Money

1. Currency

The yen is the official currency of Japan. The yen is available in denominations of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, and 1,000, in the form of notes and 500, 100, 50, 10, 5, and 1 yen in the form of coins. A unique feature of the Japanese currency is that it has been specially designed for easy use by visually- impaired people and therefore, all the coins and bills are of different sizes. For example, the 10,000-yen note is the biggest note; the 5,000-yen note is smaller than 10,000-yen note but bigger than the rest. Likewise, the sizes of the notes diminish from 10,000 Yen to 1000 Yen.

It is recommended that you change your money into yen after entering Japan. This is because changing money to yen outside Japan costs more usually. Your country's currency can be exchanged for yen at authorized foreign exchange banks for a better exchange rate. Top hotels and duty free shops also accept some foreign currencies for payment. Most businesses in Tokyo do not accept foreign currency or credit cards. There are a lot of ATMs in Tokyo; however, foreign debit or credit cards cannot be used in many of these. Also, the ATMs work only during banking hours on weekdays and on Saturday mornings. Many foreign debit cards and credit cards are however accepted at the 21,000 post office ATMs. You can use these post office ATMs from Monday to Friday between 7 AM and 9 PM, and on the weekends between 9 AM and 7 PM. It is advisable to get your money changed at the airport itself. The arrivals areas of Narita Tokyo International Airport and the Kansai International airport have currency exchange booths.

2. What a dollar will buy you

At present exchange rates, one US dollar equals 114.9 yen. The city of Tokyo is relatively expensive in terms of cost of living. A one-litre bottle of mineral water will cost you about $1.7, a 33cl bottle of beer about $2, a copy of the International Herald Tribune will cost you about $5, a city center bus ticket about $1.7, the cost of an adult football match ticket starts from $35 and a three course meal would cost you about $30.

3. Telecommunications

Telephone

The international access code for Japan is 81. When you dial a number in Japan from outside the country, do not include the initial 0 from the local area code. For United States and Canada, the international calling code is 1; for Australia it is 61; for New Zealand it is 64, and for the United Kingdom, 44.

To dial any number in Tokyo, you have to dial 104 followed by the number. To dial a number at any other place in Japan, you have to dial 105 followed by the number. For operator service in English, from Monday to Friday, dial 03/5295-1010. This service is available from 9 AM to 5 PM. The Japanese Telecom Corporation (0120-36-4463) can help in finding information such as different telephone numbers from the many databases at its disposal. It can provide this information in English.

Public phones are in abundance in Tokyo and in easy-to-locate places. You will find public phones on street corners, in hotels, and restaurants. It is really cheap to talk on a public phone; you can talk for three minutes for just ¥10. They really are one of the few bargains in Tokyo. Public phones come in three colors: pink, red and green. Local calls can be made from pink phones for only ¥10 coins. The red phones are also for local use but some of these can also be used for placing long-distance domestic calls. However, for this you have to use ¥100 coins. After 9 PM, you can make domestic long-distance calls at 50% reduced rates (40% after 7 PM). The green phones also accept telephone cards in addition to coins. These can be used to make international calls. They have gold plates with signs describing that international calls can be made. So it is easy to locate and use public phones in Tokyo. Telephone cards are available at many hotels, stores, and vending machines. They are extremely easy to use and offer the convenience of not having to fumble for the right amount of change.

Several Japanese companies offer international calling service. To call a number outside Japan, you have to dial the company code, the country code, the city/area code and finally, the required number.

You can also use telephone credit cards for making international calls. On long distance calls, to get operator assistance in English, dial 0051.

Mobile Phones

The system used by the mobile phone operators in Japan has compatibility issues with international networks due to differences in technology. Therefore, there is a possibility that mobile phones from foreign countries might not work in Japan. However, the telecom company, 3G has forged roaming agreements with all the major international networks. Mobile phone handsets can be rented from many places in the city including the airport. Alternatively, you might also buy a mobile phone, but that would cost you much more in Tokyo.

4. Cab Fares

A taxi ride can cost you a fortune in Tokyo. Also, traffic moves at a snail's pace in the city. Hence, it is recommended that you avoid taking taxis when in Tokyo city. Opt for a taxi only if you are lost, and even in that case, preferably only till the nearest train station. Hiring a taxi for a trip of 1 km would cost you about $6 for a single passenger. For extra passengers, you will be charged about $4 extra per passenger. Taxis are expensive, but if you can afford the luxury of one, then you can get one from the airport to the hotel directly. The ride from the airport to your hotel may put you back by about $130, and if you get stuck in the traffic, then it may take you more than an hour or two to get to your destination.

5. Currency Exchange Rates

The official currency of Tokyo is the Yen.

1 Yen = 0.0087 USD

1 USD = 114.92 Yen

6. Taxes

Generally, a 5% federal consumer tax is included with hotel bills in Tokyo. An additional 3% local tax is added to any bill exceeding $130. One way of saving money is paying separately for your hotel meals. This way they are not added to your bill thus avoiding the levy of a higher tax slab.

A service charge of 10% is added at all the top-of-the-line, high end, luxury hotels. It is generally not expected that you tip over and above that. The service charge is 15% at places where individualized maid service is offered. However, there is no service charge on the bill at business hotels, youth hostels, and economy inns.

There is a non-refundable consumer tax of 5% on each sale. So before buying something really expensive, or even otherwise, it is wise to enquire whether tax is extra.

7. Tipping

You are not expected to tip almost anywhere in Japan. However, a service charge of 10% to 15 % is generally included in your hotel and restaurant bills.