember back in '98 when I went to Niigata for the first time. I was one of the very few whites I saw in the city so I think I was a bit rare to the locals. Anyway, I went into a McDonalds and, being illiterate, pointed to the picture menu on the counter to order my meal. The manager (I think) dismissed the cashier who was trying to help me and began to speak in fairly good English. I was very happy! I made my order and it went quite smoothly....until...I asked for "salt." The manager looked at me quizzically and I had to repeat myself a few times: "Salt. Salt. Salt?" Until she reached under the counter and brought out some of the dipping "sauces"! She obviously confused "salt" with "sauce." I shook my head, smiling, and said, "No, no, no..Salt." and made the motion of shaking salt onto the fries. She still didn't seem to understand and then I saw the large salt shaker above where they make the fries and I pointed to it saying, "salt!" She finally understood me! In the States we have those little salt packets by the drinks, along with little katchup packets, straws, drink lids and napkins. I figured she'd give me a handful of those. I was surprised when she grabbed the large salt shaker from the frier, found a small, white paper cup and poured some of the salt in there and gave it to me with a smile!

I hope you are recieved well in Japan. From what I've heard everyone is pretty friendly. Maybe you could post some pictures when you get back?

I would love to go to Japan. Take care and have a good time!

Thanks! Yeah, if I have some good pics (most of them will probably be family pics of little interest to the general AF audience) I'll post em up here!

^ post your wife

nah, I'm just playing
if you take any good pics, though, feel free to share them

Ha ha... same experience as mine. I got that situation too especially at ramen shops in Shibuya. I can't differentiate a good ramen for my stomach's sake. But it's funny since when I asked for a menu, they showed me outside and I thought I was being kicked out - because they seem excitedly gruff. It strike me that they are just eager, then when knowing my predicament, to show me their shop's sign with some pictures of ramen. I just picked the one with most meat and vegetables.

But the girl on the counter was especially cute at one burger restaurant (by the way that was a good one near Ichigaya subway station) when she also stumbled for English words. The manager also showed up, but this one's like grimacing with stomach pains to reach out for English words.

Still, I'm happy that many were really hospitable from the old guy I asked for directions in the subway and the girls I asked for directions on the street in Toranomon (I got lost there finding our office). I think they understand and sometimes don't try hard because they still speak in Japanese (seems like words like "doko ga" whatever keeps on popping up). I bet on at least with sign language wherever.

But, I guess that it doesn't matter what race you are since even if I was thought to look like a Japanese I quickly quipped I'm Filipino and it seems that it doesn't matter.

Anyway, I think last year when I went there, I took the airport bus but was charged 3500 yen to Tokyo. Give a holler, if the rates changed since I plan to go back there. (I missed Shibuya btw with all those anime-like people)

Ah so you're finally going? I knew you would.

Well speaking from my experience, I found it pretty easy to find my way around. All the signs have English on them as well as the Japanese so you shouldn't have a problem.

Plus, I demand pictures. You must show pictures! ooo take a picture of the Starbucks in the airport. Oh the memories! 2

hell, take pictures of all of Narita airport
that place was once my second home.... it's probably changed alot since then, though

I'll try to take Narita (and Starbucks) pics. My wife has the camera right now so it'll have to be on the return trip and that will be with the two kids so forgive me if I forget or don't get very many off.

Thanks for the tips, again. Jaimu, I've been to Japan a couple of times already but each time my wife was in charge. I didn't notice the signs (I was too busy checking out all the cute girls, I'd wager!) but it's nice to know they're also written in English. I'm gonna need all the help I can get! I'm getting pretty nervous the closer the time gets.

I spoke with my wife and my 3 year old yesterday on the phone. Everything seems to be just fine back there. I miss them but know I'll seem them the end of next week so it's not too bad. I've been using my "alone time" wisely at home. I just finished painting my daughter's room, fixing up the den and watching all the Star Wars movies. Loaded up KOTOR and have been playing that on the PC. I'm keeping "busy." hahahaha 2

^ Ah I love Narita. Now that's what an airport should be like...I'm sick of heathrow.

I bet you were checking out the girls too.

Anyway, make sure you have a great time! I should've went back this summer, guess I'll make the trip next year.

Oh I take it your family was ok with the earthquake? Either being safe or out of the way.

Earthquake? My wife made no mention of it so.....

Don't trip, when i went a few years back, my tour guide told me that the local people are "afraid" of English =) If you speak in simple verse, a ew of them might gather together to try to interpret your meaning. Speak too fast or complicated, and they'll walk away =)

A few may gather together? Ha ha...I don't know why but that just struck me as funny.

Trust me, I only have a few phrases I need to ask them: Where is the train from Narita to Tokyo? Where is the train to Niigata? How do you use the phone? That's it. Once I get to my loving wife I'll be safe! 2

haha I remember when I went there, I tried to call my homestay and dialed his postal code
hey, it's 7 numbers..... just like our phone numbers in Canada

"I need to get the Express from Narita to Tokyo"
Tokyo iki no express densha wo noritai.

"Where is the train?"
Densha wa doko desuka?

"Where do I buy a ticket?"
Kippu wa doko de kaemasu ka?

"I need to get on the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata."
Niigata iki no Joetsu Shinkansen ni noritai.

"Where is the train and where can I buy a ticket?"
Densha wa doko desuka sorede kippu wa doko de kaemasu ka?

"I need to call my wife in Niigata. Can you help me?"
Okusan ni denwa $hitai. Testudatte moraemasu ka?

That covers all the phrases you needed. Ask away if you need more. Been a while since I've been back to Japan. Nearly 4 years now. Boy does it bring back memories. Enjoy your stay!

Wow! Thanks a ton!

Your wife and kids live in Niigata? Thats nice.

To let you know, the Shinkansen stations have information and signs in English.

One more thing, don't forget to stop by the information booth. They will have someone there that will speak english.

oh man you better post some pictures when you get back, i wanna go to japan!

yep.
or O GENKI DESU KA for how r u?
an if u really dont noe wat da hell they're talkin bout, then juss say
WAKARIMASEN><
so yea good luck in Japan!
ja ne^^