On February 28th, 1888, Rizal arrived in Yokohama. A few moments after reaching the hotel, he received the card of the official in charge at the Spanish legation. He had not even had a chance to brush up when he was called. The official was very pleasant and offered to assist Rizal in his work. He even invited Rizal to live at the legation, and he accepted. If, at the bottom, there was a desire to watch him, Rizal was not afraid to let them know all about himself.
Rizal lived at the legation a little over a month, and traveled in some of the nearby provinces of Japan. At times, he was alone; at others, with the Spanish official himself, or with the interpreter. While there, he learned to speak Japanese, and made a slight study of the Japanese theatre. After many offers of employment, which Rizal refused, he sailed at last for America, about April 13th.
On the steamer, he met a half-Filipino family, the wife being a mestiza, the daughter of an Englishman named Jackson. They had with them a servant from Pangasinan. The son asked Rizal if I knew “Richal,” the author of Noli Me Tangere. Smiling, he answered that he did; and, as the man began to speak well of him, Rizal had to make himself known and say that he was the author. The mother paid him compliments, too. He made the acquaintance of a Japanese who was going to Europe. The man had been a prisoner for being a radical and editor of an independent newspaper. As the Japanese spoke only Japanese, Rizal acted as interpreter for him until they arrived in London.
Rizal visited the larger cities of America, where he saw splendid buildings. The Americans have magnificent ideals. America is a homeland for the poor who are willing to work.
He traveled across America, and saw the majestic cascade of Niagara. He was in New York, the great city, but there everything is new. He went to see some relics of Washington, that great man whom Rizal feared had not his own equal in this century.
Rizal embarked for Europe on the “City of Rome”, said to be the second largest steamer in the world. On board, a newspaper was published up to the end of the voyage.
He made the acquaintance of many people. They wondered at his taking about with him a foreigner who could not make himself understood. The Europeans and Americans were astonished to see how Rizal got along with him. Rizal could speak to everyone in the man's own language and understand what the man said.
Source: Rizal's Own Story of His Life