PASSPORT AND VISA
Nationals of most EU countries only need a passport which will remain valid during the period of stay and a return ticket to enter Japan as a tourist.
For more details and a list of countries with visa exemption agreements, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
MONEY
The unit of Japanese currency is yen (¥). Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen and bank notes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen.
You can buy Japanese yen at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers. We recommend purchasing yen cash in your home country or at the airport on arrival. At the international airports, currency exchange counters are usually open during normal office hours.
Foreign credit and debit cards can be used at Post Office and Seven Bank ATMs (cash machine) throughout Japan.
NOTES AND COINS
JAPAN INFO
CREDIT CARDS
International credit cards such as American Express, VISA, Diners Club and MasterCard are also acceptable at these major establishments. However, credit cards are often not accepted outside big cities so obtaining cash beforehand is recommended especially when you travel to the countryside.
CLIMATE
There are four seasons in Japan.
Winter (Dec-Feb), spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Aug), autumn (Sep-Nov)
Japan has different climates from region to region and knowing about Japan’s climate and weather in advance helps you select the best time of year for your comfort. Spring and autumn are generally the best seasons to visit.
DRINKING WATER
Tap water is safe to drink in Japan. A variety of mineral water including major imported brands can be easily obtained from supermarkets, convenience stores and other similar stores.
ELECTRICITY
The voltage used throughout Japan is uniformly 100 volts.
There are no columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs used in Japan but 2-flat-pin plugs are used instead. It is advisable to purchase a plug adapter beforehand.