Organize your stay Tokyo
Money Tokyo
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 the form of ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 banknotes, as well as ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1 coins.
The exchange rate in March 2024 was €1 = ¥161.76 and ¥100 = €0.62.
Budget & Tips Tokyo
The cost of living in Tokyo or Kyoto is roughly the same as in European capitals. As the yen has been weak for the past two years, life may seem a little cheaper than in a major European city. To help you plan, here are some basic prices and budget ideas.
One meal in a restaurant: count ¥1,200 for a set of sushi and around ¥1,000 for a set of another typical Japanese dish(ramen, tempura or tonkatsu).
A night in a dormitory in a youth hostel: ¥4,000-5,000 in Tokyo and around ¥3,000-4,000 in Kyoto.
A night in a double room in a ryokan: from ¥10,000.
A night in a double room in a star hotel: from ¥17,000.
Pack of cigarettes: ¥270 to ¥540.
A bottle of water: ¥110.
A beer in a bar: ¥700.
A subway ride in the city : ¥160-190.
Entrance to a temple: ¥300.
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 Akihabara, it's not uncommon to get a 10% discount.
Duty free: since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can benefit from 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. The duty-free shop at Narita airport is praised by Japanese and visitors alike for its high-quality products, including vintage sakes and plum spirits. Airport stores close before 7pm in most cases. If you want to shop, remember to come early and book your purchases online (between one month and 2 days in advance). 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 the city, at Mitsukoshi Ginza for example.
Budget ideas. Our budgets are calculated per person per day. They do not take into account possible freebies or discounts sometimes offered (as part of a long stay, for example), or even the use of the JR Pass.
Small budget : from ¥5,000 to ¥7,000 on the basis of a bed in a dormitory (¥3,000/person), lunch on the run (sandwiches and other small meals taken in mini-markets open 24/24 from ¥350-400/person), walking (including two subway tickets to get to and from the site, i.e. an average of ¥210/journey), refreshments during the day, access to the sites to be visited, the purchase of a few souvenirs (¥750) and a more complete meal in the evening (¥750/person). This budget can be further modulated if you're staying in the city center or close to a convenient JR or metro station, or if you have a frugal appetite. It's easy to travel in Japan on a daily budget of €40 or €45!
Average budget: ¥8,000 to ¥15,000, based on a room in a ryokan or a single room with all the comforts of a youth hostel (¥6,000), quick lunches in small restaurants (¥750), frequent subway travel (daily pass at ¥710), refreshments during the day and evening, access to sightseeing sites, the purchase of numerous souvenirs (count ¥2,500) 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'll easily find a double room for ¥8,000-9,000. And if there are more than two of you, rooms for 3 or 4 people are commonplace, as are apartment rentals.
Big budget : from ¥20,000, based on a nice room with all modern comforts in a Michelin-starred hotel or refined ryokan (¥15,000), delicate but frugal meals at lunchtime (¥2,000), travel by JR or metro during the day to minimize walking (day pass from ¥1,590) and by cab in the evening, access to tours, the purchase of as many souvenirs and high-tech objects as possible, a typically Japanese meal with a glass of wine in the evening (¥5,000) and a night out in one of the city's many bars. In this price range, anything is possible in Tokyo: hiring a private guide for a more "interior" tour of the city, a family excursion (up to 5 people) in a chauffeur-driven car for the day or even a helicopter escapade... Tokyo is sure to delight.
Passport and visas Tokyo
Passport. A valid biometric passport is required to enter Japan. Children also need a personal passport. If the date of travel is less than 6 months before the expiry date of the passport, you may be refused boarding.
Visa. For stays of up to 90 days, French nationals no longer need to obtain a visa before departure. In the case of a long stay (over 90 days), it is necessary to initiate the procedure to apply for a visa before departure; for more information, visit the website of the Embassy of Japan in France (https://www.fr.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_fr/visas-demarches.html).
Tip. Before you leave, photocopy in duplicate all the documents you take with you. Take one copy with you and leave the other with someone on site. In the event of loss or theft, this will make it much easier to renew your passport with the consular authorities.
Driver's license Tokyo
It's possible to rent a car, or drive a motorcycle. You'll need the appropriate French licenses, accompanied by a certified translation into Japanese. For more information, visit the page of the French Embassy in Japan: jp.ambafrance.org/Conduire-au-Japon-pendant-un-court-sejour
Health Tokyo
Travelling to Tokyo or Kyoto poses no particular health risks. The country's hospital structure means that if you fall ill, you'll be well looked after, provided you have insurance.
Mandatory vaccination Tokyo
The Institut Pasteur recommends all vaccinations included in the vaccination calendar, plus the hepatitis A vaccine, before traveling to Japan. Depending on the type of trip, vaccinations against Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and typhoid are also recommended. For further information, visit the Japan page of the Institute's website: www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical/preparer-son-voyage/japon.
Security Tokyo
For the latest information on local safety, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French 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 rather alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
The main risks in Japan relate to natural disasters. Earthquakes are frequent, as are typhoons, tsunamis, floods and even extreme heat in summer. In recent years, the Japanese authorities have been developing multilingual services to communicate the important rules to follow in the event of a natural disaster.
Useful information : the Japan Visitor Hotline assists tourists in English 24 hours a day on the following number: ✆ +81 50 3816 2787. The Safety Tips application can be downloaded directly onto your phone. It provides information in the event of an earthquake or typhoon, and basic safety rules to follow. If you're in Japan, the NHK World Japan website and radio station provide information in French on what tourists should do, as well as emergency numbers and measures to be taken in the event of a disaster.
On the whole, Japan is a welcoming destination, whether for single women, families with children or same-sex couples. Couples, whatever their orientation, are advised against being too demonstrative in public.
Time difference Tokyo
There is a 7-hour time difference with France in summer, and 8 hours in winter, after the switch to daylight saving time.
Spoken languages Tokyo
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 major cities, where it's common to hear Chinese, Korean or Brazilian spoken. In a move towards internationalization, more and more information is displayed in English, and bilingual staff are recruited in tourist offices, major hotels and museums.
Communication Tokyo
In Tokyo, it's possible to connect to free wifi at most train and subway stations, and at kiosks found on the street. Many cafés and tourist sites also offer free (and fast) wifi. Outside Tokyo, connections are less readily available. If you're planning trips to the countryside and want to stay connected, a pocket wifi (see "daily life" section) can be rented at the airport.
Electricity and measurements Tokyo
Electricity. Electricity is 100 volts, but the frequency can vary from place to place. In Tokyo, the frequency is 50 Hz, while in Kyoto it's 60 Hz. However, 110-volt sockets are used in hotels for electrical appliances (shavers, hairdryers). The plugs 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, from XS to L. It's a good idea to try the shoes on for size, as these sizes can be very tight. 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 Tokyo
Clothing and footwear: soft, non-lacing shoes are essential, as we often take our shoes off. It's a good idea to bring plenty of pairs of socks, so you can change when you need to. In winter, it's a good idea to bring a thick pair of wool socks, so you can visit the temples more comfortably. Tight-fitting pants and dresses are to be avoided, as you have to sit and kneel Japanese-style and, with the humidity in summer, this kind of clothing is not very comfortable. Jeans are not recommended in summer either (too humid). For winter and autumn, you'll need warm clothes to cope with the cool night-time temperatures, and even during the day. An umbrella is advisable in all seasons, although they're readily available locally.
Other: In summer, gel and anti-mosquito creams to avoid swollen, itchy legs.
Japanese medicines do not correspond to Western dosages and brands. It's best to remember to take paracetamol and other medicines useful in everyday life.
