Travel Japan by H.I.S.

Budget Travellers

Tours

Climate

Japan experiences four distinct seasons: Winter (December - February), Spring (March - May), Summer (June - August) and Autumn (September - November).

T(C)

Duty Free Allowance

Electricity

The voltage used throughout Japan is uniformly 100 volts, A.C. There are two kinds of frequencies in use; 50 Hertz in eastern Japan and 60 Hertz in western Japan (including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka).

A convertible type of electrical appliance such as a hair dryer, travel iron and shaver will therefore be handy; otherwise a step-down transformer is required to convert the voltage.

There are no columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs used in Japan but 2-flat-pin plugs are used instead. It is therefore advised to purchase a plug adapter prior to departure.

Money

Currency and Money Exchange

There is no limit on the amount of any currency that may be brought into or taken out of Japan. However, if you transport (any currencies, checks, securities or other monies) exceeding 1,000,000 yen worth in Japanese currency into or out of the country then you must complete a customs declaration.

The unit of Japanese currency is yen. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen and bank notes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen.

Travelers Checks and Credit Cards

Travelers Checks are accepted by leading banks, hotels, ryokan (Japanese inns) and stores in major cities.

International credit cards such as American Express, VISA, Diners Club and MasterCard are also acceptable at these major establishments. However, credit card transactions are not always convenient outside big cities so obtaining cash beforehand is recommended when you travel to the countryside.

National Holidays

International roaming is available on your mobile provided you have a WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) handset. Rental mobile phones are also available in Japan.

Telephone

Mobile Phones

You can now use your mobile phone number in Japan when using SoftBank Mobile and NTT DoCoMo's 3G (3rd generation) service networks. Simply bring your SIM card and insert into a rental mobile phone. Rental mobile phones are available at Narita Airport and Kansai Airport.

If you have a WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) handset international roaming is available on your mobile, please check with your local mobile phone service provider prior to departure.

Time Differences

Japan is in the same time zone 9 hours ahead of GMT and three hours behind New Zealand Time, except during Daylight Saving Time when there is a four hour difference.

Visa Information

Any foreign visitor who wishes to enter Japan must have a passport, which will remain valid during the period of stay.

Nationals of many countries are eligible to enter Japan without a visa unless the purpose of the visit is to reside in Japan, to obtain employment or to otherwise engage in remunerative activities.

The following is a list of nationals of countries that have "Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangements" with Japan:

For a period of 6 months or less

Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK citizens only)

For a period of 3 months or less

Argentina, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Rep., El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal (except when the passport was originally issued in present or former Portuguese colonies), San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey and Uruguay

For a period of 90 days or less

Andorra, Australia, Barbados, Bulgaria, Czech Rep., Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia and the U.S.A.

For a period of up to 14 days

Brunei

Nationals of countries that do not have "Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangements" or nationals wishing to obtain employment or to otherwise engage in remunerative activities within Japan must obtain a visa.

To apply for a visa, the applicant must apply in person to a Japanese Embassy or a Consulate, usually in his or her home country.

It is always advisable to double-check visa requirements with the appropriate Japanese Embassy or Consulate as visa regulations may change.