JAL | JAPAN AIRLINES

Guide to Japan

Japan Airlines offers up to date and useful information about Japan

Money

Generally speaking, it is safe to carry cash in Japan. A certain amount of cash is necessary in Japan for most forms of public transportation and for some restaurants and shops that do not accept credit cards or traveler's cheques.
Personal cheques are usually not for general daily use. Yen traveler's cheques can be purchased at many overseas banks. Credit cards are widely used in urban areas. Shops and restaurants that accept credit cards have stickers at their entrance or signs posted elsewhere to designate which cards are accepted.
Japanese bills Japanese coins Japanese bills
Japanese paper currency in circulation Japanese coin currency in circulation New Banknotes from Nov. 1, 2004

Money Exchange
Japanese public transportation, most shops and restaurants and other public service facilities do not accept foreign currencies, so you do need a certain amount of Japanese yen in cash for these kinds of immediate uses. Exchange foreign currencies at your arrival airport. Most stores and restaurants do not accept traveler's cheques, but they can easily be cashed at most banks. The remaining Japanese yen (only bank notes, no coins) can all be exchanged back for foreign currencies at the airport without limit, provided that the currency exchange center has enough cash for your exchange at that time.
World Currency Shop
Currency exchange available at specialty shops after the business hours of banks. Really helpful for people who often forget business hours.
ATMs at Post Office
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The sign of post office in Japan
From almost all post office ATMs countrywide money can be withdrawn with foreign credit cards, and at the end of March last year, 25,800 ATMs, accounting for more than 80% of all ATMs in Japan, have come to provide this service. The cards accepted are VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB and other credit cards and cash cards networked in this series.

Getting Around

Airplane


The Japan Airlines Group is introducing a new discount domestic air fare for overseas visitors to Japan, the JAL ''Yokoso (Welcome) Japan'' Airpass, available for use from April 1.
JAL Yokoso Japan Air Pass
The new fare can be used to 42 cities in Japan served by JAL and two regional subsidiaries, JAL Express (JEX), based in Itami Airport, Osaka, and Japan TransOcean Air (JTA), based in Naha, Okinawa.

JR(Japan Railway) Rail Pass
First class passes (for use with green cars) and ordinary type passes (for use on standard cars) are available. Sold in 7 day, 14 day, and 21 day expirations. Fees for ordinary type passes are 28,300 yen, 45,100 yen, and 57,700 yen. Green car fees are 37,800 yen, 61,200 yen, and 79,600 yen. JR Rail passes allow you to travel using the entire Japan Railway (JR) system throughout Japan with few exceptions. East Japan passes, West Japan passes, and passes for Kyushu, and Hokkaido are also available for use within those areas. Prices and length of passes may vary.

Bus
Buses are in service throughout Japan by numerous companies. The fare for city operated buses is usually around 200 yen. Travelling by bus from city to city, you will find, is much cheaper than using airline or train but takes a little more time due at times to heavy traffic. Buses are operated by "JR" among other companies. Midnight buses are also available. They can be cramped, but save you money you would have paid for one night's accomodation, and are timely due to light midnight traffic.

Some city buses have you pay a fixed price upon riding. Others may have you pay upon getting off. If you ride the latter buses from their first point of departure you will pay the highest price as displayed on a board above the driver. If you get on mid-route you will be assigned a numbered ticket. The number will indicate how much you are to pay upon getting off. Final destinations and route numbers are written on a sign above the front windshield of each bus. It is a good idea to know your destination in Japanese and route number a head of time- if not, have them written down by someone who knows Japanese.

Telephone Service

Public telephones can be found almost everywhere in Japan. With most of these phones, you can make both domestic and international calls. There are 2 ways to pay at public telephones. One is to use Japanese 10 yen or 100 yen coins. The other is to use prepaid telephone cards. You may find that the latter is more convenient. You can purchase the cards from vending machines in most telephone booths, or from almost all the convenient stores and kiosks.
International Calls
Some phone companies provide the Internatinal call service. The rate is different among the companies.



Mobile Rental Phone
Some phone companies provide mobile phone rental services for foreign tourists. The service system is different among companies.

Postal Service

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The sign of post office in Japan
Post offices in Japan provide a whole range of domestic and foreign mailing services.

Domestic Letter-Post Items Rates


International Airmail Rates
Class \ From Japan to Asia North America
Middle East
Oceania
Europe		 South America
Africa
Post 70 yen 70 yen 70 yen
Aerograms 90 yen 90 yen 90 yen
Letters(up to 25g) 90 yen 110 yen 130 yen
Letters(up to 50g) 160 yen 190 yen 230 yen
Greeting Cards(up to 25g) 90 yen 110 yen 130 yen


ATMs at Post Office
From almost all post office ATMs countrywide money can be withdrawn with foreign credit cards, and at the end of March last year, 25,800 ATMs, accounting for more than 80% of all ATMs in Japan, have come to provide this service. The cards accepted are VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB and other credit cards and cash cards networked in this series.

Electricity

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Plug type in Japan
Voltage thoughout Japan is 100v A.C., with 50 hertz in Eastern and 60 hertz in Western Japan. Purchase of appropriate converters before arrival is neccesary for daily appliances being brought to Japan.

Events

Tickets for traditional performing arts can be purchased through "Play Guide". They also offer sports tickets, movie tickets and tickets for other events. Play Guide is located in large department stores in the main city.

Useful Numbers

Emergency

Police
110


Police General Information in English(Tourist / foreigner help line)
03-3501-0110

Fire / Ambulance
119


The Japan Helpline
0120-46-1997
0570-000-911
03-5780-1111
http://www.jhelp.com/
Medical Services

Medical Information Service (Himawari)
03-5285-8181, Mon. - Fri. (9:00 am - 8:00 pm)

AMDA International medical Information Center
03-5285-8088, Mon. - Fri. (9:00 am - 5:00 pm)
http://www.amda.or.jp/eng/

Daily Living Information
Tourist Information Centers


Flight Information




NTT Telephone Information in English
9am-5pm
03-5295-1010 (Tokyo)
06-6313-1010 (Osaka)
011-219-1010 (Sapporo)
052-541-1010 (Nagoya)
092-632-1010 (Fukuoka)

Credit Card & Banking





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