Page 335 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

Be mindful of the etiquettes relating to hygiene Post
in Japan. Bodily emissions are considered very
rude, though anything drawn inward is acceptable; Post offices (yubin-kyoku) and mailboxes are
sniffing is fine, but blowing your nose in public identified by the character looking like a “T” with
is reviled. Shoes are an important element of an extra horizontal bar across the top. Main post
etiquette, and it is a serious mistake to wear offices are usually open 7am–11pm on week-
them indoors. When you enter a building, take days with shorter hours at weekends. Some
off your shoes and put on slippers. If no slippers large central post offices are open 24 hours a
are provided, or if they are too small, you can day. Smaller post offices may open 9am–4pm
wear socks. The principle is not to contaminate on weekdays but are often closed on weekends.
the interior with dirt from outside. Stamps are also sold at convenience stores, and
When it comes to table manners, there are large hotels. Make sure any mail is addressed
several rules to be observed when using correctly and legibly, paying particular attention
chopsticks. If you touch food in a communal to the postal code.
dish with your chop sticks, you must then take it.
You should also avoid passing food with your Taxes and Refunds
chopsticks, gesturing, and pointing with them,
and shoveling food direct from bowl to mouth. All visitors must pay a ¥1000 tourist departure
tax. A consumption tax of 8 percent is charged
LGBT+ Safety on goods and services. Claiming back this
money is a relatively simple process. There
Same sex couples traveling around Japan are is no need to show customs your products and
unlikely to encounter any problems, but displays receipts at the airport; instead, you can apply for
of affection should be avoided outside the a cash refund as soon as you have made your
major cities. Utopia Asia is a comprehensive purchase at one of the tax refund counters
guide to Japan’s LGBT+ scene. found in shopping centres and malls.
Utopia Asia
∑ utopia-asia.com Discount Cards
Visiting Sacred Sights Several cities offer a Welcome Card to visitors,
and a number of different ones are available for
The atmosphere in Buddhist temples and Shinto a set fee. Intended to reduce the cost of a visit,
shrines is informal, and there are no clothing the card can be used to obtain discounts on
restrictions. Visitors should show respect, and entry to museums, galleries and sites, as well as
not be noisy, but there are few of the taboos accommodations, shopping, food and drink,
found in some other Buddhist nations. and transportation. Many of the cards can be
Remember to remove your shoes when you printed out from the Welcome Cards page of
enter sacred buildings, leaving them at the the JNTO website (p332).
entrance or carrying them with you.
WEBSITES AND APPS
Cell Phones and Wi-Fi
Japan Times
Foreign cell phones may not work in Japan. Visit www.japantimes.co.jp for Japan’s
Check with your cell operator before traveling. leading English-language newspaper.
If you aren’t covered, you can rent a cell phone Sushi Dictionary App
from companies such as Rentafone Japan. This app tells you everything you need
Some cafés offer free or inexpensive WiFi. to experience sushi to the max.
For a list of WiFi hotspots, check Freespot. Yomiwa App
Freespot Simply take a picture of any Japanese
∑ freespot.com/users/map_e.html text and this clever app will translate it,
Rentafone no internet connection needed.
∑ Japan rentafonejapan.com

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