General Information
PASSPORT AND VISA
To visit Japan, you must have a valid passport. A visa is required for citizens of countries that do not have visa-exempt agreements with Japan. Please contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate for visa requirements. Please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website at http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html for more details.
If you should require any assistance in preparing documents for visa application, please contact to the SubOptic 2010 Event Management Office (suboptic2010@ics-inc.co.jp) 3 months before the conference dates.
DUTY FREE IMPORT
Personal effects and professional equipment can be brought into Japan duty free as long as the customs officer deems their contents and quantities reasonable. You can also bring in 400 cigarettes, 500 grams of tobacco or 100 cigars; 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages; 2 ounces of perfume; and gifts and souvenirs whose total market price is less than 200,000 yen or its equivalent. There is no allowance for tobacco or alcoholic beverages for persons aged 19 years or younger. Firearms and other types of weapons, and narcotics are strictly prohibited.
INSURANCE
The organizer cannot accept responsibility for accidents that might occur. Delegates are encouraged to purchase travel insurance before leaving their home country. Insurance plans typically cover accidental loss of belongings, medical costs in case of injury or illness, and other possible risks of international travel.
CLIMATE
The temperature in Yokohama during the period of the Conference ranges between 14-22 degrees Celsius.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
Only Japanese yen (¥) is acceptable at regular stores and restaurants. Certain foreign currencies may be accepted at a limited number of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. You can buy yen at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers on presentation of your passport.
TRAVELER'S CHECKS AND CREDIT CARDS
Traveler's checks are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels in principal cities, and the use of traveler's checks in Japan is not as popular as in some other countries. VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops, restaurants and nightclubs.
TIPPING
In Japan, tips are not necessary anywhere, even at hotels and restaurants.
ELECTRICITY
Electric voltage is uniformly 100 volts, AC, throughout Japan, but with two different cycles: 50 in eastern Japan including Yokohama, and 60 in western Japan including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. Leading hotels in major cities have two outlets of 100 and 220 volts but their sockets usually accept a two-leg plug only.
SHOPPING
Shops and other sales outlets in Japan are generally open on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays as well as weekdays from 10:00 to 20:00. Department stores, however, are closed on one weekday, differing by store, and certain specialty shops may not open on Sundays and national holidays.
