Information for Visitors to Japan

Welcome to Japan!

We hope your trip brings you many wonderful emotions, unforgettable impressions, and exciting discoveries.
To make your stay as comfortable as possible, we have prepared some useful information about everyday matters in Japan.
Currency
The only currency used in Japan is the Japanese yen. Payment in other currencies is not accepted.
Even in Tokyo, there are still many establishments that do not accept credit cards, so it is recommended to always carry some cash.
The best options for exchanging money are:
before arriving in Japan, or at the airport upon arrival.

Exchange rates at airports are usually equal to bank rates and often better than at private exchange offices. Currency exchange offices can be difficult to find in cities.

Currently, only USD or EUR are commonly exchanged.

Cash withdrawals using international bank cards are not available at all ATMs. The easiest option is to use 7 Bank ATMs, located in 7-Eleven convenience stores, which operate 24 hours a day.

Please note that cards issued by Russian banks do not work in Japan, so travelers from Russia should bring either a foreign bank card or sufficient cash.

Electricity
Voltage in Japan is 100–127V.

Most modern electronics (phones, laptops, camera chargers) support both 100–127V and 220–240V, so they will work without problems. However, some appliances with higher power (such as hair dryers or curling irons) may not work unless they support dual voltage.

Japan uses Type A plugs with two flat parallel pins.
Adapters are not always available in hotels and often in limited quantities, so it is recommended to bring your own.

Many hotels provide USB charging ports, so charging phones is usually not a problem.

If you buy electronics in Japan, make sure they support your country voltage standards.

Consumption Tax and Tax-Free Shopping
The current consumption tax in Japan is 10%.
Some food items and newspapers are taxed at 8%.

Tax-free shopping is available not only in large department stores but also in many smaller shops. These stores usually display a Tax-Free sign.

If you do not see the sign, you can simply ask:
“Tax free OK?”
Conditions for Tax-Free purchases:

The procedure must be completed at the place of purchase on the same day, with your passport.
The minimum purchase amount is 5,000 yen (excluding tax).
If paying by card, the card must be issued in the same name as the passport.
According to official regulations, items should remain sealed until departure from Japan in case customs asks to inspect them.

There are two common Tax-Free procedures:
1.⁠ ⁠Immediate deduction at the cashier
The tax is deducted at the moment of purchase.

2.⁠ ⁠Refund counter in department stores
You first pay the full amount including tax and later receive a refund at a Tax-Free counter after completing your shopping.

You will need: all receipts, purchased goods, the payment card, your passport

Public Toilets
Japan has an extensive network of clean, free public toilets.
They are located:
  • inside train and subway stations
  • in parks
  • in shopping centers
  • in convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson
Toilet paper is always provided, but hand dryers or paper towels are not always available.

Many Japanese people carry small hand towels for this reason.

Water
Tap water in Japan is safe to drink.
In many public places such as parks or stations, you can also find drinking fountains.

Vending machines selling beverages are everywhere, and in winter they also offer hot drinks.

Metro and Railway Transport
Japan has a very well-developed urban railway system.
Most lines operate approximately from 5:00 AM to midnight.

Station names and signs are duplicated in English, making navigation relatively easy for visitors.

Public transportation is quite expensive but still much cheaper than taxis.

Minimum train fare:
140–180 yen, depending on the company.

The fare depends on distance, and you must keep your ticket until the end of the journey, as it will be required at the exit gates.
Transport Payment Options
Single Tickets
Purchased from ticket machines at stations.

One-Day Pass

Useful if you plan to make multiple trips in one system during a day.

Typical cost:
600–750 yen, depending on the system.

Combined passes are also available.
IC Cards (Suica or Pasmo)
A convenient option for frequent travel.
These rechargeable cards allow you to simply tap at the ticket gates when entering and exiting.

They can also be used to pay in many stores.

A 500 yen deposit is charged when purchasing the card.

Rail Systems in Tokyo
The main railway operators are:
Tokyo Metro
(9 subway lines)
Toei Subway
(4 subway lines)
JR*
(Japan Railways lines)
Taxi

Taxis in Japan are relatively expensive.
A 15-minute ride typically costs 2,000–3,000 yen.

Only certified drivers are allowed to transport passengers.

Taxi doors open and close automatically, and passengers usually sit in the rear seats.

Internet and Mobile Communication
Free Wi-Fi used to be difficult to find in Japan, but availability has improved significantly.

Free Wi-Fi can often be found in:
  • train stations
  • subway trains
  • cafés (such as Starbucks)
  • hotels
However, registration is usually required.

Options for mobile internet:
  • Data SIM cards. Available at airports and electronics stores.
  • Portable Wi-Fi routers. Can be rented and shared across multiple devices.
  • eSIM. Can be activated upon arrival.
Medicines
We recommend bringing a basic set of medications (for fever, cold, digestion, etc.), as equivalents may be difficult to find in Japanese pharmacies.
Safety
Japan has a very low crime rate, but standard safety precautions should still be observed.

If you lose an item, return to the place where you think you left it — lost items are often kept safely until claimed.

We also recommend making copies of your passport and visa pages and storing them separately from your passport.