16 Most Hilarious Japanese Signs That Are Great Examples Of "Lost In Translation"

It is often easier to translate than it actually is. It's a common misconception that all that needs to be done to complete a translation is to simply swap out each word from the original text with its translation.
Unfortunately, translation is much more complicated than that. In another language, there may be dozens of different ways to say the same idea. The possibility for errors increases significantly when you factor stuff like syntax, grammar, colloquialisms, and any other number of examples of language nuance.
However, it also means that there is a lot of room for humor. The internet is a terrific resource for finding humorous mistranslations because there are countless instances of them all around the world.
Outside of its larger, more international cities like Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan can be difficult for visitors. Social cues can be tricky to read, signs and menus are sometimes only written in Japanese, and the language barrier is all too present. Fortunately, the municipal administration in the northern prefecture of Iwate has launched a campaign dubbed "10 methods to make travelers happy" to encourage Japan to be a little more understanding toward careless foreigners.
Regardless, Japan’s weird English translations are typically harmless. It’s the kind of thing that makes you smile because, hey, at least they tried. Some are just so silly they are too good not to share, which is what the kind folks over at the Facebook group Engrish in Japan are doing. Every month, they get submissions showcasing some of the best examples of Japanese English, but only a select few can be “post of the month.”
Here are some of our favorites.