Page 159 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  157

duration of their visa now only able at the TIC, most bookstores,
need a re­entry permit from the and hotels. Hotel staff will usually
Tokyo Regional Immigration help reserve tickets for local
Bureau if they will be outside events and shows. Ticket­agency
the country for a period of 12 booths, located near train stations
months or longer. For up­to­ and inside department and con­
date information, contact the venience stores, also book seats
nearest Japanese embassy or in advance and sell tickets up to
consulate ahead of travel. the last minute. CN Playguide,
On the plane, you will be Ticket PIA (see p149), and Ticket
given a landing card. Fill in the Saison are the main agencies.
first part; the second part will be
attached to your pass port to
be completed upon departure. Admission Prices
All foreigners are required to be Admission to Tokyo temples
fingerprinted and photographed An “i” tourist information office, with and shrines is free, however, in
upon arrival in Japan. A refusal to multilingual staff historical towns and cities, such
cooperate may result in being as Kamakura, a fee (¥200–500) is
denied entry into the country. (JNTO) in your own country. The often charged. Some attrac tions
JNTO does not make recommen­ may cost over ¥1,000.
dations or reservations, nor does For discounts on tourist
Travel Safety Advice
it sell Japan Rail Pass Exchange facilities and services, invest in a
Visitors can get up­to­date Orders (see p175), but it can Welcome Card. There are several
travel safety information from suggest travel agents that do. types to choose from, offering
the State Department in the Tokyo’s Tourist Information different benefits and discounts
US, the Foreign and Common­ Center (TIC) offers literature and at museums, sights, hotels, and
wealth Office in the UK, and advice on tour itineraries in and restaurants, for example. Visit
the Department of Foreign outside the city; it does not the website for further details
Affairs and Trade in Australia. make transport bookings. The (see Directory on p159).
TIC also has a counter for the
Welcome Inn Reservation Center
Customs Information Opening Hours
www.itcj.or.jp, where staff will
For non­residents, duty­free arrange hotel reservations at Buddhist temples are typically
allowances are 400 cigarettes or locations beyond Tokyo for free. open 8 or 9am–4pm (until 5pm
18 oz of tobacco or 100 cigars; Most towns outside Tokyo have in summer), but times may vary.
three 0.76­liter bottles of alcohol; a tourist information office, usually Shinto shrines are often open
2 oz (57 g) of perfume; and gifts in or near the main train station. 24 hours. Museums, art galleries,
and souvenirs of a total value up Nearly 100 of these are designated and many tourist attractions are
to ¥200,000 (excluding items less “i” tourist information offices, usually open 10am–4 or 5pm
than ¥10,000). Prohibited articles which have multilingual staff daily except Monday (Tuesday
include narcotic drugs or stimu­ and carry pamphlets in English. if Monday is a public holiday).
lants (including Vicks inhalers, Details of attractions and events Most attractions close for the
some medicines for allergies and in Tokyo can be found in such free New Year holiday period.
sinus problems, and painkillers local publications as Metropolis Shopping hours are mostly
containing codeine); counterfeit (also online at http://metropolis 10am–8pm, though many super­
money; articles that infringe on japan.com) and NAGMAG (also markets stay open until midnight.
patents or copyrights; pornogra­ online at www.nagmag.jp). Free For banking hours, see page 164;
phy; and firearms and ammuni­ listings brochures are also avail­ for post offices, see page 167.
tion. Animals and plants are sub­
ject to quarantine inspection.
For guidelines on tax­free
shopping in Tokyo, see page
138. Guns, swords, and some
personal computers require
an export license from the
Ministry of Economy, Trade,
and Industry. Art objects may
be subject to restrictions.

Tourist Information
Before traveling, request leaflets
and brochures from the Japan
National Tourism Organization Kencho Temple in Kamakura, where an admission fee is charged

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