Tokyo

Entry/Visa
There are two different types of Visa you can obtain when travelling to Japan. You can get an individual visa or if you travel in a group travel tour, you can get a group travel visa which relatively easy to sign onto. The Personal visa takes a longer process to receive approval for and it is harder to get this type of visa.

Climate
There are 3-5 months which are warm and pleasant, although there is quite the temperature difference between mornings and afternoons. Therefore it is advised to bring a change of clothes for throughout the day. The temperature is nevertheless very suitable for day trips, and during this time it is the cherry blossom season, therefore it is advisable to view the cherry blossoms. During the autumn the Maple Leaves become red which is also very beautiful to see. Considering that the past typhoons have been in early October it might be better to travel in late October in order to avoid any risks. The summers are hot and humid and the winters are mostly mild and cool.

Currency
Japanese Yen

Language
Japanese

Conversion socket / phone signal:
The Japanese voltage is of 100 volts with a frequency of 50 Hz, therefore you need to bring Japanese adaptors fi wanting to use your electrical devices. Domestic mobile phone cannot be used in Tokyo; however you can choose to rent mobile phones, which you can get at the airport. These are quite convenient.

Airports There are four major airports in Tokyo. Haneda Airport offers international and domestic flights. The major airport for international travelers to Japan is Narita International Airport. From here travelers can take the airport bus, taxi and tram to the city. Airport buses take a long time to get to places and taxi fares are relatively expensive. The tram and Subway is a favored manner of transportation within japan.


Public transport/ Car rental
Tokyo's main means of transport are taxis, buses, car rentals and tram (JR line). By bus you can discover the scenery already whilst travelling and these usually also offer some promotions. Tokyo JR line is an important travelling manner in Japan; it is a much faster transport service. Car rental reservations need to be made in advance and can be accessed at the airport.In Tokyo it is recommended to take all-day passes for the JR line, if you stay just in this area. It will get you to places fast and easily and it is useable for the whole day. However if you want to travel to rural areas you might need to rent a car as these are only accessible by car.

Events
In Tokyo there are three main festivals: the Sanno Festival, the Kanda festival and the Fukagawa Hachiman Festival.The Sanno Festival, is held during June 10 -16 at the Hie Shrine, there is a Japanese costume parade, where you can see people dressed in the theme of Nintendo. At the same time, there are flower art exhibitions and cafes for visitors to go to.The Kanda Festival is held usually around May 15 where drums will be played and where there is the Mikoshi parade. The main Grand Festival is held every other year.The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival is held around August 15 where the portable shrines parade occurs. As it is summer during the time visitors can splash the body bearers which is also part of the celebration. Sometimes the three community festival replaces the Fukagawa Hachiman Festival. The Sanja Festival is held around May 17 where there is also the portable shrines parade. This scene is very spectacular.Of course, Tokyo has many other festivals and events.The New Year's celebration occurs on January 1 where people wear the traditional kimono in order to pray for good luck throughout the New Year.Cherry blossoms occur at the end of March and early April, so this is a wonderful time to view the cherry blossoms as the weather is still relatively warm.During this month there will be many fireworks which are very appealing to many tourists.

Culinary Specialities
In Tokyo the most known local cuisine is sushi, of course, rice is also very desired amongst people. Tempura, sashimi and soba are also very tasteful and popular foods. If you prefer to eat cheaper, you can choose restaurants in a "family hotel", however most of these restaurant do not offer an English menu, therefore you can look at the foods they offer and choose from the demonstrated selection.

Sights
In Tokyo there is a lot you can do and many places to go to such as the Tokyo Disney Resort, Tokyo Tower, Ginza or Asakusa Temple.The Tokyo Disney Resort is modeled on the U.S. Disneyland, internal facilities are great, however due to its high profile and popularity it can get quite busy. Therefore it is recommended to try to avoid going during the local summer and winter school holidays.Tokyo Tower is the best place to get a great view over the whole of Tokyo. Ginza is a shopping paradise where you can buy clothes, cosmetics, jewelry and so on. During the weekends vehicles are prohibited to enter the walking streets, therefore it is wonderful to go there for a walk on the weekends.The Senso-ji temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, where you can discover the quiet and peaceful Buddhist holy sites.