Japan

1. Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice before traveling.

2. Don't carry parcels or packages for 'friends'. Penalties are severe if something illegal is found.

3. Bring enough money for the duration of your stay.

4. Keep belongings safe, especially your passport.

5. Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport.

6. Don't break the law - detention for minor offences can result in considerably longer stays in local police stations.

7. Many Automatic Cash Dispensers do not accept credit cards and do not operate 24 hours a day, closing at 9pm or earlier.

8. Don't bring Vicks Inhalers purchased outside of Japan into the country (Vicks Inhalers contain a substance, 1-desoxyephedrine, which is banned for use or possession under Japan's strictly enforced Anti Stimulant Drugs Law).

9. Keep some cash for the departure tax if you are departing Japan from Kansai International Airport.

10. Travel throughout Japan is relatively easy. Taxis can be very expensive but other modes of travel are reasonably priced, by Japanese standards.

11. If you are departing from Kansai International Airport at Osaka, you have to pay departure tax of 2,650 yen (rates may change) in cash in order to board their flight.

12. Detention for minor offences can entail considerably longer stays in local police stations.

13. Drug offenders are given harsh treatment, even for possession of a small amount of cannabis for personal use.

14. Approach Japanese Embassy for advice and help whenever required.

15. Medical assistance, should it be required, can be very expensive. Have adequate medical insurance before arriving in Japan.

16. Numerous earthquakes occur in Japan each year, some far more serious than others.

17. Japan is a very expensive country and is still mainly cash society. It is only in recent years that credit cards have become more accepted over a wider area outside large cities.

18. However, it may not be possible to use credit cards to obtain cash from Automatic Cash Dispensers. Check this detail with your card issuing company before traveling. Many Automatic Cash Dispensers cease operating after 21:00, or even earlier.

19. The Japanese bow while presenting their visiting cards. You will see common people use electronic gadgets with ease.

 

Practice these tips and see what your visit reaps!