Going to au Japon: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay au Japon

Money au Japon

The Japanese currency is the yen (abbreviation: ¥). It is convertible worldwide, and can be obtained without difficulty before your departure. It can also be exchanged on your return. It comes in bills of ¥10,000, ¥5,000, ¥2,000 (very rarely used) and ¥1,000, as well as coins of ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1. The exchange rate in June 2025 was €1 = ¥169 and ¥1 = €0.0059. New banknotes have been in circulation since July 2024.

Find an ATM. Generally speaking, you'll find ATMs on every street corner in the main districts, but not all of them accept international cards. Most ATMs for international cards can be found in the central post offices of major cities, as well as in konbini (the new ATMs in 7-Eleven and Lawson are very efficient). It is preferable to have cash on hand for certain restaurants or even shops.

Using an English-speaking cash dispenser. Generally speaking, ATMs are used in the same way as in France. If the French language is not available, select English. "Retrait" is then called withdrawal. If you are asked to choose between withdrawing from a checking account, a credit account or a savings account, choose checking account. Select debit or credit. The only risk is that the transaction will be refused. Enter the desiredamount and confirm(enter). To the question " Would you like a receipt?", answer " Yes " and keep your receipt in a safe place.

Budget & Tips au Japon

The cost of living in Tokyo or Sendai is about the same as in European capitals. It's expensive, but not excessive. Of course, some Japanese prefectures enjoy a lower cost of living, such as Tōhoku. To help you plan, here are some basic prices and budget ideas.

- a meal in a restaurant: count ¥1,200 for a set of sushi and around ¥900 for a set of another typical Japanese dish(ramen, tempura or tonkatsu).
- a night in a dormitory in a youth hostel: around ¥3,500 in Tōhoku.
- a night in a double room in a ryokan: from ¥14,000 (the price of some well-known ryokan can skyrocket).
- a night in a double room in a star hotel: from ¥15,000.
- a pack of cigarettes: around ¥500.
- a bottle of water: ¥110.
- a local beer in a bar: ¥800.
- a subway ride in the city: ¥160-360.
- entry to a temple: ¥300-800.
Please note that prices quoted in stores are not negotiable, except in special cases. Prices can be discussed at flea markets, for example. In duty-free electronics stores, particularly in Tokyo and Sendai, it is not uncommon to receive a 10% discount. From now on, you'll have to pay for plastic bags at the checkout. They cost between ¥3 and ¥5, depending on size; paper bags are more expensive.

Tipping. The Japanese don't tip. It's simply not part of local custom. To express gratitude, it's best to offer your host a gift. If this gift turns out to be cash, it's important to remember to put it in an envelope.

Duty free: since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can take advantage of duty free, tax-free shopping. Note also that if you have a stopover within the European Union, you can make purchases at airports on the outbound journey, but not on the return. Duty-free shops in Japanese airports are praised by Japanese and visitors alike for their high-quality products, including vintage sakes and plum spirits. If you have a stopover, you won't be able to carry more than 100 ml of liquid. Duty-free stores can also be found in town, at Don Quijote for example.

Budget ideas. The budgets we suggest are calculated per person per day. They do not take into account possible freebies or discounts sometimes offered (as part of a long stay, for example), or even the use of the JR Pass.

Small budget : from ¥7,000 to ¥8,500 based on a bed in a dormitory (¥4,000/person), lunch on the run (sandwiches and other small meals taken in mini-markets open 24/24 from ¥600-700/person), walking (including a few metro or bus tickets to get to and from the site), refreshments during the day, access to the sites, the purchase of a few souvenirs (¥1,500/person) and a more complete meal in the evening (¥1,200/person). This budget can be further modulated if you're staying in the city center or near a convenient JR or subway station, or if you're content with frugal meals. You can travel successfully in Japan on a daily budget of €50/day!

Average budget: ¥8,500 to ¥20,000, based on a room in a ryokan or a single room with all the comforts of a youth hostel (¥8,000), quick meals at lunchtime in small restaurants (¥1,000), frequent travel by metro or bus (day pass), refreshments during the day and evening, access to sightseeing sites, the purchase of many souvenirs (¥2,500) and a good meal in the evening (¥2,000). In this price range, being two people is more advantageous in terms of accommodation, as you'll easily find a double room for ¥8,000-12,000. And if there are more than two of you, rooms for 3 or 4 people are commonplace, as are apartment rentals.

Big budget : from ¥30,000 onwards, based on a nice room with all modern comforts in a Michelin-starred hotel or refined ryokan (¥20,000), delicate but frugal meals at lunchtime (¥2,500), travel by JR or metro and bus during the day to minimize walking (day pass) and by cab in the evening, access to visits, the purchase of as many souvenirs and high-tech objects as possible, a typical Japanese meal with drinks in the evening (¥5,000) and a night out in one of the city's many bars.

Passport and visas au Japon

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 end of the passport's validity, 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. It is therefore possible to make only one stopover in Japan before leaving for another destination.

Advice. Before leaving, remember to photocopy in duplicate all the documents that you take with you. You will take one copy with you and leave the other with someone on site. This will make it much easier for you to renew your passport with the consular authorities if it is lost or stolen.

Driver's license au Japon

It is possible to rent a car or drive a motorcycle. You will need the appropriate French permits, accompanied by a certified translation into Japanese. For more information, please visit the page of the French Embassy in Japan: jp.ambafrance.org/Conduire-au-Japon-pendant-un-court-sejour.

Health au Japon

Travelling to Japan does not present any particular health risks. The country has a modern, efficient hospital system, enabling rapid treatment in the event of a health problem, provided you have insurance covering the often high medical costs. Before you leave, make sure your policy covers the cost of hospitalization abroad. The Fédération française de l'assurance (www.franceassureurs.fr, ex-FFSA) website can help you choose a policy suited to your needs. The Japan Visitor Hotline assists travelers 24 hours a day in English at ✆ +81 50 3816 2787.

Mandatory vaccination au Japon

The Institut Pasteur recommends all vaccinations included in the vaccination calendar, plus the hepatitis A vaccine, before traveling to Japan. Depending on the type of trip, vaccinations against Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and typhoid are also recommended. For further information, visit the Japan page of the Institute's website: www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical/preparer-son-voyage/japon.

Security au Japon

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, although robberies, assaults and accidents are never totally excluded. In town, you'll find many neighborhood police stations (kōban), easily recognizable and useful in times of need. To contact the police, dial 110. To keep abreast of local safety conditions, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. Bear in mind that these recommendations are an exhaustive list of risks, and may sometimes give a more alarmist picture than the reality on the ground. The main hazards in Japan are natural: earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, floods and extreme heat in summer. In response to these hazards, the Japanese authorities have stepped up their multilingual warning systems in recent years, enabling travelers to quickly receive the safety instructions they need to follow in the event of a disaster.

Useful information: the Japan Visitor Hotline assists travelers 24 hours a day in English at ✆ +81 50 3816 2787. In addition, the Safety Tips app, downloadable free of charge on smartphone, provides earthquake and typhoon alerts, as well as basic safety instructions to follow. If you're already on site, the NHK World Japan website and radio station provide useful information in French in the event of a natural disaster, as well as emergency numbers and measures put in place by the authorities.

Time difference au Japon

There is a 7 hour time difference with France in summer, and 8 hours in winter, after the switch to winter time.

Spoken languages au Japon

In Japan, the main language is Japanese. Three writing systems exist: kanji (Chinese characters), katakana (syllabary for foreign words) and hiragana (syllabary for Japanese words). Large Asian communities live in large cities where it is common to hear Chinese, Korean or Brazilian spoken. In an effort to internationalize, more and more information is being posted in English, and bilingual staff are being recruited in tourist offices, large hotels and museums.

Communication au Japon

In major Japanese cities, access to free Wi-Fi is now commonplace, notably in most train and subway stations, as well as at public kiosks on the street or even in some konbini. Many cafés, restaurants and tourist sites also offer fast, free Wi-Fi. Outside urban centers, however, network coverage can be scarce. To stay connected on your jaunts to the countryside, you can rent a portable Wi-Fi router ("pocket Wi-Fi") directly from airports. In addition, prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs dedicated to travelers are widely available, offering a practical and flexible alternative for accessing the Internet anywhere in Japan, without the need to rent an additional device.

Electricity and measurements au Japon

Electricity. Electricity is 100 volts, but the frequency may vary from place to place. However, 110-volt sockets are used in hotels for electrical appliances (shavers, hairdryers). Sockets are flat, American-style. Adapters are on sale in all electronics stores, but we advise you to pack some in your luggage.

Measurements. Japan uses the international metric system, except for room surfaces. These are measured 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 fit smaller than in Europe, and an S will be equivalent to a European XS.

Women's clothing: size 9 corresponds to M or 36-38, size 11 to 40-42 or L. It's not always easy to find sizes larger than L for women. Inexpensive stores often sell free-size clothing, which can be roughly sized from 34 to 38. Note that, as the average height of Japanese women is smaller than that of French women, garment patterns differ. Ready-to-wear clothing is based on an average height of 1.68 m in France, and 1.63 m or 1.65 m in Japan.

Shoe size. For both men and women, stores selling tap shoes or other low-priced footwear often offer only 4 sizes, ranging from XS to L. It's a good idea to try on shoes, as these sizes can be wrong. Men's sizes: 24 and a half corresponds to 39/40, 26 to 41/42, 28 to 43/44, 29 to 45. Women's sizes: 23 corresponds to 36, 23 and a half to 37, 24 and a half to 38, 25 to 39. Children's sizes: 13/15 corresponds to 22/24, 16/18 to 25/28 and 18/20 to 29/32.

Luggage au Japon

Clothing and footwear: soft, non-lacing shoes are a must, as we often take our shoes off. It's a good idea to bring plenty of pairs of socks, so you can change when you need to. In winter, you'll want to bring a thick pair of woollen socks so you can visit the temples more comfortably. Dresses and pants that are too tight are to be avoided, as you have to sit and kneel Japanese-style and, with the humidity in summer, this kind of clothing is not very comfortable. Jeans are not recommended in summer either (too humid). For winter and autumn, warm clothes to cope with the cooler temperatures at night, and even during the day, are a must. In Tōhoku, it can be very cold in winter, with beautiful snowfalls. An umbrella is advisable in all seasons, but they're easy to find locally.

Others. In summer, gel and creams against mosquitoes, which literally swarm, to avoid swollen and itchy legs. You can also stock up locally in large pharmacies (bordering on supermarkets). Japanese medicines do not correspond to Western dosages and brands. It's best to remember to take paracetamol and other medicines you need for everyday use.

Daily life au Japon

Hello? au Japon

From France to Japan, dial 0081, then the city code (without the 0), then the phone number.

From Japan to France, dial 00133, then the region number without the 0, followed by the last eight digits.

Telephone information. For local telephone information, call ✆ 104 or ✆ 0120 364 463 (assistance in English from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

SIM cards and pocket wifi. SIM cards used to be hard to come by in Japan, but the situation is rapidly changing with the popularization of prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs, now available to tourists at many outlets and online. However, renting a pocket wifi is still a practical option, especially if you prefer not to change your card or manage an eSIM. These services are readily available at airports.

Keep your mobile. With the spread of low-cost international rate plans, it's now easier and cheaper to stay connected while traveling in Japan. Nevertheless, when you use your French telephone abroad, without a special package, you should be aware that you are billed for every call, whether made or received. For a call received, your correspondent also pays, but only the rate for a local call in France. On the other hand, all calls made to or from abroad, including those to your voicemail, are billed outside the bundle, and can generate significant costs if you haven't subscribed to a specific option. To avoid unpleasant surprises, be sure to check your operator's terms and conditions before you leave.

Accessibility au Japon

Japan's major cities are generally well equipped to accommodate people with disabilities. Recent buildings comply with the main accessibility standards, and sidewalks and platforms in major thoroughfares and railway stations are often fitted with pedometer tiles. The majority of stations have adapted elevators, and staff can provide assistance with moving around, notably with steps in stations that require them. For any questions or requests for assistance, the JR network provides a helpline in English: ✆ +81 3 3423 0111. It is also advisable to book wheelchair-friendly cabs in advance.

Health au Japon

Going to Japan does not present any particular health risk. The country's hospital structure allows for quick and effective treatment in case of illness, provided that you have insurance. There is no need to worry if you go to Japan, but make sure that your insurance will cover possible hospitalization costs. The website of the French Federation of Insurance Companies (www.ffsa.fr) will be able to guide you in finding the right insurance for your needs. To call an ambulance or the fire department in Japan, contact ✆ 119. For any emergency, the Japan Helpline offers 24-hour assistance in English. Call ✆ 0120 461 997.

Emergency numbers au Japon

To call an ambulance or the fire department in Japan, dial ✆ 119. For emergencies, the Japan Visitor Hotline offers 24-hour assistance in English. Call ✆ 050-3816-2787.

Securty au Japon

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, although robbery, assault and accidents are never totally excluded. In town, you'll find many neighborhood police stations (kōban), easily recognizable and useful in times of need. To contact the police, dial 110. To keep abreast of local safety conditions, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. Bear in mind that these recommendations are an exhaustive list of risks, and may sometimes give a more alarmist picture than the reality on the ground. The main hazards in Japan are natural: earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, floods and extreme heat in summer. In response to these hazards, the Japanese authorities have stepped up their multilingual warning systems in recent years, enabling travelers to quickly receive the safety instructions they need to follow in the event of a disaster.

Useful information: the Japan Visitor Hotline assists travelers 24 hours a day in English at ✆ +81 50 3816 2787. In addition, the Safety Tips app, downloadable free of charge on smartphone, provides earthquake and typhoon alerts, as well as basic safety instructions to follow. If you're already in Japan, the NHK World Japan website and radio station provide useful information in the event of a natural disaster, as well as emergency numbers and measures put in place by the authorities.

Japan is a generally welcoming destination, whether you're traveling alone, with your family or as a couple, including same-sex couples. However, whatever your orientation, you are advised to avoid overt displays of affection in public, out of respect for local social norms, which are often more reserved.

LGBTQ au Japon

While LGBT rights are not always recognized in Japan, tourists and travelers should not feel hostility or be assaulted during their trip. Accommodation and love hotels do not discriminate against gay guests. However, couples, regardless of their orientation, are advised not to be demonstrative in public.

Embassies and consulates au Japon

The French embassy in Japan is located in Hiroo (Tokyo), but there is also a Consulate General of France in Kyoto. It may be useful to consult the site before your stay, or to contact the embassy in case of problem (jp.ambafrance.org).

Mail au Japon

The Japanese postal network is very efficient. A stamp to Europe costs ¥140 and it takes a week for a letter to reach its destination (a little longer for a postcard, which costs only ¥100).

Local media au Japon

To keep abreast of local news, particularly in the event of natural disasters, NHK offers a service in French on its website: www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/fr. Other reliable sources for keeping abreast of current events and finding ideas for visits and stays include Voyapon (voyapon.com/fr), which specializes in tourism in Japan, and lepetitjournal.com/tokyo, a French-language media outlet for expatriates.