Indonesia Guide - Overview

When most people picture Indonesia, their mind immediately goes to the famous island of Bali. While worthwhile to visit, the rest of the island nation has some of the most interesting and varied landscapes, cultures, and cuisines in all of Southeast Asia. From the jungles of Sumatra, to the underwater rainbow of Komodo and all of the islands in between, around, and besides them, one could easily travel this archipelago for years.

Indonesia is an outdoorsy person's dream. It's the land of beautiful beaches, volcano treks, world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, excellent waves for surfing, plus, it's home to one of the rarest creatures on earth - the Orangutan.

Though Indonesia gets tons of tourism, it mainly flocks to Bali. Head to some of the lesser-known areas, particularly taking local transport and without a tour, and you'll find you're the only tourist around. Bahasha is also a pretty easy language to pick up, and the longer you spend amongst locals and learning various words, the more immersed you can become. Moreover, the food in Indonesia is delicious. In Sumatra, it involves tons of avocados and passion fruit, in Bali, there's a cuisine all its own, and in the other islands, prepare for delicious tempeh and cashews, soups galore, and gado gado, which is peanut sauce over vegetables.

Where is Indonesia?

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Quick Tips

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• 'Hello' and 'Thank You' in Lao: "Halo" though "Apa Kabar" (how are you) is much more commonly used as a greeting, and "Terima kasih"
• Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
• Visa: 30 day visa-on-arrival available for most nationalities
• Safety rating: Ranked 46 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.77 (USA is ranked 97 with a score of 2.038). Some poisoned alcohol has been served to tourists in the past. If you're drinking, avoid this by drinking beer.
• Climate: Hot and humid year-round. Rainy season lasts from November to March
• Best SIM cards: 3 is very cheap and works in major cities in Java and Sumatra, Telkomsel works best on the islands
• Modesty Considerations: In most of Indonesia, with the exception of Bali which is Hindu, women will have their shoulders, knees, and usually heads covered. Short shorts and tank tops are not recommended here for women.
• Random useful tip: The language (especially accent), cuisine, religion, and culture changes wildly from island to island

Recommended Products

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• Indonesia Adapter
• Packing Cubes
• Bag Protector
• Bahasa Phrases

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South Korea Travel Guide - Things to do: Love Land

Love land

680-26 Yeon-dong, Cheju Island, , South Korea

Located off the southern coast of South Korea, this sex-themed site was conceived in 2004 as a way to teach Korean newlyweds about conjugal love. The island—a longtime honeymoon destination for couples (many of whom have entered into arranged marriages)—draws countless curious twosomes who come to stroll among 140 amorous sculptures, see explicit exhibitions, and watch sex-ed films.

Best of the Strange: Take a ride on an "interactive" self-pleasuring bicycle, jerry-rigged with feathers on its wheel.

South Korea Travel Guide - Overview

South Korea Travel Guide - Overview

With its booming economy, ancient culture, and increasingly prominent presence on the world stage, South Korea is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about travel destinations on the planet – which means that travelers looking to visit South Korea have more options than ever when it comes to hotel accommodations, restaurant choices, and things to do. This South Korea travel guide will give prospective visitors a brief run-down on the country’s must-does, must-sees, and must-eats, helping them cut through all the distractions vying for their attention and really get the most out of their trip.

As one of the most exciting, dynamic, and quickly evolving nations on the Pacific Rim, South Korea offers visitors an incredibly diverse range of experiences. This travel guide will take a look at some of the most irresistible of those.

Things Not to Miss in South Korea

• Eating street food in the historic Kwangchang Market
• The best places to stay, from the luxury hotels of Seoul to the rustic charms of the Hanok system
• Palaces, temples, and Buddhist landmarks, such as Gyeongbokgung, the very greatest of Joseon palaces
• Shopping at Myeong-dong, one of the world’s largest – and most overwhelming – shopping malls

When to Go to South Korea

South Korea experiences four unique seasons: a dry, cold winter running from November through March, a verdant spring lasting from March through late May, a muggy and rainy monsoon season that extends through the duration of the summer months, and a crisp autumn that runs from September through November. The spring and autumn are the best seasons for South Korea travel, although winter sports enthusiasts should consider visiting the country during its winter months, when its myriad of resorts and fine powder make it an ideal winter getaway. The heat and crowds of summer make it the worst season for travel to South Korea.

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Japan Guide - Accommodation: Vacation Rentals

A restored traditional town house (machiya) in Kyoto

Vacation rentals, also known as holiday rentals, are furnished houses or apartments that can be rented by tourists on a temporary basis, sometimes as short as one night. They include a wide range of properties from modern apartments in the heart of Shinjuku to traditional, restored machiya town houses in Kyoto's Gion District. Vacation rentals make an attractive alternative to hotels, especially for larger groups, families or those who seek a more local, everyday life experience.

In addition to the amenities found at hotels, such as beds, showers and toilets, vacation rentals also typically include a kitchen, a washing machine and a living room. Many also supply basic household items such as cooking utensils, dishes, spices, soap and occasionally bicycles. However, unlike at a hotel, you will also need to take care of chores such as grocery shopping and garbage disposal.

Bedroom with Japanese style futon beds in a modern style house

Vacation rentals are a burgeoning industry in Japan. The majority of rental properties are found in Tokyo, Kyoto and Niseko. While some are individually owned and operated, others are managed by companies that may have several locations in a city. Many of them cater exclusively to foreign guests and often provide an English speaking contact to check you in, orient you to the neighborhood and provide you with information on sightseeing spots and local tours.

There is a lot of variation between different properties, and both traditional Japanese style and Western style accommodations are available. Vacation rentals typically sleep between 2-4 adults, but larger properties are also available. As expected, prices vary a lot depending on the type and location of the property, but they tend to start from around 10,000 to 15,000 yen per night for two guests. Most properties have a minimum nights stay, usually from 3-5 nights. A cleaning fee is also usually charged.

Modern kitchen and living space

Japan Guide - Accommodation: Accommodation

Western style hotel room

Japanese style ryokan room

Japan offers a wide range of accommodation types in both Japanese and Western styles, including some unconventional forms such as capsule hotels and temple lodgings. Rates range from less than 2,000 yen per person in a dormitory to over 50,000 yen per person in a first class hotel or ryokan.

Below is a list of accommodation types with typical overnight rates:

Japanese Style

Ryokan
6,000 to 30,000 yen per person
Ryokan are traditional Japanese style inns with Japanese style rooms. A stay at a ryokan typically includes dinner and breakfast and is recommended to all travelers to Japan as it gives you the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese lifestyle.

Minshuku
4,000 to 10,000 yen per person
Minshuku are Japanese style "bed and breakfast" lodgings. They are usually family run, offer Japanese style rooms, and often include one or two meals in the price.

Japanese Apartments and Houses
10,000 to 50,000 yen per apartment/house
An increasingly popular, but still relatively rare type of accommodation (currently mainly available in Tokyo and Kyoto) are entire apartments or houses offered to foreign tourists for short term stays to experience a true everyday lifestyle. On offer are apartments with traditional or modern interior, as well as restored historic houses.

Western Style

Western Style Hotels
8,000 to 50,000 yen per room
Western style hotels, including various international and Japanese hotel chains, can be found across Japan, especially in the larger cities.

Business Hotels
5,000 to 10,000 yen per room
Business hotels offer small, simple Western style rooms with snacks and drinks provided by vending machines. Some business hotel chains, such as Route Inn, APA Hotel, Super Hotel and Toyoko Inn, operate dozens of hotels across Japan.

Pensions
6,000 to 12,000 yen per person
Pensions are comparable to minshuku (see above), except that they offer rooms in Western style rather than in Japanese style. They are typically found in mountainous resort towns and in the countryside.

Hostels and Dormitories
1,500 to 4,000 yen per person
Hostels offer lodging and meals at the lowest budget level. Japan Youth Hostels, a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation, operates more than 300 hostels across Japan.

Unique Lodgings

Capsule Hotels
3,000 to 4,000 yen per person
Mainly targeting a male clientele in need of nothing but a bed, capsule hotels accommodate their guests in small capsules. A television, a shared bathroom and coin lockers are usually provided.

Temple Lodgings
3,000 to 10,000 yen per person
It is possible for tourists to spend the night at some Buddhist temple lodgings (shukubo). A stay often includes two vegetarian meals and the opportunity to join the morning prayers. One of the best places to experience a night at a temple is Mount Koya.

Manga Cafes
1,500 to 3,000 yen per person
Manga cafes are establishments that provide their customers with seats or booth to read manga (Japanese comics) and surf the internet. Many of them are open 24 hours and provide various amenities that make them an option for low-budget overnight stays.

Love Hotels
6,000 to 12,000 yen per room and overnight stay
Not meant as tourist lodgings, love hotels are visited by couples who wish to enjoy some undisturbed time together. Rooms at love hotels can be rented for 2-3 hours during the day or for an overnight stay.

Overnight Buses
From around 3,000 yen one way
Overnight buses combine cheap transportation with one night worth of accommodation. Services are available between many cities and are particularly economical along the most popular routes, such as Tokyo-Kyoto/Osaka. Seating ranges from regular bus seats to private compartments.

Longer stays

Weekly and Monthly Apartments
From 40,000 yen per month
Apartments and shared apartments, rented on a weekly or monthly basis (sometimes even on a daily basis), are among the most inexpensive ways of staying in Japan for an extended period. Several companies have emerged which specifically target a foreigners in Japan.

Japan Guide - Before you go: Entering Japan

Below is a basic introduction to the Japanese immigration system. Please contact your closest Japanese embassy or consulate outside Japan or an immigration bureau inside Japan for official advice.

Entering Japan

All foreigners, including foreign residents, get fingerprinted and photographed upon entering Japan as a measure aimed at preventing terrorism. Excluded from this procedure are persons under the age of 16 and a few special groups, such as diplomats and visiting dignitaries.

All foreigners receive a status of residence when entering Japan. There are more than twenty statuses of residence, including "temporary visitor" for tourists, and a range of statuses for students, workers and relatives of Japanese nationals and residents.

Tourists and Business Travelers (Temporary Visitors)

If you are a citizen of one of the over 50 countries with which Japan has a "general visa exemption arrangement", you need only a valid passport to enter Japan as a "temporary visitor". Otherwise, you need to obtain a visa before entering the country. Temporary visitors from most countries are allowed to stay for up to 90 days.

If you are a citizen of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, you have the possibility to extend your stay to a total of up to six months. You still initially enter Japan on a 90 day permit, but can then apply for an extension at an immigration bureau in Japan.

Temporary visitors are not allowed to engage in any paid activities. However, short term studies at Japanese language schools are permitted.

All foreign tourists in Japan are required to carry their passports with them at all times.

Longer Stays for the Wealthy

If you are a citizen of one of the over 50 countries with which Japan has a "general visa exemption arrangement" and have savings of over 30 million yen, you and your spouse are eligible to stay in Japan for up to one year for the purpose of sightseeing or recreation. You may not engage in paid activities. A visa has to be obtained before traveling to Japan.

Working in Japan

Foreigners, who wish to work in Japan, need to get a work visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate outside of Japan in order to enter the country on a status of residence permitting work.

There are over a dozen such statuses of residence, each allowing the holder to work only in a specific professional field, for example, journalism, arts, research, education, engineering, entertainment, business management, international services, etc. If you change jobs while you are in Japan and your new job falls into a different professional field (e.g. from education to engineering), you will need to change your status of residence.

A university degree or considerable professional experience in the applicable field is required to qualify for most working visa types. Many also require you to have a prospective employer as a sponsor. Residence permission is granted in periods between 4 months and 5 years and is extendable.

Studying in Japan

Foreigners, who wish to study in Japan (except for short term studies at language schools), need to get a student visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate outside of Japan in order to enter the country on a status of residence that permits long term studies.

Sponsorship from an educational institution in Japan and proof of sufficient funds to cover all your expenses during your stay are required to qualify for a student visa. Residence permission is granted in periods of between 3 months and 4 years and 3 months and is extendable.

Students are not allowed to engage in any paid activities, unless they get permission from the immigration office. Even then, students may work only a set maximum number of hours per week.

Spouses and Dependents

Foreigners, who are married to a Japanese national or to a permanent resident of Japan (see below), can obtain a spouse visa, which allows them to engage in any paid activity in Japan. Residence permission is granted in periods of 6 months or 1, 3 or 5 years and is extendable.

Foreigners, who are residing in Japan but are not permanent residents, can apply for a dependent visa for their spouse and children. Residence permission is granted in periods of between 3 months and 5 years and is extendable. Dependents are not allowed to engage in any paid activities, unless they get permission from the immigration office. Even then, dependents may work only a set maximum number of hours per week.

Working Holidays

This is a special visa type that allows some paid activity for citizens of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and a few other countries between the ages of 18 and 30. Consult the working holiday visa page for more details.

Residence Card

Staying in Japan

Inside Japan, most immigration related matters, such as extending residence permission, changing status of residence or obtaining a re-entry permit, are handled by the Immigration Bureau (Nyukoku Kanrikyoku), which has branches across the country.

Residence Card

All new foreign residents are issued a residence card upon initially entering Japan at Narita, Haneda, Kansai or Chubu Airports. New residents arriving through different ports can get their cards at their municipal offices.

The residence card is an important document required for opening a bank account, obtaining a cell phone, converting a drivers license and similar activities. It stores the holder's personal information, including the current address, the status of residence and period of stay. Foreign residents are required to carry their residence card with them at all times.

Extending residence permission

Most statuses of residence allow you to stay in Japan for a period between three months and five years. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for an extension at an immigration bureau inside Japan before the expiry date of your current residence permission.

The application process is relatively simple, provided that you still fulfill the conditions for the specific status of residence. It typically takes a couple of days or weeks for the application to be processed, and you are allowed to remain in Japan during that time even if your previous residence permission expires in the meantime.

Changing status of residence

It is possible to change your status of residence (e.g. from temporary visitor to instructor or from student to engineer) at an immigration bureau inside Japan. You will have to provide similar documentation as you would have to when applying at an embassy or consulate outside of Japan.

Re-entry permits

Foreign residents, who wish to temporarily leave Japan for longer than a year, need to get a re-entry permit, otherwise, they lose their status of residence. Re-entry permits can be obtained at immigration offices in Japan. For absences of less than one year, re-entry permits are not required.

Permanent residence

Foreign residents who have shown good conduct and have sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living, can be granted permanent residence if they reside in Japan for a certain number of consecutive years. For highly-skilled professionals and spouses of Japanese nationals, the minimum amount of years is typically one to five years, while for others it is typically ten years. Permanent residence status is indefinite and allows for any paid activity.

Naturalization

Foreigners, who have resided in Japan for at least five consecutive years (less if married to a Japanese national), have shown good conduct, have never plotted against the Japanese government, have sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living and are willing to renounce any other citizenship held, can be granted Japanese citizenship.

Japan Guide - Before you go: Luggage

Luggage

It is strongly recommended to pack lightly when traveling around Japan. Most trains do not provide space for bulky luggage, and even though the accessibility situation at stations has improved considerably over recent years, some platforms are still not equipped with escalators or elevators or you might have to make a detour to get to one. Traveling light also avoids reliance on large sized coin lockers, which are less readily available than smaller sized coin lockers at many stations.

Luggage Services

Namba Hands-Free Center  A convenient baggage storage service, 3min walk from Namba Station in Osaka, operated by a friendly hotel. 500JPY per day per piece. Drop your luggage before shopping in Osaka or traveling to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.

Luggage on transportation

On trains

There is little room for large suitcases on urban and long-distance trains especially during rush hours. Some exceptions are airport trains such as the Narita Express and Haruka, and a slowly increasing number of shinkansen in Eastern Japan, which have designated storage space for large luggage.

Overhead shelves on shinkansen trains are about 40cm high and 60cm deep and cannot accommodate large items. There is usually space for two to three large suitcases behind the last row of seats in each car on most long distance trains. Furthermore, on many shinkansen trains the leg room is large enough to place a suitcase in front of you, although this may not be the most comfortable solution.

According to JR regulations, each passenger may bring up to two pieces of luggage onto trains, not including smaller bags. Each piece of luggage may not weight more than 30kg and its three dimensions (length, width and depth) may not add up to more than 250cm, while its length may not exceed 200cm.

Most trains do not have storage space as the Haruka has (left); space behind last row of train seats (right)

On buses

Most airport and highway buses have separate compartments for large pieces of luggage, but may enforce a maximum of one or two pieces per person. In addition, smaller bags can be carried onto the bus. On city buses, there is no designated space for luggage, and it would be cumbersome to board them with large items, especially during the busy times of the day.

On airplanes

The luggage policy on domestic flights differs by the airlines. Most airlines allow their passengers to bring a reasonable amount of check-in and carry-on luggage for free, but some of the new low-cost carriers have very strict luggage rules and charge large fees for check-in luggage.

Taxis

Most taxis are able to carry multiple, large suitcases in their trunks and can be a convenient way to avoid uncomfortable walks, train or bus rides to one's hotel.

Rental Cars

Outside of the large cities, rental cars are a convenient way to free oneself from the hassle of carrying around bags and searching for storage options.

Interior of a shinkansen car

Luggage storage

Luggage storage counters can be found at airports and usually charge between 500 and 1000 yen per piece and day, depending on the size of the item. Some larger train stations have manned storage counters too and typically charge about the same for luggage handling. Unlike at airports where luggage can be stored over multiple days, the storage counters at stations often require same-day pick-up.

Coin lockers come in various sizes and can be found at virtually every train station and at the entrances to some tourist attractions, but are not always available in large formats. Below are the three most common coin locker types (typical sizes are given as height x width x depth):

Small  approx. 35cm x 34cm x 57cm  (13in x 13in x 22in)  by far the most common size, found in large numbers at virtually all stations Medium  approx. 57cm x 34cm x 57cm  (22in x 13in x 22in)  available in moderate numbers at major stations Large  approx. 117cm x 34cm x 57cm  (44in x 13in x 22in)  available in small numbers at major stations

The cost of coin lockers is based on calendar days (midnight to midnight) and is typically 300 yen for small lockers, 400 yen for medium lockers and 500-600 yen for large lockers per calendar day. In other words, if you use a small locker overnight, you will have to pay an additional 300 yen when picking up your luggage the following day. Lockers are emptied by station staff after three days.

To use a coin locker, 1) find an empty one, 2) put in your luggage, 3) insert the coins (100 yen coins only), 4) close the door and turn the key and 5) take the key with you. Always keep some 100 yen coins with you, if you are a frequent user of coin lockers. In recent years, there has been an increase in coin lockers that can be paid with IC cards, such as Suica and Pasmo.

Coin lockers that can be used with IC cards

Luggage delivery

Door-to-door delivery services (takuhaibin) can be a comfortable alternative to carrying around luggage. Deliveries can be made nationwide to/from airports, convenience stores, hotels, service centers and private homes. Next-day delivery is the usual case, but over very large distances and in very remote areas deliveries can take up to three days. It is possible to specify the date and time frame that you want your luggage to be delivered. Read more about takuhaibin services.

Baggage delivery services are also offered at some popular tourist spots, such as:

• Kyoto 
  For less than 1000 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between the luggage counter of Kyoto Station and hotels across Kyoto, as well as between hotels in Kyoto.
• Tokyo 
  For around 1500 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between the Sagawa luggage counter of Tokyo Station (near the Nihonbashi Exit) and hotels across Tokyo and from Tokyo Station to Haneda Airport.
• Hakone 
  For between 700 and 1000 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between Hakone-Yumoto Station and hotels around Hakone.
• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 
  For between 1200 and 1700 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between Toyama Station, Tateyama Station, Shinano-Omachi Station and several hotels located along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
• Kiso Valley 
  For 500 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between Tsumago and Magome for those who intend to walk along the Old Nakasendo between the two towns.

Delivery service counters at Kansai Airport

Japan Guide - Before you go: Money

The Japanese currency is the yen (円, en). One yen corresponds to 100 sen. However, sen are usually not used in everyday life anymore, except in stock market prices. Bills come in 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen (very rare), 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen denominations. Coins come in 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen denominations. Counterfeit money is not an issue in Japan.

Foreign currencies are generally not an accepted outside of major international airports.

Graph  American Dollar Argentine Peso Australian Dollar Austrian Schilling Bahraini Dinar Belgian Franc Botswana Pula Brazilian Real British Pound Canadian Dollar Chilean Peso Chinese Yuan Colombian Peso Czech Koruna Danish Krone Dutch Guilder Euro Finnish Markka French Franc German Mark Greek Drachma Hong Kong Dollar Hungarian Forint Iceland Krona Indian Rupee Iraqui Dinar Irish Punt Israeli New Shekel Italian Lira Japanese Yen Luxembourg Franc Malaysian Ringgit Mexican Peso Nepalese Rupee New Zealand Dollar Norwegian Kroner Omani Rial Pakistan Rupee Polish Zloty Portuguese Escudo Qatari Rial Saudi Riyal Singapore Dollar Slovenian Tolar South African Rand South Korean Won Spanish Peseta Sri Lanka Rupee Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Taiwan Dollar Thai Baht Utd. Arab Emir. Dirham Venezuelan Bolivar   American Dollar Argentine Peso Australian Dollar Austrian Schilling Bahraini Dinar Belgian Franc Botswana Pula Brazilian Real British Pound Canadian Dollar Chilean Peso Chinese Yuan Colombian Peso Czech Koruna Danish Krone Dutch Guilder Euro Finnish Markka French Franc German Mark Greek Drachma Hong Kong Dollar Hungarian Forint Iceland Krona Indian Rupee Iraqui Dinar Irish Punt Israeli New Shekel Italian Lira Japanese Yen Luxembourg Franc Malaysian Ringgit Mexican Peso Nepalese Rupee New Zealand Dollar Norwegian Kroner Omani Rial Pakistan Rupee Polish Zloty Portuguese Escudo Qatari Rial Saudi Riyal Singapore Dollar Slovenian Tolar South African Rand South Korean Won Spanish Peseta Sri Lanka Rupee Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Taiwan Dollar Thai Baht Utd. Arab Emir. Dirham Venezuelan Bolivar

Exchange Rates  American Dollar Argentine Peso Australian Dollar Austrian Schilling Bahraini Dinar Belgian Franc Botswana Pula Brazilian Real British Pound Canadian Dollar Chilean Peso Chinese Yuan Colombian Peso Czech Koruna Danish Krone Dutch Guilder Euro Finnish Markka French Franc German Mark Greek Drachma Hong Kong Dollar Hungarian Forint Iceland Krona Indian Rupee Iraqui Dinar Irish Punt Israeli New Shekel Italian Lira Japanese Yen Luxembourg Franc Malaysian Ringgit Mexican Peso Nepalese Rupee New Zealand Dollar Norwegian Kroner Omani Rial Pakistan Rupee Polish Zloty Portuguese Escudo Qatari Rial Saudi Riyal Singapore Dollar Slovanian Tolar South African Rand South Korean Won Spanish Peseta Sri Lanka Rupee Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Taiwan Dollar Thai Baht Utd. Arab Emir. Dirham Venezuelan Bolivar

Payment methods in Japan

Japan has a reputation of being a cash-based society, but trends have gradually been changing, and there has been a significant increase in the acceptance of other payment methods. Below are the modes of payment that you might use when visiting Japan:

• Cash
  Cash is still the preferred payment method, especially when it involves small amounts. Big bills are readily used and accepted in Japan; you are unlikely to be frowned upon for using a 10,000 yen bill to pay even for low-cost items, although smaller denominations are appreciated for payments made in taxis, smaller shops, temples and shrines. The likelihood that credit cards are accepted decreases in small cities and towns, and thus it is advisable to keep cash at hand when visiting rural areas.
  Cash is usually the only way to pay for small entrance fees at tourist sights, at smaller restaurants and small shops. The majority of lockers also require coins. Preparing coins in advance when using buses and trams is a good idea. Buses generally do not accept bills above 1000 yen, and the bus driver may not carry any larger bills. Vending machines typically accept 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen coins and 1,000 yen bills. Newer machines typically also accept 5,000 and 10,000 yen bills.
• Credit/Debit Cards
  There is an increased acceptance of credit and debit cards, especially in big cities. Most hotels accept payment by credit cards nowadays, as do most department stores, mid to high end restaurants, outlet malls and large retail shops. In addition, many train stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, chain restaurants and boutiques also accept them.
• IC Cards
  IC cards, such Suica and Icoca, are a stored value cards which can be recharged. Primarily a tool for convenient payment of train and bus fares, IC cards now double as a means of payment at an increasing number of shops and restaurants, especially in and around train stations, at most convenience stores, many chain restaurants, numerous vending machines and some lockers in big cities.

2000 yen bills exist in very small numbers in the market

How to get your Yen

Having seen the main payment methods in Japan, you should have a basic idea of how you should prepare money for your trip. Cash is handy because it is accepted under all situations, but credit cards can be a convenient alternative at appropriate locations. Theft and robberies are very rare in Japan, so with regards to keeping large amounts of cash with you, security is less of a concern than your propensity to lose money by accident. Here are ways to get your yen:

• Currency Exchange
  In Japan, currency exchange is usually handled by banks, post offices, some larger hotels and a handful of licensed money changers found especially at international airports.
  Whether or not it is better to change for yen before coming into Japan depends on the currency that you hold. For example, the US dollar is a highly traded foreign currency in Japan, and partly for this reason you might get a favorable rate if you change US dollars into yen in Japan. On the other hand, in some Southeast Asian countries, the foreign exchange market is very competitive and money changers take a smaller cut, therefore it might be better to do the exchange there before coming into Japan. For a general comparison in rates, refer to the Narita Airport's published rates.
• ATM Withdrawal
  Many ATMs in Japan do not accept cards that are issued outside of Japan. The big exception are the ATMs found at the over 20,000 post offices and over 10,000 7-Eleven convenience stores across the country. Exchange rates offered at ATMs tend to be competitive, but service fees vary widely depending on the card. Inquire with your card issuer in advance. Note that many ATMs in Japan are out of service during the night, and some are unavailable on weekends.
• Traveler's Check
  Traveler's Checks (T/C) tend to yield a more favorable exchange rate than the above two methods. The shortfall is the trouble of having to obtain them in your home country before you travel and then having to locate a place to change them in Japan. Whether you are getting more value for your money depends on your home currency and if your bank charges fees to issue the checks. Note that T/Cs are accepted in very limited currencies in Japan. International airports and leading banks are generally where you can change your T/C for yen. Refer to Narita Airport's published rates for generally accepted currencies.

Money-related tourist attractions

Below are a few money related sites in Japan that may be of interest to tourists:

Tokyo

Currency Museum

Maintained by the Bank of Japan, the Currency Museum recollects the history of money in Japan. It also shows some unique examples of money from around the world. English explanations and pamphlets are available. The Museum is located just across the street from the Bank of Japan's main building in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district.

Tokyo

Tokyo Stock Exchange

Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00)
Closed: Weekends, national holidays, December 31 to January 3
Admission: Free

The Tokyo Stock Exchange is located in the Nihonbashi district and is open to the public on trading days. Visitors can view the trading center from the visitors' gallery located one story above, participate in a simulated stock trading game, and learn about the history of the Japanese securities market at the TSE Historical Museum.

Osaka

Osaka Mint Bureau

The Osaka Mint Bureau is the head office of Japan Mint, a governmental agency responsible for the supply of coins in Japan. The facility maintains a mint museum open to public, introducing the coin production process and the history of the mint. There are also exhibits of various precious coins and medals from Japan and elsewhere.

Otaru

Otaru Bank of Japan Museum

The former Otaru branch of the Bank of Japan near the Sakaimachi Street dates back to 1912. It was converted into a museum in 2003 and features a number of creative displays about Japanese money and the branch's local history, including an old vault where visitors can feel the weight of a hundred million yen.