ESSENTIALS

ESSENTIALS
As with anywhere, you must present a valid passport when entering Japan. A visa is not required for a stay of 90 days or less under the Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangement, as long as you do not engage in any remunerative activity. In all other circumstances visas are required. Further visa details can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website (www.mofa.go.jp/index.html) or from the Japanese Embassy or Consulate. No certificates of vaccination are required.

Customs

A verbal declaration at customs is sufficient for your personal effects. However, when you have unaccompanied baggage or when you bring in articles in excess of the duty-free allowance, a written declaration will be requested. The following items can be brought in duty-free: (1) 500 grams of tobacco or 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars; (2) 3 bottles (760 ml each) of liquor; (3) 2 ounces of perfume; (4) souvenirs, other than the above, whose total market value does not exceed 200,000 yen. There is no allowance of tobacco or liquor for persons aged 19 years or younger.

Passenger Service Facility Charge (PSFC)

Passengers departing from major international airports within Japan have the passenger service facility charge included in the cost of their plane tickets. Transit passengers taking connecting flights on the same day, or infants under two years old are exempt from the fee. In all other circumstances the passenger service facility charge must be paid at the following rates: Narita Airport: ¥2,040 (Adult) / ¥1,020 (Child) Kansai Airport: ¥2,650 (Adult) / ¥1,330 (Child) Nagoya Airport: ¥2,500 (Adult) / ¥1,250 (Child)

Currency

The unit of Japanese money is the yen (symbolized as ¥). Coins available are 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 and 500 yen. Notes are available in 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen. You can buy yen at foreign exchange banks, major hotels (guests only) and at major department stores in large cities. Most bank-run currency exchange counters at the international airports operate during normal business hours, but some stay open between 6:30 am and midnight. The exchange rate fluctuates daily depending on the financial market. Currency of any kind can be brought into and taken out of Japan. However, if the value exceeds the equivalent of one million yen you are required to inform customs.

Mobile phone manners in public
DON'T speak on mobile phones when using public transport. Talking on your mobile phone, and even just talking loudly to your friends on the train/bus is considered very rude. You should turn off your mobile phone, or switch it to silent when using public transport. Have some respect for other passengers and wait till you get to your destination.

First com first served
DO queue up! And DON'T cut in line! This practice applies to most situations in Japan, especially for public transportation. When you are at the station waiting for your train, there is a “first come first served” policy and you should line up to board the train. There are signs around the platform that will tell you how to go about this.

Traveller's Cheques and Credit Cards

seven atm Although credit cards are becoming increasingly popular in Japan, cash is still the most common method of payment at local shops and the only method in many good restaurants. Travellers cheques are accepted by leading banks and international first class hotels in Tokyo or Osaka. They cannot be used for payment at most local shops, restaurants and hotels, so you need to remember to cash them before you go shopping. A more convenient way to obtain cash is to use major foreign cash and credit cards at Post Office and Seven Bank ATMs. Travellers can access any of the 26,000 post office ATMs marked with the International ATM Service symbol. Service hours for Post Office ATMs vary depending on the location, but in general they are accessible: Monday to Saturday: 0:05(7:00 Mon. and The day after a holiday)-23:40 Sunday and national holidays: 0:05-20:00 Closed: January 1-3 Over 14,000 Seven Bank ATMs are placed at 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout Japan. The service is available 24 hours a day and ATM screens and receipts support four languages: English, Korean, Chinese and Portuguese. Cards such as PLUS, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and JCB are accepted at these ATMs.

Utilities / Tipping / Emergency

Drinking water

It is safe to drink tap water anywhere in Japan. Mineral water is available at hotels, department and convenience stores, supermarkets and upmarket restaurants. Water is often available as a free service or self service in restaurants.

Electricity

The electric currency for home use is 100 volts A.C. throughout Japan, although two different cycles are used: 50 hertz in eastern Japan, and 60 hertz in western Japan. Major hotels have outlets of 110 and 220 volts in Tokyo and other main cities, but their sockets accept two-prong plugs only. Adaptation units from three-prong to two-prong plugs are available at electrical appliance shops at airports or large cities. Major hotels and ryokan have hair dryers and irons provided in the room or on a loan basis. Its best to buy an adaptor plug before you leave for Japan (e.g. at the airport, or an electrical appliance store) so that you can recharge your mobile phone, laptop, gaming equipment or digital camera.

Tipping and bartering

Tipping and bartering are not common in Japan. A 10% to 15% service charge is added to the bill at leading hotels, ryokan and upmarket restaurants. Otherwise the price shown is the price charged, consumption tax included.

Japan's Immigration Procedures

Japanese Immigration law has been reworked in recent years, enacting several measures to prevent terrorism, which include submission of personal identification at immigration. Under current immigration procedures fingerprints and a facial photograph will be taken. In the event that anyone refuses to submit to these provisions, they will not be permitted to enter Japan. All foreign nationals entering Japan will be fingerprinted and photographed, except special permanent residents, persons under 16, those persons performing activities which fall under the status of "Diplomat" or "Official" and those persons who have been invited by the head of any national administrative organization. All other foreigners must submit his/her passport, place their index fingers on a digital fingerprint reader, and consent to having their facial photograph taken. The immigration officer will then conduct a short interview.

Emergencies

For Police, dial 110, and for the fire department or an ambulance dial 119. No coins are necessary to make an emergency call from a public phone. If you are using a green public phone it is necessary to lift the receiver and press the red button before dialling. If you are using a grey public phone, simply lift the receiver and dial the number. Remember to speak clearly and slowly.

Other useful telephone numbers

AMDA International Medical Information Centre: Tokyo (03) 5285 8088 / Kansai (06) 4395 0555
Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Information Centre: (03) 5285 8185
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Consultation Service for Foreigners: (03) 5320 7744

Public Phones

Grey or green in colour, public phones are found in railway stations, hotel lobbies and department stores. They accept ¥10 coins, ¥100 coins and prepaid telephone cards. A prepaid telephone card costs ¥1,000 and is available from convenience stores, kiosks at train stations and vending machines located next to some public phones. A local call costs ¥10 per minute, so it is best to insert a few 10 yen coins at a time to avoid being cut off. Unused coins are returned but no change is given for partial use of a 100 yen coin. Charges for inter-city calls vary depending on the distance. Domestic calls are cheaper at night and on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays. You can rent mobile phones (called keitai denwa) at international airports.

Calling Australia

Dialing an international call

You can place an international call through NTT communications (0033), KDDI (001), or Softbank Telecom (0061). If you use the dial call system, you need only dial the access number (0033, 001 or 0061) + 010 + country code (61) + area code (without the leading Zero) + individual number. To obtain the service information, dial 0120-506506 for NTT Communications, 0057 for KDDI and 0088-41 for Softbank Telecom.

Using a telephone card to place an international call

You are able to place international calls with SkyWorld, CosmoGold, Vivaplus, Brastel, EasyTalk, World Pre-paid Card and KDDI Super World Card. Unfortunately, you cannot buy all international calling cards at a convenience store, instead some require you to place an order through the internet, and pick up the card at your nearest convenience store, or have it delivered to your address.

Placing an international call through an operator

You can access an operator by dialling KDDI (0051). You are able to choose either a person-to-person call, by identifying the person you are calling, or a station-to-station call by identifying the telephone number you want to reach. The operator can also assist you in a placing a reverse charge call.

Automatic taxi door
DON'T shut the taxi door yourself. Unlike Australian taxis, the rear passenger door of Japanese taxis have an automatic opening and closing function. The driver has control of the door, and will open it when you are ready to get in or out. You'll have to open the front passenger door by yourself.

Bikes without a helmet
DON'T freak out when you see that nobody wears helmets when riding bicycles! In Japan, the bicycle is a common mode of transport yet most do without the helmets ubiquitous in other countries. Whilst accidents are not uncommon and it is far safer to ride with a helmet, it is not against the law to ride without one and many bike riders don't bother.

Postal Service

Both domestic and international mail services are reliable and efficient. An airmail letter takes about one week from Japan to Australia, while an article sent via sea mail takes approximately two months.

Postage rates

Domestic
Destination		All Japan
Letters	up to 25g*	¥80
Letters	up to 50g	¥90
Postcards		¥50
International Air Mail
Destination		Asia,Guam	North/Middle America,Oceania,Europe, Middle East	Africa,South America
Postcards		¥70	¥70	¥70
Aerograms		¥90	¥90	¥90
Letters	up to 25g*	¥90	¥110	¥130
Letters	up to 50g	¥160	¥190	¥230

*Rate for Regular Size (14 to 23.5cm long, 9 to 12cm wide, up to 1cm thick)

General Business Hours

seven japan Most ATMs only operate during certain hours, although many convenience stores are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, and the ATMs in those shops will be available.

	Weekdays	Sat.	Sun. & National Holidays
Banks	9:00-15:00	closed	closed
Post Offices*	9:00-17:00	closed	closed
Shops	10:00-20:00	10:00-20:00	10:00-20:00
Convenience Stores	24 hours	24 hours	24 hours
Museums**	10:00-17:00	10:00-17:00	10:00-17:00
Offices	9:00-17:00	closed	closed

*Some main post offices are open daily. Parcel collection is available 24/7 at some centres.
**Most museums are closed one weekday.

Peak Travel Seasons

Train stations and airports become very crowded during each of the three peak travel seasons in Japan. Visitors to Japan need to be aware of the difficulties in booking travel tickets and accommodation during these periods: 1) New Year holiday period - December 27 to January 3 and adjacent weekends; 2) "Golden Week" holiday period - April 29 to May 5 and adjacent weekends; 3) "Bon" festive season - one week around August 15.

Aviation Security Measures for Carry-on Baggage at International Airports

aviation Each container of liquids, aerosols or gels in your carry-on baggage must be 100 millilitres or less and all the containers must be sealed in a transparent, one-litre or smaller plastic bag. You are only allowed to carry one of these plastic bags. You may still bring prescription medicines, baby products and non-prescription medicines that you need for the flight, though note that proof of need may be required. When you get to the screening point, you will have to surrender any liquids, aerosols or gels greater than 100ml that you still have with you, including duty free items. The new rules also introduce random frisk searches as part of the screening process. More information is available on www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security/aviation/ LAG/index.aspx Please Note: These restrictions do not apply to checked-in baggage

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