Autumn starts in September, with nice, cool breezes after the hot and humid summer. It is a very refreshing period. Many leaves turn red and yellow and the temperature at night and in the morning can drop dramatically.

The average temperature of September in Tokyo is 23.5°C. Clothing: light jackets, light sweaters.

In Japan 2-flat-pin plugs are used instead of columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs. The voltage used throughout Japan is uniformly 100 volts, A.C. There are two kinds of frequencies in use; 60 Hertz in western Japan and 50 Hertz in eastern Japan. *Tokyo-50 hertz

A convertible type of electrical appliance such as a travel iron, hair dryer, and shaver will therefore be handy.

Otherwise, a step-down transformer is required to convert the voltage.

Any foreign visitors desiring to enter Japan must have a valid passport. A visa is required for citizens of countries that do not have visa exempt agreements with Japan. Please check the following URL for your VISA requirement and contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate for visa requirement when you need VISA.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

Japanese money comes in bills (1,000yen, 2,000yen, 5,000yen and 10,000yen) and coins (1yen, 5yen, 10yen, 50yen, 100yen and 500yen). Major currencies including the US dollar, Australian dollar, EURO can be exchanged at major banks and post offices, department stores, hotels and other facilities. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 till 15:00. The range of currencies dealt with varies from facility to facility. Please check with a tourist office or other source of information.

Traveler’s checks are accepted by leading banks, hotels and stores in major cities. International credit cards such as American Express, VISA, Diners Club, MasterCard and JCB are also acceptable at these major establishments. Credit card transactions, however, are not always convenient outside big cities. So obtaining cash beforehand is recommended when you travel to the countryside.

Tip is not necessary unless you request some extra special service.

Individual tipping is not common in Japan, since a 10 to 15% service charge is added to the bill at leading hotels and higher-class restaurants.

To satisfy the demanding taste buds of locals and international visitors, the city’s restaurants, cafes and bars strive to serve quality food and drinks at affordable prices in Japan.

You will also find ample opportunities to taste fine traditional Japanese cuisine, such as sushi, tempura, sukiyaki, and kaiseki dishes, which feature fresh ingredients, delicate flavorings, and spectacular presentation—all the while remaining healthful and nutritious.

Japan is in a single time zone, nine hours ahead of GMT. No daylight Saving Time.