Japan Travel Guide

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Shopping

A blend of Oriental goods and Western sales techniques confronts the shopper, particularly at the big department stores, which are more like exhibitions than shops, and almost always have a bowing shop assistant to welcome you and attendants to work the lifts. Special purchases include kimonos, mingei (local crafts including kites and folk toys), Kyoto silks, fans, religious articles such as Shinto and Buddhist artifacts, paper lanterns, lacquerware, cameras and other electronic equipment. Bargaining is not usual.

Tax exemptions are available in authorized tax-free stores. Certain items costing more than ¥10,000 are exempt from tax. Remember when buying electronic goods that they may not be compatible with UK or US voltage.

Shopping hours: 1000-1900/2000 every day of the week and on public holidays.

Currency

Japanese Yen (JPY; symbol ¥). Notes are in denominations of ¥10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of ¥500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.

Note: Japan has a strong cash culture, and it is usual to see people carrying large amounts of cash with them because of the low crime rate. It is only recently that credit cards have begun to become more popular. However, travelers may still encounter difficulties with foreign credit cards.

Currency Exchange

All money must be exchanged at an authorized bank or money changer.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and other major credit cards are widely accepted in towns. ATMs are available with many branches of the Post Office and 7-eleven stores having ones that accept foreign cards. Otherwise, only international banks accept foreign credit or debit cards, and these are hard to find outside of major cities. They are generally open Mon-Fri 0700-2300, Sat-Sun 0900-1900, though some only operate during normal banking hours and on Saturday mornings. Citibank machines are the most likely to have ATMs, and also to accept foreign credit cards (and are usually open 24 hours).

Travelers Checks

These can be exchanged at most major banks, larger hotels and some duty-free shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in Japanese Yen or US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding ¥1,000,000 or equivalent must be declared.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1500.

Exchange Rate