the first time I went over i knew no japanese. Its funny you never really think about how often you talk etc... Its weird walking into a store and trying to buy something when you have no idea about the countries language.... Sometimes it can be very interesting.
I have nothing but high respect for the Japanese. I remember rolling down the street in narita one night on my skateboard and people driving past in their cars would slow down and look driving along side me. I would wave and smile and they would do the same... It was great.