Hi from Seoul,

If you take gray-colored taxis - less expensive than the black ones - there is a good chance that you will meet with difficulties in communicating with the drivers. However, there is now a new fleet of orange-colored taxis and these drivers speak English/Japanese/Mandarin; however, be selective before you climb in to ensure you can converse with your driver.

At the higher end restaurants, you will not likely have any problem conversing in English, and definitely won't have a problem should you go to Itaewon on Insadong, which largely cater to foreign tourists. In fact, I would recommend that you visit Itaewon for its diversity in foreign cuisine.

For night life, make sure you head off to the Hongdae-Shinchon neighborhoods where you will find plenty of expats, and in the wee hours, mostly in a state of inebriation.

Enjoy your stay.

Seoulbro

For a small selection of photos taken in Seoul, you can check out http://thenarrativelens.photoshelter.com/gallery/Seoul/G0000wXw7VPc7O6g/

If one of you can read Chinese characters, then you should be able to make do in Japan, by following the signage.

Because you can read English you should be able to make do in Japan by following the signage.

Ordering food in Japan can be done with fingers. You point at the pictures or plastic models of the food that you want and then raise the number of fingers to tell how many. Or ask for an English menu and point at that. And then you say "please".

I only speak English (and some French) and I managed fine in Japan and Korea. Make sure you have a hotel card to show to a taxi driver if you need one to get "home", and make sure you have good guide books with maps.

Thanks everyone, probably won't be hitting up too many high end restaurants - the night markets should keep us occupied!

jason..have you booked lodgings in Tokyo, Kyoto? On a moderate budget, I would reocmmend The Three Sisters Annex in Kyoto. Excellent, quasi-ryokan setting, lovely host (Kay Yamada). Easy walk to the Philospher's Walk and the Heian Shrine and giant Torii, and great frequent bus service to most other sights and temples, the JR station, and downtown (Gion, etc).

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-4067217-three_sisters_inn-i

stu tower

Also suggest a visit to MIHO Museum..about a forty minute train/bus ride from Kyoto. Execeptionally unique rural setting. I.M. Pei design..here are some pics.

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/KyotoMihoMuseumIMPei#