Preparation to visit Japan
Passport, Short term visa
Needless to say, you need a passport to enter Japan.
And, when the foreign tourists travel around Japan for a short time, a short term visa is needed basically.
But, the tourists in many countries are exempted from the need for the visa.
The countries are listed in the following page.
The term is basically 90 days, but it is 15 or 30 days as regards a few countries.
Tickets, Vouchers, Passes
Confirm all tickets, vouchers and passes you have gotton in advance.
If you travel around Japan by railway, Japan Rail Pass is often recommended.
You must purchase it in your country in advance, and you can get the real pass after entering Japan.
But, the price is not so cheap.
If you buy a 7-day Pass, you will get your money's worth when you ride the limited express over 1,500 km. (For example, round trip between Tokyo and Okayama)
In addition, the pass is for only JR lines which are the former Japanese National Railway.
So you can't ride the trains of the other railway companies and subways.
Many other railway passes are also sold.
So you should check the passes according to your tour plan.
Please consider about rail pass in the following page.
Cash, Credit card, Debit card
Japanese people have liked to make a cash settlement.
It is said that the rate of cashless payment is low in the world.
In fact, you can use credit card and debit card in major shops, restaurant, hotels, airports, railway stations, etc.
But you must pay only in cash in many small shops and restaurants.
Various vending machines are installed everywhere in cities of Japan, and foreign tourists have an interest in that.
To use them, cash is main.
Some vending machines accept limited electronic money, but there are few vending machines for credit card and debit card.
Japanese people trust Japanese money highly.
And, they are a little careful about having the cards connected to bank account.
On the other hand, the payment by mobile phone is increasing.
But, natural disasters such as earthquake and heavy rainfall have become more frequent in recent years in Japan.
At that time, blackout often occurs, and the payment by cards and mobile phone becomes impossible in the area.
So, you need not only credit card or debit card bit also a certain amount of cash of Japan to travel around Japan.
Please check the following page about money.
Travel Insurance
According to Japan Tourism Agency, one in 20 foreign tourists suffers any injury and illness during this trip.
If you receive medical treatment, you must pay very expensive doctor's fee.
Therefore, you should take out a travel insurance to provide against such case.
Two Japanese non-life insurance companies sell the insurance for travelling to Japan.
International Driving Permit
If you want to rent a car in Japan, you must have International Driving Permit.
But it is limited to the license under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Internatioal Road Traffic. (not 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic !)
Please see the following page.
Electrical appliances, Mobile telephone
You may take any electrical appliance to Japan.
When you use it or charge it in Japan, you need a portable transformer.
In Japan, the general power supply has 100 volts.
Check the voltage written on the electrical appliance.
If "100V" is within the notation, you need not the transformer.
But, it is important to check the form of plug.
If the form in your country is different from Japan, a conversion plug is needed.
In Japan, "Type A" is used.
Please check the following page.
When you want to use your mobile telephone in Japan, you must know a few methods.
"Free Wi-Fi" is free and convenient, and there are many spots of "Free Wi-Fi" such as airports, main railway stations, convenient stores, cafes, etc.
But it is a little weak security method, so you should be careful when using it.
As safe methods, there are the methods using prepaid-type SIM Card, rental Wi-Fi, or rental mobile phone.
Please check the following page.
Clothes
The mainland of Japan belongs the Temperate Zone, and the four seasons are distinct.
When you visit Japan, you need to put on the clothes which are appropriate to the season.
In the areas of Honshu Island except Tohoku Region, Shikoku Island and Kyushu Island, most Japanese people wear summer clothes from the late May to the end of September and winter clothes from around December to early March.
In Tohoku area, winter starts a few weeks earlier and ends a few weeks later.
In Hokkaido Island, cold season is from November to March.
It is cold even in early April.
In Okinawa islands to the south of the mainland, there is no cold season.
But when it is windy in January and February, you may feel cold a little.
About climate of Japan, see the page.
Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are the sacred places for Japanese people.
But when you visit there, any type of clothes is OK.
Most Japanese-style hotels and inns provide "Yukata" as the nightwear nightclothes.
It is an informal thin cotton kimono.
That may be the chance you can wear a Japanese traditional clothing.
When you visit natural mountains and plateaus, you need the clothes, shoes and equipments for walking on rough routes and climbing steep slopes.
Shoes
Of course, you can take on your favorite shoes in Japan.
But, Japanese people don't take on shoes in the house.
When you enter Japanese-style hotel, inn, restaurant, hall in Buddhist temple, etc., you must take off your shoes at the entrance.
So, you should choose the shoes which is easy to take on and off.
Umbrella
It rains relatively much in Japan.
There is a rainy season named "tsuyu" from mid-June to mid-July, and September is also a rainy season.
Because Japanese people don't like to get wet, most of them use an umbrella on the rainy day or take an umbrella on the day when rain is expected.
Therefore, umbrella or raincoat may be a necessity for trip to Japan.
Parasol
Since the beginning of this century, the temperature in the summer is higher and the sunshine is stronger than previously in Japan.
It is severe to walk around the sightseeing spot under the blazing sun.
The shade of parasol reduces the temperature and shields from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Recently, public institutions in Japan recommend using parasol.
Many Japanese women use parasol as a necessity in the season of strong sunshine.
Now, men using parasol are also increasing in Japan.
When you travel around Japan in the hot season, try to use parasol.
Check the items prohibited to bring to Japan
When travelling around Japan, you want to bring your favorite foods from your country.
But, most fresh fruits, meats, dairy products etc. are prohibited to bring to Japan.
That is a rule common around the world.
If the item is prohibited, it will be forfeited at customs quarantine in the airport.
Of course, narcotic drugs, stimulant drugs and guns, etc. are the import-prohibited articles, and if you have them, you are arrested and punished.
Please check the following websites.
In addition, the following goods are limited in quantity or need to make a declaration to a customs official when you are entering into Japan.
Alcoholic bevarages, Tobacco, Perfume
Medicine and cosmetics for you
But narcotic drugs and stimulant drugs are forbidden in Japan.
If you have them, you may be arrested.