Here are some important information and travel tips that you should keep in mind before coming to visit Japan so your vacation can go smoothly and be filled with many fun great memories to last a lifetime.
Basic Facts About Japan
Japan, the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, is an archipelago comprised of 6,852 islands, the four largest ones being Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, of which Kumamoto is a part, and Shikoku. The islands cover an area of roughly 145,925 square miles occupied by a population of nearly 128 million. The capital city is Tokyo, which, together with the greater area of its surrounding prefectures, forms the largest metropolis in the world.
Since the Meiji Restoration period, Japan has adopted a constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister of Japan is the head of the state, and presides over the parliament known as the Diet, the members of which are elected by the people of Japan, while the Emperor enjoys very limited power and mostly stands as a symbol of the country.
Buddhism and Shintoism are the two largest religions in Japan, as evidenced by the existence of numerous temples and shrines throughout the country. There is a small Christian population, as well.
In terms of economy, Japan is one of the most developed countries in the world, and is the third largest overall. Its primary industries are manufacturing, agriculture and research and development, with its main exports being motor vehicles and electronics. Japan is also a leader in robotics, owning most of the robots used in the global industry.
Other interesting facts: The Japanese have the longest life expectancy in the world, and the lowest homicide rate.
Climate in Japan
Japan is a temperate country, with spring occurring from March to May, summer from June to August, autumn from September to November and winter from December to February. The country also experiences a significant amount of rainfall in June. Winters are coldest in the northern parts of Japan, particularly the island of Hokkaido, while the hottest and longest summers are recorded in the Tokyo and Okinawa areas.
The best time of the year to visit Japan is in the spring, when the temperature is neither too warm nor too cold, and when most of the country’s festivals take place. Most especially, spring is the time when the sakura or cherry blossoms start to bloom, painting the country in landscapes of blissful pink.
Entering Japan
A valid passport is required in order to enter Japan. For tourists coming from most countries in the European Union and from the USA, no visa is required for a maximum stay of 90 days while tourists from other countries need to secure a visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate, which may take a month or more to process.
For official and more detailed information, please visit your Japanese embassy.
Upon arrival to Japan, all passengers must first be cleared by Japan customs. Customs declaration forms are available on the plane and at the airport. Firearms, explosives, heroin, cocaine, narcotic drugs, pornographic materials and items which violate intellectual property rights are prohibited. There are restrictions on both over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well.
For detailed information, please visit here.
Note: If you’re thinking of a way to get around when visiting Japan we would recommend hiring a car so that you can take advantage of all that Kumamoto has to offer. To book a cheap car hire deal online and secure your car hire Japan we would recommend checking out Zencarhire.com
Japanese Currency
The official currency of Japan is the Japanese yen, which is the only acceptable type of currency throughout Japan. 1 US dollar is equivalent to roughly 77 Japanese yen; 1 British pound to roughly 118 yen and 1 Euro to about 102 yen.
Money changing services are available at the airport, as well as the Japanese post offices and most banks and hotels. Your passport must be presented at all times.
Traveller’s cheques can also be exchanged at major banks and hotels, at a slightly higher rate.
Major credit and debit cards are accepted in many Japanese stores and restaurants, but not at local convenience stores. Some cards can also be used to withdraw yen from cash machines (ATMs) in Japan, though a special PIN is required.
Expenses
It is widely known that Japan is one of the most expensive countries to travel to. This is not always the case, though. While travel expenses vary from one tourist to another, in general, tourists will need to spend at least 250,000 yen (about 3,260 USD or 2,110 pounds) for a two-week trip. This includes spending for accommodations, meals, drinks, local transport (such as train fare), and entrance fees to museums, shrines and temples. The cost of shopping for souvenirs is not included.
Making Phone Calls
If you have a 3G mobile phone, it will most likely work in Japan, although the roaming charges can be quite expensive. A more budget-friendly alternative is to either hire a postpaid SIM card (Softbank) and put it into your phone or to hire an entire mobile phone set. Both are available at the airport.
You can also make calls from public phones found at hotels and post offices for a fee, as well as in phone booths found in major cities, provided you have an international phone card which you can also purchase at the airport, at hotels, convenience stores, and post offices.
Internet Access
Japan is known for its high-speed internet technology. You can avail of this at internet cafes located in all Japanese major cities, including Kumamoto, and also at selected hotels.
Japanese Holidays
New Year is the most important Japanese holiday, celebrated from December 30 to January 3. During this time, many Japanese go to their family homes, and also visit temples to pray for prosperity in the coming year. Golden Week, from April 27 to May 6 is also a long holiday, or more accurately, a series of four public holidays, while Obon is the largest summer festival, held in mid-July in eastern Japan and mid-August in western Japan.
Popular Japanese Souvenirs
Japanese arts and crafts, such as paintings, ceramics, paper lanterns, fans, umbrellas, chopsticks, masks and dolls are the most popular Japanese souvenirs, along with yukata, clogs, bento boxes, tea sets, chimes or furin and samurai sword replicas. Japanese seasonings and sake are also recommended.
If you wish to buy electronic gadgets, the best place to do so is in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. Keep in mind, though, that while available in a wide variety, some of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world, these can be expensive. Also, video games sold in Japan are usually not compatible with consoles sold in the US and Europe, and vice versa. These are also only available in Japanese.
The Akihabara is also where popular anime (Japanese animation) merchandise can be found. Again, though, Japanese anime DVDs may not be compatible with your player back home, and are available only in Japanese with no subtitles, with the exception of movies released by Studio Ghibli. Anime merchandise can be very expensive, as well.
Dealing with Earthquakes
Japan is often beset by earthquakes, so don’t be surprised if you’re the only one panicking in case one, particularly a small one, occurs during your stay. This does not mean the Japanese are not prepared, though. Every neighborhood has a designated evacuation area and local shelter in case of strong earthquakes, which are labeled in English.