Travel Information

The tenth GEO Integrated Global Water Cycle Observations (IGWCO) Community of Practice (CoP) Meeting

• Travel Guides and Transportation Information
  -> Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) website.
  -> Official Tokyo Travel Guide
  -> Tokyo Metro
  -> Toei Subways
  -> East Japan Railway Company
  


• Passport and Visa
  Visitors from nations whose citizens must have visas should apply to a Japanese consular office or diplomatic mission in their country. Please specify in your Registration form, if you need any Visa application documents from the Local Host.
  


• Currency Exchange
  The currency is the yen. The exchange rate was 1USD = 102.5JPY on 20 March. Money can be exchanged at major banks and limited number of hotels.
  Banknotes: 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 yen. Coins: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 yen.
  


• Traveler's Cheque, Credit Cards & VAT
  Traveler's cheques are not as widely used in Japan as in most other countries and are accepted only by major banks and hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted for payment, however, foreign credit cards (not issued by Japanese banks) are not usually accepted by ATMs in Tokyo for cash withdrawal. ATMs accepting foreign credit cards are at the Narita Airport and in central Tokyo (e.g. Ginza). Conventional checks are almost unheard of in everyday life. The consumption tax (VAT) rate is 5%.
  


• Insurance
  Participants are strongly advised to arrange their own overseas travel insurance.
  


• Time
  In relation to Greenwich, Tokyo is +9 hours.
  


• Electrical Appliances
  100-110 volts and a flat two-pronged plug, type A, are used. The frequency of electric current is 50 Hz in eastern Japan, including Tokyo. Please use your own electrical outlet adapter to adjust the AC plug on your equipment to the above-mentioned Japanese AC power supply as it is difficult to purchase it locally. Please bring the power transformer such as from 200V AC to 100V AC.
  


• Climate and Weather
  May is a spring season in Japan when the days are pleasant and comfortably warm. Occasional rain showers may occur at this time. Average temperatures range from 23°C (day) to 15°C (night).
  Actual Weather forecast is available here.
  


• Tipping
  Tips are not required or expected in Japan, at hotels, restaurants and anywhere else. A 10-20 percent service charge is included in some bills.