The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website is a good source of health information for travelers.

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Sightseeing may require, at minimum, the ability to walk at a moderate pace for a mile or two and the balance and agility necessary to climb stairs, enter and exit buses and boats, and navigate uneven or cobble-stoned streets. Some sightseeing stops do not have elevators or wheelchair access. Bring medications in their original, clearly labeled containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your med­ical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. When on vacation, it is always wise to watch what you eat and drink and avoid drinking tap water while traveling. Most hotels will provide complimentary bottled water. You can purchase additional bottled water throughout your trip.

Japan’s unit of currency is the Japanese Yen (¥) available in the following denominations: Banknotes: 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 ¥; Coins: 500, 100, 50, 10, 5, 1 ¥. You can exchange foreign currency at authorized agencies such as banks,  exchange offices, and hotels. Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted but expect to pay in cash at most family-owned restaurants and small shops. The exchange rate constantly fluctuates. The current exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 105 JPY. For the most updated exchange rate, please check http://www.xe.com.

The standard electrical voltage in Japan is 100 volts/ 50 Hertz in eastern Japan and 100 volts/ 60 Hertz in western Japan. Bringing an adaptor is a good idea if you plan to use electronics (i.e., cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.) during your trip.

Japan’s cuisine is one of the world’s most refined, emphasizing the preparation, appearance, and way of eating and its flavor. Rice is the country’s mainstay, a grain held in almost sacred esteem. Fish, shellfish, pickled vegetables, and seaweeds are eaten regularly, as are beef, chicken, bean curd, and noodles. Fish is common in traditional cuisine and is often served grilled or raw as sashimi or sushi. Western-style foods are widely available, from succulent steaks to fast-food hamburgers.

The favorite local spirit is sake, sometimes called “rice wine,” distilled from fermented rice. Sake in Japan can be served chilled, at room temperature, or heated, depending on the drinker’s preference, the quality of the sake, and the season. Local beers are also excellent. Please note that individual tipping is not common in Japan unless you request some extra special services. A 10-15 % serving charge is often added to the bill at leading hotels and high-class restaurants.

The official language in Japan is Japanese. Many people in Japan can speak or understand some English to a certain extent, as English is the foreign language taught in schools as part of their curriculum.