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Immigration Information |
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Entry Visa to Japan
Japanese Government has announced that the holders of a valid HKSAR passport, British National (Overseas) passport and Macau SAR passport can enjoy visa-free access to enter Japan for the purpose of short-term visit of up to 90 days.
This arrangement does not apply to the people if they intend to stay other than short-term visit, such as seeking employment, exercising profession or other business. For details, please contact Consulate-General of Japan as followings
Visa Section
Consulate-General of Japan
Address: 46/F, One Exchange Square
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 0915-1200 & 1330-1645
Telephone: (852) 2522-1184
Tax: (852) 2536-0881
http://www.hk.emb-japan.go.jp/eng/visa.html
Customs
You are required to make declaration about your belongings when you enter Japan. Personal effects and unaccompanied baggage for personal use are free of duties within the allowance as shown as below.
| Alcoholic Beverages |
3 Bottles (approximate =/< 760ml each)
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| Cigarettes |
400 cigarettes |
| Cigars |
100 cigars |
| Perfumes |
2 ounces |
| Other Articles Total Value Amount |
<JPY200,000 |
For details, please visit http://www.customs.go.jp/english/index.htm |
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Currency |
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Japanese currency unit is yen. There are four kinds of bills, including 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 2,000 yen and 1,000 yen and six kinds of coins (500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen, 5 yen & 1 yen) are in used.
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Weather |
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Japan's climate is predominantly temperate. It has big variation from south to north, such as Kyushu's temperature has big different from Hokkaido. In general, the rainy season begins in mid of June (Okinawa starts from early May) to July.
Monthly Weather Summary for Major Cities in Japan
Area |
Temperature (°C) |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Average |
Tokyo |
5.8 |
6.1 |
8.9 |
14.4 |
18.7 |
21.8 |
25.4 |
27.1 |
23.5 |
18.2 |
13.0 |
8.4 |
15.9 |
Rainy Weather(%) |
13.5 |
13.4 |
32.3 |
33.0 |
32.9 |
39.3 |
33.2 |
24.5 |
36.3 |
30.6 |
21.3 |
13.3 |
N/A |
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Osaka |
5.8 |
5.9 |
9.0 |
14.8 |
19.4 |
23.2 |
27.2 |
28.4 |
24.4 |
18.7 |
13.2 |
8.3 |
16.5 |
Rainy Weather(%) |
18.4 |
17.3 |
30.3 |
31.3 |
32.6 |
42.0 |
30.3 |
20.0 |
31.3 |
24.6 |
19.3 |
19.7 |
N/A |
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Sapporo |
-4.1 |
-3.5 |
0.1 |
6.7 |
12.1 |
16.3 |
20.5 |
22.0 |
17.6 |
11.3 |
4.6 |
-1.0 |
8.5 |
Rainy Weather(%) |
2.6 |
1.4 |
5.8 |
25.3 |
27.4 |
20.0 |
24.2 |
29.7 |
38.0 |
34.8 |
31.0 |
8.1 |
N/A |
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Sendai |
1.5 |
1.7 |
4.5 |
10.1 |
14.9 |
18.3 |
22.1 |
24.1 |
20.4 |
14.8 |
9.1 |
4.3 |
12.1 |
Rainy Weather(%) |
7.1 |
7.1 |
16.5 |
24.3 |
31.0 |
35.3 |
39.3 |
35.5 |
39.0 |
23.2 |
18.0 |
9.4 |
N/A |
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Nagoya |
4.3 |
4.7 |
8.2 |
14.1 |
18.5 |
22.3 |
26 |
27.3 |
23.4 |
17.6 |
11.9 |
6.7 |
15.4 |
Rainy Weather(%) |
15.5 |
15.9 |
29.4 |
33.0 |
32.3 |
40.0 |
39.0 |
25.1 |
37.3 |
28.7 |
19.0 |
17.4 |
N/A |
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Fukuoka |
6.4 |
6.9 |
9.9 |
14.8 |
19.1 |
22.6 |
26.9 |
27.6 |
23.9 |
18.7 |
13.4 |
8.7 |
16.6 |
Rainy Weather(%) |
29 |
25.8 |
37.4 |
35.3 |
30.6 |
42.3 |
31.9 |
31.3 |
27.6 |
22.6 |
26.7 |
21.0 |
N/A |
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Okinawa |
16.6 |
16.6 |
18.6 |
21.3 |
23.8 |
26.6 |
28.5 |
28.2 |
27.2 |
24.9 |
21.7 |
18.4 |
22.7 |
Rainy Weather(%) |
32.6 |
37.4 |
39.4 |
35.7 |
34.2 |
33.0 |
30.7 |
31.6 |
33.0 |
28.1 |
28.7 |
27.8 |
N/A |
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Shopping |
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Bargain Sales
Department stores and shops have their bargain sales in January and July every year. Some of the products are sold at 50%off or more. Among them, Fukubukuro(a bag containing unknown and varied goods which are sold for a large discount) are the most popular ones and they are usually sold out soon after the start of the bargain sales. As most of the department stores and shops do not open during 1st-3rd January, remember to check their opening hours beforehand.
Vending Machines
Vending machines in Japan are so common and popular. It has over 50 different kinds of vending machines and may has around 5.6 million machines in Japan for selling from rice to umbrellas, or from hot "ramen" to flower, etc., Almost all machines are equipped with change function and customer is not necessary to prepare the exact amount.
Tipping
In general, 10-15% service charge in hotels and restaurants is added to your bill in lieu of tipping. However, if you come across very fancy or traditional Japanese restaurants, or with the private maid service at Ryokan (Traditional Japanese Inns), you may consider tip when the service is excellent. |
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Voltage and Plug |
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Japan electric voltage is 100V, please make sure your electrical appliances are compatible with this voltage. Furthermore, you are recommended to get a plug adapter which fits into the local sockets because Japan socket is 2-prong plugs (as shown in the picture).
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International Direct Dialing |
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International calls can be made from public phone which shown "International & Domestic Card/Coin Telephone" symbol. In addition, using prepaid telephone cards are much more convenience and they can be sold in the vending machines or convenient shops.
Different phone companies have different access codes for international call as shown as below:
KDDI Company [001] + International [010] + Country Code [xxx] + Phone Number [xxxxxxxx]
ISD Company [0041] + International [010] + Country Code [xxx] + Phone Number [xxxxxxxx]
IDC Company [0061] + International [010] + Country Code [xxx] + Phone Number [xxxxxxxx]
For example, if you want to make a phone call to Hong Kong from KDDI phone-set.
The access code is [001] + [010] + [852] + [phone number]
For passengers traveling on ANA international route with ticket issued outside Japan may consider to apply for "Free Mobile Rental Service" available at Narita, Haneda and Kansai Airports. Application deadline is 2 days in advance.
For application and call rate, please visit: http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/int/svc/oth_svc/rental_mobile/index.html
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Japanese Domestic Peak Travel Period & Holidays |
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Traditional Japanese Domestic Peak Period |
| New Year Holiday |
27th December to 4th January |
Golden Week |
Approximate 1st week in May |
Obon |
Mid-August |
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School Holidays |
Spring Holiday |
End-March to beginning of April |
Summer Holiday |
End-July to August |
New Year Holiday |
26th December to 3rd January |
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Useful Phrases |
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Greetings |
Speaking in Japanese |
How are you? |
O Genki Desu Ka? |
Good morning |
Ohayo Gozaimasu |
Good afternoon/Hello |
Konnichi Wa |
Good evening |
Komban Wa |
Good night |
Oyasumi Nasai |
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Phrases |
Speaking in Japanese |
Please (Offering something) |
Dozo |
Please (Asking something) |
O Negai Shimasu |
Yes |
Hai |
No |
Ii-e |
Excuse me |
Sumimasen |
I don't understand |
Wakarimasen |
Do you speak English? |
Eigo Ga Dekimasu Ka? |
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Others Phrases |
Speaking in Japanese |
For tourist |
Kan Koo |
For business |
Shutcho |
Where is the toilet? |
Toire Wa Doko Desu Ka? |
Expensive! |
Takai! |
Table for one |
Ichimei desu |
Table for two |
Nimei desu |
English menu |
Eigo No Me Nyuu |
Check (bill please) |
O kan Joo O Negai Shimasu |
How much is it? |
Ikura desu Ka? |
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Useful Link |
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