General Information

Climate
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.Time: GMT +9.

Electricity
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.

Money
The currency is the Japanese Yen (¥), which is equal to 100 sen. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels and stores, but most Japenese 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.

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.Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a valid passport to enter Japan and may stay without a visa for up to three months.

Entry requirements

• UK nationals: British citizens require a valid passport and may stay in Japan without a visa for up to three months.
• Canadians: Canadians require a valid passport to enter Japan and may stay without a visa for up to three months.
• Australians: Australian nationals require a valid passport to enter Japan and may stay without a visa for up to three months.
• South Africans: South African nationals must hold a passport valid for at least nine months. A visa is required.

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.

Embassy or Consulate in US: Japanese Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 238 6700
Embassy or Consulate in UK: Japanese Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7465 6500
Embassy or Consulate in Canada: Japanese Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 241 8541
Embassy or Consulate in Australia: Japanese Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3244
Embassy or Consulate in South Africa: Japanese Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 2100
US Embassy or Consulate: United States Embassy, Tokyo: +81 (0)3 3224 5000
UK Embassy or Consulate: British Embassy, Tokyo: +81 (0)3 5211 1100
Canadian Embassy or Consulate: Canadian Embassy, Tokyo: +81 (0)3 5412 6200
Australian Embassy or Consulate: Australian Embassy, Tokyo: +81 (0)3 5232 4111
South African Embassy or Consulate: South African Embassy, Tokyo: +81 (0)3 3265 3366

Health
No vaccination certificates are required for entry to Japan. 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. Although new outbreaks of avian influenza have recently been confirmed in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, China and Malaysia, travellers to Japan are unlikely to be affected, but they should avoid bird markets and farms and places where they may come into contact with live poultry.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 September and travellers should take note of storm warnings along the coastal regions if travelling during this period. An earthquake measuring about 7 on the Richter Scale occurred on 20 March 2005 off the north coast of Kyushu affecting cities, including Fukuoka, but also parts of Saga Prefecture. Communications and services, and road and rail links were disrupted in the region, but damage in Fukuoka City has now been repaired and all services are back to normal. Travellers should avoid Genkaijima Island in view of the damage caused by the earthquake and its aftershocks and should monitor news and weather forecasts regularly.

Customs
The Japanese are formal and reserved and visitors are expected to behave politely. When entering a Japanese home or restaurant it is customary to remove shoes, and bowing is the customary greeting.

Communications
The international access code for Japan is +81. The outgoing code is 001 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0011 for the United States). 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 local handsets can be hired from the airport and various other locations. Internet cafes are widely available.