Some travel info about Japan

GEOGRAPHY

Japan is situated in northeastern Asia between the North Pacific and the Sea of Japan. The area of Japan is 377,944 square kilometers. Japan consists of 6,852 islands, including the four large main islands, Hokkaido (northern island), Honshu(main island), Shikoku (smallest island) and Kyushu (southern island).

CLIMATE

There are four seasons in Japan. Winter (Dec—Feb), spring (Mar—May), summer (JuneAug), autumn (Sep—Nov). Japan has different climates from region to region and knowing about Japan’s climate and weather in advance helps you select the best time of year for your comfort. Spring and autumn are generally the best seasons to visit.

CREDIT CARDS

International credit cards such as American Express, VISA, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted at major establishments. However, credit cards are often not accepted outside big cities so obtaining cash beforehand is recommended especially when you travel to the countryside.

TIPPING

Tipping for service is not required in Japan in places like hotels, taxis, and restaurants. Fees for service are already included in the bill.

HEALTH CARE

Tap water is safe to drink in Japan. A variety of mineral water including major imported brands can be easily obtained from

supermarkets, convenience stores and other

TIME DIFFERENCES

8 or 9 hours ahead of G.I\/|.T. Daylight Saving Time is not in use in Japan. POPULATION

Japan’s population is over 126 million. Most people reside in densely populated urban areas. Japan’s capital city is Tokyo. The population ofthe Tokyo Metropolitan Area including the city, some of its suburbs and the surrounding area is approximately 12 million.

LANGUAGE

Japanese (”Nihon—go” in Japanese) is the language spoken in Japan. However, many Japanese are able to understand English to a certain extent, since everyone must learn English as part of compulsory education. English signs are practically everywhere at stations and on trains, and on many road signs too. Informafion is announced in both Japanese and English on bullet trains and most other trains in the major cities. Also English guidance or explanatory texts can be seen atthe major sightseeing spots and attractions.

PASSPORT AND VISA

Nationals of most EU countries only need a passport, which will remain valid during the period of stay, and a return ticket to enter Japan as a tourist. For more details and a list of countries with visa exemption agreements, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

MONEY

The unit of Japanese currency is yen (¥ or PEI). 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. You can buy Japanese yen at foreign exchange  banks and other authorized money exchangers. We recommend purchasing yen cash in your home country or at the airport on arrival. At the international airports, currency exchange counters are usually open during normal office hours. Foreign credit and debit cards can be used at Post Office and Seven Bank ATIVIs (cashmachine) throughoutJapan.

similar stores. It is recommended that you buy travel insurance before entering the country.

ELECTRICITY

The voltage used throughout Japan is uniformly 100 volts. There are no columnarashaped plugs or 37pm plugs used in Japan but 2aflatapin plugs are used instead. It is advisable to purchase a plug adapter beforehand.

INTERNET ACCESS, WIFI

Wifi is available in many places. Please note they often require a password for security reasons. Also, most accommodation is internetrready. If your budget allows, hiring a mobile hotspot deVIce (WIfi router) at the airport is another good option. You can use it anywhere the mobile covers. *For more information, please contact our sales staff.

LUGGAGE DELIVERY

Luggage delivery services can be a comfortable alternative to carrying around luggage. Deliveries can be made nationwide to/from airports and hotels. They usually provide a nextaday delivery service. *For more information, please contact our sales staff.