Practical Info

PASSPORT and VISA

Any foreign visitor desiring to enter Japan must have a valid passport. A visa is required for citizens of countries that do not have visa exempt agreements with Japan. Please check the following URL for your VISA requirement and contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate for the visa requirements when you need VISA.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/

INFORMATION ON THE ENTRY VISA TO JAPAN

INSURANCE

The organizer is not responsible for accidents that might occur. Participants are encouraged to purchase travel insurance before leaving their home country. Insurance plans typically cover accidental loss of belongings, medical costs in the case of injury or illness, and other possible risks of international travel.

CLIMATE

Autumn starts in September with nice cool breezes after the hot and humid summer. It is a very refreshing period. Many leaves turn red and yellow and the temperature at night and in the morning can drop considerably. The average temperature in September in Okayama is 24.4℃

ELECTRICITY

2-flat-pin plugs are used instead of columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs in Japan. The voltage used throughout Japan is 100 volts, A.C. There are two kinds of frequencies in use: 60 Hertz in Western Japan and 50 Hertz in Eastern Japan.

CURRENCY and FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Only Japanese yen (JPY) is accepted in regular stores and restaurants. Certain foreign currencies may be accepted at a limited number of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. You can buy yen at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers on presentation of your passport. Withdrawing Japanese yen with foreign credit cards is possible in some convenience stores.
Japanese money comes in bills (1,000yen, 2,000yen, 5,000yen and 10,000yen) and coins (1yen, 5yen, 10yen, 50yen, 100yen and 500yen).

TRAVELER'S CHEQUES and CREDIT CARDS

Traveler's cheques are accepted by leading banks, hotels and stores in major cities. International credit cards such as VISA, Diners Club, MasterCard, American Express and JCB are also acceptable at these major establishments. Credit card transactions, however, are not always convenient outside big cities. Therefore obtaining cash beforehand is recommended when you travel to the countryside.

TIPPING

Individual tipping is not common in Japan, since a 10 to 15% service charge is added to the bill at leading hotels and higher-class restaurants.

FOOD

To satisfy the demanding taste buds of locals and international visitors, the city's restaurants, cafes and bars strive to serve quality food and drinks at affordable prices in Japan.

TIME ZONE

Japan has a single time zone, nine hours ahead of UTC. Daylight Saving Time is not practiced in Japan.