Point, smile, and pray? We’ve been there. Here’s the actual survival guide for eating in Japan when you can’t read hiragana, katakana, or kanji — and why it’s not as scary as you think.
I’ve lived in Japan for six years now, and I still remember my first week in Tokyo: standing outside a ramen shop, staring at a vending machine covered in Japanese characters, absolutely paralyzed. I couldn’t read anything. I didn’t know what to order. I was starving and close to tears.
Fast forward to today: I eat at tiny, no-English izakayas weekly. I order omakase at sushi counters. I navigate train station food courts like a pro. Here’s how you can too — even if you can’t read a single word.
Step 1: Learn to Love the Vending Machine
Most ramen shops, udon places, and casual restaurants use vending machines for ordering. You buy a ticket, hand it to the staff, and they bring you food. It sounds intimidating, but it’s actually foolproof.
The strategy: Look for buttons with pictures. If there are no pictures, look for the button in the top-left corner — that’s usually the most popular dish (and therefore the safest bet). Insert cash, press button, take ticket. Done.
Pro tip: The vending machine won’t give you change if you insert a large bill. Have coins or small bills ready.
Step 2: Master the Art of Pointing
In Japan, most restaurants have plastic food displays in the window. These are your best friend. Find the dish that looks good, take a photo of it, walk inside, and show the photo to the staff. They’ll nod, smile, and bring you that exact dish.
This works 99% of the time. The 1% it doesn’t work is when the display is old and the restaurant doesn’t serve that dish anymore. But even then, they’ll just bring you something similar.
Step 3: Learn Three Magic Words
You don’t need to be fluent. You just need three phrases:
- “Sumimasen” (excuse me) — Use this to get the waiter’s attention.
- “Kore onegaishimasu” (this, please) — Use this while pointing at a menu item or food display.
- “Oishii!” (delicious!) — Use this after eating. The chef will love you.
That’s it. You can survive two weeks in Japan with just these three phrases.
Step 4: Embrace Google Translate’s Camera Function
Google Translate has a live camera translation feature. Point your phone at a menu, and it will translate the text in real-time. It’s not perfect — sometimes it translates “grilled fish” as “burning sea animal” — but it’s good enough to tell you if you’re ordering chicken, pork, or mystery organ meat.
Warning: Don’t rely on this 100%. Sometimes the translation is hilariously wrong. I once ordered “child squid” thinking it was baby squid. It was squid ovaries. Still delicious, though.
Step 5: Know the Common Dishes
Even if you can’t read Japanese, you can memorize the names of common dishes. Here’s your starter pack:
- Ramen — noodle soup (usually in big bowls)
- Udon — thick noodles in broth
- Soba — thin buckwheat noodles
- Tonkatsu — breaded pork cutlet
- Karaage — fried chicken
- Gyoza — dumplings
- Yakitori — grilled chicken skewers
- Okonomiyaki — savory pancake
- Tempura — battered and fried seafood/vegetables
If you see any of these words on a menu (even in kanji), you know what you’re getting.
Step 6: Trust the Staff
Japanese restaurants want you to have a good experience. If you look confused, the staff will help you. They might not speak English, but they’ll bring you a picture menu, point to popular items, or even show you what other customers are eating.
I’ve had waiters walk me to the window display, point at dishes, and wait for me to nod. I’ve had chefs come out of the kitchen to explain ingredients using hand gestures. Everyone is patient and kind.
What NOT to Do
Don’t leave a tip. Seriously. It’s considered rude. Just pay, say “gochisousama deshita” (thank you for the meal), and leave.
Don’t be loud. Japanese restaurants are quiet. Keep your voice down.
Don’t pour soy sauce all over your sushi. Dip lightly, fish-side down. The sushi chef will judge you (quietly).
The Best Part
The best meals I’ve had in Japan were at places with no English menu, no pictures, and no tourists. Just a counter, a chef, and trust. I’d point, nod, and eat whatever was placed in front of me. Sometimes it was uni (sea urchin). Sometimes it was natto (fermented soybeans, an acquired taste). Sometimes it was the best grilled mackerel I’ve ever had.
You don’t need to read Japanese to eat well in Japan. You just need curiosity, a sense of adventure, and a willingness to be surprised. Point, smile, and eat. You’ll be fine.