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General Information for Travel in Japan
If you're looking for useful tour information for your trip in Japan, why not access the Japan National Tourism Organization JNTO's website?
Accessing it will give you a lot of practical tips on sightseeing in Japan including information on low-priced tours. Their website includes budget travel, travel hints, reasonable accommodations, maps of Japan, what's new, regional tourist information, and news about meetings and exhibitions.
Money and Banks
Open hours
Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. ATMs may not be accessible for 24hours a day.
*Banks in New Tokyo International Airport (Narita) are open for all arriving flights.
Exchange Rate
Currency exchange rates tend to be the same at all banks.
Credit Cards
Major tourist facilities, such as hotels and restaurants in big cities accept credit cards. But smaller restaurants, and some hotels especially in local areas may not accept credit cards. So, carry cash.
Yen withdrawal through ATMs
ATM’s at some, but not all, Japanese banks dispense cash to most non-Japanese credit cards. ATM service fees may depend on the hour or day. ATMs at most Post Offices or some convenience stores such as 7-Eleven or Lawson dispense cash to most non-Japanese credit cards. The service hours differ by ATM.
English instructions are available. For details, please access JTNO’s website.
https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/currency/
Others
JNTO Certified Tourist Information Centers (TIC) in Japan
There are more than 1,400 certified Tourist Information Centers throughout the country from Hokkaido down to Okinawa.
Drop by for expert advice and a wealth of information aimed at enhancing your Japan experience.
Most of them are situated in stations and are marked by the "i" sign.
https://tic.jnto.go.jp/
Useful Telephone Numbers
Japan Visitor Hotline is operated by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, 050-3816-2787, for tourist information or assistance in the case of accidents and emergencies. Support is available in English , Chinese, Korean and Japanese. From overseas +81-50-3816-2787
English speaking doctors
St. Luke's Hospital: 03-3541-5151
Int'l Catholic Hospital: 03-3951-1111
Tokyo Sanitarium Hospital: 03-3392-6151
Tipping
Individual tipping is not common in Japan. But at high class hotels, ryokans and restaurants a 10 to 15% service charge may be added to the bill.
Door to door delivery service
A parcel under 25 kilograms (55 lbs) can be delivered to any part of Japan within one or two days. The parcel must also measure less than 160cm (63 in) in length, width and height combined. The charge is about \1,300 per parcel. Ask at the front desk of the inn where you are staying.
Passenger Service Facility Charge
To expand and enhance Japan’s tourist infrastructure, you are levied ￥1,000 departure tax when you leave from Japan. (It may be included in the price of your ticket).