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Japan Travel Facts - General Information
Japan is a land of contradictions; from sky-scraping cities to rustic rural villages, cutting-edge technologies to timeless traditions, this is a country rich in cultural anomalies and fascinating contrasts. Visitors to this island nation will recognise the bright lights and bustle of east coast mega-cities, but will marvel at the age-old villages and rugged mountain landscapes of a beautiful interior, and at the graciousness of hospitable people. A visit to intriguing Japan is sure to surprise and will leave you with much to think about. Money & Costs
The currency in Japan is the yen (JPY) - no other currencies are accepted. Japan is remarkably cash-based, so credit cards are usually accepted only in tourist and hotel restaurants, and in bigger shops. Surprisingly few ATMs accept foreign cards, however travellers cheques can be changed in banks and at tourist hotels. You should bring a mix of cash (in yen), an ATM card, and travellers cheques. Japan is a developed country, so costs are significantly higher than in other Travel Indochina destinations. Food however is reasonably priced by western standards (allow about AUD15 to AUD30 for a filling dinner). At the time of writing, the Australian dollar is equivalent to JPY67.
Train Travel & Luggage Courier Services
The main form of public transport (even over long distances) is the train. Many of our tour prices include rail tickets. In some cases, and for independent travel, you should consider purchasing a Japan Rail Pass (page 14). Inter-city trains have only a little space for luggage, so if you are traveling with a group you will be expected to courier luggage to onward destinations. Tour guides and hotels will assist.
Passports, Visas & Airport Taxes
Temporary visitor visas are issued on arrival (at no cost) for holders of Australian passports. International arrivals are fingerprinted on arrival (in an efficient process). Airport taxes are always included in ticket prices.
Health & Vaccinations
As a developed nation, medical facilities in Japan are of a high international standard. Diseases such as malaria and cholera do not exist in Japan, so medial professionals do not usually recommend vaccinations.
Safety & Security
Japan is an exceptionally safe and secure country by world standards. Rates of petty crime in Japan are lower than in almost all other developed nations, due to high average incomes, low unemployment, and a stigma associated with breaking social norms. As precaution however, we recommend you photocopy your key documents, and keep a record of encashed travellers cheques.
Communications
International calls from hotels can be pricey, so it is more cost-efficient to buy a pre-paid phone card and use this at a public phone. Only 3G mobiles can be used in Japan, however these can be hired on arrival at airports for as little as JPY300 per day. Internet cafes exist but can be hard to find - use hotel facilities.
ClimateAny time is a good time to go to Japan, a longitudinally lengthy country with climate variation from north to south. In Honshu, winter (December to February) can be cold and in Western Honshu (including Kyoto) it snows. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are temperate. Summer (June to August) is marked by high humidity. Cherry blossoming occurs for a fleeting time in spring (too short a time to guarantee blossom viewing), while in autumn, inland Japan is a blaze of colour, as leaves turn to a crimson red
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