Enchanting Japan

From the majestic cone of Mount Fuji, snow-cloaked much of the year, to the pine islets of Matsushima, seen by moonlight, Japan has a natural grandeur both subtle and dramatic. Wave-pounded crags of wild shores afford sharp contrast with whispers of wind in bamboo groves. The high backbone of the Japan Alps, active and dormant volcanoes, lakes and sea, and the transmutations of nature with changing seasons, all draw visitors to the nation's finest natural attractions, including those in the system of grand national parks.

Hot-spring resorts, seaside resorts, ski and other recreational resorts make Japan a country active in land and water sports. From the highland resorts of Hakone and Karuizawa to the ocean beaches of Izu and Okinawa, pleasure in active leisure characterizes the Japanese people.

Domestic cuisine is another kind of delight. From the grids of countryside rice paddies to the nets of fish and seafood drawn from ocean waters, the basic need for sustenance has, through the centuries, led to food preparation and service raised to the status of a fine art. Even the most modest dishes appeal to the eye as well as the appetite. Sushi, pot stews, tempura, skewered chunks of chicken, bowls of noodles, deftly blended soups and delicate teacups-all attest to a fond Japanese devotion to the visual attraction of food and drink.

Japan is both old and new, and the two aspects of its culture coexist in a benign environment. An "intelligent" office building, the epitome of modern Japan in the so called information age, may have a tiny Shinto shrine on its roof as a testament to traditional beliefs and values that do not die out. The splendid achievements of Japan's classical arts and architecture are preserved with pride, as seen in Nikko, Kamakura, Kyoto, Nara and Kanazawa. The towers of feudal castles still dominate some cityscapes, the most famous being the Heron Castle at the center of Himeji City. Pavilions and teahouses breathe the past into the present amid the verdant vistas of classic landscape gardens, most notably at the Katsura Detached Palace in Kyoto. The nation's preoccupation with robotics, super-computers and industrial dreams for the future does not conflict with its deep-seated devotion to the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, or other traditional arts and crafts. Although small in total land area, the country is big enough to accommodate the newest genres of music and drama side by side with Noh, Kabuki and the Bunraku puppet show.

A special charm of Japan is its tradition of courtesy and hospitality. The deep bow of greeting, the shout of "Irasshaimase!" as guests enter a restaurant, the tea and sweets served on a visit to a private home, all carry forward through time a warm-hearted cordiality that is age-old.

Celebration is another key component of the Japanese mentality. The world's fastest bullet trains speed millions of Japanese from the big cities to ancestral hometowns to celebrate the New Year and summertime Bon festival. Festivals are, in fact, prominent events in most parts of Japan throughout the four seasons. Their origins often shrouded in prehistory, they persist as reminders of long cherished values. Cherry-blossom viewing parties in early spring and autumn foliage outings represent a close identification of human happiness with the graces of nature. Spring also brings with it shrine festivals in which portable shrines are carried through the streets on strong shoulders, including Tokyo's Sanja Matsuri the 3rd weekend in May, and the spectacular feudal procession at Nikko's Toshogu Shrine. Summer is memorable for the Gion Matsuri parade in Kyoto on July 17, Sendai's Tanabata Matsuri on August 7, and the Nebuta or Neputa festivals in Aomori and Hirosaki at about the same time. Fall is time for festive events that range from Nagoya's civic celebration in mid-October to Kyoto's historic Jidai Matsuri and Fire Festival, both on October 22. Winter snows lend a special element to Sapporo's snow-sculpture Snow Festival over February 5-11 each year. It's also the season for citizens of northern Akita Prefecture to build celebratory snow huts in mid-February and for hundreds of youths in loincloths to fight for possession of a sacred wand at the Saidaiji Temple in Okayama City on February's 3rd Saturday.

Whatever you have in mind as you plan a vacation trip to Japan, rest assured that you are coming to a country that cherishes its past as much as the present and future, its natural attractions as much as its man-made achievements. That is one of the myriad aspects of Japan that make it so enchanting no matter when and where you choose to enjoy its infinite charm.

Climate
Japan has a generally mild climate. Since the country stretches 3,000 km north to south, however, there is some variation in climate throughout the year. The extreme north is subarctic, the extreme south subtropical. The period of the highest precipitation in most areas is during the rainy season, roughly from mid-June to mid-July.

Peak Travel Season
If possible, please don't plan to travel in Japan during the periods listed below, since there is a mass exodus of people traveling from the cities to the countryside and then back again. Almost all long-distance trains, ferries, airlines and accommodations are booked solid.
1) Year-end/New Year (Dec. 27-Jan. 4 and adjacent weekends)
2) "Golden Week" holidays (Apr. 29-May 5 and adjacent weekends)
3) "Bon" festival (one week centered around Aug. 15)

National Holidays
Most public services, including JNTO's Tourist Information Centers, and private companies are closed on national holidays as well as Sundays. Museums are an exception.

January 1: New Year's Day
January 15: Coming-of-Age Day
February I 1: National Foundation Day
March 21 (or 20): Vernal Equinox Day
April 29: Greenery Day
May 3: Constitution Memorial Day
May 5: Children's Day
September 15: Respect-for-the-Aged Day
September 23 (or 24): Autumnal Equinox Day
October 10: Health-Sports Day
November 3: Culture Day
November 23: Labor Thanksgiving Day
December 23: Emperor's Birthday

Passport and Visa
To visit Japan, you must have a valid, unexpired passport. A visa is required for citizens of countries which do not have visa-exempt agreements with Japan. If you come to Japan for remunerative work, you do need a visa. Please contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate for visa requirements.

Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass provides virtually unlimited travel on the national network of JR railways, including the Shinkansen "bullet trains" (with the sole exception of the new "Nozomi" super-express). A 7-day pass costs ¥27,800 - or ¥3,920 less than the round-trip fare from Narita Airport to Kyoto via Tokyo. Exchange Orders for the pass can be purchased at overseas offices of the Japan Travel Bureau International, Nippon Travel Agency, Kinki Nippon Tourist, Tokyu Tourist Corporation and other associated local travel agents; or at an overseas Japan Airlines office, if traveling by Japan Airlines.

You may purchase a Japan Rail Pass if you are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sightseeing, under the entry status of "temporary visitor." Only those visitors who have "temporary visitor" stamped in their passport, on entering Japan, can receive the Japan Rail Pass on presenting the passport with the Exchange Order.

The Japan Rail Pass cannot be purchased in Japan, so the Exchange Order must be obtained in your home country before you depart.

Discount Hotel Coupons
Discount hotel coupons can be purchased from the same travel agents who sell the Japan Rail Pass, or from overseas offices of Japan Airlines.

Travel Insurance
You are urged to purchase travel insurance before leaving your home country. Insurance plans typically cover accidental loss of belongings, medical costs in case of injury or illness, and other possible risks of international travel.

Driving in Japan
If you wish to drive a car while in Japan, you must obtain an international driver license in your home country. However, some countries, such as Germany and Switzerland, do not have a reciprocal agreement with Japan to honor an international driver license. If your international driver license is issued by a Geneva Treaty member country, you can use it in Japan. The Japan Automobile Federation publishes a "Rules of the Road" driving guide in English. Phone JAF at (03)3436281 1 and ask for the International Affairs Department to obtain further information. A "Metropolitan Expressway" map in English is available from the Metropolitan Expressway Public Corporation at (03)3502-7311 in Tokyo.

Clothing
Jackets and sweaters for spring and autumn. Light clothing, short sleeves, swimwear for summer. Topcoats, wool suits and extra-warm jackets and sweaters for winter. Formal clothing, such as tuxedos and evening gowns, are rarely required, and can be rented if necessary. Clean socks are needed, since shoes are customarily removed at certain Japanese restaurants or in the vestibules of private homes.

Money and Money Exchange
Coins are minted in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen. Bank notes are printed in higher denominations of 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen. Other currencies may be exchanged for Japanese yen at international airport exchange centers or at city banks in Japan. The yen exchange rate varies daily. The rate for each day is posted at most banks from 10:00 a.m. for U.S. dollars, 11:00 a.m. for other currencies to 3:00 p.m. Exchange currency at banks during this time frame to avoid inconvenience.

Cash
It is generally safe to carry cash in Japan. Small amounts of cash are needed for most forms of transportation, for dining spots that do not accept credit cards or traveler's checks. and for other small purchases.

Checks and Cards
Personal checks are not in general use. Yen traveler's checks can be purchased at overseas banks. Credit cards are widely used in urban areas. Shops and restaurants that accept credit cards have stickers at the entrance or signs posted elsewhere to designate which cards are accepted. Prepaid cards used in public telephone booths and for other purposes are gaining popularity in Japan's increasingly "cashless society."

Electricity
Electric current for home use is uniformly 100 volts, AC, throughout Japan, but with two different cycles-50 in eastern Japan and 60 in western Japan. Leading hotels in major cities have two outlets of 100 and 220 volts but their sockets usually accept a two-leg plug only. Most U.S. products not requiring 3-way sockets can be used. Ask room service if hair driers and other electric appliances are available on a free lease basis.

Duty Free Import
Personal effects and professional equipment can be brought into Japan duty free as long as their contents and quantities are deemed reasonable by the customs officer. You can also bring in 400 cigarettes, 500 grams of tobacco or 100 cigars; 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages; 2 ounces of perfume; and gifts and souvenirs whose total market price is less than ¥200,000 or its equivalent. There is no allowance for tobacco or alcoholic beverages for persons aged 19 years or younger.

Narita Tourist Information Center (TIC)
Stop at Narita TIC, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., every day year-round, located in the arrival lobby of Passenger Terminal 2 for information. It is staffed by multilingual travel experts who can answer questions and provide free maps and brochures. A stop at the Narita TIC saves travel planning time in advance!

Money Exchange
Japanese public transport, stores and restaurants are legally forbidden to accept foreign currencies. You do need small amounts of yen currency for immediate needs. If you have foreign bank notes other than U.S. dollars, it is wise to convert some of it to yen while at the airport. Even at leading city banks, tellers are not always accustomed to seeing foreign bank notes, and may keep you waiting while they consult with their superiors. Traveler's checks can be cashed quickly at banks, but few stores or restaurants accept them. Unused yen (bank notes only; no coins) can be reconverted into foreign currencies at the airport with no limitation, provided the exchange center has sufficient funds for reconversion. The money exchange counter at Narita Airport is open from 6:00 a.m. until the last flight arrives at night. Foreign currencies handled at that center include the Australian dollar, Austrian Schilling*, Belgian franc*, Canadian dollar, Danish krone*, Deutsche mark, Dutch guilder*, Finland Markka*, French franc, Hong Kong dollar, Italian lira, New Zealand dollar, Norwegian krone*, Singapore dollar, Spanish peseta, Pound sterling, Swiss franc, Swedish krona* and U.S. dollar. All 19 currencies can be exchanged for Japanese yen but not necessarily vice versa for currencies marked by an asterisk.

Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order
Obtain your Japan Rail Pass by exchanging your Exchange Order (see PA) at the airport's Japan Railway (JR) ticket counter (open daily 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.). The date of validation of your Pass can be any day within 3 months of the issuing date of your Exchange Order. You can use the Pass for the JR train trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo.

Luggage Delivery Services
If you do not wish to carry your luggage, you can arrange to have it delivered to your hotel in Tokyo the next day. Delivery service counters at the airport include abc Co. Ltd., Kamataki Unyu Co. Ltd. (QL Liner), Airport Ground Service (AGS), Sky Porter and Green Port Agency (GPA). Charge per piece up to 30kg is about ¥2,000.

New Tokyo International Airport at Narita is 60km away from downtown Tokyo. How to get to Tokyo with the least difficulty and expense deserves some careful thought. There are a variety of ways to get from Narita to central Tokyo and Yokohama; or to get to central Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe if you land at Kansai International Airport. Choose one that fits your schedule and budget.

Airport Limousine Buses
For visitors with heavy suitcases, a nonstop limousine bus to the Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT) is the most convenient means of transport. Its greatest advantage is that the buses carry both you and your baggage. (if you have bulky baggage, it can be very difficult to take a taxi for short-distance travel.) For your return trip, you can check in at TCAT, eliminating the need to carry baggage back to the airport. The limousine, with comfortable reclining seats and wide picture windows, is parked in front of the arrival lobby from where it departs. It offers passengers a chance to resume napping or to enjoy the changing scenery. Some limousine buses go directly to downtown Tokyo hotels or to Haneda Airport and Yokohama nonstop. Another service provided for you is Meet & Assist. It can arrange for its staff assistants to greet your guest at Narita Airport and provide transportation to appointed places. The counter of Meet & Assist is located just in front of Customs on both the North and South sides of the arrival lobby.

Airport Shuttle Buses
There's another nonstop bus service called Airport Shuttle Bus which links Narita Airport with leading hotels in Tokyo. Their ticket counter is also in the arrival lobby. Please note, however, that the buses going back to the airport do not include a check-in service

JR Trains
Visitors who have the JR Rail Pass can use it on the new Narita Express train. The station is located under the airport terminal building. The train operates between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Ikebukuro and Yokohama. The cars are specially designed to accommodate travelers carrying large suitcases, and include spacious luggage areas, wide opening doors, and other conveniences. It also offers a luxury Green Car (first class) and private compartments. All signs and announcements are in both Japanese and English. English information is also available through a telephone service on the train. Special ticket vending machines are installed by the wicket gate for ticket purchase. An electric display shows purchase instructions in English. Some other rapid trains also go to Tokyo Station at a more reasonable price, but take a slightly longer time.

Keisei Trains
Those without a JR Rail Pass will find Keisei trains reasonable in price and nearly as fast as the Narita Express. The Keisei line connects with JR lines at Nippori Station, with an easy transfer. Passengers can board the Keisei Skyliner at Keisei Narita Airport Station, also located under the terminal building. The train runs all the way to Keisei Ueno Station in Tokyo. The JR Ueno and Ueno subway stations are within a short walking distance from Keisei Ueno Station.

Airport Taxis
Taxis are a more expensive means of transportation, and should only be used if you seek more personal comfort. They cost ¥20,000 or more from Narita Airport to downtown Tokyo. Trunk space is small, however, and the front seat in most cases has to accommodate personal luggage or bags when accommodating two or more adult passengers. All taxis in Japan have green license plates. Take care to avoid unlicensed "taxis."

The second largest and the first 24-hour-operation airport in Japan, Kansai International Airport, opened on September 4, 1994. It is located in southeast Osaka Bay, 5 km. off the coast and about 60 km. from JR Shin-Osaka Station for Shinkansen super express train connections.

For your travel information, the Kansai Tourist Information Center is located in the arrival lobby (1st fl.) and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For handling currency exchange, there are 10 banks at the airport, with one or more open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Your Japan Rail Pass can be exchanged either at the JR West Information Counter in the International Arrivals Lobby (1st floor, open daily, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.), at the TiS-Travel Service Center (open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), or at the Green-colored Midori-no-madoguchi Reservations Ticket Office (open daily, 5:30 a.m. to 12 midnight) of JR Kansai Airport Station.

Domestic Air Services
Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Air System (JAS) and several other air carriers service extensive route networks throughout Japan. Visitors on a tight schedule can choose to fly to and from points not served by Shinkansen super-express trains. For reservations, contact leading travel agents or JAL (Tel. 03-5489-2111), ANA (Tel. 03-5489-8800) or JAS (Tel. 03-3432-6111).

Trains
Long-distance trains provide convenient access to all parts of Japan.
To book tickets for long-distance trains, follow either one of two different procedures.

(1) If you did not validate your Japan Rail Pass at the airport, or did not make seat reservations at the airport JR Travel Service Center, you can go to the JR Travel Center downtown. The one in Tokyo is located at the Yaesu north-exist concourse of Tokyo Station, and is open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. If you have already validated your pass and need only to make seat reservations, go to any "Green Window" or Midori-nomadoguchi counter at major JR stations.

(2) If you don't have a JR Pass, visit the JR Travel Service Center or one of the major travel agents. The latter have English-speaking staff who can assist with complicated travel arrangements. Refer to p.23 for information on travel agents.

Ferries and Cruise Ships
Japan has an extensive network of ferryboat routes that link islands. Popular routes connect Tokyo with northern ports in Hokkaido and with points south as far as Fukuoka City. Routes through the Inland Sea between Honshu and Shikoku wind among gem-like islands. Elegant cruise ships set sail for coastal excursions from one domestic port to another. Water travel is another refreshingly different way to see and enjoy Japan.

Buses
JR operates long-distance buses between Tokyo and other major cities. Though travel takes longer, sometimes due to heavy traffic, fares are cheaper than Shinkansen train fares. Other bus companies provide bus travel between Tokyo and Niigata, Fukushima and Sendai.

Benefits of Night Buses include money saving on a night's accommodation, good riding comfort and economical travel even in daytime on routes good for sightseeing.

Rental Cars
Because of urban traffic congestion, renting a car for intracity travel is not recommended. But driving can be convenient and enjoyable on Japan's freeway system connecting major cities with other destinations.

Drivers proceed on the left side of the road. Know your route in advance, because road signs may not have alphabet lettering. When you apply to rent a car, you will be asked to produce your international driver license.

Discount Tickets
A variety of discount tickets are available to visitors who lack a Japan Rail Pass.

-Discount round-trip tickets offer a 20 percent discount to destinations more than 600km distant one-way. It can be cheaper to buy one of these tickets than to buy a standard-fare ticket to a closer city.

-SHUYUKEN tickets offered by JR are excursion tickets for direct non-stopover travel between two points, but with unlimited travel within a designated area. Valid on all JR trains and bus lines, it can save you more than 20 percent compared to standard fare.

-Package tours can include discount lodging as well as discount rail and bus travel.

-JR also offers a prepaid Orange Card with discounts for travel on JR trains available at JR stations in major cities. These cards come in several denominations and can be used to buy JR train tickets from vending machines for distances of less than 100km.

Trains and Subways
To use intra-city surface railway and subway lines, first purchase a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window. Your ticket is punched by hand at the wicket or inserted in a punching machine. Please keep the ticket, since it must be returned at your destination. If there is no fare chart in English, buy the cheapest ticket indicated on the vending machine and pay the difference due at the fare adjustment office at your destination station before you go through the exit wicket.

All JR train and subway lines display station names in both Japanese and alphabet lettering on platform signboards. The name of the station is in large letters in the center of the sign; names of adjacent stations appear below or to either side. Most other rail lines are convenient only for commuters, but may offer speedier, more economical and more convenient routes than JR from nearby urban centers to popular spots such as Nikko, Hakone, Nara, Toba, and so forth. Please note, however, that the JR Pass is not honored on these lines.

JR operates long-distance lines as well as trunk lines to major suburban centers. Private railway lines ordinarily extend less than 100km, connecting cities with suburbs and popular resort areas. In Tokyo and Osaka, the combinations of trains and subways can take you virtually anywhere you want to go. However, try to avoid riding on subways and commuter trains during the morning (7:30-9:30 a.m.) and evening (5:00-6:00 p.m.) rush hours. All mass-transit system stop operating around midnight. Taxis may then be difficult to flag down, and the charge after 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. is 30 percent higher.

One-day open tickets can be purchased for unlimited railway and subway travel in some cities.

City Buses
All major cities have extensive intra-city bus routes. Bus stops, however, have no signs in English. And the routes are sometimes too complicated even for city residents to understand. Kyoto is a welcome exception; buses are convenient, easy to use, and have English announcements.

Your bus ticket is numbered to indicate the fare zone where you boarded. An illustrated sign at the front of the bus shows a changing fare schedule. If your ticket shows the number 3, for example, the fare you pay is indicated under column 3 on the sign. Put the fare in the cash box beside the driver's seat when leaving the bus. In a few instances, a flat fare is charged.

The name of the final destination of each bus is written in Japanese above the windshield, but also often includes a route number. Have a hotel clerk write down your destination in Japanese so that bus drivers or other people waiting for buses can direct you to the right bus. Buses in Nikko and Nara have taped announcements for each stop in English, but that is exceptional.

Taxis
Taxis can be very convenient for intra-city transportation. To flag down a taxi, look for a red light in the lower right corner of the windshield as you face it. Any other color means the taxi is reserved or occupied. Passengers enter the back door on the left side, which the driver opens and closes automatically. If you are visiting someone's home or company, be sure to have a map, as an address is not enough, given the complicated street layouts in the big cities. Tipping is not practiced. Pay only the metered fare.

International Class Hotels
Japan's finest hotels have all the facilities and amenities that you would rightfully expect at any world-class hotel. These top-end hotels cater to visiting corporate executives and other overseas guests who can afford deluxe or first-class accommodations. Services provided by English-speaking staff people include "executive salon" secretarial services and access to computers and facsimile transmission equipment.

The restaurants in these hotels are counted among the finest in the major cities, with a variety of cuisines to choose from. From shopping malls and cocktail lounges to room service and interpreter service, these hotels can offer virtually everything the guest could want or need. Most of them provide direct limousine bus connections to the nearest international airports.

A double or twin room at a deluxe hotel will cost an average ¥30,000 per night, and around ¥20,000 at a first-class hotel. All member hotels of the Japan Hotel Association maintain consistently high standards of service and facilities.

Business Hotels
A somewhat less expensive accommodation favored by many Japanese business travelers is the business hotel. As a rule, they are smaller hotels with fewer amenities, including no room service. Vending machines dispensing snacks and drinks are installed on guest room floors. There is usually one restaurant on the premises, and the hotel's location is conveniently close to a railway station.

Reception clerks and other staff people do not usually speak English, but the procedure for check-in and checkout is much like elsewhere. Since these hotels are patronized mainly by businessmen, the rooms are singles with bath. The room charge is ¥7,000 to ¥8,000 on average.

Pensions
Modeled on their French namesakes, these establishments feature a homelike atmosphere and hearty food-often French cuisine-and are found at popular resort areas throughout Japan. The typical pension has ten or so western style rooms and is managed by a married couple. Average room rates are ¥8,600, including two meals. Pensions can be an ideal choice of accommodation if you like indoor comfort as well as an array of outdoor recreational options.

Ryokan
The traditional Japanese inn is a unique experience if you would like to find out how traveling feudal lords were accommodated in older times. Each guest room is large, simple in design, and floored with tatami straw matting. The doors are sliding fusuma screens and the furniture is limited to one low table, unless there is a window alcove or veranda that has a small table and a pair of chairs. The walls are modestly adorned with ink-brush scrolls.

Bedding is stored in a deep closet until the room maid lays it out on the floor after dinner. Bathing is sometimes communal, but with separate baths for men and women. The baths in the inns at hot-spring resorts are especially enjoyable. A hearty dinner and light breakfast, served by the maid in the room, are included in the room rate.

Over 2,000 quality inns are members of the Japan Ryokan Association. Room rates per guest per night can range from ¥10,000 to ¥60,000, not including tax and service charge. Whether modest or deluxe, however, the Japanese inn is a great way to experience the traditional customs, manners and lifestyles of the Japanese people,

Minshuku
An even more intimate experience of Japanese home life comes with the very modest overnight charge at a small family inn operated by one family in their own home. Rates are moderate at about ¥6500 with two meals served family-style. There is no maid service, however, and guests are expected to fold up and stow away their bedding in the morning. JNTO recommends about 250 family inns for overseas visitors.

People's Lodges (Kokumin Shukusha)
These very reasonable (about ¥6,500 per night) lodgings are found in popular resorts and national parks. The rate includes two meals. Guest rooms, baths and toilets are Japanese-style. If you need to be budget-minded while intent on outdoor recreation, these lodges will keep you comfortable at Japan's grandest scenic attractions.

Temples and Shrines
A certain number of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples take in overnight guests for rather modest fees. More than 50 are members of the Japan Youth Hostel Association or the Japanese Inn Group.

Onsen Lodging
Some hot-spring resorts have condominium apartments that can be rented or other types of temporary accommodation that are out of the ordinary.

Overnight Trains, Buses and Ferries
You can spend comfortable overnights aboard long-distance trains, buses and ferries while traveling from one destination to another, cutting the cost of ordinary overnight accommodation.

GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH THE JAPANESE STYLE
Guests are obliged to remove their shoes at the entrance of any Japanese-style accommodation. Slippers are worn inside, except on the tatami matting, so bring thick socks if the weather is cold.

Seating in the room is on cushions called zabuton arranged around the low table. In the winter season, there may be a blanket around the table. You slip your feet under the blanket for the warmth of a kotatsu electrical heating unit.

The futon bedding is laid out on the floor. It ordinarily consists of a mattress, sheets, thick coverlet, and extra blankets if needed.

A thin yukata robe is provided. In cold weather it is supplemented by a tanzen gown worn over it.

The toilet is usually Japanese-style. You don't sit on it but squat over it, facing the hooded end. Special slippers are usually provided for use only in the toilet cubicle.

Before going into the communal bath, you disrobe in an anteroom, placing your robe and underclothing in a basket or shelf compartment. The inn gives you a handtowel to drape over your midriff while standing up in the bath room. This towel is also used for scrubbing and drying. To take a bath, first sit on a low stool in front of a pair of hot/cold water faucets. Fill a bath pan with water, and pour it over your body to get soaking wet all over. If there are no faucets, use a bath pan to scoop water from the bath. If shower outlets are available, shower while seated on the stool, never standing up. Soap and rinse off thoroughly. Only then do you get into the bath for a good soak.

Welcome Inns Reservation Center
Welcome Inns include a wide variety of accommodations from hotels to People's Lodges at a very affordable cost. These lodgings specialize in caring for overseas visitors. The rate per night is less than ¥8,000 for a single room. They are best-suited to single families or small groups of friends. Consistent with their affiliation they feature a warm welcome and fine hospitality. The Welcome Inn Reservation Center is operated by the International Tourism Center of Japan in close cooperation with JNTO.

Japanese Inn Group
This association of some 70 inns also makes a special effort to care for overseas visitors. The very economical room rate per person is ¥4,000 on average. Ask for listing at JNTO overseas off ices or TICs in Japan.

Youth Hostels
Japan has approximately 420 youth hostels. A number of them are open to the public; the others require membership in the International Youth Hostel Federation. If you are not a federation member, you can obtain a 600 Welcome Stamp at the Tokyo National Headquarters. These accommodations naturally have very low rates, averaging ¥1,100 to ¥2,500, no meals included. There is no age limit on guests. Refer to JNTO's "Youth Hostel Map of Japan."

Booking Accommodations
Hotel occupancy in Japan tends to be very tight almost all year-round, especially in Tokyo and Kyoto. If, possible, secure your reservations before you depart for Japan. Hotel reservations can be made through Japanese or other international travel agents, some airlines, or reservation offices of international hotel chains. A list of all Japan Hotel Association members called "Hotels in Japan" is available at the JNTO offices.

For a Welcome Inn reservation, fill in the reservation form attached to the Welcome Inns directory obtainable at the JNTO offices. The form must be sent to the Welcome Inn Reservation Center at least two weeks in advance of departure date. The Center accepts reservation requests for up to three locations, subject to room availability, if you have a confirmed flight booking. The reservation request for the first night in Japan is accepted only with a firm booking for a flight arriving before 3:00 p.m. of your arrival day.

For other types of accommodation, ask JNTO for the "Japan Ryokan Guide," "Pensions in Japan" and "Minshuku in Japan."

Tax and Service Charges
If the total charge for accommodation, food and beverage, and other services per person per night is ¥15,000 or less, a 3 percent tax is imposed. If over ¥15,000, a 6 percent tax is added.

At the best hotels, a 10 to 15 percent service charge is added to the bill in lieu of tipping. At the Japanese inns, with individualized maid service, there is usually a 10 to 20 percent service charge.

No service charges are imposed at business hotels, pensions, economy inns, minshuku and youth hostels.

Yes, the Japanese people do love to eat raw fish as a domestic delicacy. Sushi shops are among the most popular eating spots in the country. But fish of any preparation is not a staple food. Only rice enjoys that status. You may be surprised to discover an almost infinite variety of Japanese cuisine, which more than holds its own against the inundation of overseas ethnic cuisines that have "traveled" to Japan with immense success.

Restaurants and other dining spots offer tasty dishes in a very broad price range, from very expensive to very affordable. You can also rest assured of impeccable service, the highest sanitation standards, and safe tap water to drink. The taste treats shown here invite you to sample popular Japanese dishes and discover your own favorites.

High-Class Restaurants
From the heights of Chinese culinary delights to the peaks of French haute cuisine, Japan's premier restaurants are second to none. Most are located in the best hotels or in fashionable city districts such as Tokyo's Ginza, Roppongi, Akasaka and Harajuku, or Osaka's Umeda. Gourmets may discover new taste sensations never before encountered.

Popular Restaurants
More affordable restaurants abound in downtown office building basements, the dining floors of department stores, urban shopping centers, and the underground malls of the busiest railway stations.

At lunchtime, office workers crowd these dining spots. Many order teishoku, a low-priced complete meal on a tray. Most restaurants in the moderate to inexpensive price range have realistic plastic models of their dishes, with prices, in a showcase outside the entrance. If you don't know what to order, point to the dish you want to try. Some restaurants have bilingual (Japanese and English) menus, and you can use JNTO's "Tourist's Handbook" as a handy phrase book for dining out. Paperback guidebooks to inexpensive Japanese dishes are available at major bookstores.

For people in a hurry, noodle stands, coffee shops, fast food outlets and vending machines provide a variety of food and drink at very low cost.

At most restaurants, you receive a bill and pay as you leave. A few have you buy a meal coupon in advance and hand it to the waiter or waitress. Payment is made in cash except when credit cards are accepted. Inexpensive restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food outlets accept cash only. No tipping, please.

(1) Box lunches, some unique to a particular area, are sold aboard trains.
(2) Dinner on a cruise ship during an evening bay cruise lets you see city lights from the water.
(3) Street side "yatai" stalls, some with stools, offer inexpensive taste treats.
(4) Dinner-shows at deluxe hotels combine fine food and live entertainment.
(5) Convenience stores have sandwiches, box lunches and other cooked dishes you can take out.
(6) Department store basements are great places to sample many kinds of food.
(7) Kaiten Sushi: Customers sit at a round counter and receive low-priced sushi on a circling conveyor belt.

How to Eat
If you are not familiar with chopsticks, dining at Japanese or other Asian cuisine restaurants may present a challenge. But once mastered, eating with this simple instrument is a genuine pleasure, since you are not confronted with a variety of unfamiliar eating utensils.

An oshibori towel, in a wrapper or on a small tray, gives you a chance to wipe your hands (or even your face) before you begin the meal.

Except in Chinese restaurants that provide plastic chopsticks, you eat with wooden chopsticks that come in a paper wrapper. Take them out, split them in half, and hold the two halves in one hand with your thumb, forefinger and middle finger, as if holding two pencils. Then let the middle finger slip between the two sticks. One stick will rest between the forefinger and middle finger, the other between the middle and ring fingers. Watch how other people manipulate the sticks to figure out how to pick up pieces of food correctly.

To deal with soup, pick up the small bowl with one hand and sip from the edge of the bowl. You can dip your chopsticks into the soup to pick up small chunks of bean curd or thin slices of seaweed.

Noodles served on a wooden tray are simply picked up in bite-size portions. If served in a hot broth, alternate between picking them up and lifting the bowl to sip the broth. Slurping is a sign of a good appetite and eating with pleasure, and is in this instance, perfectly acceptable.

Drinking in groups at bars, clubs and other nightspots after office hours is a popular Japanese pastime. Every city, town and village has an abundant number of drinking places that can be very crowded in evening hours. The biggest cities have sprawling entertainment districts crammed with bars, pubs, discos and nightclubs. At Japanese-style bars, a modest snack is often served with the first drink.

If you need to be budget-minded, avoid the very expensive hostess clubs unless someone else who is a regular customer is picking up the bill. You can also ask the concierge at your hotel to suggest nearby nightspots where prices are reasonable.

Beer: The most popular drink in Japan, beer is served draft from the tap or in bottles of lager. Bottles come in small (330ml), medium (500ml) and large (633ml) sizes. The bottles served at most pubs or bars are either small or medium. Draft beer comes in jugs or mugs at beer halls. During the summer season, open-air beer halls, some on the roofs of department stores, draw large numbers of beer lovers. The price for a bottle or mug of beer can vary somewhat by type of drinking spot, but is within a range of ¥400 to ¥900 from small to large. This does not apply to the hostess clubs, where prices can be astronomical.

Sake: Japan's own native rice wine is the national drink. Sold in large bottles at liquor shops, it is not served by the bottle but in small ceramic flasks, from which it is poured into a small drinking cup. You can ask to have it served warm or cold. You can also state a preference for dry or sweet taste. Whichever type you like, sake's smooth and mellow taste makes it the ideal companion to Japanese cuisine. Sake can be deceptive, so drink it quite moderately in order to avoid a hangover.

Whiskey: Prices of domestic and imported whiskies tend to vary by type of drinking spot, but a single shot is usually ¥500-¥700 for a domestic brand and ¥600-¥800 for an import. Most Japanese people drink it mizuwari-with ice and mineral water. Expensive glacier ice, said to lend the most delicious taste to whiskey, is a current fad in Japan.

Wine: Both domestic and imported wines are served in restaurants that serve Occidental cuisines. A Chinese variant, lao chu, is served in Chinese restaurants. Upscale wine bars that feature good wines (and appropriate snack foods) have gained in popularity over the past few years.

Shochu: This distilled spirit made from sweet potatoes, wheat, sugar cane or other bases is similar to vodka. It can be drunk straight, on the rocks, or in cocktails. Once held in low esteem, it is now quite fashionable among young people. The most popular brands do not have the strong flavor that most people disliked. It's served at most Japanese-style bars at a reasonable price.

Where to Drink
Finding a congenial drinking spot within your budget can pose a problem. Some general guidelines can be helpful, with the price of a small bottle of beer as an example. A modest price is ¥400 or less; fair ¥400-¥600; expensive ¥600-¥1,200; and very expensive ¥1,200 or more.

Beer halls or beer gardens: Modest to fair
Robatayaki: Modest to fair
Akachochin: Modest to fair
Yakitoriya: Modest to fair
Bars without hostesses: Modest to expensive
Bars with hostesses: Expensive to very expensive
Pubs: Modest to fair
Clubs: Modest to very expensive
Cabarets: Expensive to very expensive
Hotel cocktail lounges/bars: Fair to expensive

A robatayaki pub features seafood and other taste treats grilled on open hearths in front of the customer and often served on long-handled shovels that slip the food onto the customer's plate.

Akachochin bars take their name from the red lantern strung up by the entrance. They serve a variety of drinks and a la carte dishes.

Yakitoriya are Japanese pubs that serve bite-size chunks of chicken and other selections barbecued on skewers.

Chain pubs - among them Suishin, Yoronotaki, Tsubohachi and Tengu - also serve a variety of dishes with drinks and are a safe choice price-wise.

Drinking Etiquette
In cozy and friendly Japanese-style bars, customers often pour drinks for each other from bottles of beer as a gesture of companionship. If you are a fellow beer drinker, reciprocate with your own bottle. A whiskey drinker may invite you to drink from his bottle and fix a drink for you. In this case, you need not reciprocate unless you have your own bottle. (Many of these bars have a "bottle-keep" system for regular patrons who buy a bottle from time to time as it is less expensive than paying for single drinks over the long run.)

If with a group, do not begin to drink until everyone is served. Glasses are raised in the traditional salute as everyone shouts "Kampai!" (Cheers!). If you drink sake, and someone offers a drink from his carafe, drink what remains in your cup before holding it out. In this case, too, reciprocate. But don't let it get out of hand. Pouring sake for each other at high speed can get you drunk much faster than you might imagine.

Excessive drinking is frowned on. But it happens. Rely on the bartender if someone close to you gets too boisterous.

Japanese students have three years of English-language studies in middle (junior-high) school. Many go on to become good or even fluent English conversationalists. You are likely to come across them in bars that cater to business people who work at general trading houses or other companies with international business dealings. Even small talk in broken English, with the aid of body language, can make the evening all the more enjoyable. Don't hesitate to jump in.

Tourist Information Centers (TICs)
The Tourist Information Centers provide information and assistance to foreign travelers in Japan.

Tokyo Tel. (03) 3502-1461
(9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays; 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays)*

Kyoto Tel. (075) 371-5649
(9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays; 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays)* *Closed on Sundays and national holidays.

Narita (Passenger Terminal 2) Tel. (0476) 34-6251
(9 a.m. to 8 p.m., every day year-round)

Kansai (Kansai Int. Airport) Tel. (0724) 56-6025**
(9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day year-round)

*Closed on Sundays and national holidays.
**Telephone service is available from 9 to 9 on weekdays; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and not available on Sundays and holidays.

In addition to TICS, JNTO has developed an "i" information system of local tourist information centers:

Aizu-Wakamatsu: Tel, (0242) 32-0688, Tel. (0242) 29-1151
Aomori: Tel. (0177) 34-2500
Arita: Tel. (0955) 43-3942
Atami: Tel. (0557) 81-6002
Beppu: Tel. (0977) 24-2838
Chiba: Tel. (043) 224-3939, * (Makuharl): Tel. (043) 296-0535
Fujiyoshida: Tel. (0555) 22-7000
Fukuoka: Tel. (092) 431-3003, Tel. (092) 733-2220, Tel. (092) 473-6696
Fukuyama: Tel. (0849) 22-2869
Hakodate: Tel. (0138) 23-5440
Higashine: Tel. (0237) 47-3111
Hikone: Tel. (0749) 22-2954
Himeji: Tel. (0792) 85-3792
Hiroshima: Tel. (082) 247-6738
Imari: Tel. (0955) 22-6820
Ito: Tel. (0557) 37-3291, (0557) 37-6105
Kagoshima: Tel. (0992) 53-2500, (0992) 23-5771
Kanazawa: Tel. (0762) 31-6311
Kawaguchiko: Tel. (0555) 72-0259, (0555) 72-2460
Kobe: Tel. (078) 322-0220
Kochi: Tel. (0888) 82-7777
Kumamoto: Tel. (096) 352-3743
Kurashiki: Tel. (086) 426-8681, (086) 422-0542
Mashiki: (Kumamoto Airport) Tel. (096) 232-2810
Matsue: Tel. (0852) 21-4034
Matsumoto: Tel. (0263) 32-2814
Matsuyama: Tel. (0899) 43-6688, (0899) 31-3914
Miyazaki: Tel. (0985) 22-6469
Morioka: Tel. (01 96) 25-2090
Nagasaki: Tel. (0958) 23-3631, (0958) 26-9407
Nagoya: Tel. (052) 262-2918, (052) 323-0161, (052) 541-4301, (052) 581 -0100, (052) 654-7000
Naha: Tel. (098) 857-6884
Nara: Tel. (0742) 24-4858, (0742) 22-3900, (0742) 26-1991
Narita: Tel. (0476) 24-3198, (0476) 24-3232
Niigata: Tel. (025) 241-7914
Nikko: Tel. (0288) 53-4511, (0288) 53-3795
Okayama: Tel. (086) 222-2912, (086) 222-0457
Onomichi: Tel. (0848) 22-6900
Osaka: Tel. (06) 345-2189, (06) 305-3311, (06) 941-9200, (06) 625-2189
Otsu: Tel. (0775) 22-3830
Sapporo: Tel. (011) 232-7712, (011) 211-2377, (011) 211-3678
Sendai: Tel. (022) 222-4069/3269, (022) 265-2471
Shirahama: Tel. (0739) 42-2900
Takamatsu: Tel. (0878) 51-2009
Takayama: Tel. (0577) 32-5328
Takeo: Tel. (0954) 22-2542
Toyama: Tel. (0764) 32-9751
Tsuchiura: Tel. (0298) 21-4166
Tsukuba: Tel. (0298) 55-8155
Ureshino: Tel. (0954) 42-0336
Utsunomiya: Tel. (0286) 36-2177
Yamagata: Tel. (0236) 31-7865
Yokohama: Tel. (045) 681-0007, (045) 641-4759, (045) 473-2895, (045) 441-7300, (045) 211 -0111

Tokyo's Imperial Palace and Kyoto's Katsura Detached Palace are splendid examples of traditional Japanese architecture and landscape garden design. Admission is free, but advance permission to visit is required. Apply for permission as far in advance as possible.

(1) For the Tokyo Imperial Palace, call the Imperial Household Agency (Tel. (03) 3213-1 1 1 1, ext.485) and pick up a permit at least one day before the visit.

(2) For the Katsura Detached Palace, applications must be made in person with your passport at the Imperial Household Agency in Kyoto (Kyoto Gyoennai, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602, Japan (Tel. (075) 211-1215)) in advance of your visit. Visitors must be 20 years old or over.

(3) Reservations are not required to visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace, but carry your passport and apply 20 minutes before the 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. tour (Mon. to Fri.).

Explore Japanese Culture System
"Explore Japanese Culture System" is a unique way to experience Japanese society on a more personal and memorable level. If you would like to participate hands-on in fascinating artistic pursuits, sports and games, from the art of paper-folding (origami) or how to wear a kimono to the proper way to fabric dyeing, martial arts or traditional music making, ask for further details at JNTO's overseas offices or a TIC.

Home Visit System
Approximately 1,000 families in the cities listed below have volunteered to welcome visitors to their homes for a couple of hours, usually after evening mealtime. Apply at least 24 hours, preferably two days, in advance.

Tokyo: Tourist Information Center
Kotani Bldg., 1-6-6 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100
Tel. (03) 3502-1461

Narita: Tourist Information Center
Passenger Terminal 2, P.O. Box 2204, Narita Airport, Chiba 282
Tel. (0476) 34-6251

Narita City Tourist Information Office
839 Hanazaki-cho, Narita 286
Tel. (0476) 24-3198

Yokohama: Yokohama International Tourist Association
Sanbo Center Bldg., 2 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama,Kanagawa 231
Tel. (045) 641-4759

Nagoya: Nagoya International Center
Division of Program Development, 3rd Fl., Nagoya Kokusai Center Bldg.
1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 450.
Tel. (052) 581-0100

Otsu: Otsu Intl. Goodwill Association
International Affairs Division, Otsu City Office
3-1 Goryo-cho,Otsu, Shiga 520
Tel. (0775) 21-6657

Kyoto: Kyoto International Community House
Information Service Section
2-1 Torii-cho, Awataguchi, Sakyo-ku,Kyoto 606
Tel. (075) 752-3512

Osaka: Osaka Tourist Information Office
Higashiguchi, JR Osaka Station
3-1 -1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530
Tel. (06) 345-2189

Osaka Tourist Information Center
3rd Fl., JR Shin-Osaka Station
5-16-1 Nishi-Nakajima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka 532
Tel. (06) 305-3311

Kobe: Kobe International Tourist Association
6th Fl., Kobe Kokusai Koryu-Kaikan
6-9-1 Minatojima-nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650
Tel.(078)303-1010

Shirahama: Shirahama-cho Town Office, Tourist Dept.
1600 Shirahama-cho,Nishimuro, Wakayama 649-22
Tel. (0739) 43-5555

Okayama: Okayama Prefectural International Exchange Foundation
3-1-15 Kosei-cho, Okayama 700
Tel. (086) 222-0457

Kurashiki: Kurashiki Association for International Friendship
c/o Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel
1-1-44 Chuo, Kurashiki, Okayama 710
Tel. (0864) 22-5141

Hiroshima: Hiroshima Intl. Relations Organization
International Exchange Lounge
1-5 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730
Tel. (082) 247-9715

Mihara: Mihara International Goodwill Association
18-16 Shiro-machi, Mihara, Hiroshima 723
Tel. (0848) 63-1000

Fukuoka: Fukuoka Intl. Association (Rainbow Plaza)
8th Fl., 1-7-11 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810
Tel. (092) 733-2220

Nagasaki: Nagasaki International Association
5-9 Edo-machi, Nagasaki 850
Tel. (0958) 23-3931

Kumamoto: Kumamoto City Office, International Exchange Section
1-1 Tetori-Honcho, Kumamoto 860
Tel. (096) 328-2111

Miyazaki: Miyazaki Bridge of Fellowship
c/o Ms. Tomoko Kaseda
19 Oaza Funahiki, Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki 889-16
Tel. (0985) 85-0549/0237

Kagoshima: Kagoshima City Office, Tourist Section 11-1
Yamashita-cho, Kagoshima 892
Tel. (0992) 24-1111

City Tourist Information Service Center
1 Chuo-cho, Kagoshima 890
Tel. (0992) 53-2500

Tickets for Theater, Concerts and Other Events
To book tickets for theaters, concert halls or sports stadiums, contact the Play Guide Honten at 2-6-4 Ginza, Chuoku, Tokyo (call (03) 3561-8821) or the Kyukyodo Ticket Service at 5-7-4 Ginza (call (03) 3571-0401) or any other local ticket agencies in Tokyo. In Kyoto, a superbly condensed version of all major Japanese arts-geisha and gagaku dances, koto music, bunraku puppet show, and flower arrangement-can be seen at the Gion Corner (call 075 561-1119; admission ¥2,500).

Kabuki
Kabuki performances are regularly scheduled at the Kabukiza (call (03) 3541-3131) and the National Theater (call (03) 3265-7411) in Tokyo. Seats in the latter's upper gallery cost as little as ¥1,300; seats for one-act performances at the Kabukiza range from ¥700 to ¥1,000.

Sumo
Heavyweight wrestlers in loincloths collide with awesome grace and power in fifteen-day tournaments of this traditional Japanese sport. Tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible due to extremely high demand. The cheapest seats are ¥1,200. Tournaments are held six times a year in Tokyo (Jan., May, Sept.), Osaka (March), Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (Nov.).

Dial or button-push 110 to call the police in an emergency, and 119 to report a fire or summon an ambulance. If in a public phone booth, you need not pay ¥10 for these calls. Just press the red button before you place the call. If you need a doctor or first-aid, contact your hotel front desk or ask someone around you. The Japanese phrase for "Take me to a doctor" is "Isha ni tsurete itte kudasai" and for "Get a doctor for me," it's "Isha o yonde kudasai."

Medical Services
For hospital information, call 52-858-181 in Tokyo (English, Chinese, Korean Thai, and Spanish spoken).

Lost and Found
If you have left a bag or package somewhere, go back. It will probably still be there. If you left it in a railway station or other public area, go to the station master's office or the nearest police box and ask for English-language assistance. If left in a taxi, go to your hotel's reception desk. Taxi drivers often bring the belonging back to your hotel.

For Business Visitors
The best hotels have business service centers that can order business cards for you printed in both English (or other language) and Japanese. Other services ordinarily provided include photocopying, facsimile transmissions, phone calls, and various kinds of business information.

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) can provide advice, guidance and literature on doing business in Japan. You can lease an inexpensive "capsule office" equipped with a personal computer and telephone. A shared bilingual secretary is on hand during daytime hours to assist you. Ask any hotel business service center for further information.

The Japanese Postal Service provides complete services for both domestic and foreign mail.

Domestic
Ask your hotel front desk to assist you in posting mail or packages. Rates for postage addressed within Japan are ¥80 up to 25 grams and ¥90 over 25 grams up to 50 grams if the envelope is between 9 x 14 cm and 12 x 23.5 cm. Mail that has different measurements costs ¥130 up to 50 grams and ¥190 over 50 grams up to 100 gram. Postcards cost ¥50.

International Air Mail Rates	Asia	North America, Europe Oceania, Middle East	Africa South America
Postcards	¥70	¥70	¥70
Aerograms	¥90	¥90	¥90
Letters (up to 10g)	¥90	¥110	¥130
(Each additional 10g)	¥60	¥80	¥100

International Business Mail (EMS)
This service, available at some post offices that handle international mail, is especially useful for business firms. Private delivery services such as DHL and Federal Express provide fast and efficient services between Japan and other nations. Your choice of service depends on the kind of item you want to send.

International Parcel Post
Foreign parcel post can be sent between Japan and most nations. Maximum weight for a single package is 20 kg for all destinations. The type of contents of a parcel accepted, however, and the maximum measurements of a single parcel differ by destination.

Domestic
You can find indoor and outdoor public telephones just about everywhere in Japan. Yellow and green telephones accept both ¥10 and ¥100 coins. [change is not given if ¥100 coin is used] Red phones accept ¥10 coins only. Green phones also accept magnetic, prepaid telephone cards. The charge for a local call is ¥10 per minute. A call is automatically cut off if an additional ¥10 has not been inserted when the warning buzz is heard. You can make direct inter-city calls from these phones.

Domestic area codes always start with zero, and are parenthesized or hyphenated in telephone directories to indicate where the area code ends. The area codes are 03 for Tokyo, 06 for Osaka, 052 for Nagoya, 075 for Kyoto, 045 for Yokohama and 0476 for Narita.

Domestic calls are cheaper at night and on Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays, with the charge reduced by 20 to 40 percent for domestic calls of distances over 60 km.

All city code telephone numbers in the 23 wards of Tokyo were changed in January 1991 into 4-digit numbers. If the number you want to call starts with 3 digits (342-5526, for example), simply add another 3 to the first three digits (3342-5526).

International
You can make a direct overseas call from an International, Domestic Card/Coin Telephone at airports, hotels, and major office centers in big cities. The access numbers are 001 (KDD), 0041 (ITJ) and 0061 (IDC). The rates and locations served by these companies vary.

For further information, dial:
KDD (Kokusai Denshin Denwa): 0057 (toll-free).
ITJ (International Telecom Japan): 0120-44-0041 (toll-free).
IDC (International Digital Communications): 01 20-03-0061 (toll-free).
You can place person-to-person, collect and credit card calls, (only through KDD), by dialing 0051.

New gray telephones with monitor screens can service you in either English or Japanese with simple instructions for use. More and more of these new phones are appearing in the cities.

Time Zones
All of Japan is in the same time zone, 9 hours ahead of G.M.T. No Daylight Saving Time is practiced in Japan.

Telegram, Facsimile and Computer Networking Facsimile machines are available at most hotels. Ask the front desk or go to the hotel's business service center.

Toll-Free Numbers
Telephone numbers starting with "0120" are receiver-paid calls under NTT's "Free Dial 0120" service. (For Japan Telecom, the toll-free numbers begin with "0088"). But calling areas are sometimes limited.

Telephone Cards
Prepaid magnetic telephone cards slipped into slots in public telephones are very popular in Japan. A ¥1,000 card buys 105 calls at ¥10 each. Those over ¥1,000 in value are not available at present. Many of the cards have attractive pictures on one side, and have become collector's items. They can also be good souvenirs to take home with you after full use, but note that the cost of some cards are more expensive than the number of telephone calls you can use it for.

Emergency
Police:
Urgent: 110
Lost & Found: *(03)3814-4151
General Information: (03)3501-0110
Fire/Ambulance: 119
Hospital Information: (03)3212-2323
The Japan Help Line: (0120)461-997

Communications
Telegrams: Domestic: 115
Overseas: (03)3344-5151
Calls to the Bullet Train: 107

Central Post Office
Domestic: *(03)3284-9539
International: *(03)3284-9540

Daily Living Information
Information Corner (Multilingual): (045)671-7209
Japan Hotline: (03)3586-0110

Tourist Information
Tourist Information Centers:
Tokyo: (03)3502-1461
Kyoto: (075)371-5649
Narita (Passenger Terminal 2): (0476)34-6251
Kansai: (0724)56-6025

Japan Travel-Phone
Eastern Japan: 0088-22-2800
Western Japan: 0088-22-4800

Transportation Information Flight Information
Haneda: (03)3747-8010
Narita: (0476)34-5000
Kansai: (0724)55-2500
JR East Infoline: (03)3423-0111

Lost & Found
EIDAN Subways: *(03)3834-5577
JR: *(03)3231-1880
Taxi: *(03)3648-0300
TOEI bus/Subway: *(03)3815-7229

Road Traffic Information
Tokyo: *(03)3581-7611
Highway: *(03)3264-1331
Subway Information Service: (03)3837-7111

Airport Departure Charge
All departing passengers on international flights leaving from Narita or Kansai Airport are obliged to pay a Passenger Facility Service Charge; ¥2,000 at Narita and ¥2,600 at Kansai (¥1,000 at Narita and ¥1,300 at Kansai for children aged 2 to 11 years). Please be sure to pay this charge in yen before converting your yen currency back into your home country's currency. Transit passengers taking connecting flights the same day do not pay this charge. Infants of age one year or younger are also exempt. This charge is not levied at other international airports in Japan.

Duty-Free Export
Departing passengers who have completed departure formalities can take advantage of duty-free shopping prior to flight boarding.

Japan Travel-Phone is a nationwide telephone service for those in need of English language assistance and travel information. The service, available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, is toll-free outside Tokyo and Kyoto. Dial 0088-22-2800 for information on eastern Japan or 0088-22-4800 for information on western Japan. When calling within Tokyo or Kyoto city