TRAVEL ADVICE FOR JAPAN

 

CASH

                You can change money at the airports.  Japan has a different ATM card system so you cannot withdraw cash from Japanese banks.  To accommodate foreign visitors, ATMs at post offices accept international ATM cards.  Transactions must be done during post office hours:  Monday-Friday, 9-5:00 p.m.   No weekends.  There are a few Citibanks in Tokyo which accept international ATM cards, too.

 

PHONE

                Most mobile phones and Blackberries will not work in Japan.  At Narita, you can buy a phone card to insert into your mobile for Japan or you can rent a mobile phone at the airport. 

 

JAPAN NATIONAL TOURIST ORGANIZATION (JNTO)  http://www.jnto.go.jp/

                  JNTOÕs website has useful information in a variety of languages.

 

NARITA AIRPORT                – TOURIST INFORMATION    http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/index.html

                Tourist information booths are in Terminals 1 and 2.  They are open until 8:00 p.m.  You can pick up free maps of Tokyo, Tokyo subway map, etc. in English, Chinese, etc.  If youÕre going on the pilgrimage with Rinpoche, you can also get maps and information on Kyoto and Nara. 

 

NARITA EXPRESS    http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/train/index.html

                  Narita Express is a train service connecting Narita with Tokyo Station (and other major stations).  It takes less than 60 minutes.  During peak times, trains run every 30 minutes or once an hour at off-peak times.  The fare is about ´3,000.           

                  Currently you can buy a Narita Express ticket and a SUICA card for ´3,500 (you save about ´1,500).  SUICAÕs are rechargeable/reusable travel cards that can be used on national and private trains in the Tokyo area.  TheyÕre very convenient.  You can get a refund on your deposit when you return it before leaving Japan.  Read more on this special at:  http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html

                  There are also slower, cheaper local trains from Narita to Tokyo station listed on the above website.     

 

JAPAN RAIL PASS    http://www.japanrail.com/

                  If you plan to do extra traveling while in Japan, there are 7, 14, and 21-day passes. 

 

TOKYO METRO SYSTEM

                  A map with instructions can be found at:  http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/index.html

                 

TOKYO HOTELS

                  DNSJ would like to help our international friends with their hotel accommodations, but because of varying standards, various location requests, and our limited peoplepower, IÕm sorry we are unable.  What we will offer is that Tokyo underground train system is vast so itÕs easy to travel to various locations from wherever you stay.  The majority of hotel rooms in Japan are cozy, usually very clean and efficient.  Rooms can be booked in English through Expedia or other online services.  Those online services often mention if English is spoken.  If youÕre unsure of a hotelÕs standards, often former guestsÕ critiques are at www.tripadvisor.com

There are business hotels in Japan.  Because they cater to busy businesspeople, theyÕre straightforward so for example, they offer small continental breakfasts but donÕt have designated concierges to book tours for you, etc.  A couple business hotel chains have English websites so are beginning to attract foreigners.  Spoken English ability varies from very limited to good. 

 KEIO PRESSO INN – www.presso-inn.com and click English. 

TOYOKO INN  www.toyoko-inn.com and click English.

Also, often itÕs difficult for taxi drivers to understand visitorsÕ English/Japanese, so itÕs a good idea to print the hotel name and its map (preferably in Japanese) to show the driver or others if you become lost.   

 

 

We hope this information is useful!