Japan in spring is a divine beauty with cherry blossoms painting the landscapes into a pink sea. People from across the globe visit here in spring to take part in the Hanami festival along with the local people, and to enjoy themselves by going sightseeing, hiking along the scenic walls, enjoying sakura-flavoured treats (mochi and tea), taking tranquil boat rides through cherry blossom lined rivers and walking through monuments, temples and other archaeological sites under the pleasant warm weather.
The most common payment method in Japan is Visa and Master, which are welcomed in most of the hotels, restaurants, largest department stores, and even most of the shops. Credit cards are generally accepted throughout and even today Japan is primarily a cash economy especially in remote areas of the country and small shops, local inns or restaurants and few of the other casual dining establishments. It is wise to retain a few hundred Yen (JPY) for purchasing minor items or while in rural regions.
There are several convenient currency exchange options available in Japan. In major airports you can exchange your foreign currency to yen on arrival 24/7. Besides, most of the banks in Japan are equipped with the service of foreign currency exchange. Currency exchange offices are located where there is high pedestrian traffic including railway stations, tourist attractions, around markets and malls. There are numerous cash machines that accept the International Cards connected to Plus, Cirrus, or Maestro throughout Japan. Through these ATM s, you can withdraw cash from your international bank account at the inter-bank applicable charges.
Japan follows Japan Standard Time that is nine hours ahead of the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), while India uses Indian Standard Time that is five hours thirty minutes ahead of the UTC. Consequently, three and half an hour time difference is recorded between the two countries . For instance, if it is 12:00 PM in India then it will be 15:30 PM in Japan. Pre-segment your schedule and be cautious about the time difference so that there is no confusion when they get there. Moreover, the time of phone calls and virtual meetings between the two countries should be chosen to fit the schedule of the both parties.
Japan has one of the best internet service supply in the world. Most places in Japan around the hotels, cafes, airports, and train stations provide free Wi-Fi supply to enable internet access even when you’re on move. Many large urban areas in Japan offer open Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is also available on many of the public transportation networks. For uninterrupted internet, use a rented or purchased SIM card or a portable Internet device(Pocket Wi-Fi).
Japan is popularly known for its rich healthcare services with a blend of modern medical facilities with highly experienced healthcare professionals.Tourists have access to medical services such as hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies throughout Japan. Hospitals in Japan are equipped with advanced tools and machinery to provide best treatment for patients.Many healthcare centers and hospitals have staffs who speak English or interpreters to make it convenient for tourists to communicate.In case of emergency dial 119 for ambulance service. It is advisable for tourists to have travel insurance to ensure unnecessary tension during your stay.
Make sure you are aware of Japan’s local laws to avoid any misfortunes during your stay. Always carry your passport with you as an identity form. Smoking is strictly prohibited in eating places, bars and in special regions. Never smoke while strolling. Drinking outdoor is a part of Japan’s culture but loud and boisterous behavior is illegal and you may even be fined for it. Many public swimming pools, public baths, warm spring inns, and gymnasiums prohibit entry if you have even a small tattoo. Meanwhile some places ask you to cover up any tattoos and allow entry. In Japan, there is 0 tolerance towards any form of drug-related crimes.