• Language(s): Japanese, English
• Capital City: Tokyo
• Local Time: GMT +9
• Currency: Yen (JPY)
• Notes: JPY: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000
• Coins: JPY: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500
• Dialling Code: 81
• Electricity: 100V AC 50Hz (Tokyo & East Japan); 100V AC 60Hz (Osaka & West Japan)

Passport & Visa Info
The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate.

Restrictions: Passports issued by Korea (North) & those issued to Chinese residents of Taiwan are not recognised. Such persons must obtain a Japanese Travel Document.

Passports
Required, but NOT by the following:

• Fukuoka (FUK)
• Kagoshima (KOJ)
• Nagasaki (NGS)
• Nagoya International (NGO)
• Oita (OIT)
• Okinawa Naha (OKA)
• Osaka Itami (ITM)
• Osaka Kansai International (KIX)
• Sapporo New Chitose (CTS)
• Tokyo Haneda (HND)
• Tokyo Narita (NRT)

Japan is a stable, highly developed parliamentary democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.

CRIME: Violent crime is rare, but it does exist. Incidents of pickpocketing of foreigners in crowded shopping areas of Tokyo has been a sporadic concern.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: While medical care in Japan is good, English-speaking physicians and medical facilities that cater to westerners expectations are expensive and not very widespread.

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Dengue fever

Climate: Generally a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cool and sunny in the south, getting colder further north with heavy snowfalls in Hokkaido. Spring and autumn tend to be fairly mild and pleasant. Summer, between Jun-Sep ranges from warm to very hot. Rainfall is fairly evenly spread throughout the year, although between Jun- early Jul is the main rainy season. Typhoons are only likely to occur in Sep-Oct, rarely lasting more than a day.