Organize your stay Kansai
Covid-19 : current situation Kansai
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Kansai. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Kansai
The Japanese currency is the yen (abbreviation: ¥). It is convertible throughout the world and can therefore be obtained without difficulty before your departure. It can also be exchanged on your return. It is available in 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 (very, very rarely used) and 1,000 ¥ banknotes, as well as 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 ¥ coins. The exchange rate in January 2021 was €1 = ¥126.9 and ¥1 = €0.0078.
Find a distributor. Generally speaking, you will find ATMs on every street corner in the main districts, but not all of them accept international cards. The majority of international card dispensers can be found in central post offices in the major cities, as well as in konbini
's (newer dispensers in 7-Elevens are very efficient). It is preferable to carry cash for some restaurants or even shops.Use of an English-speaking ATM. Generally speaking, the way of using ATMs (ATMs in English) is identical to France. If the French language is not available, select English. "Withdrawal" is then called withdrawal. If you are asked to choose between withdrawing from a checking account (current account), a credit account (credit account) or a savings account (savings account), choose checking account. When entering a debit or credit transaction, select "debit". (If you make a mistake in these options, don't worry, the only risk is that the transaction will be rejected.) Enter the desiredamount and confirm (enter). When asked " Would you like a receipt? "Answer " Yes " and keep your receipt carefully
Budget & Tips Kansai
The cost of living in Osaka or Kyoto is roughly the same as in European capitals. It is expensive, but it is not excessive. Of course, some prefectures in Kansai have a lower cost of living. To help you plan, here are some basic rates and budget ideas
- a dish in a restaurant: count ¥1,000 for a set of sushi and about ¥800 for a set of another typically Japanese dish(ramen, tempura or tonkatsu).
- a night in a dormitory in a youth hostel: ¥3,000 in Osaka and about ¥2,500 in Kyoto.
- a night in a double room in a ryokan : from ¥10,000 (the price of some famous ryokan can go up quickly).
- One night in a double room in a star hotel: from ¥20,000.
- A packet of cigarettes: from ¥410 to ¥450.
- A bottle of water: ¥110.
- A local beer in a bar: ¥700.
- A subway ride in the city: ¥160-190.
- An entrance to a temple: ¥300.
Note that the prices in shops are not negotiable, except in special cases. Prices can be discussed at flea markets, for example. In electronics shops labelled duty free, especially in Osaka, it is not uncommon to be given a 10% discount. From now on, plastic bags at the checkouts will have to be paid for. Count between ¥3 and ¥5 depending on the size, more expensive for paper bags.
Tip. The Japanese don't use them. It's just not a local custom. In order to express gratitude, it is best to offer a gift to your host. If the gift turns out to be cash, it is important to consider putting it back in an envelope
Duty free . Since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can benefit from duty free, tax-free purchases. Also note that if you are stopping over within the European Union, you will be able to make airport purchases on the outbound trip, but not on the return trip. Kansai International Airport's duty free is rented by all Japanese and visitors alike, and offers a wide range of high quality products, including sake and vintage plum spirits. In case of a stopover, you will not be able to carry more than 100 ml of liquid. There are also duty-free shops in town, for example at Don Quijote
Budget ideas. The budgets we offer are calculated per person and per day in the most touristic prefectures. They do not take into account the possible free or reduced prices sometimes offered (for a long stay for example), or even the use of the JR Pass.
Small budget : from ¥5,000 to ¥7,000 on the basis of a dormitory bed (¥3,000/person), quick lunches (sandwiches and other small meal trays taken in mini-markets open 24 hours a day from ¥350-400/person), mostly walking trips (counting two metro tickets to get to and from your place of visit, or an average of ¥210 per trip), refreshments during the day, access to the sites of visits, the purchase of a few souvenirs (count ¥750) and a more complete meal in the evening (count ¥750 per person). This budget can still be adjusted if you are staying in the centre or near a convenient JR or metro station or if you are content with frugal meals. You can easily travel in Japan with a daily budget of 40 or 45 €/day!
Average budget: from ¥8,000 to ¥15,000, based on a ryokan room or a single room with all comforts in a youth hostel (¥6,000), quick lunch meals in small restaurants (¥750), frequent subway travel (daily pass), refreshments during the day and in the evening, access to visiting sites, the purchase of many souvenirs (count ¥2,000) and a good meal in the evening (¥1,500). In this price range, it is cheaper to stay in a double room for two people, as a double room can easily be found for ¥8,000-9,000. And if there are more than two of you, rooms for 3 or 4 people are common, as is apartment rental.
Big budget : from ¥25,000 based on a nice room with all modern comforts in a star hotel or in a refined ryokan (¥15,000), delicate but frugal meals at lunchtime (¥2,000), travel by JR or metro during the day to limit walking as much as possible (day pass) and by taxi in the evening, access to tours, the purchase of as many souvenirs and high-tech items as possible, a typical Japanese meal with drinks in the evening (¥5,000) and an outing to one of the many bars in the city.
Passport and visas Kansai
A valid biometric passport is required to enter Japan. Children must also have a personal passport. If the date of travel is less than 6 months before the passport expires, you may be denied boarding. French nationals will obtain a visa valid for 90 days upon arrival. No steps are necessary to obtain this precious sesame which is free of charge. It is therefore possible to make only one stopover in Japan before leaving for another destination.
Advice. Before you leave, remember to photocopy two copies of all the documents you are taking with you. You will take one copy with you and leave the other copy with someone on site. In the event of loss or theft, this will make it much easier to renew your documents with the consular authorities.
Driver's license Kansai
It is possible to rent a car or drive a motorcycle. You will need the appropriate French licences, accompanied by a certified translation into Japanese. For more information, visit the page of the Embassy of France in Japan: jp.ambafrance.org/Conduire-au-Japon-pendant-un-court-sejour.
Health Kansai
Going to Kansai does not present any particular health risk. The country's hospital structure allows you to be well taken care of quickly in case of illness, provided you have insurance. Don't worry if you go to Japan, but make sure your insurance will cover any hospitalization costs. The website of the French Federation of Insurance Companies (www.ffsa.fr) will be able to guide you to find an insurance that suits your needs. To call an ambulance or the fire department in Japan, contact ✆ 119. For emergencies, the Japan Helpline offers 24-hour assistance in English. Call ✆ 0120 461 997.
Mandatory vaccination Kansai
The Pasteur Institute recommends that all vaccinations included in the vaccination schedule, plus the hepatitis A vaccine, be done before a trip to Japan. Depending on the type of stay, vaccines against Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and typhoid are also recommended. As for the vaccine against the new coronavirus, no information is available at the time of writing. For more information, visit the Japan page of the Institute's website: www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical/preparer-son-voyage/japon.
Security Kansai
Japan is a very safe country, which does not prevent cases of theft, assault or accident. In the cities, police stations(koban) can be found just about everywhere. To call the police, contact ✆ 110. For the latest information on local security, see the "Travel Report" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. However, be aware that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that this sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the actual situation in the country. The main risks in Japan are related to natural disasters. Earthquakes are frequent, but also typhoons, tsunamis, floods and even extreme heat in summer. In recent years, the Japanese authorities have been developing multilingual services to communicate the important rules to be followed in the event of natural disasters.
Useful information: the Japan Visitor Hotline assists tourists in English 24 hours a day on the following number: ✆ +81 50 3816 2787. The Safety Tips application can be downloaded directly from the phone. It provides information in case of earthquake or typhoon, basic safety rules to follow. If you are on site, the site and NHK World Japan radio offer information in French to tourists on what to do and communicate the numbers and emergency measures put in place in case of disaster
Time difference Kansai
There is a 7 hour time difference with France in summer, and 8 hours in winter, after the changeover to winter time.
Spoken languages Kansai
In Japan, the main language is Japanese. Three writing systems exist: kanji (Chinese characters), katakana (syllabary of foreign words) and hiragana (syllabary of Japanese words). Large Asian communities live in large cities where it is common to hear Chinese, Korean or Brazilian. In an effort to internationalize, more and more information is being posted in English, and bilingual staff is being recruited in tourist offices, large hotels or museums.
Communication Kansai
In the major cities of Kansai, such as Osaka or Kobe, it is possible to connect to wifi free of charge in most train and subway stations, and on terminals found on the street, even in konbini. Many cafes and tourist sites also offer free (and fast) wifi. Outside the major urban centres, the connection is less easy to access. If you are planning trips to the countryside and want to stay connected, pocket wifi can be rented at the airports.
Electricity and measurements Kansai
Electricity. The electrical current is 100 volts, but the frequency can change depending on the location. However, 110-volt plugs are used in hotels for electrical equipment (razor, hair dryer). The plugs are flat, American style. Adapters are sold in all electronics stores, but we recommend that you bring them with you in your luggage
Measuring. Japan uses the international metric system, except for the surface of the parts. In this case, it is calculated in tatami, i.e. 1.80 m x 0.90 m.
Men's clothing : Standard sizes, such as S for "small", M for "medium", L for "large" and XL for "extra-large", are common. They are smaller than in Europe, and an S will be equivalent to a European XS
Women's clothing: 9 corresponds to M or 36-38, 11 to 40-42 or L. It is not always easy to find sizes larger than L in women'sclothing. Free-size clothes are often seen in cheap stores, which can range from 34 to 38. Note that the average size of Japanese women is smaller than that of French women, so the pattern of the clothes differs. Ready-to-wear is designed on an average size of 1.68 m in France, and 1.63 m or 1.65 m in Japan
Shoe size. For both men and women, tap dance shops or other cheap shoes often only offer 4 sizes from XS to L. It is advisable to try the shoes on because these sizes may be right. Men's sizes: 24 and a half is 39/40, 26 to 41/42, 28 to 43/44, 29 to 45. Women's sizes: 23 is 36, 23 and a half is 36, 23 and a half is 37, 24 and a half is 38, 25 is 39. Children's sizes: 13/15 corresponds to 22/24, 16/18 to 25/28 and 18/20 to 29/32.
Luggage Kansai
For clothes and shoes : soft shoes, without lacing, are to be foreseen, because one often takes off one's shoes. It's a good idea to bring lots of pairs of socks, so that you can change them when the time comes. In winter, you should also bring a big pair of woolen socks to visit the temples more comfortably. Dresses and trousers that are too tight should be avoided, because you have to sit and kneel Japanese style and, with the humidity in summer, this kind of clothing is not very pleasant. Jeans are not recommended in summer either (too wet). For winter and autumn, warm clothing to cope with the cool temperatures at night, and even during the day, should be taken along. In the northern part of Kansai, facing the Sea of Japan, it can be very cold in winter with beautiful snowfalls. An umbrella is advisable in all seasons, but it is easy to find one everywhere on site
Others. In summer, frost and creams against mosquitoes, which literally swarm, to avoid swollen legs and itching. You can also buy them in large pharmacies (on the border of the supermarket). Japanese medicines do not correspond to Western dosages and brands. It is better to think about taking paracetamol and other medicines useful in everyday life.
