There are ATM's where you can draw Japanese dollars using major credit cards (Via, Mastercard, Citibank etc) at all major cities and towns as well as the larger hotels.

A very useful facility by Visa Card at this link allows you to locate all ATMs in Japan by city or town (eg Tokyo)  

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Electricity

Local voltage is 100V. Most Japanese villages have some form of electricity - direct power or generator.

At first glance, the Japanese plug and socket seem to be identical to NEMA 1-15. However, the Japanese system incorporates tighter dimensional requirements, different marking requirements, and mandatory testing and approval by MITI or JIS. Furthermore, standard wire sizes and the resulting current ratings are different from those used elsewhere in the world. These outlets are also unpolarized - the holes in the sockets are the same size as the smaller hole on newer North American type A (and also B) sockets, and the blades on the plugs match this. Japanese devices should be able to fit into a North American outlet without trouble, but most devices from North America would require an adapter to be able to plug into a Japanese outlet (especially if the device in question has a grounding pin).

Traditional Japanese Food

Traditional Japanese food uses ingredients available during the season.

Breakfast might consist of miso soup, gohan (rice), nori (dried seaweed), pickles, and green tea.

Lunch is usually simple and consists of noodles (udon or soba).

Dinner might consist of rice, a main dish of fish or meat, a side dish of vegetables, miso soup, and pickled vegetables.

Japanese usually use chopsticks to eat.

How and What to Pack

Dress is always casual and comfortable - be prepared for cooler oer even cold weather in Winter (December).  We suggest loose fitting, cotton wash & wear clothing including: two knee-length shorts or dresses; blouses, shirts or t-shirts, cotton trousers (denim if you plan to ride horses); two swimsuits; two pairs of tennis or hiking shoes, reef walkers, and thongs or sandals; light jacket or sweater; camera, batteries, film; sunscreen.  Always pack toiletries and a change of clothing in a separate carry-on bag.  Each person is limited to two suitcases (up to 70 pounds/31 kilos) on international flights and 33 pounds/15 kilos for domestic flights. If staying in a village remember to dress modestly while in the village (ie wear dresses and shorts below the knee and no skimpy blouses in the village area - bikinis are a no-no)

Japanese's are very conservative and disapprove strongly of tourists who flaunt themselves or their bodies in the village area.

Entering the house:

When entering a Japanese house, you should take off your shoes at the entrance (genkan) and change  into slippers which are usually provided by the host.

However, when entering a room with tatami floor, you are supposed to take off your slippers, since one should step onto tatami mats only in socks or barefoot.

Finally, you will find special toilet slippers for exclusive usage inside the washroom. Leave your usual slippers outside the door while using the washroom.

Tables and sitting:

In Japan, some restaurants and private houses are equipped with low Japanese style tables and cushions on the floor, rather than with Western style chairs and tables.

Toilets

There are two types of toilets in Japan, Japanese style and Western style.

Public washrooms are almost always equipped with Japanese style toilets, but the number of public washrooms which have both, Western and Japanese style toilets side by side, is increasing, especially in tourist areas.

Because toilet paper is not always provided in public washrooms, it is recommended to always carry a small package of tissues with you. Similarly, because paper towels or dryers are not always provided to dry your washed hands, it is recommended to carry a handkerchief.

Toilets in private houses are mostly Western style. Many of them feature luxury gadgets such as heated seats and small, built-in showers.

Bathing

In Japan, the main purpose of taking a bath besides cleaning your body, is relaxation at the end of the day.

The typical Japanese bathroom consists of two rooms, an entrance room where you undress and which is equipped with a sink, and the actual bathroom which is equipped with a shower and a deep bath tub. The toilet is almost always located in a completely separate room.

When bathing Japanese style, you are supposed to first rinse your body outside the bath tub with some water from the tub, using a washbowl. Afterwards, you enter the tub, which is used for soaking only. The bath water tends to be relatively hot for Western bathing standards. If you can barely enter, try not to move much, since moving around makes the water appear even hotter.

After soaking for a while, leave the tub and clean your body with soap. Make sure that no soap gets into the bathing water. Once you finished cleaning yourself and rinsed all the soap off your body, enter the bath tub once more for some more soaking. After leaving the tub, do not drain the water, since all household members will use the same water.

Modern bath tubs can be programmed to be automatically filled with water of a given temperature at a given time, or to heat up the water to a preferred temperature.

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Getting married in Japan

Japan is the perfect place to get married but be careful there are some rip-off merchants, especially at hotels where you will be fleeced!

To get married in Japan you will need the following:

• a partner of the opposite sex
• Original birth certificates
• Passports
• Decree Absolute (divorce papers) if relevant
• Officially witnessed consent of your father if you are under 21
• Death certificate of deceased former spouse
• To present yourself together at the Registry Office when applying for the licence which can be obtained within one working day. This must be done in Japan.

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Health issues in Japan

Physicals and Check-ups: Get a complete physical, eye exam and dental check-up before going to Japan. While health care is generally good in Japan, the quality of dental and medical care might be different in the various countries or regions you may visit. Also, care could possibly be more expensive than in the United States, or your health insurance may not cover your medical care abroad as well as in the U.S.

Can You Drink the Water?: Find out if water is generally safe to drink in different regions of Japan and in the countries to which you will be traveling. To avoid risk, many travelers drink bottled water. Remember that ice can also be unsafe, as well as the water you use to brush your teeth.

Food Safety: Poor refrigeration, undercooked meat, and roadside/outdoor vendors could pose problems related to food contamination. There is a risk of parasitic infection and toxins from eating raw seafood; while it’s not recommended you consume raw seafood, dishes like sashimi do comprise an integral part of Japanese cuisine and should only be eaten at reputable establishments known to be clean and sanitary. If you get diarrhea or food poisoning, remember to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. As with any illness, consider seeing a doctor if your condition worsens. Give your body time to adjust to new types of foods you will be eating.

In the Japanese medical system you will not find family doctors in the traditional sense. There are doctors of Internal Medicine who you can see if you don’t know what’s wrong or if you have a relatively minor ailment like a flu or cold. These doctors, like GPs here, can also refer you to a specialist once they find that one is required. However, unlike the family doctor system here, there is no need to go through one doctor in order to see a specialist and you do not need to keep just one file of your medical records.

Should you find that you have an illness of which you feel you know the cause or if you have something recurrent that requires a specialist, you are free to visit one directly. Many specialists have private offices, and you can also find small hospitals that specialize in one field or another. Visiting a large hospital is another option. You do not need to have an “emergency” case in order to visit a hospital.

Hospitals usually set aside a set time period in which they receive regular cases. Often this is in the morning for new patients, so you may need to take time off work. Sometimes hospitals require a referral from another doctor or will charge you a fee in lieu of one (usually amounting to around ¥1500). A large hospital is a good choice for people who have been battling an illness for several weeks without finding a cause. These hospitals usually have decent doctors, and they often can speak at least some English. Generally, there is no need to get an appointment before you go for a visit. There sometimes is a certain time during the day that new patients are accepted, and some hospitals have started an appointment system, but this usually determines only an approximate time in which you should come. There are lots of line-ups at hospitals. The wait can be especially long for new patients.

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Life in a Japanese Village

Visa Requirements:

US, UK, Australian and New Zealand Citizens - Passport, proof of sufficient funds and onward/return ticket required. Visa not required for stay of up to 4 months. All visitors over age 12 are required to pay $20 departure tax (tax must be paid in Japanese currency). For further information, contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Japan Islands, 2233 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #240, Washington, DC 20007 (202/337-8320).

Other countries - check with your passport authorities for special requirements such as visa.