|
China | Hong
Kong | Japan | Indonesia
| Korea | Malaysia
| Singapore | Taiwan
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Japan
Capital:
Tokyo
|
Getting There | Weather
| Money | Tipping
| Safety | Business
Hours |
| Visa | Electricity
| Water | Medical
Service | Transportation |
For National holidays, festivals, and trade shows check Calendar.
Getting
There
Many airlines offer flights to Japan - you can choose to arrive
different airports - Narita, Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Hiroshima,
Takamatsu, Niigata, Naha and Sapporo. Departure tax at Narita are
Y2040 and at Kansai Y2650 per person while other airports don't
charge.
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Weather
Japan has a generally mild climate. Since the country stretches
3,000 km north to south, however, there is some variation in climate
throughout the year. The extreme north is subarctic and the extreme
south subtropical. The period of the highest precipitation in most
areas is during the rainy season, roughly from mid-June to mid-July.
Under the influence
of youth and pop culture, for general, everyday wear, Japanese are
becoming more casual in their attitude towards clothing and are
apt to wear whatever feels most comfortable - adapting the best
of East and West to fit the occasion. You will see everything from
tuxedos and cummerbunds to bell bottoms and beads, depending on
where you are. But who you are, or rather what group you identify
with may also determine your dress. Even a novice tennis player
or skier has often blown half a month's salary on proper sporting
attire before taking their first lesson. But for everyday wear,
don't let cultural assumptions intimidate you. Formal clothing,
such as tuxedos and evening gowns, are rarely required, and can
be rented if necessary. You are generally safe in letting your own
common sense determine what to wear.
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Money
The currency is Yen. The exchange rate is US$1 = Y138
Cash is still ideal though throughout major cities, credit cards
are also accepted. Travellers can change cash or travellers' cheques
at an "Authorized Foreign Exchange Bank" or at some of the larger
hotels and stores.
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Tipping
There is little tipping in Japan. Baggage porters receive a
fixed rate, per item. Hotels and restaurants add 10 to 20% to the
bill for service.
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Safety
Japan has a very low crime rate.
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Business
Hours
Most museums are open on Sundays and national holidays and closed
on Mondays. Restaurants close early at night. The last order accepted
is often around 9:00pm. Public transportation stops around midnight.
On New Year's Day, practically all shops and restaurants, except
those within hotels, are closed and most will stay closed until
January 3 as do government offices, banks, private companies, museums
and the like.
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Visa
and Passport
Any foreign visitor desiring to enter Japan must have a valid
passport bearing a visa for a stay in a given status as specified
under the Immigration Control Order.
Visa: The
visa, unless it is exempted, is issued at Japanese Consular Offices
abroad, and in areas that do not have a Consular Office, they are
issued by the ambassador or at a Japanese Embassy. Visas must be
received prior to arrival in Japan. Visas issued in cases that are
determined solely by Consular Offices abroad can be obtained within
two or three days. Visas that must be referred to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs for approval (those who enter Japan for employment,
studies, etc.) require between two and three months.
Tourist Visa:
One should apply for a visa status called "Temporary Visitor"
to visit Japan for sightseeing, engaging in sports activities, visiting
relatives, going on inspection tours, or participating in meetings,
short study courses or other similar activities without intending
to engage in any remunerative activities. The period of stay to
be granted is 90 days or shorter.
As a general rule, the applicant must submit to the Japanese Embassy
or Consulate the following: 1) a valid passport; 2) two copies of
the completed visa application form (a passport-size portrait must
be affixed to each of them); 3) an air or sea passage return ticket
from Japan or evidence of purchase thereof.
Commercial
Visa: If one intends to visit Japan on a business or commercial
mission, a commercial visa must be secured. The type of visa and
the period of stay to be granted will vary depending on the case
presented by the applicant.
As a general rule, the applicant must submit to the visa issuing
authorities two copies of a letter from the firm from which the
applicant is given an assignment to visit Japan in addition to the
documents for tourist visa applicants. For more information on this
and other types of visas, contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or
Consulate.
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Electricity
The electric current in Japan is mostly 100 volts AC, but two
different cycles are used: 50 in Eastern Japan including Tokyo and
60 in Western Japan including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. At major
hotels, two outlets for both 110 and 220 volts are installed for
electric razors, hairdryers, travel irons, etc.
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Water
Drinking water is safe and pure throughout Japan.
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Medical
Service
Medical service and facilities are of a high standard in Japan.
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Transportation
Taxi
Taxis can be convenient for intra-city transportation. To flag
down a taxi, look for a red light in the lower right corner of the
windshield as you face it. Any other color means the taxi is reserved
or occupied. Passengers enter the back door on the left side, which
the driver opens and closes automatically. If you are visiting someone's
home or company, be sure to have its location on a map, as an address
is not enough, given the complicated street layouts in the big cities.
Tipping is not practiced. Pay only the metered fare.
Narita Express
If you land in Narita Airport and you know your hotel locates
close to the JR Station, Narita Express is the easiest way to downtown.
The trains bound for Tokyo JR Station, Shinjuku JR Station, Yokohama
JR Station. If you have big heavy languages, I recommend to use
Limousine instead. Your hotel may be far from the JR station with
many stairs up and down.
Train
There are three kinds of train systems in Japan. First one is
JR, Japan Railways, used to be governmental operation and currently
seven JR companies operates the train systems in the each region
of Japan.
The second one is private company operations. Metropolitan area
like Tokyo has several train companies. The third one is subway
line. Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Sapporo, Osaka have subway lines
and train runs downtown area of big cities.
Bus
Bus system is complicated- route, fare, and destination in Japanese.
Since drivers don't speak English, a bus riding will be a big challenge
for you.
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China | Hong
Kong | Japan | Indonesia
| Korea | Malaysia
| Singapore | Taiwan
| Thailand |
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