Japan Travel Guide

Full Name

none

Former Name

None

Capital City

Tokyo

Government Type

constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government

Area Size

The area of Japan is 377,873 square kilometers, nearly equivalent to Germany and Switzerland combined or slightly smaller than California.

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +9 hours

Climate

Except for the Hokkaido area and the subtropical Okinawa region, the weather is mostly temperate, with four seasons. Winters are cool and sunny in the south, cold and sunny around Tokyo (which occasionally has snow), and very cold around Hokkaido, which is covered in snow for up to four months a year. Summer, between June and September, ranges from warm to very hot, while spring and autumn are generally mild throughout the country. Rain falls throughout the year but June and early July is the main rainy season. Hokkaido, however, is much drier than the Tokyo area. Rainfall is intermittent with sunshine. Typhoons are only likely to occur in September or October but rarely last more than a day.

Geography

Japan is situated in northeastern Asia between the North Pacific and the Sea of Japan. Japan consists of four major islands, surrounded by more than 4,000 smaller islands.

Languages

Japanese

Culture

Japanese culture has evolved greatly over the years, from the country's original Jōmon culture to its contemporary culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America. Traditional Japanese arts include crafts (ikebana, origami, ukiyo-e, dolls, lacquerware, pottery), performances (bunraku, dance, kabuki, noh, rakugo), traditions (games, tea ceremony, budō, architecture, gardens, swords) and cuisine. The fusion of traditional woodblock printing and Western art led to the creation of manga, a typically Japanese comic book format that is now popular within and outside Japan. Manga-influenced animation for television and film is called anime. Japanese music is eclectic, having borrowed instruments, scales and styles from neighboring cultures.The earliest works of Japanese literature include two history books the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki and the eighth century poetry book Man'yōshū, all written in Chinese characters.

History

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the Treaty of Kanagawa with the United States in 1854, Japan opened its ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1933 Japan occupied Manchuria and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally. In 2005, Japan began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Travel Information

The largest national airline is Japan Airlines (JAL). Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) (Narita City) is 65km east of Tokyo (journey time – 1 hour 10 minutes). Luxury coaches depart regularly from the airport to city-centre hotels. There is also a limousine bus to the Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT). A shuttle bus links the airport with major hotels in the city centre. Tickets for all services can be bought in the terminals. Japan Railways' reservation-only Narita Express line runs from Narita station terminal located beneath the airport to Tokyo station (journey time – 1 hour). Keisei Electric Railway also runs from the airport terminal to Keisei Ueno station in central Tokyo (journey time - 1 hour). There are taxis to the city, with a surcharge after (journey time – 1 hour). Travellers should note that these are five times as expensive as the trains. There is a free shuttle bus connecting both terminals (journey time – 10 minutes). Airport facilities are Duty-free shops, bank/bureau de change, car hire, restaurants, tourist information centre in both terminals, post office, mobile phone and video camera hire and Internet facilities. Kansai International (KIX) (Kansai) is 50km southwest of Osaka. There is a bus to the city(journey time – 1 hour). The Nankai RR service goes to Namba station (journey time – 30 minutes). The JR West service goes to JR Osaka station (journey time – 1 hour 10 minutes). Taxis are available to the city (journey time – 1 hour); a surcharge may be imposed after 2200. It is also possible to take the jetfoil from Kansai Airport to Kobe’s Port Island (journey time – 30 minutes). Airport facilities are duty-free shops, car hire, banks/bureaux de change, tourist information and bar/restaurant. Central Japan International Airport (Centrair) (NGO) is 35km south of Nagoya. JR Tokai Bus Company operates frequent services between the airport and Nagoya station (journey time - about 45 minutes). Meitetsu bus services are also frequent and call at Sakae and several hotels in the city. Taxis are available. Meitetsu trains offer the fastest way of getting into town (journey time - 28 minutes). Airport facilities areCar hire, bureaux de change, ATMs, bars, restaurants and shops. Fukuoka International Airport (FUK) is 20 minutes’ journey time from Fukuoka City. Airport facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change and bar/restaurant. Main ports: Japan is easily accessible by sea, and passenger ships include the major ports on their schedules. Ferries operate daily from Osaka and Kobe to Shanghai (China) and weekly from Kobe to Tanggu (near Tianjin, China). For Taiwan, ferries depart from Okinawa. The Shimonoseki-Busan ferry runs across the Sea of Japan to Korea (Rep). Links to the Russian Federation include weekly services between Yokohama and Nakhoda (near Vladivostok).There are cruises between the Japanese islands en route to Shanghai and Hong Kong. The Trans-Siberian route to Japan is an interesting and very well organised, if lengthy, trip. Connections can be made daily from London via Harwich or Dover through Europe to Moscow. The Trans-Siberian railway departs regularly from Moscow.

Accommodation

Japan abounds in accommodations, both western-style and Japanese. Types of accommodation vary widely in terms of style and price. You can choose to stay in the familiar comforts of a western-style hotel, or enjoy the comfort and personal attention of a traditional Japanese inn. By taking time to search out some of the nation's less-publicized types of lodgings, you're sure to find clean and comfortable places to stay that suit your pocketbook.

Visa Requirements

Passport valid for the duration of intended stay in Japan required by all nationals. Visa is not required by nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for the purposes of tourism, short-term business meetings or to attend a conference for the following durations: -nationals of Austria, Germany, Ireland and the UK who although initially granted a 90-day stay may apply, while in Japan, to the local immigration department for an extension of up to a further 90 days, making the visa-free stay up to six months; -nationals of Australia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and the USA for stays of up to 90 days; -nationals of Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden for stays of up to three months. Whether or not they hold a visa, visitors who do not possess visible means of support for their stay, onward or return tickets, or other documents for their next destination, may be refused entry. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Getting Around

All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Air Systems (JAS), Japan Airlines (JAL) and several other airlines maintain an extensive network covering Japan proper and its islands. Tokyo’s domestic airport is Haneda (HND). A monorail service runs from Hamamatsu-cho to Haneda. Tickets can be purchased at automatic machines at Tokyo International Airport’s domestic departure counter, and at Osaka International Airport. There are frequent services by high-speed boat, ferry or hydrofoil to Japan’s islands. Bullet train services travel frequently to ports. The Japan Railways Group (JR) runs one of the best rail networks in the world, and is widely used for both business and pleasure. Express and ‘limited express’ trains are best for intercity travel. Very frequent services run on the main routes. Shinkansen, the ‘bullet trains’, are the fastest, with compartments for wheelchair passengers, diners and buffet facilities. Other types of train include Kyuko (Express), Tokkyu (Limited Express), Kaisoku (Rapid Train) and Futsu (Local Train). For short-distance trains, tickets can only be bought at vending machines outside train stations. Traffic drives on the left. The Keiyo Highway, Meishin Expressway, Tohoku Expressway and the Tomei Expressway link Japan’s major Pacific coastal cities, passing through excellent scenery. An International Driving Permit is required. Public transport is well developed, efficient and crowded. The underground systems and privately run suburban rail services, which serve all the main cities, are very convenient but best avoided in rush hours. Tokyo also has a good network of trams. Buses can be confusing and are best used with someone who knows the system. Otherwise visitors should get exact details of their destination from the hotel. Fares systems are highly automated, but passes may be available. On buses, payment may be made on leaving. All of Japan’s largest cities have subway systems. Tokyo has two underground systems: the Tokyo Metro Co Ltd operates the nine Tokyo Metro lines (TRTA), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TBTMG) operates the four lines on the Toei Subway. Tickets for Toei lines are not valid for the Tokyo Metro and vice versa, so a transfer ticket must be bought. A variety of tickets can be bought including a monthly open pass, one-day open ticket, 14 tickets for the price of 10, and a Tokyo Combination ticket; this can be bought six months in advance and entitles the passenger to unlimited travel on all the lines on the subway, JR rail, Toei buses and street cars for one day within the six months. Taxis can be expensive, particularly in rush hour (0730-0930 and 1700-1800). There is a minimum charge for the first 2km (1.2 miles) and there is a time charge in slow traffic. It is advisable for visitors to have prepared in advance the name and address of their destination in Japanese writing, together with the name of some nearby landmark; a map may also help. Hotels can provide this service.

Health & Safety

There are no inoculations required for entering Japan from anywhere around the world. Tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Japan. Medical systems and facilities in Japan are well established so that you can expect to receive a high standard medical treatment, should you have a problem with your health during your stay.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 2-3 Jan - Bank Holiday. 8 Jan - Coming of Age Day. 12 Feb - National Foundation Day (forwarded from 11 Feb). 21 Mar - Vernal Equinox. 30 Apr - Showa Day (forwarded from 29 Apr). 3 May - Constitution Memorial Day. 4 May - Greenery Day. 5 May - Children’s Day. 16 Jul - Marine Day. 17 Sep - Respect for the Aged Day. 24 Sep - Autumnal Equinox. 8 Oct - Sports Day. 3 Nov - Culture Day. 23 Nov - Labour Thanksgiving Day. 23 Dec - Birthday of the Emperor. 31 Dec - Bank Holiday.

Currency

Japanese Yen (JPY)

Electricity

100v A.C.

Working Hours

Bank hours from 09.00-15.00 (Monday to Friday) Post Offices from 09.00-17.00 (Monday to Friday) Shops from 10.00-20.00 (All week) Museums from 10.00-17.00 (All week) Offices hours from 09.00-17.00 (Monday to Friday)

Emergency Numbers

119(Ambulance/Fire) 110(Police)