Learning a new language can be a tricky affair. Thankfully, we now have countless translation apps that make navigating foreign places much easier. But sometimes, those same tools do the exact opposite. A simple sentence can turn into something hilariously wrong. What was meant to be helpful suddenly becomes unforgettable.
Today, we’ve rounded up some funny Japanese translation fails that show how easily meanings can get mixed up. From signs that accidentally suggest eating people to instructions that sound wildly illegal, these mistranslations are impossible to ignore. Keep scrolling for a collection that’s equal parts confusing and entertaining.
funny-japanese-translation-fails
#1 I Took This Pic When I Was In Japan In 2010, And It Makes Me Smile To This Day
Image source: PhasedPlasmaPainting
#2 “No Move Because Lazy” Is My Life Motto
Image source: Jordan
#3 Or What? Feeling Threatened In Sapporo Station
Image source: Emmy Yamaguchi
Japanese is a fascinating language that feels completely different from many others. The sentence structure alone can flip what English speakers are used to. Verbs often come at the very end, which means you sometimes have to wait to find out what’s actually happening. It can feel like listening to a story in reverse. This difference is part of what makes Japanese both challenging and exciting to learn.
#4 Memory Lane, Tokyo
Image source: Adrian Tischler
#5 Translation Of The Week
Image source: Todd Wilbur
#6 Gentlemen Only Floors In A Manga Store In Akihabara
Image source: Sean Bushmills
One of the first things that surprises people is that Japanese doesn’t rely on just one writing system. In fact, it uses several. The oldest is kanji, which are Chinese characters introduced between the 4th and 6th centuries via Korea. These characters often represent ideas rather than sounds. Many kanji have multiple readings, which can be confusing at first. But they also add depth and nuance to the language. Over time, patterns begin to emerge. What feels overwhelming slowly becomes familiar.
#7 Don’t Order A Buffet
Image source: reddit.com, I Love Japan (日本大好き）
#8 In Hotel Elevator, Shizuoka. It’s A Double Whammy, But I Have Been Stiff Lately. Maybe I Should Get A Deep Knee Bend
Image source: Michelle Armstrong
#9 Taken In A Donki In Osaka
Image source: Lucy Onigiri
Alongside kanji, Japanese uses hiragana, a softer, more rounded script. Hiragana is mainly used for grammatical elements like verb endings and particles. It helps glue sentences together and shows how words function. Children often learn hiragana first because it’s more approachable. Then there’s katakana, which looks sharper and more angular. Seeing a word in katakana usually signals something borrowed from another language. Together, these scripts work as a team.
#10 Would I Hesitate? Outside Hakone Checkpoint
Image source: Jannicke Hummelvoll Krogh
#11 Alright, I Get It! No Parsons With Tattos! At The Springs Hiyoshi Onsen In Kyoto
Image source: Elsa Bz
#12 On The Top Of Yambiko, Nozawa Onsen
Image source: Bree Fraser
Then there’s romaji, which is the Roman alphabet. It’s commonly used for beginners, signage, and international communication. You’ll see it on train stations, menus, and street signs. While romaji isn’t used much in everyday writing by native speakers, it plays an important role for visitors. It helps bridge the gap when everything else feels unfamiliar. Many people start learning Japanese through romaji before transitioning to the other scripts. Think of it as training wheels. Helpful, but not the final destination.
#13 When You Decide To Go To Japan After A Breakup
Image source: chr15c, Susan Westhafer
#14 Maybe A Bit Harsh?
Image source: Dean Stephens
#15 That’s So Kind Of You. Thanks For Your Offer. Anytime Fitness, Tokyo
Image source: Masaki Mizutani
Another fun quirk is how Japanese handle months. Unlike English, months don’t have unique names. Instead, they’re numbered. The kanji for moon, 月, is used, and a number is placed before it. January is literally “month one,” February is “month two,” and so on. Simple, logical, and easy to remember. Despite this difference, Japan follows the same calendar system used globally. So while the wording changes, the timeline stays familiar. It’s practical in a very Japanese way.
#16 Hoping To Buy A Fragrance In Japan
Image source: Akki8888
#17 Brought To You By The Makers Of “Story Is Words”
#18 Still Trying To Determine If This Is A List Of Available Amenities Or The Names Of Alternative Rock Bands That Have Stayed Here
Image source: Todd Fong
Articles like “a” and “the” don’t exist in Japanese at all. There’s no direct way to mark something as definite or indefinite. Instead, meaning comes from context. A single word can refer to one thing or many things depending on the situation. This can feel confusing for learners at first. You have to listen closely and read between the lines. But it also makes the language more flexible.
#19 I Mean, I Don’t Know Where I’ll Put It, But… Seen In A Grocery Store In Kanagawa
Image source: Susan Lucier
#20 Where Do I Sign Up? Found In Takayama
Image source: Christian Brandt Thomassen
#21 The Best Sign I Have Encountered In Japan
Image source: PVPmainbtw
From a linguistic perspective, Japanese is considered an isolate. That means it isn’t directly related to major language families like Indo-European or Sino-Tibetan. It didn’t evolve alongside English, Spanish, or Chinese in the same way. This is one reason it feels so different structurally. Even familiar concepts can be expressed in unfamiliar ways. Learning Japanese often feels like stepping into a whole new system of thinking.
#22 Stay Hydrated In Ginza, Tokyo
Image source: Pipe_down_sherlock
#23 Signage That Is Definitely Out Of Control
Image source: Josef Kotrly
#24 So You Can Make Eggs With Japan, Interesting
Image source: misterdefault
All of these elements come together to make Japanese truly unique. It’s a language built on layers, context, and subtlety. It rewards patience and curiosity. While it can be tricky at first, it’s also incredibly expressive. Small changes can shift tone, politeness, or meaning entirely. That depth is why people fall in love with it.
#25 Found In Hamone, Japan
Image source: pikay93
#26 Never Teach Your Garbage To Swim Kids. Found In Niseko Japan
Image source: slizeguy
#27 No Touching… Except
Image source: プロスキル
All of these posts highlight just how unique the Japanese language really is, and how translating it can sometimes lead to unexpected results. Small shifts in wording can completely change the meaning, often in the funniest ways. Language is full of surprises like that. Did any of these translations make you laugh or do a double take? Have you ever come across a sign or phrase that didn’t quite translate right while traveling? Share your favorite moment with us.
#28 Spotted On The Way Home Last Night By Daily Yamazaki In Front Of Toyocho Station
Image source: Aaron Tokunaga
#29 Stop The Floor! Animate Akihabara, Tokyo
Image source: Yasmin Roelofs
#30 Someone Was Having A Bad Day At The 7-11
Image source: Sarah Nelkin
#31 At A Guest House In Yufuin
Image source: Ma J Go
#32 Please Do Not Enter The Women
Image source: therico
#33 This Sign My Roommate Found In Japan
Image source: bluelazurite
#34 I’m Trying To Understand But Why Sandwich Is Getting Involved?
Image source: ボ ク
#35 Hostel In Sapporo
Image source: Charlotte De Oliveira
#36 Kansai International Airport Doutor, Ground Floor, Arrivals
Image source: Sein-Chau Chu
#37 At A Supermarket Entrance In Shibuya City
Image source: Masayasu Takigawa
#38 Fair Enough. Setagaya, Tokyo
Image source: Cesar Golindano
#39 In A Furniture Store In Misawa, Japan
Image source: Elle Redel
#40 Yep They Are! Nishinariku, Osaka
Image source: Trish Phie
#41 Ask Me What? Found Around Tazawa Lake In Japan
Image source: West_Bell1601
#42 I Saw This In Nara, Japan
Image source: Koelpimo
#43 This Rule Seems Fair Misspelled Or Not. Seen At Entrance To Underground Shopping Center, Tokyo Station
Image source: Melissa Fisher
#44 Farmer’s Market In Fujiyoshida
Image source: Agata Zielezińska
#45 Too Bad. Actually I Had The Intention To Explore Kyoto After Breakfast But I Need To Go Back To My Room
Image source: Petra Jungmann
#46 Around Noon At Office, Shinagawa, Tokyo
Image source: Naoya Hiraide
#47 Got It… In A Vintage Kimono Shop, Kyoto
Image source: Vegard B. Torgersen
#48 I Need This Sign. Ministop In Hamamatsu City
Image source: Monix Nik
#49 Found In Tokyo
Image source: Ebonhawk
#50 Adults Should Not Wear Hats… Taken In Odaiba, Tokyo
Image source: Bonnie Kakinuma
#51 The Signs Are Sensitive Here In Shiga Kogen, Nagano
Image source: Stefan Fairweather
#52 Sorry, I Can’t. At Takino Snow World, Sapporo
Image source: Yoshifumi Josh Tateyama
#53 In A Hotel Elevator (Fukuoka, Japan)
Image source: Spicy_Travels
#54 Japan’s Request To A Visitor
Image source: onlybeans
#55 Made In Japan Eraser
Image source: Special-Rutabaga-347
#56 I Would Like The Meetings In A Lobby. Found In Fukuoka, Japan
Image source: fjr_
#57 At A Closed Path In A Park In Japan
Image source: wggn
#58 Only Available In Japan
Image source: CluelessXAzn
#59 Ok, I’ll Cooperate. Outside Shijo Station, Kyoto
Image source: Marketa Silhar
#60 At A Hotel Lobby In Kyoto
Image source: Tomomi Smith
#61 Let’s All Be Offensive Together
Image source: MythosOne
#62 Sorry For The Confusion
#63 In Hiroshima Today
Image source: John Mensing
#64 Quite Disgusting. At Kawaguchiko “Koyo Matsuri”
Image source: Carlo Dal Bianco
#65 Same, Sign. Same. Nintendo Museum, Kyoto Next To The Toad Bobbleheads
Image source: Alan McEwan
#66 At A Restaurant In Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo. People Were Actually Very Nice And Friendly, Maybe Because I Went There For A Dinner
Image source: Akira Matsuda
#67 Supermarket In Isumi, Chiba
Image source: Pam Nakamura
#68 At A Hotel Breakfast Buffet In Sapporo. Who Licked These?
Image source: Lee Foley
#69 Amanohashidate Station
Image source: Kwok Sing Wong
#70 During Security Camera Recording. Saw This Sign While Visiting Japan Last Week, And I’m Still Wondering What Will Happen During The Recording
Image source: Icy-Cryptographer839
#71 As Seen In Japan
Image source: Mr-Thuun
#72 Found In A Subway Station In Japan
Image source: names_dave
#73 Ah Japan, Full Of Great Engrish
Image source: kinaritakashima
#74 Spotted In Japan. Very Conforrable
Image source: Archturus
#75 Description Of Smoked Eggs, Found In Japan
Image source: Bi9scuit
#76 For The Malicious Ones Out There. Osaka, Japan
Image source: greenwobbles
#77 Outside A Takeaway In Shibuya
Image source: Matt Farmer
#78 I Mean It’s A Natural Part Of Life But Ok. At Tokyo Station Ladies Toilets In One Of The Shinkansen Track Areas
Image source: Marketa Silhar
#79 Ten Bosch House
Image source: Eric Favilla
#80 In A Jewellery/Trinket Store. As I Am Dutch, Would I Be Allowed To Take A Photo?
Image source: Harry Notermans
#81 Seen In Kabukicho On The Door Of A Restroom. I’m Also A Big Fan Of The Pull-Words-Out-Of-A-Hat Translation Method
Image source: Benjamin Barker
#82 No This Can’t Be The End! No, Not Like This! Restaurant At Ski Resort In Hakuba, Nagano
Image source: T Gerry Balbido
#83 I Have No Idea What This Restaurant In Niigata Is Trying To Say
Image source: Bianca Toeps
#84 Out Of Context, A Sentence. In Context, Engrish Candidate. Spotted In A Taxi In Japan. I Still Don’t Know What I Am Supposed To Take Care Of
Image source: mgsgamer1
#85 Understandable. Found In Hiroshima
Image source: hrinda
#86 That’s A Shame. Needed One For A Couple Of Days Fresco Gojo Ohashi (Kyoto)
Image source: Jeroen Boxstart
#87 It Closes All Day Every Day Skytree Tokyo
Image source: Alistair Mallard
#88 Love Bicycle Tender-Osaka, Japan
Image source: BewildredDragon
#89 From A Recent Trip To Japan. The Devil’s In The Detail
Image source: fiona_alba
#90 Don’t Skateboard Or Whatever. You Know What We Mean, Don’t Make Me Write It All Out. All That Stuff You Do (Kasai-Rinkai Park)
Image source: David Batuner
#91 Escalators Are Going The Way Of The DVD And The Mcrib Morinomiya-Eki In Osaka
Image source: Adam Words
#92 Today At The Vaccination Centre Of A Private University In Tokyo
Image source: Adam Ezard
#93 Bus In Sagamihara, Kanagawa
Image source: Veronica Gore
#94 Kids In Nishinomiya Are Dangerous
Image source: Richard Harrison
#95 I’m In Akiba Today, Doing Research On What Laptops Are Worth Buying Used. I Came Across This
Image source: ごとう カイル
#96 Is This A New Trend?
Image source: sung504
#97 Congratulations, You Made Me Chuckle
Image source: GiggukAZ
#98 Just Got Back From Japan
Image source: ihitokage
#99 Found In The Japan
Image source: mthienpont
#100 Beyond What, Exactly? The Door? The Sign? Reality Itself? Limited Express Of Meitetsu
Image source: Masahiko Nakamura
#101 Restroom Instructions In Kyoto, Japan
Image source: Cosette23
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