None.
That’s right, none.
Yikes, that seems super rude, right? Nobody wants to be the kind of clueless tourist who assumes all the world speaks English! But let’s imagine for a moment how trotting out those “useful Japanese phrases” you plan to memorize on the plane will play out…
Imagine, if you will, a foreign tourist walking up to you in your own city, looking lost.
Tourist: Excuse me. Where is Metropolitan Museum, please?
You (relieved): Oh! You speak English! I’m sorry to tell you this, but it’s actually quite a long walk from here. You might want to go to the subway station at 59th Street and take the A train uptown. Get off at 86th Street and walk west until you get to the park, then turn left and it’ll be about four blocks from there, on your right. You can’t miss it.
Foreigner: Uuuhhhhhhh…????
The issue isn’t that you don’t know how to ask the question, it’s that you won’t understand the answer. The truth is, English is taught in every Japanese school from the seventh grade on, and although many people are embarrassed to speak it (because their English isn’t 100% perfect), they will certainly understand your questions and be kind enough to steer you (for example) to that bathroom you so desperately need.
I’ve been in Japan for many years, and even I abide by this rule of thumb:
whoever’s second language is better, that’s the one we use. If their English is better than my Japanese, we speak English.
But if you do use English, do it in a way that’s easy for a non-native speaker to understand.
For example, don’t speak a mile a minute, and keep your questions short and sweet, rather than long and polite.
Don’t say: “I was wondering if you might be able to point me toward the nearest ladies’ room…?”
Do say (in a kind voice, with a smile): “Excuse me. Where is the public toilet?”
There are, however three Japanese words you can use early and often:
Please = Onegaishimasu (oh-neh-GUY-she-moss)
Thank you = Arigato (aree-GAH-to)
Excuse me = Sumimasen (SOO-mee-mah-SEN)
And here are a few Japanese characters you should know to read:
男 = man
女 = woman
Now you can use bathrooms and hot spring baths anywhere in the country, without causing trauma to yourself and the natives alike!
押す = push
Useful for both doors and toilet flush buttons.
入口 = entrance
出口 = exit
Now you can get in or out of any subway station, and know where to enter a queue for the cashier. (Extra bonus for all my fellow shopping warriors: if you hear the word “urikire” (oo-REE-kee-ray), it means “sold out.”)
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And here are the other places I take my friends when they come to town
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 