Visiting Japan?

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions from travelers planning to visit and tour Japan. Feel free to browse around, we have assembled the best information for you!

Japan is not just a country of incredible cultural wealth, but also a hot spot for technical advances, life style, shopping and art. 

Tokyo, Kyoto or Sapporo, the former Olympic City are providing you with a wealth of opportunities. You can visit the Sake Museum, the Beer Village, relax in a spa in traditional style and many more things that would exceed the possibility of description. 

Here's to some of your most frequently asked questions - FAQ's: 

Q: Do I need any vaccinations to enter Japan?
A: There are no requirements for foreign travelers from any countries regarding certificates of vaccination.

Q: Do I need a visa?
A: Japan has agreements with 60 countries that exempt these citizens from having to apply for a visa to enter Japan. Nationals of all other countries require a visa. 

Q: What can I bring through Customs?
A: Baggage or accompanying items arriving separately (within six months after either entry to or exit from Japan), which are accepted as for personal use only, are duty-free within the restricted quantity as specified by the customs regulations. 

Q: Can I use my credit cards? If yes, what is the best way to carry money in Japan: Travelers Checks, cash or credit cards?
A: Although most stores and restaurants will accept VISA, MasterCard and American Express cards, travelers should keep in mind that there are smaller shops that may not have merchant account capabilities. More than 26,000 Post Office ATMs exist at various locations throughout Japan, and stickers indicate whether a Post Office has an ATM machine. Cirrus, Plus, Maestro and Visa Electron networks are accepted, as are Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club credit cards.

Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, so carrying cash is not a real problem. Travelers Checks are also an option, although it is wise to have these available in either Japanese yen, or US dollars. Travelers Checks may not be accepted by establishments other than major hotels and banks, as establishments must have currency exchange capabilities in order to accept these.

Q: Is it possible to use my mobile phone in Japan?
A: At the time of writing, the Japanese mobile telephone system is not compatible with those of other countries; however, you may wish to confirm the compatibility of your mobile phone in Japan with your phone line service provider in your own country before departing for Japan. If you want to use a mobile phone in Japan, rental phones are also available. You can find rental shops at Narita Airport and Kansai Airport. 

Q: Is Japan expensive? Prices in Japan are extremely high, aren't they?
A: A visit to Japan is affordable even for those on a budget, as there are a wide variety of budget accommodations, transportation passes, and sightseeing discounts.

Despite rumors that travel in Japan is expensive, Tokyo and other large Japanese cities are not any more expensive than other big cities worldwide. Previous surveys on price differentials from 2002 showed that the average price in Tokyo is only 1.06 times higher than the average price of London, 1.13 times higher than the average price of Paris and Frankfurt, and 1.24 times higher than the average price of New York. 100-yen shops and budget stores abound in Japan and sell extremely affordable necessities and reasonably priced gifts, and inexpensive restaurants serve meals that cost 1,000 yen or less.

Staying in Japan is also affordable, as inexpensive hotel chains and ryokans abound, for international travelers as well as locals, which can meet anyone's budget.

Q: I don't speak Japanese. Will travel in Japan be difficult
A: Traveling in a country where you don't speak the language can be both challenging and rewarding. But even if you don't speak any Japanese, finding your way around Japan needn't be difficult. English is widely spoken throughout the country, particularly in major cities and tourist centers. Public transportation announcements are frequently made in both Japanese and English, and signs generally include decipherable roman characters or an English explanation. A comprehensive range of tourist services also provides a helping hand to foreign visitors in Japan.

Q: When is peak travel season?
A: Visitors to Japan should be aware of the peak times of the year for booking travel and accommodation reservations, which are: (1) Yearend and during New Year holidays — December 27 to January 4 and adjacent weekends; (2) "Golden Week" holiday season — April 29 to May 5 and adjacent weekends; and (3) "Bon" festival season — the week centering on August 15.

Q: Please tell me where Japan is located. Can I go from Tokyo to Hong Kong by train?
A: Japan is an island nation with Tokyo as its capital, and is situated to the east of the Chinese mainland. We are sometimes asked if people can travel from Tokyo to Hong Kong by train. But Hong Kong, a Chinese territory located in the south of the mainland, is separated from the islands of Japan by sea. The distance between Hong Kong and Tokyo is 2,890 km (1,806 mi.). Therefore, you cannot travel from Tokyo to Hong Kong by train, but you can travel by air, which takes about 5 hours.