Travel Tips

Travel Tips

Money

The official currency of Japan is the yen (JPY) and you can conveniently obtain yen upon your arrival at international airports. You can also exchange your money to yen at currency exchange shops, at banks, in major hotels and at money exchange machines in tourist spots.

In terms of the actual bank notes, the highest denomination in yen is the 10,000-yen note. Despite having a relatively high value, you will notice 10,000- yen notes being used a lot. This is because Japan is still a cash-based society that is also quite safe. After the 10,000-yen note, there is also a 5,000-yen note, a 2,000-yen note, and a 1,000-yen note, although you seldom see the 2,000-yen notes.

As for coins, there are four silver-colored coins: the 500-yen coin, the 100-yen coin, the 50-yen coin with a hole through its center, and the 1-yen coin. The 10-yen coin and the 5-yen with a hole through its center are both bronze.

Credit cards

Most hotels, major department stores and restaurants, and major convenient stores accept VISA, Master, JCB, Amex and Diners Club cards. However, smaller shops like train station kiosks, vending machines and train ticket machines do not tend to accept credit cards, so it is always wise to make sure you are carrying some cash.

Traveler's checks

Traveler's checks are accepted at most major hotels and banks.

ATMs

Credit cards with marks of Cirrus, PLUS, Maestro, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Union Pay, DISCOVER can be used always at post office ATMs, and Seven Bank ATMs inside Seven-Eleven convenience store. International ATMs can be also found at Family Mart and Lawson convenience stores (but not all of them).

Business hours

• Banks are open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Currency exchange desks at airports are open from around 6:00 am to around 10:00 pm 365 days a year.
• Currency exchange machine is also available 24 hours a day.
• Supermarkets are generally open from around 9:00 am to around 8:00 pm.
• Convenience stores are generally open 24 hours a day.
• Post offices are open for from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays except for central Post office.
• Department stores are open 7 days a week from around 10:00 am to around 8:00 pm.
• Some restaurants are open 24 hours a day. Others are open from around 10:00 am and the closing time is up to the restaurants.
• Bars are generally open from around 6:00 pm to midnight.

Electricity

Appliances in Japan run on 100V A.C. and plug into a 2-flat pin, Type A socket. The adapter for other types is usually available at electronics retail shops. For your convenient we recommend you to bring an adapter with you.

Water

Unless otherwise stated, tap water is safe to drink all over Japan. If you prefer, you can also buy mineral water at convenience stores, supermarkets, and station kiosks.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited inside most buildings and stations, except in designated smoking areas.

Travel visas

For information on visas, please refer to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan at the following
URL:https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

Taxes

In Japan, the consumption tax is 8% (From October 1, 2020 , it becomes 10% except for foods you take out).When shopping, check the price on the tag already include the tax or not.

Tipping

Fortunately, there's no need to think about tipping in Japan as it not customary and is generally not done in any situation. However, on rare occasions, you may encounter a service charge of 10% to 15% on your hotel or restaurant bill.

Cellular phones

The major cell phone carriers in Japan are NTT DoCoMo, Softbank, and au KDDI. Please contact your own cell phone carrier to find out whether you can use your cell phone in Japan.

Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass is offered by the six companies that make up the Japan Railways Group (JR Group) and offers an exceptionally economical way to travel around the country (via JR Group lines; not valid on subways and private railways). Please be aware, however, that some restrictions may apply.
Please refer to the Japan Rail Pass official website for more details: http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html

Official language

Japanese is, of course, the official language of Japan. But, you may find that some English is spoken, especially in larger cities.

Religion

Shintoism and Buddhism are the two most common religions in Japan.

Climate

The weather is a common topic of conversation in Japan, which is not surprising considering the fact that Japan spans 20 degrees of latitude resulting in a complex climate. Weather varies a lot by region, from the harsh winters and mild summers of Hokkaido to the sub-tropical climate of Okinawa. But even in the same city, there can also be a wide range of weather in the same year. For example, in Sapporo (located in Hokkaido), temperatures can fall to minus 10 degrees in the winter yet reach 30 degrees in heat waves during the summer.

On the mainland, summer temperatures are generally between 20 and 35 degrees centigrade. It is also worth noting that there is a rainy season in early summer lasting for a few weeks from mid-June to mid-July, although this season also has its fair share of days of fine weather. In the late summer, rains can come again with the occasional typhoon, but these usually blow over in a day.

Communications

Telephone / Fax: International direct dialing services

Should you wish to receive a phone call or fax from overseas, please note that the country code for Japan is 81.

For outgoing international calls, dial either 001 010 (using the telephone carrier KDD) or 0033 010 (using the telephone carrier NTT) followed by the country code, then omit the first zero from the telephone number.

 

Internet

Free Wi-Fi service is available at airports, hotels and many public spaces. Though you need to register your email address first, it’s also available inside and outside the major convenience stores.

Post offices

Usual office hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday. Post office such as in front of a large station is open every day. Please refer to information before you go.

Newspapers

English language newspapers are available in most cities. They include The Daily Yomiuri, The Asahi Evening News, The Japan Times and The Mainichi Daily News.

Health and safety

For peace of mind, purchasing travel insurance is recommended for the duration of your stay. Note that malaria is not an issue in Japan, so there is no need to take any malaria-related precautions or medicines.

Although food and drink in Japan are generally prepared to high standards of hygiene, there can be a small risk of parasitic infection or toxins when eating raw seafood.

Luggage forwarding service (Takuhaibin)

Japan has a number of companies that offer excellent luggage forwarding services—referred to as 'Takuhaibin' in Japanese. These can be a great way of getting your vacation off to a relaxing start, enabling you to send your baggage ahead to your hotel or airport. This is a very common practice in Japan and hotels are happy to keep your bags safe until you arrive.

Remember, if you do send your bags to the airport ahead of you, be sure to allow enough time to pick them up when you get there and be sure to bring your receipt to prove which bags are yours. You can send your bags from most convenience stores and some hotel lobbies. To be sure your bags arrive at their intended destination, be sure to use Japanese addresses, or simply ask the shop or hotel staff to fill out the necessary forms for you.

Emergencies

If you are in need of the emergency services, you can call 110 for the police or 119 for the fire brigade or an ambulance. Language should be no problem as the operator should be able to understand simple English.

Other facts about Japan