Walk into a bustling izakaya in Shinjuku, and you’ll hear it immediately. A rapid-fire, melodic stream of sounds that feels both familiar and entirely alien. If you’re standing there as a tourist, you probably think, "Okay, they're speaking Japanese."
You’re right. But also, you're kinda wrong.
Technically, 99% of people in Japan speak Japanese. It’s the glue that holds the 47 prefectures together. However, the question of what language do japanese speak is actually way more layered than a simple checkmark on a census form. Japan isn't just a monolingual block. It’s a collection of islands with deep, stubborn linguistic roots that refuse to be totally smoothed over by the "Standard Japanese" you hear on NHK news.
The Myth of the Single Language
Most people assume that because Japan is an island nation with a hyper-homogeneous population, everyone speaks exactly the same way. Honestly, if you took a farmer from the snowy mountains of Aomori and dropped them into a conversation with a shopkeeper in rural Kagoshima, they might struggle to understand a single sentence.
They are both speaking "Japanese," but the dialects—or ben—are sometimes so distinct they feel like separate languages.
Standard Japanese, known as Hyojungo, is what you learn in textbooks. It’s based on the Tokyo dialect of the middle and upper classes from the early 20th century. It was a deliberate choice by the government during the Meiji Restoration to unify the country. Before that? It was a wild west of regional tongues. Today, while everyone can speak the standard version for business or school, their hearts (and their kitchens) still speak in dialect.
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The Heavy Hitters: Kansai-ben and Beyond
If you’ve ever watched anime or Japanese comedy, you’ve heard Kansai-ben. It’s the dialect of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. It sounds bouncier, faster, and a little more "rough around the edges" compared to the polite, flat tones of Tokyo.
- Osaka-ben: Known for being the language of comedy. Instead of saying "arigatou" (thank you), you might hear "ookini."
- Kyoto-ben: Often described as elegant or "soft," but locals know it can be incredibly indirect and sharp.
- Tohoku-ben: Sometimes called Zuzu-ben because of its nasal, muffled sounds. It’s notoriously difficult for outsiders to parse.
What Language Do Japanese Speak in the Far South?
This is where things get controversial. If you head down to the tropical Ryukyu Islands (like Okinawa), you’ll find the Ryukyuan languages.
Are they dialects of Japanese? Or are they their own thing?
Linguists generally agree they are separate languages within the "Japonic" family. They aren't mutually intelligible with Standard Japanese. If an Okinawan elder speaks Uchinaaguchi (the Okinawan language), a person from Tokyo will be completely lost.
UNESCO actually lists six of these Ryukyuan tongues—including Amami, Kunigami, and Yonaguni—as endangered. For decades, students were punished for speaking them in schools. Now, there's a massive push for revitalization. Young Okinawans are trying to reclaim these words as a badge of identity, even if they only use a few phrases mixed into their daily Japanese.
The Ghost Language: Ainu
Then there’s the north. In Hokkaido, the indigenous Ainu people have a language that is truly unique. It’s what we call a "language isolate." It has zero genetic relationship to Japanese. It doesn't even use the same sound structure.
By the late 1990s, there were only about 15 native speakers left. It was dying. But as of 2026, the Ainu language is seeing a small but fierce comeback through "language nests" and cultural centers. It’s a ghost of Japan’s linguistic past that refuses to vanish.
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The Complexity of Writing It All Down
You can't really talk about the language without mentioning how they write it. It’s arguably the most complex system in the world. They don't just use one alphabet; they use three, plus a fourth if you count the Latin alphabet (romaji).
- Kanji: Thousands of characters adopted from China. Each one represents a concept or a word. You need to know about 2,000 for basic literacy.
- Hiragana: A curvy, phonetic script used for native Japanese words and grammar particles. It’s the first thing kids learn.
- Katakana: Sharp, angular characters used specifically for foreign loanwords.
Take the word "Television." In Japanese, it becomes terebi. It’s written in Katakana (テレビ) because it's a "borrowed" concept. Japan is obsessed with borrowing. There are thousands of these gairaigo (loanwords) from English, German, and Portuguese. If you're an English speaker, you already know more Japanese than you think. Words like pan (bread, from Portuguese) or arubaito (part-time job, from German) are everywhere.
Do People Actually Speak English There?
There’s a common misconception that you can get by with just English in Japan. Sorta.
In Tokyo or Osaka? Sure. The signs are bilingual, and hotel staff are pros. But the reality is that while English is a compulsory subject in schools, the proficiency levels are surprisingly low. According to the 2024 English Proficiency Index, Japan ranks 92nd globally.
Most people have a "passive" understanding. They can read it way better than they can speak it. If you ask for directions in English, you might get a shy smile and a frantic search for Google Translate. It’s not that they don't want to help; it's just the intense pressure to speak "perfectly" often stops people from trying at all.
The Minority Languages of the Modern Era
Japan is changing. It isn't just Ainu and Ryukyuan anymore. Because of labor shortages and shifting immigration policies, you now have nearly 3 million Chinese speakers and significant populations speaking Korean, Vietnamese, and Portuguese (thanks to the Dekasegi—Brazilians of Japanese descent).
In neighborhoods like Shin-Okubo in Tokyo, you’ll hear more Korean than Japanese. In the industrial hubs of Aichi, Portuguese is common. The question of what language do japanese speak is becoming more international every year.
The Role of Keigo: The "Polite" Language
One thing that trips up every learner is Keigo. It’s not a different language, but it feels like one. Depending on who you’re talking to, the verbs you use change entirely.
- Desu/Masu: Standard polite. Use this with your boss or a stranger.
- Sonkeigo: Honorific. You use this to "elevate" the person you're talking to.
- Kenjougo: Humble. You use this to "lower" yourself when talking about your own actions to a superior.
It’s a linguistic dance. If you mess it up, you aren't necessarily "wrong," but you might come across as incredibly rude or hilariously over-formal.
Actionable Insights for Travelers and Students
If you're planning to visit or study, don't let the complexity scare you. People in Japan are generally thrilled when you try.
- Learn the "Magic Four": Sumimasen (Excuse me/Sorry), Arigatou (Thank you), Onegaishimasu (Please), and Kore (This). You can survive 80% of situations with just those.
- Watch the Dialects: If you're in Osaka, try saying "ookini" instead of "arigatou." The locals will love it.
- Trust the Apps: In 2026, real-time translation is better than ever, but keep an offline Japanese dictionary like Imiwa? or Shirabe Jisho on your phone for the spots where the Wi-Fi dies.
- Recognize Katakana: If you can read Katakana, you can read most menus. A lot of food items are just English words written phonetically.
The linguistic landscape of Japan is a living thing. It’s a mix of ancient indigenous roots, strict governmental standards, and a modern influx of global influences. Whether it's the rhythmic chants of an Ainu ceremony or the slang-heavy chatter of a Shibuya teen, the language is far more than just "Japanese."
To truly understand the culture, stop looking for one single language. Start listening for the differences. Those differences are where the real Japan lives. Focus on mastering the basic phonetic scripts—Hiragana and Katakana—before diving into the "bottomless pit" of Kanji, as this provides an immediate psychological win and builds the foundation for reading everyday signs and labels.