Japan Travel Guide

It is only comparatively recently that Japan came out of the shell of its isolation, but the country of genteel geisha girls and pink cherry blossom has made up for lost time. There are few people in the western world who have not driven a Japanese car, eaten sushi or played on a GameBoy or Sony Playstation.The nation of Japan consists of an island archipelago stretching from northeast to southwest off the coast of mainland China, Russia and Korea, separated from its Asian neighbours by the Sea of Japan. Between 1639 and 1859 Japan elected to cut itself off from trade or traffic with the rest of the world, except for some marginal contact through the southern Kyushu island ports. Since opening up its doors once more, just 150 years ago, the densely populated islands have developed in leaps and bounds and much of the country is now covered by sprawling neon-lit cities and the world's most sophisticated public transport networks.Modern it may be, but Japan still retains plenty of its mystical oriental charm. From the etiquette demanded in social situations, to the minimalist décor behind rice paper screens, Japanese culture is alive and well and cannot be ignored, which makes a visit to Japan a fascinating experience.The modern metropolises are dotted with a myriad of ancient shrines and temples; the countryside is riddled with hundreds of volcanoes and hot springs overlooking pastoral paddy fields; parks are festooned with rigidly raked white gravel Zen gardens or coated with layers of lilac and cherry blossom.Japan's islands are mountainous in the interior - 75 percent of the country's landmass is made up of mountains - and most of the people are tightly packed within the limitations of the coastal plains, particularly on the main island of Honshu. Tokyo, the capital and largest city, situated on Honshu's east coast, has a population of 12 million. Despite this seething mass of humanity Japan is well ordered. Everything runs on time, and crime levels are almost non-existent. It is still possible to find beautiful vistas and wide empty spaces in the countryside, and when you are forced to mingle with the urban throngs you will find the Japanese to be charming, courteous and friendly to foreign faces.

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Japan Climate and Weather

The weather throughout the four main islands that make up Japan is generally temperate, with four distinct seasons. The weather can get very hot during the summer months, particularly in the South. May, June and July are the wettest months, and June, July and August are hotter and more humid. In the south winters are cool but sunny, but as one moves further north temperatures drop and snow falls. The island of Hokkaido in the far north of Japan is bitterly cold in the winter, with snow guaranteed.

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Japan Currency

Money: The currency is the Japanese Yen (JPY), which is equal to 100 sen. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels and stores, but most Japanese operate with cash. Cash and travellers cheques can be exchanged in banks, post offices and currency exchange bureaux. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm. Travellers cheques offer the best exchange rate and are best taken in US dollars. ATMs do not accept all credit and debit cards; only the international ATMs in post offices, airports and some major stores.

Currency Exchange Rates
JPY 1 =	US$ 0.87	£ 0.42	C$ 0.82	A$ 0.94	R 5.67	EUR 0.60	NZ$ 1.13

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

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Japan Health Overview

No vaccination certificates are required for entry to Japan. There have been recent outbreaks of the deadly bird flu, but no human infections have been reported. Travellers to Japan are unlikely to be affected, but live animal markets and places where contact with live poultry is possible should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked. Medical facilities are very good, but medical assistance in Japan can be very expensive and visitors have to pay the whole cost up front. Travellers should ensure that they have adequate medical insurance before travelling. Visitors using prescription or common over-the-counter medications (such as inhalers or allergy and sinus medicines) should note that some may be prohibited in Japan and customs officials may detain travellers carrying them. Such travellers are advised to contact the Japanese embassy in their home country before departure to ascertain whether their medication is permissible. The possession of Vicks inhalers and other common medications used for allergies and sinus problems are banned under the strictly enforced anti-stimulant drugs law, and visitors are advised to check with the Japanese embassy if in doubt.

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Japan Passport & Visa Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a valid passport to enter Japan. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:British citizens require a valid passport. If holding a passport endorsed British Citizen or British National (Overseas), no visa is required for a tourist or business stay of up to 90 days. In all other cases, a visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians:Canadians require a valid passport to enter Japan. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Australians:Australians must have a valid passport to enter Japan. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for South Africans:South African nationals must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:Irish nationals require a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:New Zealanders require a passport but not a visa to enter Japan for a stay of up to 90 days.
Passport/Visa Note:All travellers must hold onward or return tickets and all documents required for their next destination, as well as sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay. All visitors are required to have their fingerprints and photographs taken on entry. If holding an APEC Business Travel Card a visa is not required provided the back of the card states it is valid for travel to Japan, upon arrival a visit pass will be issued.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

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Japan Basics

Time: Local time is GMT +9.
Electricity: Electrical current is 100 volts, 60Hz in the west (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima); 100 volts, 50Hz in eastern Japan (Tokyo, Sapporo, Yokohoma). Flat two- and three-pin plugs are used.
Language: Japanese is the official language. Most Japanese people will have studied English at school, but few can speak it well or understand what is said to them.
Health: No vaccination certificates are required for entry to Japan. There have been recent outbreaks of the deadly bird flu, but no human infections have been reported. Travellers to Japan are unlikely to be affected, but live animal markets and places where contact with live poultry is possible should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked. Medical facilities are very good, but medical assistance in Japan can be very expensive and visitors have to pay the whole cost up front. Travellers should ensure that they have adequate medical insurance before travelling. Visitors using prescription or common over-the-counter medications (such as inhalers or allergy and sinus medicines) should note that some may be prohibited in Japan and customs officials may detain travellers carrying them. Such travellers are advised to contact the Japanese embassy in their home country before departure to ascertain whether their medication is permissible. The possession of Vicks inhalers and other common medications used for allergies and sinus problems are banned under the strictly enforced anti-stimulant drugs law, and visitors are advised to check with the Japanese embassy if in doubt.
Tipping: Tips and bargaining are not expected in Japan, however a service charge of between 10 to 15% is generally added to hotel and restaurant bills.
Safety: The vast majority of visits to Japan are trouble-free. It is generally a very safe country with low levels of common crime, and is stable, highly developed and modern. Travellers should, however, still be vigilant about personal safety and belongings. Typhoons are common particularly from June to October and travellers should take note of storm warnings along the coastal regions if travelling during this period. Japan is in a major earthquake zone, and earthquakes of varying sizes occur very frequently.
Customs: The Japanese are formal and reserved and visitors are expected to behave politely. Their system of etiquette is one of the most complex in the world, with a strict code of conduct for almost every situation. Bowing is the customary greeting. The possession of common prescription, or over the counter medicines, particularly for allergies and sinus problems, are forbidden under Japanese law, and it is highly advisable to check with a Japanese embassy before travel.
Business: Business in Japan can be highly formal and greetings are usually rather ritualistic due to the hierarchical society; a third party introduction is useful. A polite bow is customary; the more senior the person, the deeper the bow. Business cards are exchanged often, using both hands. Cards should be treated with respect and should be studied a few moments and either left out in the open on the desk, or stored in an appropriate cardholder or wallet. It can be useful to have cards printed with both English and Japanese, and one should present the card with the Japanese side facing the recipient. Punctuality is very important and dress is formal. Women can encounter some sexism as traditionally women are seen as caregivers and wives. Gift giving is an important aspect of Japanese society and in a business context; gifts are usually given after the first or second meeting. It is wise to consult someone locally on what is appropriate in order not to cause offence. Business hours are usually from 9am to 5pm on weekdays; some businesses are open on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm.
Communications: The international access code for Japan is +81. The outgoing code depends on what network is used to dial out on (e.g. 001 for KDDI) followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0011 for the United States). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)3 for Tokyo and (0)82 for Hiroshima. Local calls can be made from any public phone, but only some allow international calls. Telephone cards are sold at kiosks and from vending machines. The local mobile phone operators use technology that is not always compatible with international networks, but 3G has roaming agreements with most international networks, and local handsets can be hired from the airport and various other locations. Internet cafes are widely available.
Duty Free: Travellers to Japan over 20 years do not have to pay duty on 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, or a proportionate mix of these (non-residents are permitted twice the amount); perfume up to 59ml; and gifts and souvenirs to the value of ¥200,000. Prohibited items include all types of firearms and ammunition, narcotics, pornography, meat products, counterfeit money, all plants and vegetables with soil, fresh fruit, vegetables, and plants or parts thereof.

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Japan Airports

New Tokyo International Airport

Location: The airport is located 40 miles (66km) north-east of Tokyo.
Time: GMT +9.
Contacts: Switchboard: + 81 (0)476 322 802. Flight Information: +81 (0)476 34 5000.
Transfer between terminals: A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals.
Transfer to the city: Each airport terminal has a separate railway station. Different train services on the JR or Keisei lines serve Tokyo and surrounding destinations. The journey to Tokyo takes one hour; if possible book a seat in advance. Buses connect to the domestic airport and hotels in the city centre; the journey takes between one and two hours. Taxis are not advised as, due to the distance, the fares are very high. Fixed fare taxis are available, however. The tourist information desk in the arrivals hall can help travellers with their transport needs.
Car rental: Rental cars can be organised at the airport, though most visitors wisely avoid driving in Tokyo and instead take the efficient public transport.
Facilities: The facilities at New Tokyo Airport are extensive and include shops (including duty-free), banks, ATMs, currency exchange bureaux, massage, baby changing areas, a pet hotel, beauty salons and left luggage. A variety of restaurants catering for Japanese, Chinese and Western tastes are available, including a new revolving Sushi Bar. Both terminals have shower facilities and Day Rooms (bedrooms which can be hired by the hour). There are Internet cafes situated throughout the airport, as well as wireless Internet.
Parking: There are several multi-storey car parks at the airport.
Departure tax: None.

Kansai International Airport

Location: The airport is located 30 miles (50km) south of downtown Osaka.
Time: GMT +9.
Contacts: Tel: + 81 (0)724 55 2500.
Transfer to the city: Taxis are available, but the journey takes around an hour and the fare is likely to be very high, so most passengers take the bus, train or high-speed ferry to Osaka. Minibuses go to the major hotels, departing from International Arrivals. The airport shuttle bus service connects to the ferry terminal for the ferry to Osaka.
Car rental: Car hire companies Avis, Hertz, Nippon, Nissan and Toyota are among those represented at the airport. Driving in Osaka is difficult, however, and most visitors opt to use the efficient public transport system.
Facilities: There are extensive facilities at Kansai Airport including over 100 shops, about 35 restaurants, bars, ATMs and bureaux de change. A Vodafone shop rents out mobile phones, which are compatible with local networks. Other facilities include massage, free wireless Internet access, nursery and kids room. A porter service is also available.
Parking: Parking is available.
Departure tax: None.

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