Japanese type

What version of photoshop and macOS are you using?

Following the instructions here should allow you to type in Japenese in photoshop.

In photoshop go to Type>Language Options and check East Asian Features

https://redcocoon.org/cab/mysoft.html

https://redcocoon.org/cab/j4mactyping.html

Are you able to type Japanese in any other app?

What happens when you choose hiragana from the menu as shown and then choose the Japanese font?

You write "im typing out the word in English then selecting a Japanese font but then it defaults to the english word.." Yes, that sounds correct. You obviously want or expect something different to happen, but what is it that you want or expect to happen?

You now have Japanese input set up  on your Mac.  From the dropdown input menu, choose "hiragana".

Now I'll type in a place phonectically:  しんじゅく　

As I type, I get a list of choices including the Japannese characters: 新宿  Whatever I select will show up even in the forums and will certainly show up in Photoshop using the Type Tool, and using the setup instructions others here have provided.

So after you have set up Japanese, try again and report back if you still have problems.

I own a Mac. First I add Japanese as a language, so I can type it in. On your Mac, go to:

System Preferences > Language & Region, click on the plus sign, and pick 日本語 from the list.

Next click on Keyboard Preferences and add the Japanese keyboard/Input method. Be sure to check "show input menu in menu bar".

Which languages are supported by your operating system?

See Asian Type in Photoshop -

https://helpx.adobe.com/in/photoshop/using/asian-type.html

You have to select a Japanese font, yes. Are you typing Japanese characters? If you use your ordinary keyboard you WILL get ordinary characters, whatever font you choose.  If you don't know how to type Japanese characters, try and copy/paste some Japanese text. Here is some. 不思議の国のアリス