Japan National Tourist Organization
Internet: http://www.ilovejapan.ca
Internet: http://www.jnto.go.jp
Internet: http://www.japantravelinfo.com

VISITORS please go to http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/JP-Japan-passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm for visa and passport information; or check with the Embassy and its consulates in your country of departure for up-to-date information.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Minors travelling alone may require a passport, visa, where applicable, and other travel documentation in order to travel abroad.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. Contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in some countries, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials.

NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ENTRY REQUIREMENTS may result in denied boarding or being refused entry into the country and deportation of passenger on the same aircraft or first available flight.

No vaccinations are required to enter Japan.
Routine immunizations should be up-to-date (ie. tetanus-diphtheria, polio, etc.).
While medical care in Japan is good, English-speaking physicians and medical facilities that cater to Western-style medical care expectations are expensive and not widespread. Japan has a national health insurance system, which is available only to those foreigners with long-term visas for Japan. National health insurance does not pay for medical evacuation. Medical caregivers in Japan require payment in full at the time of treatment or concrete proof of ability to pay before treating a foreigner who is not a member of the national health insurance plan.
Western-style and standard psychiatric care can be difficult to locate in major urban centers in Japan, and generally is not available outside of Japan's major cities.
Prescriptions from other countries are not honored in Japan, so travelers with ongoing prescription medicine needs should arrive with a sufficient supply for their stay in Japan, or enough until they are able to see a local care provider. Certain medications are not widely available. A list of medical facilities in Japan with English-speaking staff may be available from your country's embassy.

For more health information, visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/notices.aspx

For a list of travel clinics, visit: http://astmh.org/publications/clinics.cfm

H1N1 - SWINE FLU - WHO Raises Pandemic Alert Level to Phase 5.
Check with your travel agent or airline as cancellations and restrictions are increasing.
U.S. CDC - http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
FAQs - WHO http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/faq/en/index.html
FAQs - CDC http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
How H1N1 Spreads - http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm

Visitors may import: 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 g. of tobacco. 3 bottles (760 cc. each) of alcoholic beverages. 56 g. of perfume. Gifts and souvenirs valued up to Y200,000 or its equivalent. Tobacco and liquor allowances are only for persons 20 years of age or over.

For Embassies and Consulates for this country you are departing from, visit: http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/Japan/Japan.html

As a visitor to any country you are not exempt from its laws, both civil and criminal and you cannot expect to receive special treatment. Your dress, general behaviour and appearance may have to conform to local standards. You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Japanese regulations require that visiting foreign nationals provide detailed information when checking in at lodging facilities such as hotels and inns. The purpose of the registration is to assist in preventing infectious diseases and terrorism. The required information includes name, address, occupation, nationality, and passport number. You must also allow your passports to be photocopied.

An archipelago of over 3,000 islands extending more than 2,790 km from northeast to southwest in the Pacific, Japan is separated from the east coast of Asia by the Sea of Japan. Japan is located in an active seismic zone.

Petty crime occurs in larger cities, particularly in entertainment districts. There is an increase in drink-spiking incidents targeting foreigners particularly district of Roppongi in Tokyo. Drinks should never be left unattended. Extreme caution should also be observed when drinks are prepared and served.

For a visitor, JR's Japan Rail Pass offers exellent value and convenience. The Rail Pass is available only to sightseeing visitors and must be bought outside of Japan. It gives the bearer unlimited travel on JR lines and affiliated buses and ferries.

Taxis are widely available and can usually deliver customers to addresses written in Japanese or on business cards.

Bus service is available in all cities, but can sometimes be a bit difficult for non-Japanese speaking visitors to use. JR operates long-distance buses between Tokyo and other major cities (JR Bus Network). Though travel takes longer, sometimes due to heavy traffic, fares are cheaper than Shinkansen train fares.

A direct overseas call can be made from a public telephone displaying an International and Domestic Telephone sign. These phones are not widespread, but can be found at airports, hotels, and other key facilities. Direct dial calls can be made via a telephone company using the company's access number.

For Facts, maps and more info visit:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook

TOKYO - Narita International Airport at Narita is 60 km from downtown Tokyo.

OSAKA - Kansai International Airport is 60 km from the JR Shin-Osaka Station.

For more airport information and to view a map, visit: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/

It is recommended that you do not place valuables in your luggage, due to possible theft. Keep valuables in your hand luggage.

Travellers should arrive at the airport earlier than usual, exercise patience and contact their airline for further information on their flight(s).

AIRPORT SECURITY
For more information on security directives issued by the Transportation Security Administration to all United States and international air carriers with inbound flights to the U.S. and other travel security news, visit: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

Seasonal climate. Winter, December-February. Spring, March-May. Summer, June-August. Autumn, September-November. The rainy season is usually from mid-June to mid-July. The typhoon season is mostly in September.
For current weather conditions http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/

The following temperatures are for Tokyo.

January	Min.	-2	Max.	8
February	Min.	-1	Max.	9

Yen. Money exchange must be done at an authorized foreign exchange bank or at an authorized money changer. Exchanging money at the airport is highly recommended as foreign currencies are only accepted at a limited number of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Even at leading city banks, tellers are not always accustomed to seeing foreign bank notes other than U.S. dollars. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at major banks and hotels. Credit cards are accepted in major cities. ATMs are widely available, but some do not accept foreign debit cards. Cash machines do not operate 24 hours a day. They generally close at 21:00 hours or earlier and may not operate at the weekends. You should check with your bank before travelling and take sufficient alternative sources of money for the duration of your stay. Your bank can advise if you need a new Personal Identification Number (PIN) for overseas access to your account.

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.

For information on currency conversion and trends, visit: http://www.oanda.com/ .

100 volts, 50 cycles in eastern Japan (including Tokyo), 60 cycles in western Japan (including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka). At most major hotels, two outlets for both 110 and 220 volts are installed but their sockets usually accept a two-leg plug only. Most

Traffic drives on the left. Travel by motor vehicle is challenging. Roads are narrow, signs are in Japanese, and city traffic is congested. Turning on a red light is not permitted unless specifically authorized. Roads in mountainous areas are often closed during winter. All visitors wishing to drive in Japan must obtain Japanese compulsory insurance.

Some countrys do not recognize an International Drivers licence. Therefor, foreigners may need to obtain a local Drivers Licence. Please check with the Tourist Board, Consulate or Embassy of the country to be visited.

For cruise travel safety, health and security tips from the International Council of Cruise Lines, visit http://www.iccl.org/

For our Travel Resource Center, go to http://www.eTravelAdvisories.com/code/resource.asp

BANKING HOURS: Mon-Fri 0900-1500. Business hours for exchanging foreign currency at regular banks usually start at 1030 or even 1100.
OFFICE HOURS: Private companies are open weekdays 0900-1700, Saturdays 0900-1200. Some companies are closed on Saturdays. Government offices are open weekdays 0900-1700.
SHOPPING HOURS:Generally, shops and stores are open weekdays as well as weekends and national holidays from 1000-2000. Some specialty shops are closed on Sundays and national holidays. Department stores are usually open on weekends and national holidays but close one day a week on a weekday, differing by store. Their business hours are 1000-1900/2000.
Visa ATM Locater;
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp
Mastercard ATM Locater;
http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/atmlocations/index.html

Popular buys include pearls, kimonos, lacquerware, ceramics, cloisonne work, folk art, silk goods, woodblock prints, Japanese dolls, handmade rice paper articles, bamboo items, watches, cameras and electronics. Duty-free shopping is available at Japan's international airports. Authorized tax-free shops in urban shopping districts cater to tourists. Bring your passport with you for tax-free shopping.

FOOD: There are a great number of recommended restaurants belonging to the Japan Restaurant Association. They offer high standards and excellent service and are accustomed to catering to overseas visitors. A typical Japanese dish is "Sushi" - small oblongs of rice patties topped with pieces of fresh fish, seafood, vegetables etc. "Sukiyaki" is thin slices of beef, vegetables, tofu and vermicelli and is usually cooked on the table in front of the customer. "Kaiseki Cuisine" is a full course of traditional foods composed of seasonal vegetables and fish. Restaurants close early at night, the last order accepted is often around 2030/2100. Most restaurants display wax models of the dishes they serve. By pointing at the dish in the window, one can easily overcome the language barrier.
BEVERAGES: Beer is the most popular drink in Japan. Sake (rice wine) is the national drink. Shochu is a distilled spirit made from sweet potatoes, wheat, sugar cane etc. and like vodka, can be a base liquor for cocktails. Imported liquors are available but expensive.

Tipping is not the custom in Japan. Most establishments add a 10 - 20% service charge. No tip is necessary unless you request extra services. Tipping for taxi drivers is not a customary practice.

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance from your travel agent. Health plans only provide limited coverage while travelling outside of the country. Your travel agent can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance, however they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased.

Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverages. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable. High risk activities such as skydiving, parachuting, and bunji jumping are also not covered by the insurance.

Understand the complete insurance coverage you have before travelling out of the country.

This TRAVEL ADVISORY information is subject to Copyright by e-Travel Technologies Inc 2009 and has been issued on your behalf by a Travel Professional or an authorized distributer.