Organize your stay Japan
Money Japan
The Japanese currency is the yen (abbreviation: ¥). It is convertible worldwide, and can be obtained without difficulty before your departure. It can also be exchanged on your return. It comes in bills of ¥10,000, ¥5,000, ¥2,000 (very rarely used) and ¥1,000, as well as coins of ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1. The exchange rate in March 2025 was €1 = ¥157 and ¥1 = €0.0063. New banknotes have been in circulation since July 2024.
Find an ATM. Generally speaking, you'll find ATMs on every street corner in the main districts, but not all of them accept international cards. Most ATMs for international cards can be found in the central post offices of major cities, as well as in konbini (the new ATMs in 7-Eleven are very efficient). It is preferable to have cash on hand for certain restaurants or even shops.
Using an English-speaking cash dispenser. Generally speaking, ATMs are the same as in France. If the French language is not available, select English. "Retrait" is then called withdrawal. If you are asked to choose between withdrawing from a checking account, a credit account or a savings account, choose checking account. Select debit or credit. The only risk is that the transaction will be refused. Enter the desiredamount and confirm(enter). To the question " Would you like a receipt?", answer " Yes " and keep your receipt in a safe place.
Budget & Tips Japan
The cost of living in Tokyo or Osaka is about the same as in European capitals. It's expensive, but not excessive. Of course, some Japanese prefectures enjoy a lower cost of living. To help you plan, here are some basic prices and budget ideas.
- a meal in a restaurant: count ¥1200 for a set of sushi and around ¥900 for a set of another typical Japanese dish(ramen, tempura or tonkatsu).
- a night in a dormitory in a youth hostel: ¥4000 in Tokyo and around ¥3500 in Osaka.
- a night in a double room in a ryokan: from ¥14,000 (the price of some well-known ryokan can soar).
- a night in a double room in a star hotel: from ¥15,000.
- a pack of cigarettes: around ¥500.
- a bottle of water: ¥110.
- a local beer in a bar: ¥800.
- a subway ride in the city: ¥160-360.
- entry to a temple: ¥300-500.
Please note that prices quoted in stores are not negotiable, except in special cases. Prices can be discussed at flea markets, for example. In duty-free electronics stores, particularly in Tokyo and Osaka, it is not uncommon to receive a 10% discount. From now on, you'll have to pay for plastic bags at the checkout. They cost between ¥3 and ¥5, depending on size; paper bags are more expensive.
Tipping. The Japanese don't tip. It's simply not part of local custom. To express gratitude, it's best to offer your host a gift. If this gift turns out to be cash, it's important to remember to put it in an envelope.
Duty free: since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can take advantage of duty free, tax-free shopping. Note also that if you have a stopover within the European Union, you can make purchases at airports on the outbound journey, but not on the return. Duty-free shops in Japanese airports are praised by Japanese and visitors alike for their high-quality products, including vintage sake and plum spirits. If you have a stopover, you won't be able to carry more than 100 ml of liquid. Duty-free stores can also be found in town, at Don Quijote for example.
Budget ideas. The budgets we suggest are calculated per person per day in the most touristy prefectures. They do not take into account the possible free or reduced rates sometimes offered (as part of a long stay, for example), or even the use of the JR Pass.
Small budget : from ¥7,000 to ¥8,500 based on a bed in a dormitory (¥4,000/person), lunch on the run (sandwiches and other small meals taken in mini-markets open 24/24 from ¥500-600/person), mostly on foot (including two subway tickets to get to and from your place of visit, an average of ¥230/journey), refreshments during the day, access to sightseeing sites, the purchase of a few souvenirs (¥1,500) and a more complete meal in the evening (¥1,200/person). This budget can still be modulated if you're staying in the center of town or close to a convenient JR or metro station, or if you're content with frugal meals. You can travel successfully in Japan on a daily budget of €50/day!
Average budget: ¥8,500 to ¥20,000, based on a room in a ryokan or a single room with all the comforts of a youth hostel (¥8,000), quick lunches in small restaurants (¥950), frequent subway travel (day pass), refreshments during the day and evening, access to sightseeing sites, the purchase of many souvenirs (¥2,500) and a good meal in the evening (¥2,000). In this price range, being two people is more advantageous in terms of accommodation, as you'll easily find a double room for ¥8,000-12,000. And if there are more than two of you, rooms for 3 or 4 people are commonplace, as are apartment rentals.
Big budget : from ¥30,000 onwards, based on a nice room with all modern comforts in a Michelin-starred hotel or refined ryokan (¥18,000), delicate but frugal meals at lunchtime (¥2,500), travel by JR or metro during the day to minimize walking (day pass) and by cab in the evening, access to sightseeing, the purchase of as many souvenirs and high-tech objects as possible, a typical Japanese meal with drinks in the evening (¥5,000) and a night out in one of the city's many bars.
Passport and visas Japan
A valid biometric passport is required to enter Japan. Children must also have a personal passport. If the date of travel is less than 6 months before the end of the passport's validity, you may be denied boarding. French nationals will obtain a visa valid for 90 days upon arrival. No steps are necessary to obtain this precious sesame which is free. It is therefore possible to make only one stopover in Japan before leaving for another destination.
Advice. Before leaving, remember to photocopy in duplicate all the documents that you take with you. You will take one copy with you and leave the other with someone on site. This will make it much easier for you to renew your passport with the consular authorities if it is lost or stolen.
Driver's license Japan
It is possible to rent a car or drive a motorcycle. You will need the appropriate French permits, accompanied by a certified translation into Japanese. For more information, please visit the page of the French Embassy in Japan: jp.ambafrance.org/Conduire-au-Japon-pendant-un-court-sejour.
Health Japan
Going to Japan does not present any particular health risk. The country's hospital structure allows for quick and effective treatment in case of illness, provided that you have insurance. There is no need to worry if you go to Japan, but make sure that your insurance will cover possible hospitalization costs. The website of the French Federation of Insurance Companies (www.ffsa.fr) will be able to help you find the right insurance for your needs. To call an ambulance or the fire department in Japan, contact ✆ 119. For any emergency, the Japan Helpline offers 24-hour assistance in English. Call ✆ 0120 461 997.
Mandatory vaccination Japan
The Institut Pasteur recommends that all vaccinations included in the vaccination calendar, plus the vaccine against hepatitis A, be done before a trip to Japan. Depending on the type of trip, vaccinations against Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and typhoid are also recommended. As for the vaccine against the new coronavirus, no information is available at the time of writing. For more information, visit the Japan page of the Institute's website: www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical/preparer-son-voyage/japon.
Security Japan
Japan is a very safe country, which does not prevent cases of theft, assault or accident. In the city, police stations (koban) are located everywhere. To call the police, contact them ✆ 110. For the latest information on local safety, check the "Travel Advice" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that this sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the actual situation in the country. The main risks in Japan are related to natural disasters. Earthquakes are frequent, but also typhoons, tsunamis, floods and even extreme heat in summer. The Japanese authorities have been developing multilingual services to communicate the important rules to follow in case of natural disasters.
Useful information: the Japan Visitor Hotline assists tourists in English 24 hours a day at the following number: ✆ +81 50 3816 2787. The Safety Tips application can be downloaded directly to the phone. It provides information in case of earthquake or typhoon, basic safety rules to follow. If you are on site, the website and the NHK World Japan radio propose in French information to tourists on what to do and communicate the emergency numbers and measures put in place in case of disaster.
Time difference Japan
There is a 7 hour time difference with France in summer, and 8 hours in winter, after the switch to winter time.
Spoken languages Japan
In Japan, the main language is Japanese. Three writing systems exist: kanji (Chinese characters), katakana (syllabary for foreign words) and hiragana (syllabary for Japanese words). Large Asian communities live in large cities where it is common to hear Chinese, Korean or Brazilian spoken. In an effort to internationalize, more and more information is being posted in English, and bilingual staff are being recruited in tourist offices, large hotels and museums.
Communication Japan
In the major cities of the country, it is possible to connect to wifi for free in most train and metro stations, and on kiosks found on the street, or even in konbini. Many cafes and tourist sites also offer free (and fast) wifi. Outside of the major urban centers, the connection is less easy to access. If you are planning trips to the countryside and want to stay connected, pocket wifi can be rented at airports.
Electricity and measurements Japan
Electricity. Electricity is 100 volts, but the frequency may vary from place to place. However, 110-volt sockets are used in hotels for electrical appliances (shavers, hairdryers). Sockets are flat, American-style. Adapters are on sale in all electronics stores, but we advise you to pack some in your luggage.
Measurements. Japan uses the international metric system, except for room surfaces. These are measured in tatami, i.e. 1.80 m x 0.90 m.
Men's clothing: standard sizes such as S for "small", M for "medium", L for "large" and XL for "extra-large" are common. They fit smaller than in Europe, and an S will be equivalent to a European XS.
Women's clothing: size 9 corresponds to M or 36-38, size 11 to 40-42 or L. It's not always easy to find sizes larger than L for women. Inexpensive stores often sell free-size clothing, which can be roughly sized from 34 to 38. Note that, as the average height of Japanese women is smaller than that of French women, garment patterns differ. Ready-to-wear clothing is based on an average height of 1.68 m in France, and 1.63 m or 1.65 m in Japan.
Shoe size. For both men and women, stores selling tap shoes or other low-priced footwear often offer only 4 sizes, ranging from XS to L. It's a good idea to try on shoes, as these sizes can be wrong. Men's sizes: 24 and a half corresponds to 39/40, 26 to 41/42, 28 to 43/44, 29 to 45. Women's sizes: 23 corresponds to 36, 23 and a half to 37, 24 and a half to 38, 25 to 39. Children's sizes: 13/15 corresponds to 22/24, 16/18 to 25/28 and 18/20 to 29/32.
Luggage Japan
For clothes and shoes: soft shoes, without lacing, are to be foreseen, because we often take off our shoes. It is good to think of bringing many pairs of socks, to be able to change them at the appropriate moment. In winter, you should also bring a big pair of woolen socks to visit the temples more comfortably. Dresses and pants that are too tight should be avoided, because you have to sit and kneel in the Japanese way and, with the humidity in summer, this kind of clothing is not very pleasant. Jeans are not recommended in summer either (too humid). For winter and autumn, warm clothes to face the cool temperatures of the night, and even the day, should be brought along. In the northern part of the country, it can be very cold in winter with beautiful snowfalls. An umbrella is advisable in all seasons, but they are easily available everywhere in the country.
Others. In summer, gel and creams against mosquitoes, which literally swarm, to avoid swollen legs and itching. You can also buy them in big pharmacies (at the limit of the supermarket). Japanese medicines do not correspond to Western dosages and brands. It is better to think about bringing paracetamol and other useful medicines for daily use.
