Handkerchiefs
As some of you will know, I find the idea of a clean handkerchief deeply chivalrous. Apparently in Japan they are also useful as most toilets don't have paper towels.
Luggage
Japanese people are known for packing light and don't make much provision for transporting or storing luggage. Don't let that bring you down though. If you take my approach to packing you will find that if you bring enough green clothes and accessories they all go together anyway.
Mobile phones
Often don't work in Japan. You might want to check if your provider's service will work there. If you have a 3G handset, it will work. The country code for Japan is +81.
Money
Japanese currency is the yen but they pronounce it "en". For a country that has the technology required to warm toilet seats,* the attitude to money is incredibly old school. They like cash. Full stop. The only places you can count on using credit cards are large department stores. Many ATMs (probably most of them) do not take foreign cards. You can usually get money at post offices, Citibank ATMs and some Seven-11s but even they don't necessarily take all cards and are not always easy to find. Alex spent a day wandering the streets unable even to purchase a coke. Sad times indeed. Post offices are only open 9-5 weekdays, 9-12 on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays. The Japanese Post website provides more information, which is somewhat contradictory, largely baffling and reads a little like haiku. Japanese people don't really tip and prefer small gifts so Kiley, bring your souvenir Charles and Di hankeys. More info here on money generally.
Our Glorious Diplomatic Representatives
The Australian Embassy in Japan can be found at 2-1-14, Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8361, Tel:03-5232-4111 which rather helpfully, lists our policy on whaling - always a pleasant conversation starter in Japan. The Ambassador is Alistair McClean and I for one feel well-represented knowing his middle name is Murray. Even though Japan is a safe western country, you are still encouraged to register with the Government to advise that you are travelling overseas. Japan has a green light in terms of travel advisories, safer even than UK (Kiley and Sam take note).
Passports
You're recommended to take your passport with you whenever you're out and about.
Police/Emergencies
There are many police-boxes, called Koban, located on various main street corners and other busy places. The police inside do not always speak English, but apparently they have a number they can call where an English-speaking officer is on duty 24-hours. These koban are also good for getting directions but many times they will ask to see your passport first.
Street names & directions
Most streets in Tokyo are not named and finding things confuses even the locals. Not only do addresses get provided based on an area rather than a street but building numbers are not in sequential order. Prior to the 1950s, they were allocaed in order of the date of construction. Woah. They way to locate things is based on area or section numbers, block numbers then building numbers within that block. Addresses are written as "1-11-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku." There are lots of maps around and it helps to get a reference that relates a location to a subway station
Socks
Guidebooks recommend ensuring you are wearing decent unholey socks as you will have to take your shoes off from time to time.
Transport
Trains and subways are the main mode of transport in the entire country. Within Tokyo there are very few places that are not within 2 to 10 minutes walk of a train or subway station. A map of the Tokyo system is available here. In my view, it looks utterly baffling. You can buy tickets from machines (which have some English and diagrams). Before you leave the subway system there are "fare adjusting machines" so you can pay extra if you got it wrong. Buses also go to places in between subway stops. Taxis are adequate but quite expensive. Don't open the door when one stops; the driver has a special automatic release. Same goes when you get out. While many drivers don't speak English, if you have the address written down, you can usually get by. Tipping is not necessary.
Visas
Unless any of you decides to stay more than 90 days, we will not need a Visa for Japan.
Weather
July is hot and humid. Average temperature is minimum 21 maximum 28. The record was minimum 13, maximum 37
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* And while I'm on that subject, what is with having a whole Wikipedia page on Japanese toilets? It's like they all just said after WWII, you know what, you Western Imperialists? You may have brought us to our knees and installed your own government and all that, but just watch while we outstrip the whole world with taking a whiz. This site goes into mega detail.
You clearly missed these vital tips on mobile phone usage on trains in Tokyo, listed on a tourism website:
" When you use your phone in public, you need to be considerate of other people. Especially, the use of it is very dangerous while you are riding a bicycle. Also, set your phone to a silent mode whenever you ride public transport like train, subway, and bus. Be sure to turn off your mobile phone near priority seats so that it may not adversely affect pacemaker used by people with heart problems. For more details, see the rules set by each transportation company".
Take note.
Posted by: Jess | April 02, 2009 at 08:02 PM