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 upon your return. It comes in the form of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 (very rarely used) and 1,000 ¥ bills as well as 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 ¥ coins. The exchange rate in March 2023 was €1 = ¥143 and ¥1 = €0.0069.
Find an ATM. Generally speaking, you will find ATMs on every corner in the main areas, but not all of them accept international cards. The majority of 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 some restaurants or even shops.
Using an English-speaking ATM. Generally speaking, the way to use ATMs is the same as in France. If the French language is not available, select English. "Withdrawal" 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. Between a debit or credit transaction, select "debit". If you make a mistake in any of these options, don't worry, the only risk is that the transaction will be refused. Indicate the desiredamount and validate(enter). To the question " Would you like a receipt?", answer " Yes " and carefully keep your receipt.
Budget & Tips Japan
The cost of living in Tokyo or Osaka is about the same as in European capitals. It is 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 dish in a restaurant: count ¥1,100 for a set of sushi and about ¥900 for a set of another typical Japanese dish(ramen, tempura or tonkatsu).
- a night in a dormitory in a youth hostel: ¥4,000 in Tokyo and about ¥3,500 in Osaka.
- a night in a double room in a ryokan : from ¥12,000 (the price of some famous ryokan can be very high).
- a night in a double room in a star hotel: from ¥22,000.
- a pack of cigarettes: about ¥500.
- a bottle of water: ¥110.
- a local beer in a bar: ¥700.
- a subway ride in the city: ¥160-360.
- an entrance to a temple: ¥300-500.
Please note that prices in stores are not negotiable, except in special cases. Prices can be discussed in flea markets, for example. In duty free electronics stores, especially in Tokyo and Osaka, it is not uncommon to get a 10% discount. From now on, plastic bags at the checkout are not free. Count between 3 and 5 ¥ according to the size, more expensive for paper bags.
Tipping. Japanese people don't use it. It is simply not part of the local customs. In order to express gratitude, it is better to offer a present to your host. If the gift is cash, it is important to remember to put it in an envelope.
Duty free: Since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can benefit from duty free, tax-free purchases. Also note that if you have a stopover in the European Union, you can make purchases in airports on the way out, but not on the way back. Duty free shops in Japanese airports are praised by Japanese and visitors alike for their high quality products, including vintage sake and plum liquor. In case of a stopover, you will not be allowed to carry more than 100 ml of liquid. There are also duty free stores in town, such as Don Quijote.
Budget ideas. The budgets that we propose are calculated per person and per day, in the most touristy prefectures. They do not take into account the possible free or reduced rates offered sometimes (for a long stay for example), or even the use of the JR Pass.
Small budget: 6,000 to 8,500 ¥ based on a bed in a dormitory (3,500 ¥/person), lunch on the go (sandwiches and other small meals taken in convenience stores open 24 hours a day from 350-400 ¥/person), travel on foot for the most part (counting two subway tickets to get to and from your place of visit, (an average of ¥210/journey), refreshments during the day, access to the sites of visits, purchase of some souvenirs (count ¥800) and a more complete meal in the evening (count ¥850/person). This budget can still be modulated if you are staying in the center of the city or near a convenient JR or subway station or if you are satisfied with a frugal meal. So you should know that you can successfully travel in Japan with a daily budget of 50 €/day!
Average budget: from ¥8,500 to ¥16,000, based on a room in a ryokan or a single room with all the comforts in a youth hostel (¥7,000), quick meals at lunchtime in small restaurants (¥850), frequent travel by subway (daily pass), refreshments during the day and during the evening, access to sightseeing sites, the purchase of many souvenirs (¥2,000) and a good meal in the evening (¥1,500) In this price range, being two people is more advantageous in terms of accommodation, as you can easily find a double room for ¥8,000-10,000. And if there are more than two of you, rooms for 3 or 4 people are commonplace, as are apartment rentals.
Big budget: from ¥25,000 based on a nice room with all the modern comforts in a star hotel or in a refined ryokan (¥15,000), delicate but frugal meals at lunchtime (¥2,000), travel by JR or subway during the day to limit walking as much as possible (day pass) and by cab in the evening, access to visits, purchase of a maximum of souvenirs and high-tech objects, a typical Japanese meal with drinks in the evening (¥5,000) and a night out in one of the many bars in the city.
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 change depending on the location. However, 110-volt outlets are used in hotels for electrical equipment (shavers, hair dryers). The plugs are flat, American style. Adapters are available in all electronics stores, but we recommend that you pack some in your luggage.
Measurement. Japan uses the international metric system, except for the surface of the rooms. In this case, the measurement is 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. These sizes are smaller than in Europe, and an S will be equivalent to a European XS.
Women's clothing: 9 corresponds to M or 36-38, 11 to 40-42 or L. It is not always easy to find sizes larger than L for women. We often see in cheap stores free size clothes, which can roughly go from 34 to 38. Note that the average size of Japanese women is smaller than that of French women, so the pattern of the clothes is different. Ready-to-wear clothes are designed on an average size of 1.68 m in France, and 1.63 m or 1.65 m in Japan.
Shoe size. For men as for women, the stores of flip-flops or other cheap shoes often propose only 4 sizes which go from XS to L. It is advisable to try the shoes because these sizes can be right. 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: the 23 corresponds to 36, the 23 and a half to 37, the 24 and a half to 38, the 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.
