What to Bring

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 Tokyo and Kyoto. 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.

International Driver License

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)3436- 28-11 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.

Take Note