If you've traveled in China on your own, Japan should be easy.

People may not speak English, but most of them can more or less read it, because until recently, Japanese schools taught English as if it were Latin or Ancient Greek, a printed code to read and coin neologisms with instead of a form of spoken communication for contemporary human beings.

Good maps and guidebooks are available, and most major cities have tourist information offices in or near the main train station with pamphlets and local maps in English.