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Before your trip
  1.. Learn some basic Japanese. Go to the library and borrow that 10 years 
old Berliz cassette and learn how to pronounce a proper konnichiwa, arigato 
and sumimasen. Remember that if you need to ask advice from a stranger, it's 
great to start with sumimasen, "excuse me".
  2.. Consider getting JAPAN RAILPASS if you intend to use JR lines much.
  3.. Learn how to use hashi, chopsticks.
  4.. Familiarize yourself with the current value of JPY. Usually it's 
better to exchange the money in your own country. It's good to have a spare 
money at all times.
  5.. We recommend getting a good guidebook to Japan and checking a map 
about the areas where you are going to visit.
  6.. Get some Japanese friends before your trip. Trust me, you will enjoy 
much more. If you are lucky, you might even get invitation to stay overnight 
their house.
  7.. In case you will be driving a car in Japan get yourself international 
driver's licence. Remember that in Japan people drive left. And also 
remember that driving a car isn't necessarely the fastest option in big 
cities.
  8.. Check out and print our Japan Fact sheet and our Maps.
  9.. Remember that you are allowed to stay only three months in Japan as a 
tourist. Make sure your passport is valid. If you need longer time than 
that - apply for a visa before.
  10.. If you plan to buy some DVD players or AV equipment in Japan remember 
that in Japan they use 110V currency and NTSC video signal. DVD's are region 
2. Also remember to care about customs or you get yourself a trouble.
  11.. Emergency numbers in Japan are 110 POLICE and 119 FIRE/AMBULANCE 
everywhere in Japan. Its good to write them down. You can call toll-free to 
these numbers from public telephones by pressing the red button and dialing 
the number. Police boxes are around everywhere. These koban, are handy not 
only in serious emergency, but smaller one too - if you are lost for 
example.
  -- 
  Hanami Web - Special Knowledge about Japan
  http://hanami.ath.cx