Travel Information For Japan

japan Passport and Visa entry requirements

2011-11-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

Passports:

To enter Japan, a passport valid for the duration of intended stay is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Passport note:

Whether or not they hold a visa, visitors who do not possess visible means of support for their stay, onward or return tickets, or other documents for their next destination, may be refused entry.

All foreign nationals now entering Japan will be photographed and have their fingerprints taken; nationals will also be subject to a short interview regarding their purpose of stay.

japan Passport and Visa entry requirements

Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Japan. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Japan. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days (extension possible), for British passport holders endorsed British Citizen or British National (Overseas). In all other cases, a visa is required.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Japan. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Japan. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days. Note that passport exemptions apply to holders of an Emergency Passport (blue cover), issued to nationals of Australia after 1 December, 2003. Note that visa exemptions apply to holders of an APEC Business Travel Card, provided the back of the card states that it is valid for travel to Japan. In such cases, a 'visit pass' will be issued on arrival.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival, and require a visa to enter Japan.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Japan. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days. Note that visa exemptions apply to holders of an APEC Business Travel Card, provided the back of the card states that it is valid for travel to Japan. In such cases, a 'visit pass' will be issued on arrival.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Japan. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days (extensions are possible).

Passport/Visa Note: All foreign passengers to Japan must hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the country, return/onward tickets, and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Famous Places in Japan For Your Holiday

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Japan is the Land of the Rising Sun. It has thousands of years of rich history. More and more Westerners have a growing fascination for all-things Japanese: anime, manga, geisha, mythology, samurai, etc. Tokyo is the largest city in the world. Whether you want to go sightseeing in Tokyo, exploring around Mt. Fuji, or experience the traditions of Kyoto, you can find some great deals on Japan vacations.

You can take the bullet train and go all over the country. Why not experience it while you're there? Travelocity overs some amazing discounts on Japan travel. There are over 500 hotels to choose from around the country. With Travelocity discounts, you can save a lot of money on a vacation package.

Here are a few Japan vacations tips:

1. In addition to Tokyo, some great places that you really need to see are Kyoto, Mount Fuji, and Nara. You can visit all of them via the Bullet Train. Two day excursions are available which include transportation to and from any of these locations from Tokyo.

2. You might want to check out the town of Hakone. The district is known for its beautiful scenery, which includes lakes and natural hot springs. There are some great historical spots and museums to visit. Buses from Tokyo run to Hakone.

3. Contrary to popular belief, not all hotels in Tokyo are expensive. You can easily find some for less than $140. You can also stay in a tea house or bed and breakfast. It's actually cheaper to travel around Japan than it is in many parts of North American and Europe.

4. Want to experience Disney from a Japanese point of view? There's a Disney World in Tokyo! It includes Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, DisneySea, Cirque du Soleil, Westernland, and more. This is a great place to stay if you're taking any kids along.

5. If you're really interested in traditional culture, then plan on spending a lot of time in Nara and Kyoto. You can visit shrines, temples, museums, tea ceremonies, etc.

6. Interested in the Japanese Alps? They're in the center of Honshu. This is a popular destination for those looking for outdoor adventure. Matsumoto is a great place to stay during an Alps visit. If you want to check out an original castle from the Feudal period, you'll find one in Matsumoto.

7. Another great area for Japan vacations is Takayama. This historic city is known for its colorful festivals and a preserved seventeenth century townscape.

8. Nagoya is the 4th largest city in Japan. It's famous for its textile and porcelain industry. You can visit Nagoya Castle and the infamous Atsuta Jingu shrine! Nearby you will find numerous pearl fishing villages, which make up an amazing scenic coastal area.

Free Guide of Tokyo City

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Tokyo is not only the capital of Japan but is also the heart of all the activities relating to business, finance, science contemporary culture, fashion and entertainment. It is the perfect amalgamation of centuries old shrines with highly sophisticated activities of the modern times like skyscraping. Tokyo is a city bursting with vigor, color, king-size buildings and festivities of all kinds.

Approaching Tokyo
If airplane is your favorite means of traveling then you can easily arrive at Tokyo through Narita airport which is considered to be significantly important as an international gateway for tourists and businessmen. You can also easily make use of boats or ferries like Ariake ferry terminal located on Odaiba in Tokyo bay to reach Tokyo. Harumi terminal and Takeshiba terminal are too other options where you can access boats to reach Tokyo.

Inter-city Travel in Tokyo
You can easily utilize bus services like JR Bus Group and Miller Express to move around the city with ease. Tokyo also has a sizeable network of subways and trains which are very easy and convenient to use. Announcements in trains are mostly made in English for the convenience of the English speaking tourists. You can also use ferry, bicycle, taxis or cars to reach nearby destinations.

Food
Tokyo has options for all kinds of tourists. Not only for the extraordinarily rich visitors but also for the people who are a little tight with their budget. Convenience stores exist for people with small budget and department stores at basements offer all kinds of prepared food for the customers who have a mid-range budget. People with astronomical ranges of budget have the privilege to try out the best sushi in this whole wide world in the confines of Tokyo i.e. in Tsukiji.

Nightlife and Some Important Destinations to Visit
There is a good range of nightclubs and pubs to pay a visit too in Tokyo. Bars of all kinds and specialties exist. If you want to party all night or just grab a drink then there are a number of good options for you. For fashion freaks, the ultimate destination is Shibuya, Harajuku and Roppongi hills. You can find almost anything and everything here. Whether you love guitars, kitchenware, antiques, electronics or cosmetics, there are plenty of options for everyone in Tokyo.

Accommodation
If you have enough money, there are number of options to get high luxury accommodation; expensive high end hotels in areas like Shinjuku, Akasaka and Seiyo Ginza and Four seasons Marunounchi, come under luxury accommodations. But, if you want to keep it within a reasonable cost, then you should opt for Taito or Asukasa; be warned though, there are quite some curfew times at night in these budget hotels. Other options also exist, namely Shiba Park Hotel, Court Yard by MariottTokyo Ginza Hotel, Intercontinental Tokyo Bay Hotel, ANA Hotel, Mitsui Garden Hotel and Mets Shibuya Hotel. All these hotels have splendid and awe-aspiring views that you would fall in love with. Tokyo Dome hotel has a famous point of attraction right outside of it, so choosing it would be doubly advantageous.

Money Exchange for Japan -Services - Money

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Currency information:

Japanese Yen (JPY; symbol ¥). Notes are in denominations of ¥10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of ¥500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.

Note: Japan has a strong cash culture, and it is usual to see people carrying large amounts of cash with them because of the low crime rate. It is only recently that credit cards have begun to become more popular. However, travellers may still encounter difficulties with foreign credit cards.
Credit cards:

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and other major credit cards are widely accepted in towns. ATMs are available with many branches of the Post Office and 7-eleven stores having ones that accept foreign cards. Otherwise, only international banks accept foreign credit or debit cards, and these are hard to find outside of major cities. They are generally open Mon-Fri 0700-2300, Sat-Sun 0900-1900, though some only operate during normal banking hours and on Saturday mornings. Citibank machines are the most likely to have ATMs, and also to accept foreign credit cards (and are usually open 24 hours).
ATM:

ATMs are available with many branches of the Post Office and 7-eleven stores having ones that accept foreign cards. Otherwise, only international banks accept foreign credit or debit cards, and these are hard to find outside of major cities. They are generally open Mon-Fri 0700-2300, Sat-Sun 0900-1900, though some only operate during normal banking hours and on Saturday mornings. Citibank machines are the most likely to have ATMs, and also to accept foreign credit cards (and are usually open 24 hours).
Travellers cheques:

These can be exchanged at most major banks, larger hotels and some duty-free shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Japanese Yen or US Dollars.
Banking hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1500.
Currency restriction:

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding ¥1,000,000 or equivalent must be declared.
Currency exchange:

All money must be exchanged at an authorised bank or money changer.

Health and Medical Information for Japan

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Health insurance is strongly recommended, owing to the high cost of treatment. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (www.iamat.org) provides English-speaking doctors. There are hospitals in all major cities.
Food and drink:

Food and drink are generally considered safe but there is risk of parasitic infection and toxins from raw seafood.
Other risks:

Tuberculosis and hepatitis B occur; vaccination is sometimes advised. Typhus occurs in some river valleys. Japanese encephalitis may occur. Vaccination is recommended for long-term travel (greater than one month) in rural areas.

Short History Of Japan and Culture

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Influence from the outside world followed by long periods of isolation have characterised Japan's history.

In the feudal era (12th-19th century), a new ruling class of warriors emerged: the samurai. One of the most famous and successful samurai, Oda Nobunaga, conquered numerous other warlords and had almost unified Japan when he was assassinated in 1582. Toyotomi Hideyoshi succeeded him and united the land in 1590 but open war broke out following his death.

Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated all rival clans in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and was appointed shogun (ruler of Japan). The Tokugawa shogunate began the isolationist sakoku (locked country) policy that spanned the two and a half centuries of tenuous political unity known as the Edo period.

In 1854, the US Navy forced the opening of Japan to the outside world. Ensuing economic and political crises led to the Boshin War and the establishment of a centralised state unified under the name of the Emperor (Meiji Restoration).

The Meiji Restoration transformed Japan into an industrialised world power that embarked on a number of military conflicts to expand the nation's sphere of influence, including two Sino-Japanese Wars (1894-1895 and 1937-1945) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905).

On 7 December 1941, Japan attacked the US naval base in Pearl Harbor. This act brought the USA into WWII and, on 8 December, the USA, UK and Netherlands declared war on Japan. After the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Japan surrendered on 15 August. The war cost Japan millions of lives and left much of the country's industry and infrastructure destroyed.

Japan later achieved exceptional growth to become one of the world's most powerful economies.

In 2009, Yukio Hatoyama led the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the main opposition party, to victory and became Prime Minister, defeating the long-governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which had been in power almost continually since 1955. However, Mr Hatoyama resigned less than a year later after failing to implement an election pledge to move the US base off Okinawa. Fellow DPJ member Naoto Kan was elected Prime Minister in June 2010 and promised he would continue the programme of reform set out by his predecesso

Japan Accommodation. Hotel Guide. Details

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Fukuoka Hotels

Widely frequented by plenty of international tourists, Fukuoka has no dearth of Fukuoka Hotels. As for accommodation, Fukuoka Hotels are well known for their warmth and hospitality. There are plenty of Hotels in Fukuoka that offers world-class facilities and services to its guests.

Fukuoka is a place which has wonderful sightseeing spots and tourists are sure to enjoy their visits to these places. There are plenty of sightseeing places in the city of Fukuoka, some of which are Canal City, Hakozaki Shrine, Fukuoka Tower, Fukuoka Dome, Tochoji Temple, Atago Shrine, Tenjin, Nokonoshima, Nakasu District and Hakata Brewery. You can visit these sites conveniently from the various Hotels in Fukuoka. Accommodation in Fukuoka is not just comfortable, the prices charged are also quite reasonable.

Listed below are some of the most popular Fukuoka Hotels: The Nishitetsu Grand Hotel one of Fukuoka’s luxury hotels, is located between Akasaka and Tenjin. The room facilities in this hotel include:

Air Conditioning
Refrigerator
Telephone
Cable and Satellite Television
Non-Smoking Rooms
Daily Maid Service
Kitchen and Kitchenette
Mini-Bar

The Grand Hyatt, Fukuoka was built in 1967. The 14 storey hotel houses 279 rooms. The hotel amenities and services at this hotel include:

Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service
Concierge Services
Barber or Hair Stylist
Currency Exchange
Gift Shop
Common Area High Speed Internet Access
A-V Equipment Rental
Multi-Lingual Staff

The Comfort Hotel Hakata, Fukuoka is accessible from the JR Hakata Station and the Hakata Subway Station, through underpass. The hotel is only 15-minute drive from Fukuoka Airport. There are 248 rooms in this hotel.

One of the popular Fukuoka Hotels, the Hotel Okura Fukuoka, has nine different restaurants and bars, its own micro-brewery, a garden chapel, beauty salons, banqueting suites, a fitness center, and a 20-meter swimming pool.

Listed below are some other popular Fukuoka Hotels:

Nikko Hotel, Fukuoka
Hotel Clio Court, Fukuoka
Hotel Blossom, Fukuoka
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel, Fukuoka
Rihga Royal Hotel Kokura Kyushu, Fukuoka
Hakata Miyako Hotel, Fukuoka
Dai – Ichi Tokyo Hotel, Fukuoka
Yamamoto Ryokan, Fukuoka
Tokyu Inn Hakata, Fukuoka
Japanese Ryokan Kashima Honkan, Fukuoka
Chisun Hotel Hakata, Fukuoka
Hotel Centraza Hakata, Fukuoka

Hiroshima Hotels

Hiroshima Hotels are flocked with tourists from all over the world every year. This is because of the historic attraction of the site of Hiroshima. The city is famous for the World War II bombings. But today it is a modern city lying in the Chugoku region of Japan. Come and enjoy your stay in the various Hiroshima Hotels of your choice.

The popular city of Hiroshima has emerged as a popular tourist destination today. There are a number of Hiroshima Tourist Attractions which draw people from all over the world. The Hiroshima Hotels in the city also cater to the needs and interests of all kinds of guests.

The Hotels in Hiroshima are wide ranging. You can stay at the two star hotels, three star hotels as well as four star hotels. You can book the Hiroshima Hotels keeping in mind the price, the location and the standard of the hotels. If you are looking for a small yet cozy two star hotel in Hiroshima, you can come to the Court Hotels. The two star hotels are placed in a prime location with simple yet comfortable rooms. There are excellent amenities and facilities provided by the hotels.

In case you need a cheap accommodation option, the budget hotels in Hiroshima are always there to meet your ends. The Hotel Flex in Hiroshima is one such budget hotel located beside the Kiyobashi River. There are five star Hiroshima Hotels as well which offer luxurious stay to the guests. Come to the Sunroute Hotel, Hiroshima Prince Hotel, Tokyu Inn Hotel and get a grand luxury treatment in these hotels. For a good strategic location you should come to the Ana Hotel or the Granvia Hotel in Hiroshima. As per standard goes, there are many options for the guests to choose from.

If you are planning to make Hiroshima Tours you can stay at the budget hotels or stay at the standard Hiroshima Hotels. Go for the hotels which are all placed in proper locations and this will help you to access the city terminals at ease.

Kobe Hotels

Accommodation in Kobe should never be a cause of concern because there are many Kobe Hotels for visitors to put up in. There are not only many Hotels in Kobe, there are different categories of Hotels in Kobe in view of the diverse needs, tastes and demands of the travelers. Many come to Kobe for a pleasure trip whereas there are several others who are in the city on a business trip and likewise their priorities also tend to vary.

There are some Kobe Hotels which are perfect for corporate travelers because of the fine and extensive range of business facilities that are there on offer whereas there are some which are ideally suited for the pleasure travelers because they lie in close proximity to the tourist attractions or because they boast of an efficient travel desk. Some Kobe Hotels meets the demands of all visitors, irrespective of whether he is on a business or pleasure trip. You can rest assure that whatever may be the purpose of your visit, you are sure to come across a hotel that suits you fine because there are many to choose from.

Moreover, some Kobe Hotels promise a luxurious stay. They have on offer a gamut of facilities and services but are highly priced. For those who want to indulge themselves in opulence and splendor and are willing to pay the price for it, these star category Kobe Hotels are apt. They offer plush accommodation, are home to restaurants serving a wide variety of national and international dishes, boast of business center, health center and the like. The recreational needs of the guests are also taken care of in these hotels so that they enjoy themselves thoroughly and there is not a single moment of boredom. But they are not always within the means of all travelers.

There are many Kobe Hotels that keep in mind the affordabilities of budget travelers. Budget conscious travelers can easily opt for these budget hotels that provide standard facilities and services, are decently priced and ensure a comfortable stay if not a lavish one. However it is not that all Kobe Hotels belong to these opposite extremes, there are many which belong to the moderate category and promise a more than comfortable stay if not a lavish one. Go in for Kobe Hotel booking as soon as you find a hotel of your choice.

Nagoya Hotels

Nagoya Hotels are there in plenty and you can choose from any of the wide ranging hotels. The Hotels in Nagoya let you have a comfortable and a relaxing stay within the exquisite city of Japan. Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka and therefore it is visited by many tourists who come here to spend their vacation or are here simply for business purpose. The travelers need not worry about their accommodation as there are many Nagoya Hotels to choose from.

Nagoya is in Aichi prefecture, in the Chubu region of Honshu, is the main island of Japan. It is the hub of the Aichi region. It beckons many tourists to come here and spend a tranquil vacation. Most of the people also come here for business. The serenity surrounding the place make it one of the fine holiday spots in Japan. It is dotted with hotels and lodging facilities which besides offering the guests a comfortable accommodation in Nagoya also ensure that the guests have a memorable time in this scenic city.

Thousands of foreign tourists visit Nagoya and marvel at the numerous fascinating attractions which are present in the city. From botanical gardens, to zoo, to museums, temples, and entertainment options as well as dining facilities, you can enjoy every possible modern amenity in this city which lets you have a wonderful stay. To make your stay all the more pleasurable put up at one of the splendid Nagoya Hotels in Japan

Nagoya hotels offer outstanding accommodation facilities and greet you with superb hospitality. If you are putting up at the hotels in Nagoya you can be rest assured that you will experience the ultimate in luxury and comfort. From budget hotels, discount hotels to luxury hotels, you can find a wide assortment of hotels and you can choose from any one of the large hotels, which suits your budget and taste. Some of the fine hotels also arranges for sightseeing trips in and around the city and has shuttle bus services. The pleasing ambience and the well equipped accommodation units in many of the hotels make them fine holiday retreats. You can take pleasure in the wide assortment of services offered at the Nagoya hotels.

Travel to Okinawa Japan: Intro

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Residents of Okinawa, Japan retain a unique culture and language and the city, itself, is usually differentiated from Japan, the country. The name "Okinawa" means "rope in the open sea". This is commonly believed to refer to the fact that Okinawa is a prefecture of almost 60 islands and resembles a long chain in appearance.
Okinawa Japan is a popular destination due to its sunny, picturesque beaches. The climate is more temperate than many parts of Japan due to its location in the south, and this means you can enjoy swimming even during the winter. Typhoons season is from September to October, so a trip during spring or summer might be the best time.
Okinawa also has many unspoiled islands just waiting for the holiday visitor. There are about fifteen uninhabited islands in Okinawa. Adventurous vacations will surely enjoy the wild vegetation and wilderness areas (which are quite rare in Japan), as well as the available camping. Most seaside towns in Okinawa have boats for hire. Trips to the outlying islands may be made in most of these ports.
Okinawa enjoys a culture that is unique compared to the rest of Japan. Relatively new to the Japanese island chain, the Okinawa islands were annexed in the late 19th century. Some favorites visitor pastimes are watching the native Okinawan sport, karate, listening to Okinawan folk music, and viewing the distinctive Okinawan architecture. The food on Okinawa is also unique and includes such popular foods as bitter melon, pork Gurukun (a type of fish), and fried dough. Because of the American military presence on Okinawa, American cuisine is also widely available.
Okinawa attractions include the beautiful Shuri Castle and the rustic village of Taketomi, both of which preserve traces of native Okinawan culture that existed before colonial times. Other possibilities for tourists include scuba diving and viewing underwater ruins and the great reefs of Okinawa. There are a number of marine species unique to Okinawa, so don't miss an underwater tour.
Okinawa Japan may be known mostly for its gorgeous beaches but whether you are going to Okinawa for business or for enjoyment you can be sure that you will greatly enjoy your visit in this special place. You can sample the culture and have many things to do and many places to visit.