Does Google Translate to Japanese?

We will be spending over a week in Tokyo. We know that very little English is spoken there, so that will be a struggle.

We downloaded the Google Translate app. It allows you to speak or type English to it and then it translates into Japanese on the screen and out loud. I figure that if we're really desperate, we can just show the screen to communicate with the locals over there. Would that be considered rude to do?

What are some other translation apps or navigation apps that you suggest? We have the Japan Rail and Tokyo Subway apps.

Are there any specific translation or subway navigation apps that you guys recommend to use in Tokyo/Japan?

Not rude to show the screen if it helps. Google translate does work, but it is not so good and sometimes gives odd translations. It should be enough to get the message across. If you are speaking - it might take a few goes. Also, when doing character recognition, make sure it is good printed text - I am yet to have it work for hand-writing or complex fonts (like handwriting/brush/calligraphy styles).

However, in Tokyo there are enough signs and announcements (on the trains) in English that you should not have too many problems. Also, there are enough English menus/restaurant options that you will not go hungry.

You'll do fine with English. I wouldn't worry about translation apps. Signs in trains and buses are in both Japanese and English. Maps in train stations are in English.

IF you are only going to Tokyo I don't think you'll have any problems .

I did not need to use a translator to get around. Signs in the train stations are in English letters and the train stops are announced in English too.

Many restaurants have pictures of food and folks in hotels and many restaurants speak enough English to help you.

Google Translate works well from English to Japanese overall. It works less well going the other way. Reading menus using the photo option usually yields funny results.

Thank you! That is reassuring.

I'd say it is semi-functional and works best as a dictionary. If there's a word you are having trouble with or need to express, give it a try. Once you get past a few words it falls apart, sometimes in very amusing ways.

I just got back from Japan, where I tried using it for fun, mainly just to try and teach myself characters. It's not very effective however. Slow, and struggles with cursive or stylised printed fonts.

You won't need it for translation. A general effort to inquire and learn the common terms as you meet people is enough. As someone has said, you don't need English for restaurants, as most menus have pictures and beer is universal!

The Japan Rail app (blue icon) is by far the best imo. I bought and tried them all. The reason being is that it provides platforms, where Tokyo Subway and sites like Hyperdia don't. This is super useful for quick changes where you need to run down steps onto two platforms and know which train to jump onto.

Japanese English Dictionary & Translator Free

Available Platforms: Andorid | iOS

It allows you to search and fine English and Japanese words with pronunciation, examples and definitions. It has a wonderful audio feature which helps you to listen Japanese pronunciation at different speeds. You can manage the listening speed as you need.