Photo= Students handing over and explaining the Chinese translation of the menu to restaurant staff in Ponto-cho (right) = Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto

To help an increasing number of Chinese tourists become more familiar with Kyoto, students at Kyoto Sangyo University are working on preparing Chinese menus for restaurants in Ponto-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. So far, they have completed menus for nine restaurants. Those restaurants are pleased, saying, "This has facilitated smooth communication when ordering. We really appreciate it."

This is the 2015 seminar project of Professor Masanori Nakatani of the Department of Law. There are approximately 20 participants, including international students from China at Kyoto Sangyo University, who are in charge of translation, and students at Kyoto University of Art and Design, who design menus. They plan to prepare Chinese menus for 13 restaurants.

They have carefully translated expressions unique to Japanese cuisine, such as "hassun" or literally "eight inches," which means a tray serving assorted food, as well as other expressions. They have also prepared stickers indicating that a Chinese menu is available, as well as stickers explaining how to pay. A staff member of a creative cuisine restaurant, which accepted their offer, said, "We had to use gestures to communicate with customers who don't speak English. This Chinese menu will make it comfortable for many Chinese tourists to come to our restaurant."

A third year law student, who is in charge of this project, enthusiastically said, "We value the relationship of trust developed with restaurants while carrying out this project. We hope this project will connect with the invigoration of Kyoto tourism."