LogFAQs > #878840963

Kenri posted...

I wouldn't stress the language factor too much if that worries you. I had a year under my belt and while it did help me, the biggest things it helped with were: 1) reading menus in restaurants and 2) showing the people I met that I didn't expect them to know English for my sake (before they usually just talked to me in English anyway). If you end up in more remote areas it might be way more useful though.

Thanks! If I keep studying, I should also have a year under my belt and at least know the essentials/things I'm interested in. Tom's experience in Japan was of each person trying to speak the other's language with humorous results.

Kenri posted...

I guess the real advice I'd pass along is to be willing to change plans if you're not having fun somewhere; public transportation is so fast, cheap, and easy in Japan that you really can just cut your losses and say "hey let's just go to a different place right now."

Yeah, I'm pretty flexible, especially since I don't have many expectations - I'm just looking forward to having a fish-out-of-water experience.

MZero11 posted...

Oh cool! I should be living in Nagoya at that time, so I can guide you if you want

Sounds good! Especially if we're in Kyoto/Osaka like we're planning, we'll be close by.
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essentially shizuo "eat your vitamins and say your prayers" heiwajima in an apron.