Just a curious slightly bizarre question. Do the subways in Japan have the station names (like on signs, stops etc) in any English what so ever or is it purely in Japanese? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
1
cocodrilo
Yes, they are in English (well, the Romanized version of Japanese anyhow) and you will be able to read it.
2
gardkarlsen
Hi
Yes, they are in English and we had no problems getting around using the subway in Tokyo. I have written more about our experience in my trip report with pictures. Maybe you can find some useful info there. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions :-)
3
japantraveller
Yes, and also on route maps etc, they have now numbered stations consecutively with an initial indicating the line name. So Roppongi on Hibiya line is H-04 (fourth station from Nakameguro), Ginza on Ginza line is G-09 and so on. Some trains have indicator panels above doors showing the current and next stop in both languages.
4
karandavasana
There are also English announcements these days about the next station, transferring etc. on some train lines as well- definitely on the JR Yamanote line, and also some of the subway lines.
5
jeongseok
The only trouble you might have is when buying the ticket itself. At some stations (JR @ Shinjuku?) the subway map with fares is written only in Japanese and might not be so clear what to pay for your stop.
6
mesano
Yes, what everyone has said so far is true, but don't be suprised if outside of the Tokyo area, you find a lack of signs in "romaji".
Gard - I enjoyed reading your travel logue about Japan!
7
cocodrilo
#5 I have trouble with that even though I read Japanese! Those 5 different ticket vending machines- I never have any idea which ones to use, so I ask the guy at the ticket gate...
#6 I have noticed that even the little podunk stations in Nagano have the signs in Romaji, as do all road signs (that indicate place names) nowadays.
8
karandavasana
There are a few non-JR lines which have minimal or no romaji at some smaller stations, but those are getting pretty rare these days.
9
grogblossom
#5, #7, you still buy tickets? That's so '90s! Even tourists, but especially residents should be using SUICA or PASSMO. Greatest thing since canned beer. (Cocodrilo, you can be forgiven if this technology hasn't made it down to your area yet.) No more waiting in ticket lines, no more wondering about the fare, no more navigating transfers on the map... touch and go!
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