The message on a sign should be clear, concise and culturally sensitive. To ensure this, here are some considerations for deciding your message.
1. Separate content from kazari. Signage in Japan tends to use a lot of flowery language, or "kazari", and give too much extra information. It is important to separate content from "kazari". Content is just what the sign should say, nothing more, nothing less. "Kazari" includes titles and expressions of politeness such as please or thank you. These can be added to the sign after the initial translation is finished.
2. Words or symbols? The role of icons.
A picture is worth 1000 words, especially on a sign. Pictures can be arrows, illustrations, photographs or designs. There are many universal design systems for symbols. ISO symbols (International Organization for Standardization) has 4000 symbols, but cost money. 50 AIGA symbols designed for transportation are free to use. Thenounproject has lots of symbols free to use after registering.
When deciding the message for your sign, it is important to think about how icons can be used to improve the clarity of your message.
3. Consider the context.
Will the reader have enough background information to understand the sign? For example, which of the following signs is preferable for an international tourist who does not come from a culture where self-bussing is common?
Sign 1. Return (Kumamoto hotel) Sign 2. Return plus alpha (Fukuoka hotel)