Before Your Trip

1. Passport

Please check before departure that there is sufficient period remained until the expiration date of your passport. During your trip, have your passport with you at all times. You may be asked to present it for identification.

2. Visa

Make sure whether you need a visa or not in order to to travel from your country to Japan. Please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website for more information.

VISA / Residing in Japan
Exemption of Visa

3. Travel Insurance

Join a travel insurance before your trip to prepare for troubles during your trip. You may sometimes need to pay a large sum of medical fee due to injury, illness, or hospitalization during your trip. For the specifics on insurance coverage and conditions for subscription, please contact the insurance companies.

4. Customs procedure

It is the duty of those entering Japan to know what items are forbidden or regulated in Japan, and to make accurate declaration for items asked in the form.

Please check the list of forbidden or regulated items in the Japan customs website. Examples of regulated items: cash, counterfeit brand products, chemicals, live animal or plant, drugs, cosmetics, etc.

Procedures of Passenger Clearance
Goods with Prohibitions, Controls and Restrictions

5. Currency and currency exchange

The Japanese currency is yen. You will need to make declaration in order to bring in cash worth more than 1 million Japanese yen. Small shops might not accept credit card. Please prepare necessary cash at the airport or at currency exchange booths at different locations in the prefecture.

6. Kinds of money

Coins: 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen
Bills: 1000 yen, 5000 yen, 10000 yen
Although quite rare, 2,000 yen bills are sometimes used.

7 Voltage and plugs

When you bring equipments that need to be plugged in, make sure they are compatible with Japanese voltage and plug holes. Japanese electricity plugs are A type. The voltage is 100V, and frequency is 60Hz. Please come prepared with a transformer, or use products that is compatible with Japanese voltage.

8. Portable wi-fi

There are services that rent portable wi-fi routers. You may be able to pick them up or return them at the airport. Please contact service providers for more information.

9. Sim card rental

By inserting sim card into your device, you will be able to use internet and phone in Japan. Please contact the service providers for the details such as rate plans or how to purchase the cards.

10. Safety related information

Please go over points to keep in mind when you encounter disaster during your trip.

Disaster information

Information for when you are in trouble

1. When you lose your passport

If you lose your passport, submit a lost items report to the Japanese police. Then contact your country’s foreign embassy, legation, or consulate in Japan, and go through the necessary procedures.
Foreign Missions in Japan

2. Emergency contacts

#110 Calling the police to report an accident or crime.
#119 Calling an ambulance or fire engine in case of injury, illness or fire.
#118 Calling Coast Guard to report an accident in the sea.

3. Top 10 helpful Japanese phrases

While many people in Japan do speak English, it is always helpful to know a few key phrases before traveling to a different country.

Arigatou Gozaimasu : You’ll be saying “thank you” a lot, so it’s the perfect place to begin.

Sumimasen : “Excuse me” is an important expression in any language, and Japanese is no exception.

Onegaishimasu : This means “please.” Use this when ordering food, asking for something, or requesting help.

Hai/Iie : “Yes/No.” Pretty self-explanatory! Hai can also signify that you understand something.

Okaikei (onegaishimasu) : “Check please!” Very useful at restaurants and cafes. Can be combined with sumimasen to get the waiter’s attention as well.

Kore wa ikura desuka : Ikura means “how much.” Ikura desuka is a phrase that can be used even if you don’t know the name of a product in Japanese. Kore means “this;” when combined with a little gesturing toward an item, you’re asking “how much is this?”. A shop owner will typically respond by typing the number in a calculator or writing it down for you.

Gochisousama deshita : “Thank you for the meal.” This phrase is polite and used after a meal to show your appreciation.

Ohayou Gozaimasu : The formal way of saying “good morning.”

Konnichiwa : is the both formal and informal way to say “hello.” It can apply to morning, noon, and afternoon. It’s a pretty broad way of greeting someone, so mastering this would be useful.

Konbanwa : Similar to konninchiwa, konbanwa consists of both the formal and informal ways to say “good evening.” This phrase applies to when the sun goes down and at night time.

by LemonSeven