Page 9 - Japan Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

CHANGING MONEY All banks in Japan displaying an AUTHORIZED FOREIGN EXCHANGE sign can exchange currency and traveler's checks, with exchange rates usually displayed at the appropriate foreign-exchange counter. Banks are generally open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm, though business hours for exchanging foreign currency usually don't begin until 10:30 or 11am (be prepared for a long wait; you'll be asked to sit down as your order is processed). More convenient -- and quicker -- are Travelex foreign-exchange kiosks, with locations in several cities in Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Osaka, and Sapporo. If you need to exchange money outside banking hours, inquire at your PAGE 3-4 hotel. Likewise, large department stores also offer exchange services CURRENCY Population | Time | Visas and are often open until 7:30 or 8pm. Note, however, that hotels and Japanese Yen (JPY; symbol ¥). Notes are Insurance | History department stores may charge a handling fee, offer a slightly less in denominations of ¥10,000, 5,000, 2,000 favorable exchange rate, and require a passport for all transactions. and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of PAGE 5 History | Religion ¥500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. CREDIT CARDS Banks are open from 09:00am to 03:00 PAGE 6 pm Monday to Friday (closed on Sat, Health | Language American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and other major credit cards are widely accepted in towns. ATMs are widely available Sun and national holidays). There are PAGE 7 Citibank locations in the larger centers although many do not accept foreign credit or debit cards, and are Climate for those people using the *PLUS* harder to find outside of towns. They are generally open Mon-Fri 0700- system but be warned, the Japanese PAGE 8 2300, Sat-Sun 0900-1900, though some only operate during normal The Land | The People banking hours and on Saturday mornings. Citibank machines accept banking system is not always as advanced as other industrialized PAGE 9 foreign credit cards and are often open 24 hours. Traveler's checks can countries. Currency | Credit Cards be exchanged at most major banks, larger hotels and some duty free Changing Money | Tipping shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in Japanese Yen or US dollars. Note: Japan has a TIPPING PAGE 10 strong cash culture, and it is usual to see people carrying large amounts Service charges of 10% are added to bills Etiquette | Taxis Safety & Crime of cash with them because of the low crime rate. in most leading hotels and restaurants. Where it is not included, a tip of 10-15% PAGE 11-12 of the bill would be appropriate. Communications | What to Pack Health & Vaccinations Airport porter/hotel bellboy: PAGE 13 $1.00 - $ 2.00 US per bag. Shopping | Customs Your tour guide: PAGE 14-16 Food & Drinks $10.00 - $ 12.00 US per person per day. PAGE 17 Driver/assistants: Culture & The Arts | Religion $ 6.00 - $ 7.00 US per person per day. Japan has a 5% consumer tax. If you eat at expensive restaurants and stay in top- end accommodation, you will encounter a service charge which varies from 10% to 15%.