ajt hand book (new)-1

7/25/2019 AJT Hand Book (NEW)-1

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ajt-hand-book-new-1 1/20

JAPAN TRAVEL

HANDBOOK



JAPAN TRAVEL HANDBOOK | 3

Japan is extremely safe, with one of the lowest crime rates in the world . You can

walk on the streets and not be araid. Te country is also hospitable, clean, prompt,

polite, efficient, riendly, and you can drink the tap water.

In regard to safety , many oreigners have wonderul stories o returned lost wallets.

Hopeully, you will not have to report such an incident to the police, but i you

do, you will find a “Koban” or Police Box at most train stations and major city

intersections.

In regard to cleanliness, you will find that most cities in Japan do not have garbage

cans along the streets. Tis is because the Japanese do not eat and walk at the same

time. Tereore, they do not produce trash such as paper coffee cups, ice creamwrappers, or chip bags, while strolling along a thoroughare. I you have such trash,

carry it with you (always good to have an empty trash bag) until you find a garbage

receptacle -- usually at locations that sell such snack items or next to the ubiquitous

vending machines. When you do find the trash receptacles you will notice that

there will be separate bins or regular trash vs. aluminum cans and glass and plastic

bottles. Trow the recyclables in their appropriate slot.

1 | SAFEY AND CLEANLINESS




You can exchange money in the airport , in the commercial banks or in most

Western-style hotels where you are a guest. Tey should have the current rates o

exchange clearly on display. You’ll need your passport handy when you want to

exchange some money.

Citibank operates AM machines at Narita, Haneda, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and

Chitose (Sapporo) Airports, as well as at numerous locations around okyo and

in other parts o Japan. For exact AM locations -- including maps -- log onto

Citibank Japan’s website www.citibank.co.jp (Click on “English”, and then “Branches

and AMs”). You will have no problem using a oreign AM card at Citibank, and

Citibank AM’s are open 24 hours.

Note: Kansai Airport has no Citibank AM, but there are six AM’s that accept aoreign VISA card at Kansai Airport.

Seven Bank AMs (www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/index2.html ), open 24 hours

and located at 13,000 7-11 convenience stores across Japan accepts: Visa/PLUS,

MasterCard/Cirrus (210 JPY ee or withdrawal), American Express.

You can also obtain currency at over 20,000 Post Offices ATMs nationwide.

Te post office’s AM network accepts oreign issued credit and debit cards,including: American Express, Cirrus, Diners Club, MasterCard, PLUS and Visa.

Tese also have an English-language button. However, these AMs are only

available when the post office is open, usually 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

You will get a better exchange rate when exchanging dollar travelers’ checks for yen

than dollar bills for yen. Plan on exchanging enough or one day each morning

2 | MONEY MAERS

S A M P L E

S A M P L E

S A M P L E

S A M P L E

S A M P L E

S A M P L E

S A M P L E

S A M P L E

S A M P L E

S A M P L E

1yen 5yen 10yen 50yen 100yen 500yen

5000yen 10000yen2000yen1000yen




beore leaving your hotel. Don’t plan on bringing travelers checks with you to

purchase items or meals at shops or restaurants.

Japan is a cash society , especially in rural areas. Credit cards are fine in large

establishments in okyo and Kyoto, but even in these cities, small hotels, inns,

shops, and restaurants only accept cash.

Te highest denomination note is the 10,000 yen note (Ichiman-en satsu in

Japanese). Japan is still a cash based society and relatively sae, thus despite their

high value you will see plenty o ichiman-en notes in circulation. Te other notes

are worth 5,000 yen, 2,000 yen (a newcomer - introduced in the year 2000) and

1000 yen (sen-en satsu). As or coins, there are three silver coins: the 500 yen coin,

the 100 yen coin, and the 50 yen coin which has a hole through its center. Te 10

yen coin and 5 yen coin (again, with a hole in it) are both bronze. Finally, the oneyen coin which is made o aluminum.

1. axis are clean and comortable, offering white-glove service, lace seat covers

and sometimes even lace curtains.

2. axis are expensive but fine and convenient or short trips – especially i you are

traveling with several people.

3. A red light in the ront window means the taxi is available.

4. Tere are different prices or different size cars -- the larger, the more expensive.

Te smallest also have small luggage space, because the gas tank is in the

trunk. A standard-size taxi can hold up to our passengers -- one person in the

ront and three in the back seat. Tere is no extra charge or each additional

passenger.

5. Enter the taxi through the lef rear door; let the driver open and close the door

automatically or you.

6. Most o the taxi drivers do not speak English, so it’s a good idea that you write

down the name o the location where you are going or the direction the driver

should travel on a note and show it to him. I it is possible or you to have a

hotel concierge or someone who writes Japanese print the address or you that

will be very helpul.

7. ipping is not required.

3 | WHA O KNOW ABOU AXIS




Japan is a tip ree country and you do not have to tip chambermaids, taxi drivers,

and hotel or restaurant personnel. At All Japan ours, we do not have tipping

guidelines nor expect to receive gratuities rom our customers. It is up to your

discretion to tip our staff in Japan only i you believe that you have receivedexcellent service rom them.

In some cases, while tipping is not expected at all, maybe i you eel obliged or

some extra effort, you can hand them a airly neat bill or two, but you need to

mention, “this is or you/please keep it.” It’s also not so rare to tell the taxi driver to

“keep the change.”

4 | IPPING

An umbrella or you can buy one.

It can rain in Japan, especially in June and early July.

At least one pair o thick socks since people remove their shoes when entering

temples and shrines and since these places are not heated, you will spare your eet

rom the cold. Also, “holey” socks are considered impolite.

Summertime: Even though it may be hot outside, the air conditioning inside the

building and tour bus can be strong; always carry a light jacket or sweater. For

women, no matter how hot the weather is, it is not proper etiquette to wear overly

skimpy and revealing clothing at temples and shrines or in crowded public places.

5 | WHA O PACK




おはようございます。 Ohayou gozaimasu Good morning

こんにちは。 Kon nichiwa Good afternoon

こんばんは。 Kon banwa Good evening

おやすみなさい。 Oyasumi nasai Good night

はじめまして。 Hajimemashite Nice to meet you

さようなら。 Sayonara Good bye

ありがとう。 Arigatou Thank you

どういたしまして。 Dou itashi mashite You are welcome

すみません。 Sumimasen Excuse me

ごめんなさい。 Gomen nasai I am sorry

これはいくらですか。 Kore wa ikura desuka How much is it?

わたしのなまえはジョンです。 Watashi no namae wa My name is John. jyon desu

アメリカからきました。 Amerika kara kimashita I am from America.

わたしは35さいです。Watashi wa

I am 35 years old. sanjyu go sai desu

あなたのなまえはなんですか。Anata no namae wa

What is your name? nandesuka

あなたはなんさいですか。 Anata wa nansai desuka How old are you?

しながわえきはどこですか。Shinagawa eki wa

Where is Shinagawa Station? doko desuka

はい Hai Yes

いいえ Iie No

6 | USEFUL JAPANESE WORDS

Japanese Writing Japanese Pronunciation Meaning




I you’ll be visiting someone’s home, attending a tea ceremony or dining in an

upscale Japanese restaurant, you’ll want to practice SIING ON HE FLOOR

beore you leave. Te proper way to sit is with your knees tucked under your

thighs. However, since many westerners find this difficult and even painul, it isacceptable to sit cross-legged, “Indian style.” It is NO acceptable to sit with your

legs stretched out in ront o you.

7 | SIING ON HE FLOOR

Bowing should become a habit -- or greeting people, thanking people, and sayinggoodbye. When you are leaving always wave, and keep waving until you don’t see

your host anymore. Tey will do the same.

8 | BOWING AND WAVING

Shoes are considered dirty, and you will take them off when you enter most privateinside spaces. Whenever there is a “step up,” especially on to polished wooden

floors or “tatami” (straw mats), take off your shoes. Many restaurants and temples

will provide a shoe cupboard or you to place your shoes into.

When using the restroom in a place where you have already taken off your shoes,

there will be SPECIAL RESROOM SLIPPERS to put on inside the acility area.

Tese slippers are to be lef in the restroom when you are finished. DO NO

WEAR these slippers out o the restroom into the common area!

9 | SHOES




Depending on where you travel in Japan, you may encounter a traditional “Japanese

style” toilet. Tese can be ound in public rest room in shopping malls, train

stations, and in small town “minshukus” (amily run inns). Tese commodes are at

floor level. o use, ace the hump.

In a location with several toilets there may be a Western toilet as indicated on the

door, and i there is a queue, line up by the stall. On the Shinkansen (bullet train)

go or the handicapped stall. Tis is always a Western-style toilet.

In public rest room, you may need to be prepared with a travel pack o tissues.

Tese packages are ofen handed out ree (with advertisements on the reverse) as

you walk along major thoroughares in the large cities, such as okyo and Osaka.

So you don’t make a mistake and walk into the wrong door, especially when

traveling in rural areas, memorize the Kanji or:

On the other hand, Japan is recognized or its extremely high tech toilets. In upscale

hotels and ryokans (high-end Japanese inns), and even many upscale restaurants,

you will find toilets with heated seats -- a blessing on a cool, autumn day -- along

with an array o other buttons that spray water to wash you, air to dry you, etc.

Tere is a good chance you will miss these when you return home.

10 | RESROOMS

男Men 女Women




Hot spring baths are used by large numbers o people, and certain rules or bathing

are in place to maximize the enjoyment or all users. Tose unamiliar with publicbathing in Japan may find the rules hard to accept, but as the saying goes, “When in

Rome, do as the Romans do.” Tat will make onsen more enjoyable, relaxing and

sae or you and or everybody else.

First and oremost, bathers must disrobe completely. Generally speaking, wrapping

a large towel around the body or wearing a swimsuit to bathe is not allowed.

Everyone shares the bath water, and to keep it clean, it’s important to wash andrinse yoursel thoroughly beore getting into the bath. Jumping in, swimming, or

talking in a loud voice are rowned upon and should be avoided so as not to cause

trouble or other bathers.

And when you leave the bathroom to return to the changing room, don’t orget

to towel off excess water. Dripping water onto the changing room floor makes

it slippery and dangerous. Other recommended practices are to avoid bathing

afer drinking alcohol, afer sports where a lot o energy has been expended, orimmediately beore or afer eating. It’s also best not to bathe more than three times

in one day. One 30-minutes bath supposedly consumes the same amount o energy

as running 1,000 meters at ull speed, and bathers are advised to rest sufficiently

and replenish fluids afer bathing.

Most importantly, be open to social interaction with other bathers. Don’t just keep

to yoursel or your small group. Te best benefit o onsen bathing is the chance to

chat with local people who are there to relax and enjoy themselves too.

11 | SOME POINERS FOR ENJOYINGYOUR ONSEN EXPERIENCE




It’s customary to say “Itadakimasu” beore eating and “Gochisosama deshita” afer

eating, especially i you’re being treated, as well as “Kampai” or “Cheers.”

Soup: Making loud, “slurping” sounds while eating noodle soup is perectlyacceptable. Also, you will not eat soup with a spoon. You will use your chopsticks

or the noodles, meat and vegetables, and drink the soup by bringing the bowl to

your mouth.

Sushi: When eating sushi, try not to soak your rice in the soy sauce. Dip the top

portion with the fish into the sauce and put the sushi into your mouth with the fish

top acing down upon your tongue, so you can savor the flavor.

Rice: Te Japanese don’t pour sauces onto their rice. Leave any sauces in their

serving dish and dip your ood in lightly. When you have finished eating your rice,

put the chopsticks down along the side o your plate. Usually chopstick holders are

provided. DO NO PLACE YOUR CHOPSICKS SRAIGH UP IN HE RICE.

Tis is how rice is served to the dead.

Pouring Drinks: I you’re eating with other people, don’t pour your own drink. Fill

your neighbor’s glass and wait or him or her to reciprocate.

It’s customary to say “Itadakimasu” beore eating and “Gochisosama deshita” afer

eating, especially i you’re being treated, as well as “Kampai” or “Cheers”.

12 | EAING




Domestic Calls

Public telephones accept 10 yen and 100 yen coins and/or telephone cards. A local

call (within okyo´s central 23 Wards and some other metropolitan cities) costs 10

yen per minute. I you put in two 10-yen coins and talk or less than one minute,one o the coins will be returned to you. No change is given or partial use o a 100

yen coin. Prepaid telephone cards cost 1,000 yen rom vending machines, kiosks at

train stations, and convenience stores. Charges or inter-city calls vary according

to the distance. Domestic calls are cheaper at night and on Saturday, Sunday &

national holidays.

International Calls

o make an international call, you will need an international phone card. Tesecan be ound in any convenience store and are usually 1,000yen to 3,000yen,

depending on how many minutes they offer. With these phone cards, you can

make international calls rom fixed lines (hotel room), or even rom public phones

and mobile phones. I you use public phones, you will need to put in 1 coin (10 yen

or 100 yen) and the coin will be returned to you when the call ends.

KDDI Super World Card

http://www.kddi.com/english/personal/service/kokusai/index.html

Rental Phone, Data SIM Card & Pocket WiFi Router

Phone, data SIM card and pocket WiFi router rental service is available upon

arrival at the airport. For urther inormation please contact any o the ollowing

companies:

G-Call:

http://www.g-call.com/kaigai/index_.php

JAL ABC:http://www.jalabc.com/english/index3.html

PuPuru:

http://www.pupuru.com/en/

SofBank Global Rental:http://www.sofbank-rental.jp/e/

13 | HOW O MAKE A PHONE CALL




When you enter Japan, you are requested to hand in the “Customs Declaration”

orm o both your accompanied and unaccompanied baggage at the Customs

Clearance. “Customs Declaration” orms are available on the plane/ship or at the

Customs office.

Personal effects and unaccompanied baggage that are or personal use, are ree o

duties and/or taxes within the allowance specified below. I you have both personal

effects and unaccompanied baggage, please consider them together when reerring

to the allowance.

Clothes, toiletry articles, and other personal effects that are or personal use, as well

as proessional equipment that will be used during your stay in Japan, are all ree o

duties and/or taxes, i they are considered quantitatively appropriate and are not orsale.

14 | CUSOMS

Duty-free guide

Item Quantity Notes

Alcoholic beverages 3 bottles Approximately 760 ml per bottle

Cigarettes 400

If a visitor brings in more than one kind of tobaccoproduct then the total allowance is 500 g.

Cigars 100

Others (e.g. loose tobacco) 500g

Perfumes 2oz 1 oz is equivalent to approxmate 28 cc.

(excluding eau de cologne and eau de toilette)

Other items 200,000yen The total overseas market value of all articles otherthan the above items must be under 200,000 yen.Any item whose overseas market value is under

10,000 yen is free of duty and/or tax and is notincluded in the calculation of the total overseasmarket value of all articles. There is no duty-freeallowance for articles having a market value ofmore than 200,000 yen each or each set.

Te quantity o pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, including both prescription and

non-prescription drugs and some ood supplements, including vitamin and mineral

supplements, which a visitor can bring into Japan at one time may be limited.




WINTER (December - February)

Te temperature rarely drops below 0°C in the plains along the Pacific coast during

wintertime. It is also quite dry and very ofen sunny. Central Japan and Northern

Japan are highly reputed regions or winter sports. Southern Japan is comparativelymild and pleasant in winter.

Clothing: overcoats, sweaters, etc.

SPRING (March - May)

Te plum blossom is a good sign that the cold winter will soon end and spring is

just around the corner, ollowed by the cherry blossom at its best in the okyo area

between the end o March and the beginning o April to bring this beautiul season

to a climax. Splendid views o mountains, fields and gardens all blanketed in gentle

pink abound in this season.

Clothing: light jackets, light sweaters and other similar kinds o tops.

SUMMER (June - August)

Te Japanese summer begins in June with a three to our week rainy season. Tis

is an important time or armers to plant rice. It becomes seriously hot and humid

rom July onward and many Japanese enjoy bathing in the sea and relaxing at cool

15 | WEAHER Average Temperature & Precipitation in Major Cities:

Winter (Jan) Spring (Apr) Summer (Jul) Autumn (Oct)

T(F) T(C) P(mm) T(F) T(C) P(mm) T(F) T(C) P(mm) T(F) T(C) P(mm)

Sapporo 26.4 -4.1 110.7 44.1 6.7 60.9 68.9 20.5 67.2 52.3 11.3 124.1

Sendai 34.7 1.5 33.1 50.2 10.1 98.1 71.8 22.1 159.7 58.6 14.8 99.2

Tokyo 42.4 5.8 48.6 57.9 14.4 130.3 77.7 25.4 161.5 64.8 18.2 163.1

Nagoya 39.7 4.3 43.2 57.4 14.1 143.3 78.8 26.0 218.0 63.7 17.6 116.9

Osaka 42.4 5.8 43.7 58.6 14.8 121.1 81.0 27.2 155.4 65.7 18.7 109.3

Fukuoka 43.5 6.4 72.1 58.6 14.8 125.2 80.4 26.9 266.4 65.7 18.7 80.9

Naha 61.9 16.6 114.5 70.3 21.3 180.7 83.3 28.5 176.1 76.8 24.9 162.9

Key: “T“ stands for temperature in (F) Fahrenheit and (C) Celsius.




All o Japan is in the same time zone, 9 hours ahead o G.M.. No Daylight Saving

ime is practiced in Japan.

Shown below is a list o time differences between Japan and other major

international cities.

16 | DIFFERENCE IN IME

resorts in mountainous areas. Summer is when many interesting estivals and other

events are held all over the country.

Clothing: light clothes (cardigans and other similar kinds are handy, since indoors

are mostly air-conditioned.)

AUTUMN (September - November)Autumn always brings such reshness with a light breeze and cool temperature

afer the hot and humid summer. All orests are dyed in glorious autumn colors.

Chrysanthemums create beautiul displays with their abundance o flowers

to enchant visitors to parks and gardens. Autumn is also the season or many

exhibitions, music concerts and sports tournaments in Japan.

Clothing: light jackets, light sweaters and other similar kinds o tops.

America Asia & Oceania Europe

Sao Paulo −12 hrs Sydney +1 hr Moscow −6 hrs

Toronto −14 hrs Seoul 0 hr Frankfurt −8 hrs

New York −14 hrs Hong Kong −1 hr Geneva −8 hrs

Chicago −15 hrs Beijing −1 hr Paris −8 hrs

Mexico City −15 hrs Singapore −1 hr London −9 hrs

Los Angeles −17 hrs Bangkok −2 hrs

Jakarta −2 hrs




Te voltage in Japan is 100 Volt, which is different rom North

America (120V), Central Europe (220V) and most other regions

o the world. Japanese electrical plugs have two, non-polarized

pins, as shown above. Tey fit into North American outlets.

Japanese power outlets are identical to ungrounded (2-pin) North American outlets.

While most Japanese outlets these days are polarized (one slot is slightly wider than

the other), it is possible to encounter non-polarized outlets in some places.

Some North American equipment will work fine in Japan without an adapter and

vice versa. However, some sensitive equipment may not work properly or even get

damaged. I you intend to purchase electronic appliances in Japan or use outsideo Japan, you are advised to look or equipment specifically made or overseas use.

Te requency o electric current is 50 Hertz in Eastern Japan (including okyo,

Yokohama, ohoku, Hokkaido) and 60 Hertz in Western Japan (including Nagoya,

Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Shikoku, Kyushu). However, this requency difference

affects only sensitive equipment.

17 | ELECRICIY

As a oreigner, having a generally courteous demeanor will cover a multitude o

sins, but beyond ood etiquette here are a couple o additional points:

Blowing Your Nose:

Blowing your nose in public places -- such as restaurants, the theater or on a group

tour is considered rude. ry to sniffle until you get to a rest room.

Surgical Masks:

When traveling around Japan you may encounter people with their nose and

mouth covered by a surgical mask. Tey are not trying to protect themselves rom

the city air (actually, Japan’s air quality is the highest in Asia), but rather, they are

protecting themselves rom pollen i they have hay ever and protecting others rom

their germs i they have a cold. Tis is especially considerate on crowded subways.

18 | ADDITIONAL POINTS OF ETIQUETTE




okyo City is located about 100 km or 60 miles West o Narita Airport. Osaka City

is located 50 km or 31 miles rom Kansai Airport, which is situated on a man-madeisland in Osaka Bay.

Comfortable and convenient airport limousine buses are available or less than

US$40 one way. Tese motor coaches will transport you and your luggage directly

to most hotels in okyo rom Narita Airport or Osaka rom Kansai Airport. Buses

are also available rom Kansai to the main railway station in Kyoto. You can then

take a short taxi ride rom Kyoto station to your Kyoto hotel. Te limousine bus

kiosks are easily identifiable with English sign on the arrival floors o Narita Airporterminals 1 & 2 and Kansai Airport.

19 | GEING FROM HE AIRPOR O DOWNOWN

Airport Limousine Bus schedule information for travel between Narita/Haneda Airport and

Tokyo can be found on-line at http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/

Schedule information for Kansai/Itami Airport to and from Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto can be

found on-line at http://www.okkbus.co.jp/en/




26Bus Lane 20-30

Bus Lane 1-20

Parking

North

Entrance1

Main

Entrance

North

Entrance2

North

Entrance3

B zone A zoneDomestic

ArrivalExit

ArrivalExit

Narita Airport 2nd Terminal Station

Pedstrianbridge

Pedstrianbridge

Narita Excel Hotel okyu is located about 15 minutes by the hotel’s ree shuttle bus

rom Narita Airport erminal 1 & 2.*Your tour guide will be waiting at your exit unless we indicated that you have to go to the hotel by yourself.

20 | GEING FROM NARIA AIRPOR O NARIA EXCEL HOEL OKYU

Shuttle bus Timetable

Hotel to AirportDeparture Time

Terminal 1 to HotelDeparture Time

Terminal 2 to HotelDeparture Time

5:00 9:30 17:00 22:00 8:00 15:00 20:00 8:08 15:08 20:08

5:30 10:30 17:30 22:50 8:30 16:00 20:30 8:38 16:08 20:38

6:00 11:30 18:00 9:00 16:30 21:00 9:08 16:38 21:08

6:30 12:30 18:30 9:30 17:00 21:30 9:38 17:08 21:38

7:00 13:30 19:00 10:00 17:30 22:20 10:08 17:38 22:28

7:30 14:30 19:30 11:00 18:00 23:10 11:08 18:08 23:18

8:00 15:30 20:00 12:00 18:30 12:08 18:38

8:30 16:00 20:30 13:00 19:00 13:08 19:08

9:00 16:30 21:00 14:00 19:30 14:08 19:38

* Schedule is subject to change without notice, please check at the shuttle bus stop.

Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu

31 Oyama, Narita-city, Chiba, Japan

TEL: +81-476-33-0109 / FAX: +81-476-33-0148

South Wing1F

North Wing

T1

NEW No.16

From Terminal 1 From Terminal 2

* Shuttle buses are operated at gate 26 infront of outside north exit No. 2, 3, whereis B zone lobby of 2nd arrival terminal.




Nikko Kansai Airport Hotel is located about 5 minutes walk rom Osaka Kansai

Airport.*Your tour guide will be waiting at your exit unless we indicated that you have to go to the hotel by yourself.

21 | GEING FROMOSAKA KANSAI AIRPOR ONIKKO KANSAI AIRPOR HOEL

Proceed to the 2nd floor, walk pass the railway station to your hotel.

Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport

1, Senshu-kuko kita, Izumisano-shi,

Osaka 549-0001, Japan (Kansai International Airport)

TEL: +81-72-455-1111 / FAX: +81-72-455-1155

Osaka Kansai Airport Second Floor

Bus parking

Airportparking

3

P P

P

Airportparking

1P

Airportparking

4P

Airportparking

2P

Hotel parking

Passenger terminal building

Hotel NikkoKansai Airport

Railwaystation



TOLL FREE. 1-800-490-5728 | TEL. 1-909-574-1071 | FAX. 1-909-349-1736

HOME PAGE. http://www.alljapantours.com | E-MAIL. [email protected]

ajt hand book (new)-1

Documents