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.

Travelers Checks and Credit Cards

Travelers checks are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels in principal cities, and the use of travelers 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.

Tipping

In Japan, tips are not necessary anywhere, even at hotels and restaurants.

Electricity

Electric voltage is uniformly 100 volts, AC, throughout Japan, but with two different cycles: 50 in Eastern Japan*, and 60 in Western Japan** . Leading hotels in major cities have two outlets of 100 and 220 volts but their sockets usually accept a two-leg plug only.

• *Eastern Japan : Tokyo, Yokohama, Tohoku, Hokkaido
• **Western Japan : Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Shikoku, Kyushu

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.

Climate

October is in the mid-Autumn in Japan. You will enjoy the mild weather with pleasant cool breeze during this season. The temperature in Yokohama during the period of the Congress ranges between 16 - 26 degrees Celsius.