Japan
Literally the land of the rising sun with more than 125 million inhabitants, it is a constitutional monarchy (empire) headed by the current Emperor Naruhito (currently as of 2024). Its territory is spread over an archipelago of 14,125 islands. The largest are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushú. The country is divided into 8 regions with 47 prefectures.
The capital is Tokyo with less than 14 million inhabitants, the flag is a white field with a red circle symbolizing the rising sun, the emblem and seal is a golden chrysanthemum flower. One of the well-known symbols of Japan is Mount Fuji.
Visa - if you only fly for 90 days, you don’t want to work or invest in Japan, you don’t need one, you just get a stamp with a sakura flower in your passport, where the last day you can be in the country is marked.
Declaration tickets - already on the plane you will receive 2 tickets, which you must fill out truthfully according to where you will be, whether you are smuggling/transporting something, when and on which flight you are leaving Japan, etc. One stays in your passport, the other one goes to the police.
Vaccination - vaccination against jaundice type A and B is recommended, covid measures or vaccination are no longer mandatory, you do not need to present vaccination certificates.
Religion - Shintoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Shinto sects
Purification and worship - before entering temples, you need to cleanse yourself of bad influences. The options are smoke or water, depending on who owns which temple of the deities. If it’s water, then take the ladle with your right hand and pour some water on your left hand to rinse it. Then take the ladle with your left hand and do the same with your right hand. Then take the ladle again with your right hand and pour water into your left palm and rinse your mouth with it. Tilt the rest of the water from the ladle so that the water starts to run down the handle and thus cleans itself. How to pray in the temple - make a slight bow, make a sacrifice in the form of coins, if there is a temple gong, ring it firmly several times. Clasp your hands together and pray quietly. When you have finished praying, bow once.
Currency - in Japan it is the so-called Japanese yen, in 2024 banknotes in the face value of 1000, 5000 and 10000 yen have undergone a change, only the 2000 yen banknotes remain old. The new banknotes have a watermark in the centre and a new 3D hologram in the lower corner. The one-thousand-yen banknote now features microbiologist Shibusawa Eiichi, who is credited with the discovery of the diphtheria vaccine. At 5,000 we can find Tsuda Umeko, an educator and fighter for women’s rights in Japan, and the last is the father of modern capitalism, Kitasato Shibasaburo. Coins come in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen. 1000 of Japanese yens are equal to 6,3€.
Transport - the capital has 2 airports, Haneda is about 20 km from the center, the second Narita is further from the center, about 80 km, so the journey can take you up to 45 minutes. At the stations, there are well-known shinkansen high-speed trains and under the city there is a very intricate metro network, which Prague is definitely not inferior to. For transport in the metro, I recommend a 3-day ticket for 1500 yen per person. Another option is taxis, most often S-Ride or Go Taxi. If you catch a taxi on the street, the starting tax is 500 yen, if it arrives on call or via the app, you pay 1000 yen immediately. All cars have electronic door opening, so the driver closes and opens the doors, don’t touch anything!
Driver’s license - if you want to rent a car in Japan, you must get an international driving license in your country in advance and you must have both with you!
Wipes and towels - in every business or even plane, you will get a wet wipe or hot towel to wipe your hands before each meal.
Toilets - a complicated-looking matter, but basically simple. The most needed is the Flush, which some toilets can handle for you when they evaluate that you are taking your time, sometimes they are partial and complete. Close the toilet before flushing, after flushing they will either open by themselves or you have to use your hand to open it the old way. Another button shows a red doll, where the toilet washes the front parts and then two blue figures indicate weak and strong washing of the rear parts. Not that there is no toilet paper in Japan… It is, but 1-2 layers, which is very thin for us.
Receipts - every dealer, institution or even taxi will give you a receipt and it is very strange for them if you do not want them.
Cash and card - it is good to have some cash, even in such a developed country not everyone accepts cards. And even for us, paying by mobile phone or watch is a big complication. For 99% of the time, you have to insert the card into the terminal.
English - arm yourself with patience, many people do not speak English, do not like to learn it and mostly use a translator on their mobile phone for translation.
Mobile data - it is recommended to have access to it, but Czech data is expensive and therefore it is a good idea to get a local SIM card. Nowadays either physical or e-sim. It is possible to buy it in electronic store networks (Bit Camera or Yodobashi Camera), at the airport or in our case within 6 minutes of acquiring an e-SIM card via Revolut.
Waste bins - in Europe in most countries at every step, but be careful here. You usually won’t find a bin outside, they are in buildings, if you manage to find something, they are recycling boxes for plastic and aluminum. Some drinks are in recycled aluminum bottles. The boxes are as beige as the drink vending machines, so you often don’t even notice them.
Drink vending machines - are almost everywhere and on the selected floor of the hotel. Often, however, only for coins, if they are extra advanced, then you pay by card after inserting it into the reader.
Air conditions - absolutely all places are overcooled ~ banks, airplanes, bars, museums…
Waiting for a place in a restaurant - at many establishments there is a queue even before opening, but even during ‘fliud’ operation you can find people waiting for a seat on the chairs in front of the establishment.
Coffee? - if you really love coffee, don’t try it. Japan is for sure land of tea. The taste is lost in the iced one.
Closing time of shops and other businesses - pastry shops close between 5 and 6 p.m., regular shops at 7 p.m., global brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton mostly between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., restaurants between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. But there are also exceptions…
Sockets - in Japan you can find type A and B, so it is a good idea to buy an adapter for your device (mobile phone, laptop, watch) in advance…
