practical

Information

Personal Security

Thefts and muggings do occur at times in Japan. There are also sporadic incidents of bag-snatching and pick-pocketing in crowded areas. It is generally safe to walk around at night, but extra care should be taken in the Roppongi and Kabukicho entertainment districts.

Health

All visitors should take out comprehensive travel insurance before traveling. If you are sick while in Japan, consult a doctor at a local clinic; for minor problems, see a pharmacist. For hospitals and other medical services in Tokyo, see Himawari.

Himawari

∑ himawari.metro.tokyo.jp

Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs

In all central Tokyo wards, smoking on the street is banned (punishable by on-the-spot fines), except in specially designated areas. Smoking is also banned on buses and trains (except for some long-distance trains such as the shinkansen, which have either smoking cars or smoking rooms between carriages), as well as in stations, hospitals, and public institutions. However, smoking is still permitted in some bars and restaurants, which may have a smoking section.

Japan has a strict limit of 0.03 per cent BAC (blood alcohol content) for drivers. If a driver exceeds this limit, they will face a heavy fine and up to five years in prison.

There is a zero-tolerance policy toward the possession of even small amounts of narcotics. The punishment is a jail sentence and heavy fine.

Local Customs

The traditional greeting in Japan is a bow, its depth reflecting the relative status of participants. Foreigners, however, rarely need to bow; a handshake is fine. In many situations, bows are just part of customer service – for instance, in elevators, stores, restaurants, and hotels – and customers do not have to return the bow. If you feel the need to bow, hold your arms and back straight, bend from the waist, and pause for a moment at the low point.

Be mindful of the etiquette relating to hygiene in Japan. Bodily emissions are considered very rude, though anything drawn inward is acceptable – therefore, sniffing is fine, but blowing your nose in public is not.

Shoes are an important element of etiquette, and it is a serious mistake to wear them indoors where prohibited, especially in a house. However, shoes are allowed in the majority of public places travelers would be likely to visit in Tokyo – such as hotels, shops, and museums. You will know when you enter a building or room where shoes are prohibited, as there will usually be a lowered genkan (entryway area) in front of the door, where you must take off your shoes and put on slippers. If no slippers are provided, or if they are too small, you can wear socks. (As such, it is a good idea to wear neat, clean socks every day.) As a general rule, no footwear should be worn on tatami matting, including even slippers, although socks are allowed. The principle is not to contaminate the interior with dirt from outside.

There are several rules to be observed when using chopsticks. If you touch food in a communal dish with your chopsticks, you should then take it. Gesturing and pointing with them is also seen as bad manners. It is taboo to pass food directly from one set of chopsticks to another, as this is associated with funerary rites – although it is acceptable to use them to place food on another’s plate. For similar reasons, inserting both chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice is also taboo.

LGBT+ Safety

LGBT+ travelers are unlikely to encounter any problems in Japan. Public displays of affection between both straight and same-sex couples are frowned upon by some Japanese people, but less so in Tokyo. Utopia Asia is a comprehensive guide to Japan’s LGBT+ scene.

Utopia Asia

∑ utopia-asia.com

Visiting Temples and Shrines

The atmosphere in Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines is informal. Visitors should show respect and not be noisy, but there are few of the taboos found in some other Buddhist nations. Remember to remove your shoes when you enter sacred buildings.

Cell Phones and Wi-Fi

Foreign cell phones may not work in Japan; check coverage with your cell operator before traveling. If you aren’t covered, you can rent a cell phone from companies such as Rentafone Japan. Many locations in Tokyo, such as cafés, restaurants, convenience stores, and train stations, offer free or inexpensive Wi-Fi. For a list of Wi-Fi hotspots, check Freespot.

Rentafone Japan

∑ rentafonejapan.com

Freespot

∑ freespot.com/users/map_e.html

Post

Post offices (yubin-kyoku) and mailboxes are identified with a character looking like a “T” with an extra horizontal bar across the top. Stamps are also sold at convenience stores.

Taxes and Refunds

All visitors must pay a ¥1,000 tourist departure tax. A consumption tax of 8 percent is charged on goods and services; claiming this money back is a relatively simple process. There is no need to show customs your products and receipts at the airport; instead, you can apply for a cash refund as soon as you have made your purchase, at one of the tax refund counters found in shopping centers and malls.

Need to know Practical Information

At a Glance

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

GENERAL EMERGENCY

COAST GUARD

FIRE AND AMBULANCE

POLICE

Need to know Practical Information

Time Zone

JST (UTC +09:00)

There is no daylight saving time.

Need to know Practical Information

Tap Water

Tap water in Japan is safe to drink.

Need to know Practical Information

Need to know Practical Information