Entry Regulations:

All Canadian citizens require a Canadian passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into the country. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days. Visitors must be in possession of a return or on-ward ticket and may be asked for proof of sufficient funds for your stay.

Please check with your country’s Foreign Affairs office to find out about entry requirements for non-Canadians and Americans.

Climate:

Japan has four seasons: Spring is when cherry blossoms fall and is one of the best times for a visit, from the first days of March till the last days of May. Summer is nature's play time and arrives Japan in June with the arrival of a 3-week long rainy season. Summer begins somewhat coolly with a rainy season but when it ends in late June, much of Japan is characterized by hot, humid days. Autumn is the time of falling leaves characterized by cool, crisp days from October to December. Winter in Japan is the season of frosty breath. Except for the extreme north, it is not very severe and is usually tempered by warm sunshine and blue skies. Winter runs from December to March.

Currency:

The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the basic unit of currency. At present, the exchange rate is JPY83.51 for C$1 and JPY83.14 for US$1. As exchange rates fluctuate each day, please check the current exchange rate near your date of travel.

Electricity:

The electric current for home use is uniformly 100 volts but there are two different cycles in use - 50 in eastern Japan and 60 in western Japan. Leading hotels in Tokyo and other big cities have 110 and 220 volts.

Tip: This system may differ from the one you use at home. If it is different, please purchase an adaptor from a travel store near you, to take advantage of the power ports in your hotel room.

Language:

The official language is Japanese. English is not spoken widely, however, Goodwill Guides are the English-speaking volunteers who stand ready and willing to assist overseas visitors.

Health Requirement:

Vaccination certificates are not required of Canadian or American tourists unless they have visited a country where an infection/disease is endemic. If you are from another part of the world, please check with a travel medicine professional for more information on possible requirements.

Airport Facilities and Tax:

The New Tokyo International Airport at Narita is a main gateway to Japan. The second largest is the Kansai International Airport in Osaka. The departure tax is formulated into your airline ticket.

Shopping:

Among the valued items sought after as souvenirs are cameras, VCRs, portable cassette players, watches, silk and pearls among others, all of which are available in specialty shops and the department stores of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Recommended shopping areas in Tokyo include the Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya while the electronics district of Akihabara is world-famous for its incredible array of electronic and electrical devices of all kinds.

Cuisine:

Once known in the west either in the form of Sukiyaki or the more exotic sushi, Japanese cuisine has in recent years become much more familiar and appreciated around the world. Many visitors to Japan will have already sampled the pleasures of raw fish or batter-fried shrimp. Eating in Japan is an experience to be enjoyed and remembered.

For more information please visit:

http://www.japantravelinfo.com/top/index.php
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=140000