|
Getting Around
While a modern city in every sense of the word, Tokyo does have two crazy
characteristics that can cause all sorts of the difficulties -- most of the
streets don't have names and the buildings are not necessarily numbered sequentially.
Even locals have difficulty locating places. Use a combination of maps, directions
written in Japanese by your hotel's concierge, local assistance (police boxes
spread around the city are very helpful). The TIC provides an excellent map
("The Tourist Map of Tokyo"); however, never pass up the opportunity
for a free map -- they'll all come in handy (even those tiny ones printed on
the backs of business cards). If you really require more detailed information
you can visit our page on the Black Art of Finding a Japanese Address (but
proceed with caution, at some point all logic must be suspended . . . you've
been warned).
Currency Exchange
The best rates are obtained at banks (generally open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Better
rates are given for traveler's checks than for cash. Some non-Japanese banks
have branches in Tokyo -- contact your bank for information. Larger hotels
also offer currency exchange service. ATM machines also work (but we've found
that many international machines only respond to 4-digit PINs) -- look for
machines that display the symbols found on the back of your card or that
allow advances from credit cards.
Embassies/Consulates
American Embassy and Consulate -- 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, 81-3-3224-5000
British Embassy and Consulate -- 1 Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, 81-3-3265-5511
Canadian Embassy -- 7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku, 81-3-3408-2101
Australian Embassy -- 2-1-14 Mita, Minato-ku, 81-3-5232-411
Contact the your embassy for hours.
Medical Care
In non-emergency situations, contact your local embassy for recommendations.
The International Clinic, 1-5-9 Azabudai, Minato-ku, 81-3-3582-2646 accepts
walk-in patients. Drugstores, or kusuri-ya are located throughout the city.
One, The American Pharmacy at the Hibiya Park Building, 1-8-1 Yurakucho,
Chiyoda-ku, 81-3-3271-4034, stocks products from the United States and fills
U.S. prescriptions. It's open Mon - Sat, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sun and holidays,
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Note that as with most stores in town, pharmacies close
early. For emergencies, dial 119 for ambulances or 110 for police -- the
person answering will most likely not speak English or other languages, be
as clear and precise as possible. Hotel concierges can also assist in finding
a hospital if necessary.
Neighborhoods
Tokyo has 23 ku (neighborhoods or wards). Central Tokyo is ringed by the Yamanote
Line, and most points of interest are accessible from this train.
Postal Service
Letters and postcards can be mailed from you hotel or from the bright red mailboxes
located around town. The Central Post Office is located at 2-7-2 Marunouchi,
Chiyoda-ku, 81-3-3284-9527.
Police
Police boxes (koban) are scattered throughout the city (look for a red light
shining above the door). The emergency number for the police is 110.
Public Transportation - Modes
Buses - Buses are complicated for tourists who don't speak Japanese. The buses
operate as they do in any other city of the world, however, you must be extra-cognizant
of where you are heading because the drivers don't speak English.
Cars - The absolute worst choice for tourists. Streets are maze-like and parking
is all but impossible.
Subways - Subways are generally the best way to travel. They're safe, inexpensive,
and run frequently. The lines are color-coded (a sign of civilization, I'm
quite sure) with station names indicated in English. Vending machines sell
tickets, and if you err and underpay for your ride, you can pay the difference
at your destination.
Some machines also have an English-language option that can be activated when
buying tickets. Some maps (especially the one provided by the TIC show the
names of stations in Japanese and English -- this is a big help when faced
with ticket machines in smaller stations). One note: the absolute worst time
to be on the subway is during morning rush hour -- they really do shove people
into the trains, and I swear that I spent my morning commute suspended between
two larger individuals.
Taxis - While a fairly expensive way to travel, taxis are good for short trips.
Remember that a red light means the taxi is available while a green light means
the taxi is occupied. Taxis are plentiful around well-known spots and major
hotels.
When taking a taxi, it is especially helpful to have written directions (talk
to the hotel's concierge -- this person may well become your best friend in
Japan). Note: having written directions is no guarantee that your driver will
deliver you to your intended destination. On one trip, we actually had a driver
through up his hands in disgust at his inability to locate a particular restaurant
and kick us out of the cab.
Trains - Japan Railways (JR) also operated trains (again, based on a color-coded
system). Of these, the most popular (and convenient) is the Yamanote Line.
The bright green train loops through central Tokyo (this is my personal line
of choice).
Note: Transferring between subways and trains can be tricky. The tickets do
not allow for transfers between systems; however, the ticket collectors at
the end of the lines can help to sort out any confusion (somehow, I believe
that we managed to survive our trip without any problems of this sort).
Public Transportation - Passes
Each system has various passes available -- all convenient if you are planning
to do quite a bit of sightseeing. There are single-day economy tickets as well
as passes that allow a day's travel on all the subway systems and busses. A
valid JR Rail Pass allows unlimited travel on JR Rail Lines.
Taxes
They exist everywhere. Currently, a 3% consumption tax is added to most items,
including meals in restaurants and hotel rooms.
Travelers from outside Japan are entitled to a refund of this tax on items
taken out of the country; however, only the larger department stores and tourist
shops seem equipped to deal with refunds of the taxes (and sometimes only if
$100 or more is spent at the location).
Ask the clerk if the refund is available. When leaving Japan, specifically
Narita, a ¥2,000 charge (approx. $20) is assessed. This amount can be paid
at the airport (there are vending machines to accomodate travelers (pay the
tax before proceeding to customs).
Telephone Information
The country code for Japan is 81; the city code for Tokyo is 3. When in Tokyo,
omit the city code; if making a call to Tokyo from outside the city, dial
03 from outside the city (adding a 0 before the city code is standard procedure
for all calls between cities in Japan).
Public telephones are located everywhere. They are color-coded, and accept
only certain types of coins (check before using). Gray phones accomodate international
calls and accept ¥10 and 100 coins. Prepaid phone cards are also available
at many locations.
When dialing internationally from Japan, either follow the instructions indicated
on the public phone or hotel phone. Generally, you will dial an access code
followed by the country code and phone number. Hotels generally provide detailed
instructions for using their systems.
Tourist Information
Local Services
The JNTO operates Tourist Information Centers to aid travelers. The TIC are
located in Terminal 2 of Narita or at 3-5-1 Marunouchi, 1st Basement Floor,
Chiyoda-ku, 03-3201-3331 (located near Tokyo Station). Here you can acquire
maps and assistance. Office hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. -
noon on Saturdays.
In addition to the services provided by the JNTO, visitors to Tokyo can visit
the Information Bureau of Tokyo located at Tokyo Station (hours: Monday - Saturday,
9 a.m. - 6 p.m., located near the Yaesu entrance). This office only deals with
issues relating to Tokyo. Visitors are also advised to pick up a copy of the
Tokyo Journal which provides coverage, in English, of happenings around the
city. It also covers subjects such as restaurant reviews, schools for learning
Japanese, and other items of interest.
Other services for tourists include Japan Travel-Phone -- a phone service
that offers travel advice and information in English. The Tokyo number is 03-303-4400;
outside of Tokyo, you can dial 0120-222-800 or 0088-222-800. There is a per
minute charge (¥10).
International Services
American Express -- For 24 hour service and information in English, call 0120-376-199;
for emergency card replacement service or ATM service, contact the office in
Chiyoda-ku at the Yurakucho Denki Bldg, 1-7-1 Yurakucho, 81-3-3214-0280, open
Mon - Fri, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sat - Sun, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; another office
(with ATM service) is located at the Shinjuku Gomeikan Bldg, 3-3-9 Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku, 81-3-3352-1555, hours are daily 10 a.m - 6 p.m.
|
