Helpful Information

1. Visa

Please confirm your visa eligibility and obtain the appropriate visa to enter Japan. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/visa.html

2. Money

In general, you can use your foreign issued ATM cards with PLUS and Cirrus Networks. These cards are accepted at Citibank and Shinsei Bank ATMs or any ATM machines at 7 Eleven or at Post Offices. ATM machines at 7 Eleven are accessible 24 hours, but other bank or postal service ATM may have limited hours of operation.

Although hotels accept most major credit cards, cash is widely used here in Japan and it’s a good idea to keep 10,000 yen or more handy at all times. You will be surprised to find many places who do not accept credit cards or sometimes, have trouble with approval of foreign issued credit cards (especially Visa). If you are planning to travel outside major tourist areas, please be prepared to use ATMs often.

Please keep in mind that the daily withdrawal limit you have with your bank applies in Japan, too. You may want to change your daily withdrawal limit to higher amount such as US $1,000 while you are traveling. Also, advising your bank and credit company of your travel plans is always good to avoid any temporary suspension.

If you have alphabet as part of your password, please note majority of ATM keys do not have alphabet printed on them.

At Narita Airport, you can either exchange money at the bank or withdraw cash using ATM cards issued overseas at Citibank, Shinsei bank, JP Bank or Seven Bank machines.

ATM locations at Narita Airport (Official Narita Airport website)

General information on money and ATMs (JNTO website)

3. International Calls and Cell Phones

IIJmio is a good travel SIM card you can get at the airports and NEWDAYS stores at most JR Stations. Be sure to check your SIM card size, micro or nano.

4. Internet

Wi-fi is available at most hotels, but not all of the hotels or Japanese style inns.

If you want several devices connected at the same time most of the time, Pocke Wi-Fi router is a good. This is just an example of provider.

Japan Wireless

5. Gyms

Most of the gyms in Japan can be used with monthly/yearly contract, but you may have 1-day access at a few gyms including followings.

Gold’s Gym: For detailed information, please access to “membership type/fee” after you choose stores.

Anytime Fitness: If you are a member at your home country, you can use the membership in Japan, as well. Please check the terms and condition on their website.

6. Time Differences

Japan Standard Time: UTC+9 / No summer time or DST in Japan.

Fore more information, please visit http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/timedifferences.html

7. Electricity

Hair drier, mini kettle and refrigerator come with the hotel room both in Tokyo and Osaka. If you need to bring other appliances with you, see below for information on electrical current in Japan. For your computer, if you have 3-pin plug, you need to purchase a plug adapter.

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/electricity.html

8. Weather

Weathers and temperature differs depending on season or areas in Japan.

You can check the weather forecast at Japan Meteorological Agency

9. Drugs

Sudafed is not sold here. Bufferin is available. You may want to pack cold medicine, motion sickness medicine and stomach medicine you are familiar with.

10. Travel Bags

Elevators and escalators may not be available at all times. So, please avoid bringing a huge suitcase!

· 1 Suitcase with rollers and 1 small backpack or small bag for day trips. A 22” or 24” roll aboard suitcase is ideal.

· Please make sure you bring a small daypack to carry daily travel items you need such as toiletries and one change of clothes.

Important Notice

Luggage handling for one suitcase of standard 26 inch size or smaller & total weight 25kg (55lb) or less: (67cm / 26 inches x 45cm / 18 inches x 25cm / 10 inches) is included in your travel cost.

You may leave your suitcase at the hotel in Tokyo.

Travel shoes/clothes for visiting breweries

Please wear comfortable, easily removable walking shoes to visit breweries.

Inside the breweries, it is quite cold. Please wear warm clothes.

Japanese Toilets

If you have been to Japan before, please skip this section. You may find this section amusing, but I have seen people struggle with toilets and accidentally splash water all over!

Western-style toilets are found in hotels, department stores and large restaurants – however, we will also find traditional toilets at breweries, near temples, small restaurants, public parks, sake breweries and in train stations. Don’t worry – using these toilets is a lot easier than you think.

Face the hood or back of the toilet. Step up over toilet.