Language
First the good news. Picking up a few words of Japanese or even managing a sentence or two is not difficult. Pronunciation is simple and standard and there are few exceptions to the straightforward rules of grammar. With a couple of weeks’ effort, you should be able to read the words spelled out in the hiragana and katakana (Japanese phonetic characters) even if you can’t understand them. And any time spent learning Japanese will be amply rewarded by the thrilled response you get from the locals. The bad news is that it takes a very great effort to become halfway proficient in the language, let alone master it. For a basic beginners’ guide, go to www.thejapanesepage.com/news.php
Currency And Tipping
The Japanese use the Yen, of which there are no subdivisions. Notes are available in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000, while coins come in values of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500. Apart from the 5Y piece, a copper-coloured coin with a hole in the centre, all the other notes and coins indicate their value in Western numerals. Tipping is not customary in Japan. If you feel compelled to tip or are grateful for exceptional service, provide the gratuity in a discreet manner and don’t be surprised if your gesture is met with confusion. You might notice a 10% service charge is added to your bill in restaurants, especially those at the higher end.
Safety
Tokyo boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the world and personal safety is rarely a worry. On the whole, the Japanese are honest and law-abiding – there’s little theft and drug-related crimes are rare. The main exception is bicycle theft which is rife. In addition, it always pays to be careful in crowded areas and to keep money and important documents stowed in an inside pocket, money belt or hotel safe.
Earthquakes are a part of life in Japan with at least one recorded every day in some part of the country. Fortunately, the vast majority consist of minor tremors which go unnoticed. Tokyo is equipped with some of the world’s most sophisticated sensors, which are monitored round the clock, and architects employ mind-boggling techniques to try to ensure the city’s new high-rise buildings stay upright. There’s a helpful guide to safety procedures in the event of a quake at www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/foreign/quake/quake2
And don’t forget as a pedestrian in Tokyo: the Japanese drive on the left!Visas
All visitors to Japan must have a passport which is valid for the duration of their stay, but only residents of certain countries need apply for a visa in advance. Citizens of the UK, the Republic of Ireland and certain other European countries can stay in Japan for up to 90 days without a visa provided they’re visiting for tourism or business purposes. This also applies to travellers from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Citizens of other countries should check with their nearest Japanese embassy or consulate.
Weather
We asked Shizuko Mishima, from the Japan For Visitors guide, to advise us on the best time to travel to the country: “In my opinion, go for spring (March-May) or autumn/fall (September-November), when the weather is mild. Plum blossoms start blooming at the end of February and cherry blossoms in March and April. The best time to see the lovely colours of the autumn leaves is at the end of October and beginning of November. June and the beginning of July is the Japanese rainy season called Tsuyu and it can rain every day. July and August are usually very hot and humid while winter (December-February) is cold, although in Tokyo the temperature hardly drops below zero. Have a great trip!”
Getting Around
The whole of Tokyo’s public transport system is efficient, clean and safe, but as a visitor you’ll probably find the trains and subways the best way of getting around. The lack of any signs in English makes the bus system a lot more challenging. Two systems operate on the underground (subway) – the nine-line Tokyo Metro (www.tokyometro.jp/e) and the four-line Toei (www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html.) The systems share some of the same stations. The colourful map might look like a messy plate of noodles, but it is relatively easy to negotiate. Choose your travel time carefully unless you want to have the infamous white-gloved platform attendants shove you into the carriage. You generally pay for your ticket at the vending machines beside the electronic ticket gates. The cheapest ticket is Y160 and, since most journeys across central Tokyo cost no more than Y190, few of the travel passes on offer are good value for short-stay visitors. However, if you’re going to be travelling around a lot, it makes sense to buy kaisuken, carnet-type tickets where you get 11 rides for the price of 10. The off-peak option gives you 12 for the cost of 10.
