Dangers
Japan’s geography and geology make it prone to earthquakes, tsunami, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions. For this reason, it is essential to be aware of the safety precautions to observe while you are on your trip. Train stations, tourist information centres, hotels, and other establishments should have information readily available for visitors. You can also check the Japan Meteorological Agency website for the latest warnings and advisories.
Useful Phone Numbers And Websites
Electric
The standard electric supply in Japan is 100 Volts, with a frequency of 50 Hertz to 60 Hertz. Japanese electric outlets are Type A, meaning they have two, parallel, flat, non-polarized pins.
Insurance
Japan has a National Health Insurance program that covers all Japanese citizens, permanent residents, and foreign passport holders in Japan with Japanese visa valid for at least three months. This National Health Insurance guidebook provides more information.
Internet Access
There are many ways to access the internet while in Japan. Various train stations, tourist information centres, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and businesses all over the country offer free wi-fi. There are also data SIM cards, rental phones, and portable or pocket wi-fi available, as well as internet kiosks and internet cafes.
Laws And Customs
- Drugs – Japan has severe punishments in place for drug violators. You can find detailed information on what substances are banned, how to bring your prescription medication into the country, and more on the Japan Customs
- Identification – Tourists are required to have their passport with them all the time.
- Smoking – There are designated smoking areas found outside train stations, malls, offices, restaurants, and other establishments.
- Tattoos – If you have tattoos, be prepared to be turned away at some hot spring resorts, public swimming pools, beaches, and other places. In Japan, tattoos traditionally have a negative connotation and are associated with criminals.
Currency
The yen is the official currency of Japan. It is written as 円 in Japanese. Its symbol is ¥ and code is JPY.
Money
The yen comes in bills of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 denominations, and coins of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 denominations.
How To Pay For Items
Even though there has been an increase in the number of businesses that accept foreign credit cards and debit cards in Japan in the past years, cash is still the primary means of paying for goods and services. You can buy yen from your local bank before your trip, or exchange foreign currency at currency exchange counters on your arrival to Japan.
Withdrawing Money
There are ATMs and cash machines at Japanese airports, post offices, and convenience stores where you can withdraw yen using foreign issued cards. While in Japan, you can use the following websites to find an ATM near you: Japan Post Bank, Seven Bank, and Visa.
Cell Phones
Many foreign cell phone models these days are compatible with Japan’s mobile phone networks. To know if yours will work, check with your local carrier and take note of the rates before your trip. Alternatively, you can get yourself a Japanese SIM card or a rental phone that you can use for calling, messaging, data, and other functions upon arrival to the country.
Phone Codes
Japan’s country code is +81. Below are the area codes of some major cities:
Public Phones
Public phones or pay phones are still common in Japan. They are useful in situations in which cell phone signal or reception is lost during emergencies like earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. They typically come in bright colours, like green and pink, and are found at airports, bus and train stations, public offices, and others. To use one, you have to insert a 10 yen coin for a one-minute call or a prepaid calling card loaded with 500 yen to 1,000 yen. In case of emergencies, you can simply dial 110 (police) or 119 (fire/ambulance) free of charge.
Toilets
Toilets are easy to find in Japan. There is at least one in almost every train or bus station, convenience store, department stores, parks, supermarkets, temples, shrines, museums, and others. They come in different types: Western-style, modern-style with bidet functions, and squat.
Time
Japan Standard Time (JST) is the timezone of Japan, equivalent to UTC+09:00, meaning it is 9 hours ahead of the UTC or Coordinated Universal Time. It does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Public Holidays
Japan observes several public holidays every year, during which most offices, businesses, and establishments are closed.
Opening Hours
Most businesses in Japan are open on weekdays, from around 9 am until late in the afternoon. Banks, post offices, and offices usually operate from 9 am to 3pm or 5 pm; malls, shops, and department stores, from 10 am to 8 pm; and museums and other tourist attractions, from 10 am to 5 pm. It is best to visit a facility’s website to get accurate information.
Post
Japan has about 24,000 post offices that handle large volumes of letters, packages, parcels, and mail to be delivered within the country and overseas every day. They are usually situated close to main train stations, and are open Mondays to Fridays, from 9 am to 5 pm. Visit the Japan Post website for post office locations, rates, and other information.
Tipping
Tips are not expected at hotels, restaurants, and other business, and may just cause confusion or awkwardness, or even be seen as rude and offensive by some locals.
Recommended Vaccinations
Japan is one of the cleanest and safest countries in the world with top notch health and medical services. If visiting, you are not required to get vaccinated for anything else if you are up to date on your routine vaccines, i.e. polio vaccine, measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR vaccine), chicken pox/varicella vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, and annual flu shot.
Tap Water
Japan has excellent water purification and maintenance facilities that render its tap water drinkable. Wherever you are in the country, whether in a large urban area or in a small remote town deep in the mountains, you can drink water straight from a faucet in parks, temples, hotels, and others.
