Japan

General Information

Rail Pass
The Key to Convenient Sightseeing in Japan - READ MORE >>

VISA
A Visa is not required for New Zealand Passport holders for a stay less than 90 days in Japan.
Please ensure that your passport has 6 months validity remaining. If you hold a passport other than New Zealand please check with us.

HEALTH
No vaccinations are required. Any concerns please ask your doctor or Department of Health.

DUTY FREE ALLOWANCES
500 Grams of Tobacco or 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars
3 bottles (750cc each) of liquor
2 ounces of perfume
2 watches (one watch must be under 30,000 yen)
Goods other than those above whose market value does not exceed 200,000 yen

CURRENCY
Japan has no restrictions on import of local or foreign currency. Non residents may take out up to the amount imported and declared.

Yen travellers cheques and credit cards are accepted at major tourist facilities, but not at inexpensive places catering mainly to the local Japanese market. Japan is still very much a cash society.

TIPPING
Tipping is not customary in Japan. Consumption tax between 10 to 15% is added to your bill at hotels, restaurants, ryokans etc. A sales tax is also added to purchases at point of sale.

TIME
Local time in Japan is 1 hour behind EST and 2 hours behind, during Australian daylight saving. There is no daylight saving in Japan.

BUSINESS HOURS
Department stores generally open 10am to 6pm. Closing days differ from store to store. Banks open 9am to 3pm on weekdays. Banks at Narita and Kansai airports open from 7am to 10pm daily.

ELECTRICITY
The electric voltage in Japan is 110 volts. Japanese use a 2 prong plug. You can not use appliances in Japan that are not suitable for dual voltage. See Travel Essentials for adaptors >>

TRAVEL HINT 1

• The secret to economical travel in Japan is mastery of the Rail system. Don't leave home without a Japan Rail Pass.
• Travel light as there is not much storage space on trains. Coin Lockers at most railway stations are handy for temporary storage while sightseeing.

TRAVEL HINT 2

• Japan supermakets are less expensive than department stores and are fun places to browse.
• Stationery and Toy stores are good places to shop for inexpensive Japanese style gifts. Also you must visit 100 yen shop if you are lucky enough to find one.
• All telephone calls are timed, so have spare coins ready or buy a telephone card.
• Water is safe to drink throughout Japan.
• Taxi doors open automatically, so be careful.

TRAVEL HINT 3

• Want inexpensive food?
  
  BREAKFAST: Ask for a Morning Set at a local coffee shop.
  LUNCH: Buy lunch box (O-bento) from a train station or select a set lunch from any number of restaurants at the half dinner price.
  DINNER: Go to the top floor of any department store and choose from the plastic replicas. Also try a Japanese Pub called "Izaka-ya" if you wish to experience typical Japanese food and drinks with reasonable price.

Travel books :

If you are interested in learning more about Japan, we can recommend reading the Lonely Planet Guide.

This indispensable guide is crammed with expert advice by a team of Japanese-speaking authors, and offers unique and expert coverage of such off-the-beaten track destinations as Okinawa and the Southwest Islands. 176 maps. Click here to read more >>