In Japan

You do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days for the purpose of business, a conference, tourism, or visiting friends or relatives.

A visa is required for longer stays, for study, or for carrying out activities for which you will be paid in Japan.

Your passport should be valid until at least the end of your stay.

Visa, passport and related information is subject to change without notice. Please check with the embassy, consulate, or travel agency.

Any animals or animal products (e.g., beef, beef jerky, sausages) you bring into Japan must undergo animal quarantine inspection. Plants must undergo plant quarantine inspection.

Fill out the required fields in the form that is distributed during your flight or available at the tables in the immigration inspection area.

All individuals entering Japan must submit a Customs Declaration (Declaration of Personal Effects and Unaccompanied Articles) form.

There are no immunizations that are required for entering Japan.

These limits apply:

• Tobacco only: 200 foreign cigarettes and 200 Japanese cigarettes
• Cigars only: 50
• Alcohol: three bottles (760 mL each)
• Perfume: 2 ounces (1 ounce is approx. 28 mL).
  • Excludes eau de cologne and eau de toilette

The islands of Japan are mostly in the temperate zone, and experience four distinct seasons. However, since the country stretches lengthwise North to South, it has different climates within those seasons—from the subpolar zone in Hokkaido to the subtropical zone of Okinawa.

• Spring (March to May): Many days are relatively warmer. Although it often becomes hot during the daytime, it is best to have a light jacket.
• Summer (June to August): It is often both hot and humid.
• Autumn (September to November): The number of less humid, more comfortable days increases.
• Winter (December to February): Seasonal winds from the continents result in plenty of snow on the Sea of Japan side and a cold wind blowing on the Pacific side. The temperature drops quite low as well, so a coat or down jacket is a must.

June and July are the rainy season for most of Japan; Hokkaido is the exception.

From July to October, tropical cyclones called typhoons can arise in the southern ocean waters and move north. In particular, Okinawa and the Kyushu region can experience strong winds and torrential rain.

As of March 2020, 1 USD = approximately 107 yen

You should check the official exchange rate at the time of your travel.

Currency can be exchanged at the foreign exchange counter at banks or post offices. There also are currency exchange counters at Japanese airports where you can exchange your money after arrival in Japan.

Although tipping is not customary, a service charge may be added to your bill. Furthermore, the traditional custom of handing over some money folded into paper or slipped into a decorative paper envelope as a gratuity to the waitress remains at some upscale Japanese inns (ryokans).

The TV system in Japan is NTSC, and the DVD region code is region 2. Note that DVDs purchased in other countries may not be able to be played on a Japanese DVD player.

Japanese Blu-rays are region code A. Blu-rays with region code A cannot be played on video players with a different region code.

Although the hours vary depending on the branch or services offered, general over-the-counter mail services are usually available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Some branches have a Yuyu counter that offers postal services on Saturdays.

Sending postcards to any country via airmail is available at the post office for 70 yen. There are four types of international mail services, each with different delivery rates and delivery times: Express Mail Service (EMS), airmail, Economy Air (SAL), and surface mail.

Using the example phone number (03) 1234-5678, follow these steps:

STEP 1

Dial your location’s international exit code.

STEP 2

Dial 81 (the country code for Japan).

STEP 3

Dial 3 (Remove the first 0 for Japan area codes)

STEP 4

Dial 1234-5678.

Using the example phone number (213) 123-4567 (the United States), follow these steps:

STEP 1

Dial 010, Japan’s international access code

STEP 2

Dial 1, the country code for the US

STEP 3

Dial 213, the area code

STEP 4

Dial 123-4567

Japanese is the official language of Japan.

English is often used at hotels and restaurants that cater to foreigners but is not widely spoken.

Banks are generally open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed weekends and holidays).

• Currency exchange is not available unless there are over-the-counter services.

ATMs are generally available from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and until 9:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Hours vary by establishment. Casual dining chain restaurants are generally open from 7:00 a.m. until late at night, with some open 24 hours.

Most stores are open from 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. The restaurant floors of most department stores stay open until 10:00 or 11:00 p.m.

Most convenience stores are open 24-hours a day, 365-days a year.

Alcohol use is prohibited by those under 20 years of age.

If you need to smoke, please do so only in designated areas.

• Smoking is prohibited for those under 20.
• Some regions also have bylaws prohibiting smoking while walking.
• An increasing number of eating establishments are creating separate smoking areas or rooms, and some restaurants, cafes and other spaces do not allow any smoking during lunchtime.

There is generally no fee to use restrooms in parks and other public facilities. If there are separate men's and women's restrooms, they are usually marked with a silhouette of a person in a skirt for the women's restroom and a person in pants for the men's restroom.

Some places have multipurpose restrooms that are large enough to fit a wheelchair or caregiver with a child, and are often fitted with handrails, a diaper changing table, and other equipment.

A few pointers for understanding manners in Japan:

• It is customary to remove your shoes when entering certain indoor spaces.
• When riding an escalator, it is customary to stay on one side to let people who are in a hurry pass on the other side.
• When getting on an elevator or train, wait first for those getting off, as they have priority.