You're about to visit Japan and can't read anything? Good news: you don't need 2000 kanji. With these 50 characters you'll survive anywhere: stations, restaurants, bathrooms, shops. These are the kanji you'll literally see hundreds of times a day.
Stations and Transportation
Japanese transportation is excellent, but signs can be confusing. These kanji will save you:
Useful combinations: 入口 (iriguchi, entrance), 出口 (deguchi, exit), 東口 (higashiguchi, east exit), 急行 (kyūkō, express train).
Public Restrooms
Priority number one for every tourist. Memorize these before landing:
Combinations: お手洗い (otearai, bathroom - literally 'hand washing'), 空室 (kūshitsu, vacant), 使用中 (shiyōchū, in use).
Restaurants and Food
Combinations: 定食 (teishoku, set meal), 禁煙 (kin'en, no smoking), 野菜 (yasai, vegetables), 食べ放題 (tabehōdai, all you can eat).
Numbers and Prices
Practical example: 三千五百円 = 3,500 yen. Prices are often in Arabic numerals, but you'll see kanji in traditional contexts.
Shops and Shopping
Combinations: 無料 (muryō, free), 半額 (hangaku, half price), 税込 (zeikomi, tax included), 税抜 (zeinuki, tax excluded).
Warnings and Safety
Combinations: 注意 (chūi, caution!), 危険 (kiken, danger), 非常口 (hijōguchi, emergency exit), 立入禁止 (tachiirikinshi, no entry).
Days and Time
Days of the week: 月曜日 (Monday), 火曜日 (Tuesday), 水曜日 (Wednesday), 木曜日 (Thursday), 金曜日 (Friday), 土曜日 (Saturday), 日曜日 (Sunday).
Final Trick: Compound Words
The magic of kanji is they combine logically. If you know the components, you can guess the meaning:
- 入 (enter) + 口 (opening) = 入口 (entrance)
- 出 (exit) + 口 (opening) = 出口 (exit)
- 大 (big) + 人 (person) = 大人 (adult)
- 電 (electricity) + 車 (vehicle) = 電車 (train)
- 自 (self) + 動 (movement) + 車 (vehicle) = 自動車 (automobile)
Conclusion
With these 50 kanji you'll navigate Japan without problems. You won't be fluent, but you won't be lost. Before your trip, install Kanjidon and review these characters until you recognize them instantly. Have a great trip! いい旅を!
