Passport and Visa

To visit Japan, you must have a valid passport. A visa is required for citizens of countries that do not have visa-exemption agreements with Japan. Please contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate for visa requirements.

Duty Free Import

Personal effects and professional equipment can be brought into Japan duty free as long as their contents and quantities are deemed reasonable by the customs officer. You can also bring in 400 cigarettes, 500 grams of tobacco or 100 cigars; 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages; 2 ounces of perfume; and gifts and souvenirs whose total market price is less than 200,000 yen or its equivalent. There is no allowance for tobacco or alcoholic beverages for persons aged 19 years or younger. Firearms and other types of weapons, and narcotics are strictly prohibited.

Insurance

The organizer cannot accept responsibility for accidents that might occur. Delegates are encouraged to purchase travel insurance before leaving their home country. Insurance plans typically cover accidental loss of belongings, medical costs in case of injury or illness, and other possible risks of international travel.

Climate

The temperature in Tokyo during the period of the Symposium ranges between 9 - 17 degrees Celsius.

Currency Exchange

Only Japanese yen (JPY) is acceptable at regular stores and restaurants. Certain foreign currencies may be accepted at a limited number of hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. You can buy yen at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers on presentation of your passport.

Traveler’s Checks and Credit Cards

Traveler’s checks are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels in principal cities, and the use of traveler’s checks in Japan is not as popular as in some other countries. VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Credit Cards and ATMs

International credit cards like the American Express, VISA, MASTERCARD, Diners Club and JCB will be accepted at hotels, main facilities, and stores.

The ATMs placed in the post offices and at 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout Japan will accept withdrawals on credit cards issued abroad. On or around such machines, a notice "International ATM Service" and stickers showing VISA, VISA Electron, PLUS, MASTERCARD, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, Diners Club International, JCB, etc., logos are displayed.

Tipping

In Japan, culturally tips are not given at hotels and restaurants, or establishments at which conventionally tips made be awarded to employees or personnel.

Electricity

Electric voltage is uniformly 100 volts AC throughout Japan, but with two different frequencies: 50 Hz in eastern Japan including Tokyo, and 60 Hz in western Japan including Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. Leading hotels in major cities have two outlets for 100 and 220 volts but their sockets usually accept only a two-prong plug.

Shopping

Shops and other sales outlets in Japan are generally open on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays as well as weekdays from 10:00 to 20:00. Department stores, however, are closed on one weekday, differing by store, and certain specialty shops may not open on Sundays and national holidays.

Business Hours

	Weekdays	Sat.	Sun. & National Holidays
Banks	09:00-15:00	closed	closed
Post Offices *	09:00-17:00	closed	closed
Offices	09:00-17:00	closed	closed

* Some main post offices are open seven days a week.