Japan

Japan, known as Nihon or Nippon (日本) in Japanese, is an island nation in East Asia. Its insular character has allowed it to develop a unique and very intricate culture, while its closeness to other ancient Far Eastern cultures, in particular China, has left lasting influence. Despite belonging to a forever warring nation, both internally and overseas, Japan's people had historically always placed emphasis on inner balance, tranquility and natural beauty. These traditional values have become increasingly important now that Japan has grown to be one of the world's most densely-populated countries, and its legendary work ethic makes life in its cities quite hectic.

Japan's sophisticated cuisine has spread to all corners of the world by means of sushi (and the less-sophisticated instant ramen noodles), but it is only in the nation of its birth where you can truly appreciate its true form. Even more fascinating is the nation's popular culture, which has developed a fandom all over the world, in particular manga comics and anime cartoons — with the Japanese taking their affinity to their favorite characters and themes to the extreme.

In the 20th century, Japan enjoyed impressive economic growth, putting it among the world's most affluent nations today. This was mostly driven by rapid modernization and specialization in high technology in particular. Due to that, Japan is now full of contrasts between the still alive tradition and much cherished legacy and the ultra-modern infrastructure, buildings and facilities. The country's numerous airports and the world-renowned shinkansen high-speed train system allow easy entry and convenient transport. While the Japanese are known to be reserved and their language skills are not their strongest asset and they will go out of their way to make you feel a welcome visitor. Japanese retail businesses are also known for their legendary client service, and visitors from overseas are often surprised at the lengths service staff would go to satisfy the demands of clients.

An Introduction to the regions of Japan

Japan is conventionally divided into nine regions, listed here from north to south:

Hokkaido (Central Circuit, Eastern Circuit, Northern Circuit, Southern Circuit) Northernmost island and snowy frontier. Famous for its wide open spaces and cold winters.

Tohoku ( Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Miyagi, Yamagata, Fukushima) Largely rural north-east part of the main island Honshu, best known for seafood, skiing and thermal spas.

Kanto (Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa) Coastal plain of Honshu, includes the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama.

Chubu ( Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu) Mountainous middle region of Honshu, dominated by the Japan Alps and Japan's fourth-largest city Nagoya.

Kansai (Shiga, Mie, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama, Hyogo) Western region of Honshu, ancient capital of culture and commerce, including the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.

Chugoku ( Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi) South-westernmost Honshu, a rural region best known for the cities of Hiroshima and Okayama.

Shikoku (Kagawa, Ehime, Tokushima, Kochi) Smallest of the four main islands, a destination for Buddhist pilgrims, and Japan's best white-water rafting.

Kyushu ( Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima) Southernmost of the four main islands, birthplace of Japanese civilization; largest cities Fukuoka and Kitakyushu.

Okinawa Semi-tropical southern island chain reaching out toward Taiwan; formerly the independent Ryukyu Kingdom until it was annexed by Japan in 1879, its traditional customs and architecture are significantly different from the rest of Japan.

Other Muslim Friendly Cities in Japan

Japan has thousands of cities; these are nine of the most important to the traveller.

• Tokyo GPS: 35.683333,139.683333 — the capital and main financial center, modern and densely populated.
• Hiroshima GPS: 34.385278,132.455278 — large port city and the first city to be destroyed by an atomic bomb
• Kanazawa GPS: 36.566667,136.65 — historic city on the west coast
• Kyoto GPS: 35.011667,135.768333 — ancient capital of Japan, considered the cultural heart of the nation, with many ancient Buddhist temples and gardens
• Nagasaki GPS: 32.783333,129.866667 — ancient port city in Kyushu and the second city to be destroyed by an atomic bomb
• Nara GPS: 34.683333,135.8 — first capital of a united Japan, with many Buddhist shrines and historical buildings
• Osaka GPS: 34.693889,135.502222 — large and dynamic city located in the Kansai region
• Sapporo GPS: 43.066667,141.35 — largest city in Hokkaido, famous for its snow festival
• Sendai GPS: 38.266667,140.866667 — largest city in the Tohoku region, known as the city of forests due to its tree lined avenues and wooded hills

Other Muslim Friendly Destinations in Japan

See Japan's Top 3 for some sights and places held in the high esteem by the Japanese themselves, and Off the beaten track in Japan for a selection of fascinating but less well known destinations throughout the nation.

• Japan Alps GPS: 36,137 — series of high snow-topped mountains in the center of Honshu
• Miyajima GPS: 34.275556,132.307778 — just off Hiroshima, site of the iconic floating torii
• Mount Fuji GPS: 35.358056,138.731111 — iconic snow-topped volcano, and highest peak in Japan (3776m)
• Mount Koya GPS: 34.2125,135.586389 — mountaintop headquarters of the Buddhist Shingon sect
• Sado Island GPS: 38.016667,138.366667 — island off Niigata, former home to exiles and prisoners, now a brilliant summer getaway
• Shiretoko National Park GPS: 44.1,145.183333 — unspoiled wilderness at Hokkaido's northeasternmost tip
• Yaeyama Islands GPS: 24.363056,123.746389 — the farthest-flung bit of Okinawa, with spectacular diving, beaches and jungle cruising
• Yakushima GPS: 30.358611,130.528611 — UNESCO World Heritage site with enormous cedars and misty primeval forests

Islam in Japan: A History of Interaction and Coexistence

While Japan may not be the first country that comes to mind when discussing the global influence and spread of Islam, the relationship between Japan and the Islamic world is both long-standing and richly textured. This article delves into the fascinating history of Islam in Japan, its unique cultural assimilation, and the contemporary scenario.

Historical Background

The ties between Japan and Islam can be traced back to the 8th century, long before the establishment of formal diplomatic relations. These early contacts were mostly through traders and travelers.

Silk Road Interactions

Japanese merchants, through the intermediary of [[China}Chinese traders]], would have come into contact with their Muslim counterparts along the Silk Road. The interactions were predominantly commercial, with a limited spread of Islamic culture or religion.

The Ainu People and Islam

One of the lesser-known facets of the historical connection between Islam and Japan is the alleged link with the Ainu people of Hokkaido. Some theories suggest that certain Ainu communities might have had contact with Muslim traders or even integrated some aspects of Islamic culture, though this remains a subject of academic debate.

The Edo Period and Isolation

Japan’s isolationist policy during the Edo period (1603-1868) meant limited exposure to foreign influences, including Islam. However, even during this period, Japan had some interactions with Islam through the limited contacts with the Dutch traders in Dejima, Nagasaki. The Dutch, although predominantly Christian, employed a number of Muslim traders and workers from their colonies, bringing snippets of Islamic influence.

Modern Era and the Tatar Influence

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a more direct influence of Islam in Japan, particularly with the arrival of Muslim Tatars fleeing Russian persecution. These immigrants, although small in number, played a significant role in establishing the first mosques and introducing halal food in Japan.

World War II and Beyond

During World War II, Japan occupied several territories with significant Muslim populations, such as Indonesia and Malaysia. This led to an increased understanding and appreciation of Islam. Post-war, as Japan embarked on its journey of reconstruction and economic growth, it forged closer ties with oil-rich Muslim nations.

Contemporary Scenario

Today, the Muslim population in Japan remains minuscule, estimated to be around 100,000-200,000, which includes both Japanese converts and foreign-born residents. Major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka have mosques and halal eateries catering to Muslim residents and tourists.

Cultural Assimilation

The integration of Muslims in Japan stands out for its peaceful nature. Unlike certain Western countries, where the influx of Muslim immigrants sometimes stokes tensions, Japan's interaction with its Muslim population is largely harmonious. This is not to say that there aren’t any challenges. The cultural differences are vast, but there's an undercurrent of mutual respect.

Islam in Japanese Academia

Japanese universities and research institutions have a keen interest in Islamic studies, often delving deep into understanding various facets of Islamic culture, politics, and history. The Japanese perspective often offers a neutral and insightful analysis of the Islamic world.

Mosques in Japan

Japan, known for its rich cultural heritage and technological advancements, is also home to a growing Muslim community. This has led to the establishment of several mosques, or masjids, across the country. These masjids not only serve as places of worship but also as cultural hubs for the Muslim community. Here, we explore some of the largest and most notable masjids in Japan.

Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center

Located in the heart of Tokyo, the Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center is the largest and one of the most prominent mosques in Japan. Established in 1938 and reconstructed in 2000, the mosque showcases stunning Ottoman-style architecture. The intricate interior designs and spacious prayer hall can accommodate over 1,200 worshippers. The adjoining Turkish Culture Center promotes Turkish culture through various activities and events, making it a significant cultural landmark in Tokyo.

Kobe Mosque

The Kobe Mosque holds the distinction of being the first mosque in Japan, built in 1935. Located in the Kitano-cho district of Kobe, it survived the bombings of World War II and the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995, standing as a symbol of resilience. The mosque's architecture reflects a blend of Indian and Arabic styles, and it can host around 1,000 worshippers. Kobe Mosque plays a crucial role in the lives of the Muslim community in the Kansai region, offering religious and cultural services.

Nagoya Mosque

Nagoya Mosque, established in 1998, is another significant masjid in Japan. Situated in the Naka Ward of Nagoya, the mosque features modern architectural design with a large prayer hall that can accommodate approximately 400 worshippers. The mosque is active in organizing community events, educational programs, and interfaith dialogues, fostering a sense of unity and understanding among different cultures and religions.

Asakusa Mosque

Also known as Darul Arqam Mosque, the Asakusa Mosque in Tokyo was established in 1998. Located near the famous Asakusa district, it serves as a religious and cultural center for Muslims in Tokyo. The mosque can host around 300 worshippers and offers various services, including Arabic and Japanese language classes, cultural events, and religious lectures. Its strategic location near popular tourist spots makes it a convenient place for Muslim travelers to perform their prayers.

Kyoto Mosque

Kyoto, known for its historic temples and shrines, is also home to a thriving Muslim community centered around the Kyoto Mosque. Established in 2012, the mosque is located near Kyoto University and caters primarily to Muslim students and residents. The mosque's design is a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese and Islamic architectural elements, and it can accommodate about 200 worshippers. Kyoto Mosque is actively involved in community outreach and educational programs, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

Fukuoka Mosque

Fukuoka Mosque, also known as Masjid Al-Nour, is situated in the southern city of Fukuoka. Established in 2009, the mosque can host around 300 worshippers and serves as a focal point for the Muslim community in Kyushu. The mosque organizes various activities, including religious classes, cultural events, and interfaith dialogues, contributing to the multicultural fabric of Fukuoka.

Masjids in Japan not only provide spaces for worship but also act as vital centers for cultural exchange and community building. They reflect the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, catering to the spiritual and social needs of Japan's growing Muslim population. As these mosques continue to thrive, they play an essential role in fostering understanding and unity among diverse cultural and religious communities in Japan.

Demonstration for Palestine and Gaza in Japan

Dear Supporters of the Palestinian Cause in Japan,

We are excited to announce a peaceful demonstration in support of the People of Palestine, set to take place in Japan over the next three days. This event is an opportunity for us to come together and raise our voices and the Palestinian Flag for a just and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.

We want to emphasize that this demonstration is intended to be a peaceful and respectful gathering. Our goal is to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and call for a peaceful solution to the conflict. It is crucial that we maintain a peaceful and respectful atmosphere throughout the event.

Important Guidelines:

To ensure the success of our demonstration and to maintain a peaceful environment, we kindly ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:

Peaceful Protest: This is a non-violent demonstration. We do not condone any form of violence or vandalism.

Respect for Law Enforcement: Please treat law enforcement officers in Japan with respect and follow their instructions. Do not engage in confrontations with them.

Leave No Trace: Dispose of any trash responsibly and leave the demonstration area clean.

Thank you for your commitment to our peaceful demonstration in Japan, and let us stand together for a better future for all.

In solidarity, eHalal Japan

Japan Halal Travel Guide

Also known as the "Land of the Rising Sun", Japan is a country where the past meets the future. Japanese culture stretches back millennia, yet has also adopted (and created) the latest modern fashions and trends.

Japan is a study in contrasts and contradictions. Many Japanese corporations still dominate their industries yet, if you read the financial news, it seems like Japan is practically bankrupt. Cities are as modern and high tech as anywhere else, but tumbledown wooden shacks can still be spotted next to glass fronted designer condominiums. Japan has beautiful temples and gardens which are often surrounded by garish signs and ugly buildings. In the middle of a modern skyscraper you might discover a sliding wooden door which leads to a traditional chamber with tatami mats, calligraphy, and tea ceremony. These juxtapositions mean you may often be surprised and rarely bored by your travels in Japan.

Although Japan has often been seen in the West as a land combining tradition and modernity, and juxtapositions definitely exist, part of this idea is obsolete, and is a product of Japan being the first major Asian power to modernize as well as Western patronization and heavy promotion by the travel industry. Keep in mind that continued demolition of some of Japan's historic monuments goes on apace, as with the famed Kabuki-za Theater demolition. Still, with the proper planning, and with expectations held in check, a trip to Japan can be incredibly enjoyable and definitely worthwhile.

History of Japan

Japan's location on islands at the outermost edge of Asia has had a profound influence on its history. Just close enough to mainland Asia, yet far enough to keep itself separate, much of Japanese history has seen alternating periods of closure and openness. Until recently, Japan has been able to turn on or off its connection to the rest of the world, accepting foreign cultural influences in fits and starts. It's comparable with the relationship between Britain and the rest of Europe, but with a much wider channel.

Recorded Japanese history begins in the 5th century, although archaeological evidence of settlement stretches back 50,000 years the mythical Emperor Jimmu is said to have founded the current Imperial line in the 7th century BCE. Archeological evidence, however, has only managed to trace the Imperial line back to the Kofun Period (古墳時代) during the 3rd to 7th centuries CE, which was also when the Japanese first had significant contact with China and Korea. Japan then gradually became a centralized state during the Asuka Period (飛鳥時代), during which Japan extensively absorbed many aspects of Chinese culture, and saw the introduction of Mahayana Buddhism and Confucianism. During that period, Prince Shotoku and the regent of Japan, sent envoys to Tang China to learn more about Chinese culture and trainings and introduce them to Japan. The popular board game of Go is also believed to have been introduced to Japan during this period.

The first strong Japanese state was centered in Nara and then known as Heijo-kyo (平城京), which was built to model the then Chinese capital Chang'an. This period, dubbed the Nara Period (奈良時代) was the last time the emperor actually held political power, with power eventually falling into the hands of the Fujiwara clan of court nobles during the Heian Period (平安時代), when the capital was moved to Kyoto and then known as Heian-Kyo (平安京), also modeled after the Chinese capital Chang'an, which remained the Japanese imperial residence until the 19th century. Chinese influence also reached its peak during the early Heian Period, which saw Buddhism become a popular religion among the masses. This was then followed by the Kamakura Period (鎌倉時代), when the samurai managed to gain political power. Minamoto no Yoritomo and the most powerful of them, was dubbed shogun by the emperor and ruled from his base in Kamakura. The Muromachi Period (室町時代) then saw the Ashikaga shogunate come to power, ruling from their base in Ashikaga. Japan then descended into the chaos of the Warring States Period (戦国時代) in the 15th century. Japan was gradually unified towards the end of the Warring States Period, known as the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (安土桃山時代), under the influence of the powerful warlords Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ruling from their bases in Kiyosu and Osaka respectively. Tokugawa Ieyasu finally completed unification of the nation in 1600 and founded the Tokugawa shogunate, a feudal state ruled from Edo, or modern-day Tokyo. Although the emperor continued to rule in name from the imperial capital in Kyoto, in training absolute power was concentrated in the hands of the Tokugawa shogun. A strict caste system was imposed, with the Shogun and his samurai warriors at the top of the heap and no social mobility permitted.

During this period, dubbed the Edo Period (江戸時代), Tokugawa rule kept the nation stable but stagnant with a policy of almost total isolation (with the exception of Dutch and Chinese merchants in certain designated cities) while the world around them rushed ahead. US Commodore Matthew Perry's Black Ships arrived in Yokohama in 1854, forcing the nation to open up to trade with the West, resulting in the signing of unequal treaties and the collapse of the shogunate in the Meiji Restoration (明治維新) of 1868, during which the imperial capital was relocated from Kyoto to Edo, now renamed Tokyo. After observing Western colonization in Southeast Asia and the division and weakening of China, which the Japanese had for so long considered to be the world's greatest superpower, Japan vowed not to be overtaken by the West, launching itself headlong into a drive to industrialize and modernize at frantic speed, and becoming the first country in Asia to industrialise. Adopting Western technology and culture wholesale, Japan's cities soon sprouted railways, brick buildings and factories, and even the disastrous Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which flattened large parts of Tokyo and killed over 100,000 people, was barely a bump in the road.

Expansion and war

From day one, resource-poor Japan had looked elsewhere for the supplies it needed, and this soon turned into a drive to expand and colonize its neighbors. The Sino-Japanese War of 1894–'95 saw Japan take control of Taiwan, Province of China, Korea and parts of Manchuria, and its victory against Russia in the 1904–'05 Russo-Japanese War cemented its position of strength. With an increasingly totalitarian government controlled by the military, Japan overthrew the Korean monarchy and annexed Korea outright in 1910, and launched a full-scale invasion of China via Manchuria in 1931, and by 1941 had an empire stretching across much of Asia and the Pacific. In 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, destroying a small portion of the U.S. Pacific fleet but drawing America into the war, whose tide soon started to turn against Japan. By the time Japan was forced to surrender in 1945 after the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 1.86 million Japanese civilians and military personnel had died, well over 10 million Chinese and other Asians had been killed, and Japan was occupied for the first time in its history. The Japanese government has never publicly acknowledged or apologised for the atrocities committed during World War II, which has often been a major bone of contention in diplomatic relations with other Asian countries, in particular its neighbours China and South Korea.

Post-war Japan

The Emperor kept his throne but was turned into a constitutional monarch. Thus converted to pacifism and democracy, with the U.S. taking care of defense, Japan now directed its prodigious energies into peaceful technology and reemerged from poverty to conquer the world's marketplaces with an endless stream of cars and consumer electronics to attain the second-largest gross national product in the world after the United States.

But frenzied growth could not last forever, and after the Nikkei stock index hit the giddy heights of 39,000 in 1989 and the bubble well and truly burst, leading to Japan'slost decade of the 1990s that saw the real estate bubbles deflate and the stock market fall by half and, adding insult to injury and the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 that leveled parts of Kobe and killed over 6,000 people. The economy has yet to fully recover from its doldrums, with deflation driving down prices, an increasingly unsupportable burden of government debt (nearing 200% of GDP) and an increasing polarization of Japanese society into "haves" with permanent jobs and "have-not" freeters drifting between temporary jobs. National anxiety has also increased due to neighboring China's more assertive regional stance as well overtaking Japan to become the world's second largest economy. Nevertheless, Japan continues to be home to many of the world's leading high technology corporations, and the Japanese maintain one of the highest standards of living in the world.

Tragedy struck again in March 2022 with the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. Japan's worst disaster since World War II claimed the lives of over 15,000 people with another 2,500 missing. Like previous disasters, Japan is recovering and the impacted areas—save for a small perimeter around a damaged nuclear power plant outside of Fukushima—are open once again. Many cities and towns in northern Tohoku located along the Pacific coast were severely damaged or destroyed. A few locations, however, were lucky—in Matsushima, it is believed that the pine-clad islands that are offshore helped mitigate the impact of the tsunami and saved the city from substantial damage. The islands are a famous attraction in Matsushima, and are said to be one of Japan's "Japan's Top 3#Three Views|Three Great Views."

The People of Japan

As an island nation shut off from the rest of the world for a long time (with mild exceptions from China and Korea), Japan is very homogeneous. Almost 99% of the population is of Japanese ethnicity. Japan's population has begun to fall due to a low birth rate and a lack of immigration. The largest minority are Koreans, around 1 million strong, many in their 3rd or 4th generations. There are also sizable populations of Chinese, Filipinos and Brazilians, although many are of Japanese descent. Though largely assimilated and the resident Chinese population maintains a presence in Japan's three Chinatowns in Kobe, Nagasaki and Yokohama. Indigenous ethnic minorities include the Ainu on Hokkaido, gradually driven north during the centuries and now numbering around 50,000 (although the number varies greatly depending on the exact definition used), and the Ryukyuan people of Okinawa.

The Japanese are well known for their politeness. Many Japanese are thrilled to have visitors to their country and are incredibly helpful to lost and bewildered-looking foreigners. Younger Japanese people are often extremely interested in meeting and becoming friends with foreigners as well. Do not be surprised if a Japanese person (usually of the opposite gender) approaches you in a public place and tries to initiate a conversation with you in somewhat coherent English. On the other hand, many are not used to dealing with foreigners (外人 gaijin, or the more politically correct 外国人 gaikokujin) and are more reserved and reluctant to communicate.

Visibly foreign visitors remain a rarity in many parts of Japan outside of major cities, and you will likely encounter moments when entering a shop causes the staff to seemingly panic and scurry off into the back. Don't take this as racism or other xenophobia: they're just afraid that you'll try to address them in English and they'll be embarrassed because they can't understand or reply. A smile and a Konnichiwa ("Hello") often helps.

Culture & Tradition of Japan

Japan has gone through periods of openness and isolation during its history and therefore its culture is unique, if anything. Having been in the Chinese cultural sphere for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences can be seen in Japanese culture, and these have been seamlessly blended with native Japanese customs to give rise to a culture that is distinctly Japanese.

During the Edo period, Japanese culture had been strongly influenced by Confucianism. The Tokugawa Shogunate instituted a rigid class system, with the Shogun at the apex, his retainers below him, and the other samurai below that, followed by a vast population of commoners at the bottom. Commoners were expected to pay respect to samurai (at the risk of being killed if they didn't), and women were expected to be subservient to men. Samurai were expected to adopt a "Death before dishonor" attitude, and would typically commit suicide by self-disembowelment (切腹 seppuku) rather than live in shame. Although the Edo period ended with the Meiji Restoration in 1868, its legacy still lives on in Japanese society. Honor still remains an important concept in Japanese society, employees are still expected to be unquestioningly obedient to their bosses, and women continue to struggle for equal treatment.

Japanese people are fiercely proud of their legacy and culture, and hold on to many ancient traditions that go back hundreds of years. At the same time and they also seem to be obsessed with the latest technology, and consumer technology in Japan is often several years ahead of the rest of the world. This paradox of being traditional yet ultramodern often serves to intrigue visitors, and many keep returning to Japan to experience this after their first visit.

Public Holidays in Japan

The most important holiday in Japan is the New Year (お正月 Oshōgatsu), which pretty much shuts down the nation from 30 December to 3 January. Japanese head home to their families (which means massive transport congestion), eat festive foods, and head out to the neighborhood temple at the stroke of midnight to wish in the New Year. Many Japanese often travel to other countries as well, and prices for airfares are very high.

In March or April, Japanese head out en masse for hanami (花見, lit. "flower viewing"), a festival of outdoors picnics and drunken revelry in parks, cleverly disguised as cherry blossom (桜 sakura) viewing. The exact timing of the famously fleeting blossoms varies from year to year and Japan's TV channels follow the progress of the cherry blossom front from south to north obsessively. Top sakura spots like Kyoto are packed with tourists. Peak hanami often coincides with the start of the new school & financial year on April 1, which means lots of people on the move and full hotels in major cities.

Japan's longest holiday is Golden Week in Japan|Golden Week (29 April to 5 May), when there are four public holidays within a week and people go on an extended vacation. Trains become crowded and flight and hotel prices are jacked up to multiples of normal prices, making this a bad time to travel in Japan, but the weeks immediately before or after Golden Week are excellent choices.

Summer brings a spate of festivals designed to distract people from the intolerable heat and humidity (comparable to the U.S. Midwest). There are local festivals (祭 matsuri) and impressive fireworks competitions (花火 hanabi) throughout the nation. Tanabata (七夕), on 7 July (or early August in some places), commemorates a story of star-crossed lovers who could only meet on this day.

The largest summer festival is Obon (お盆), held in mid-July in eastern Japan (Kanto) and mid-August in western Japan (Kansai), which honors departed ancestral spirits. Everybody heads home to visit village graveyards, and transport is packed.

National holidays

National holidays in 2019|Extra national holidays will be added in 2019 due to Emperor Akihito's abdication and the ascension of his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

A holiday will be added on 1 May (during Golden Week) to mark Naruhito's ascension, and on 22 October to mark the day of the planned enthronement ceremony.

Tennō Tanjōbi (The Emperor's Birthday) will not be observed in 2019. The next observation of this holiday will be in 2020 on Naruhito's birthday of 23 February.

• 1 January — New Year's Day (ganjitsu 元日, gantan 元旦 or o-shōgatsu お正月)
• 2 and 3 January — New Year's Bank Holidays
• Second Monday in January — Coming-of-Age Day (seijin no hi 成人の日)
• 11 February — National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinen no hi 建国記念の日)
• 21 March — Vernal Equinox Day (shunbun no hi 春分の日)
• 29 April — Showa Day (shōwa no hi 昭和の日) — first holiday of Golden Week
• 3 May — Constitution Day (kenpō kinnenbi 憲法記念日)
• 4 May — Greenery Day (midori no hi みどりの日)
• 5 May — Children's Day (kodomo no hi こどもの日) - last holiday of Golden Week
• Third Monday in July — Marine Day (umi no hi 海の日)
• 11 August - Mountain Day (yama no hi 山の日)
• Third Monday in September— Respect-for-the-Aged Day (keirō no hi 敬老の日)
• 23 September — Autumnal Equinox Day (shūbun no hi 秋分の日)
• Second Monday in October — Sports Day (taiiku no hi 体育の日)
• 3 November — Culture Day (bunka no hi 文化の日)
• 23 November — Labor Thanksgiving Day (kinrō kansha no hi 勤労感謝の日)
• 31 December — New Year's Bank Holiday

Observed from 2020 onward:

• 23 February — The Emperor's Birthday (tennō tanjōbi 天皇誕生日)

Holidays based on the seasons, such as equinoxes, may vary by a day or two. Additional bank holidays, commonly called compensation holidays, are usually added if any holiday falls on a Sunday, and in cases when two dates for holidays are close together.

Keep in mind that most Japanese people take additional time off around New Year's, during Golden Week, and during Obon. The most important festival is New Year's Day, and many shops and restaurants close for at least 2 days during this period, so it might not be an ideal time to visit. However, convenience stores remain open, and many temples conduct New Year's Day fairs, so it's still not difficult to find food to eat.

The Japanese calendar

The Imperial perioid year, which counts from the year of ascension of the Emperor, is often used for reckoning dates in Japan, including transportation timetables and store receipts. The current perioid is Heisei (平成) and Heisei 31 corresponds to 2019. The year may be written as "H31" or just "31", so "31/4/1" is 1 April 2019. The Western Gregorian calendar is also well understood and frequently used. Japan has celebrated its festivals according to the Gregorian calendar since 1873 and no longer uses the Chinese calendar, with the exception of some festivals in the Ryukyu Islands.

In 2019 and the current Imperial perioid will end with Emperor Akihito's abdication from the throne. The year will be referred to as Heisei 31 from 1 January 2019 until 30 April 2019 (the date of the expected abdication). Starting on 1 May 2019, a new Imperial perioid begins with the ascension of current Crown Prince Naruhito. The name of Naruhito's perioid is scheduled to be announced one month before his ascension. The perioid name will be followed by the suffix gannen (元年) from his ascension until the end of 2019 to denote the first year of his reign.

Religion

Japan has two dominant religious traditions: Shinto (神道 Shintō) is the ancient animist religion of traditional Japan. At just over twelve hundred years in Japan, Buddhism (仏教 Bukkyō) is the more recent imported faith. Christianity (キリスト教 Kirisutokyō), introduced by European missionaries, was widely persecuted during the feudal perioid but is now accepted, and a small percentage of Japanese are Christian, concentrated in western Japan.

Generally speaking and the Japanese are not a particularly religious people. While they are strongly influenced by Buddhist philosophies and regularly visit shrines and temples to offer coins and make silent prayers, religious faith and doctrine play a small role (if any) in the life of the average Japanese. Thus it would be imfeasible to try to represent what percentage of the population is Shinto versus Buddhist, or even Christian. According to a famous poll, Japan is 80% Shinto and 80% Buddhist, and another oft-quoted dictum states that Japanese are Shinto when they live, as weddings and festivals are typically Shinto, but Buddhist when they die, since funerals usually use Buddhist rites. Most Japanese accept a little bit of every religion. Christianity is evident almost exclusively in a commercial sense. In season, variations of Santa Claus, Christmas trees and other non-religious Christmas symbols are on display in malls and shopping centers throughout metropolitan areas.

At the same time, Shinto and Buddhism have had an enormous influence on the nation's history and cultural life. The Shinto religion focuses on the spirit of the land, and is reflected in the nation's exquisite gardens and peaceful shrines deep in ancient forests. When you visit a shrine (神社 jinja) with its simple torii (鳥居) gate, you are seeing Shinto customs and styles. If you see an empty plot of land with some white paper suspended in a square, that's a Shinto ceremony to dedicate the land for a new building. Buddhism in Japan has branched out in numerous directions over the centuries. Nichiren (日蓮) is the largest branch of Buddhist belief. Westerners are probably most familiar with Zen (禅) Buddhism, which was introduced to Japan in the 14th and 15th centuries. Zen fit the aesthetic and moral sensibilities of medieval Japan, influencing arts such as flower-arranging (生け花 ikebana), tea ceremony (茶道 sadō), ceramics, painting, calligraphy, poetry, and the martial arts. Over the years, Shinto and Buddhism have intertwined considerably. You will find them side by side in cities, towns, and people's lives. It's not at all unusual to find a sparse Shinto torii standing before an elaborate Buddhist temple (お寺 o-tera).

How is the Climate in Japan

The Japanese are proud of their four seasons, but the tourist with a flexible travel schedule should aim for spring or autumn.

• Spring is one of the best times of year to be in Japan. The temperatures are warm but not hot and there's not too much rain, and March–April brings the justly famous cherry blossoms (sakura) and is a time of revelry and festivals.
• Summer starts with a dreary rainy season (known as tsuyu or baiu) in June and turns into a steam bath in July–August, with extreme humidity and the temperature heading as high as 40 °C. Avoid, or head to northern Hokkaido or the mountains of Chubu and Tohoku to escape. The upside, though, is a slew of fireworks shows (花火大会 hanabi taikai) and festivals big and small.
• Autumn, starting in September, is also an excellent time to be in Japan. Temperatures and humidity become more tolerable, fair days are common and fall colors can be just as impressive as cherry blossoms. However, in early autumn typhoons often hit the southern parts of Japan and bring everything to a standstill.
• Winter is a good time to go skiing or hot-spring hopping, but as some buildings lack central heating, it's often miserably cold indoors. Heading south to Okinawa provides some relief. There is usually heavy sin Hokkaido and northeast Japan due to the cold wind blasts from Siberia. The Pacific coast of Honshu (where most major cities are located) has milder winters than the Sea of Japan coast: it may be snowing in Kyoto while it is cloudy or sprinkling rain in Osaka, an hour away.

Travel as a Muslim to Japan

Visa policy overview|* Visa free entry: 15, 30 or 90 days for citizens of certain countries]

• Transit Visa: 15 days
• Temporary Visitor Visa: max. 90 days (for short-term stay like tourism and business)
• Working Visa: max. 3 years
• General Visa: max. 3 years (for accepting training)
• Special Visa: max. 3 years (for long-term residence)

You can contact your nearest Japanese embassies and consulates for more details.

Muslims visitors of most developed countries, including all the usual suspects (US, Canada, UK, EU, etc) can obtain entry permission on arrival without a visa. This is usually valid for a stay of up to 90 days, although Mexicans and some European nationalities are permitted to stay for 180 days if they ask for a longer stay upon entry. All other nationalities must obtain a "temporary visitor" visa prior to arrival, which is generally valid for a stay of 90 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an on-line Guide to Japanese Visas]. No visa is required for a same-day transit between international flights at the same airport, so long as you do not leave the secured area.

Foreigners must typically fill out a disembarkation form for immigration, and a declaration form for customs. Those arriving from certain countries may also be required to fill out a quarantine form.

Travellers entering Japan with anything other than a temporary visitor visa are required to obtain a "Residence Card" (在留カード), colloquially known as a gaijin card, within 90 days of arrival and carry it at all times in lieu of their passport. Those staying for 90 days or less may complete this registration, but they are not obligated to. This card must be surrendered upon exit from Japan, unless a re-entry permit is held.

A customs issue that trips up some unwary travellers, is that some over-the-counter medications, notably pseudoephedrine (Actifed, Claritin-D, Sudafed, Vicks inhalers) and codeine (some cough medications), are prohibited to bring into Japan. Some prescription medicines (mostly strong painkillers) are also banned even if you have a prescription unless you specifically apply for permission in advance. You may also require permission in order to import drug-filled syringes, such as EpiPens and the like. Ignorance is not considered an excuse, and you can expect to be jailed and deported if caught. See Japan Customs for details, or check with the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. Some items that may not be brought in are actually feasible to find locally with restrictions: for example, Benza-Block L, a common cold medicine in Japan, contains pseudoephedrine, with the restriction that one person may only buy one box from one pharmacy at a time.

Once in Japan, you must carry your passport with you at all times. If caught in a random check without it (and nightclub raids are not uncommon), you'll be detained until somebody can fetch it for you. First offenders who apologize are usually let off with a warning, although theoretically you could be fined up to ¥200,000.

All foreigners (except those on government business and certain permanent residents) age 16 and older are electronically fingerprinted and photographed as part of immigration entry procedures. This may be followed by a short interview conducted by the immigration officer. Entry will be denied if any of these procedures are refused.

Trusted Traveler Program

Foreigners who travel frequently to Japan for business, pleasure or family visits may be able to take advantage of Japan's Trusted Traveler Program operated by the Bureau of Immigration. In order to use the service, you must:

• Have visited Japan two times in the last 12 months
• Possess a passport from a country that has visa-free arrangements with Japan
• Have never been deported from Japan
• Be working full-time in a major business, or visit on business related to the Japanese government or another Japanese business

If you are a United States citizen and are a member of Global Entry (the U.S. Trusted Traveler Program) and the business requirement is waived.

The fee to apply for Japan's Trusted Traveler Program is ¥2200. Upon approval, you will receive a registered user card valid for either 3 years or until the expiration date of your passport, whichever is sooner. The card will allow you to use the automated immigration kiosks at Haneda, Narita, Chubu and Kansai airports, bypassing the manned immigration counters.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Japan

Most international flights arrive at either Narita Airport (IATA Flight Code: NRT) near Tokyo or Kansai Airport (IATA Flight Code: KIX) near Osaka; a smaller number use Chubu International Airport (IATA Flight Code: NGO) near Nagoya. All three are significant distances from their respective downtowns, but are linked to regional train networks and also have numerous bus services to nearby destinations. Tokyo's other airport, Haneda Airport (IATA Flight Code: HND), although the busiest in Japan, is primarily for domestic flights, but has an established network of international flights as well, mostly to destinations that see heavy business traffic. Just about every sizable city has an airport although most only offer domestic flights and a few services to China and South Korea. Transiting via both countries can sometimes be cheaper than making a connection in Japan.

Both Narita and Kansai airports are generally easy to get through and not particularly crowded assuming you avoid the main holiday periods — namely New Year's (end of December – beginning of January), Golden Week (end of April – beginning of May), and Obon (Mid-August), when things are more hectic and expensive.

Japan's two major airlines are flag carrier Japan Airlines (JAL, 日本航空 nihon kōkū) and All-Nippon Airways (ANA, 全日本空輸 zen nippon kūyu, or just 全日空 zennikkū), both of which have received numerous accolades internationally for their client service. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines also operate Flights from numerous U.S. cities into Narita, as does Air Canada from several Canadian cities. Finnair offers Flights to Japan's major airports, including Narita, Chubu Centrair and Kansai International, from most European countries via Helsinki airport - often code-sharing with British Airways and Japan Airlines. Low-cost carriers have become increasing popular with affordable domestic and international flights, with companies such as Jetstar (Australia), Skymark, and Peach (Osaka) offering competition to JAL and ANA.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Japan

There are a number of international ferries to Japan from South Korea, China, and Russia. These are not particularly price competitive with air tickets, and also often have long travel durations.

South Korea

Ferries from South Korea's second city Busan offer an alternative to flying, with the Fukuoka service being a particularly quick and practical way to travel between the two countries.

• Busan - Fukuoka: JR Kyushu Ferry, +81 92 281-2315 (Japan) or +82 51 469-0778 (Korea), operates hydrofoil service several times each day, which takes around 3.5 hr and costing ¥23,000 one way. Camellia Line, +81 92 262-2323 (Japan) or +82 51 466-7799 (Korea), operates a ferry that takes about 8 hr and starts at ¥9,000; if overnight, it may stop and wait in front of Busan Port in the morning until Korean Immigration opens. (Compared to most airports and there should be relatively little security hassle on this line.)
• Busan - Shimonoseki: Kanbu Ferry, +81 83 224-3000 (Japan) or +82 51 464-2700 (Korea), daily service. 13.5 hr; ¥9,000+.
• Busan - Osaka: Barnstar Line, +81 66 271-8830 (Japan) or +82 51 469-6131 (Korea), offers thrice weekly service. 18 hr; ¥23,700+.
• Busan - Tsushima Island: Tsushima is the closest part of Japan to South Korea, and day trips from Busan are practical.
• Donghae - Sakai Minato: DBS Cruise Ferry, ☎ 1600-5646 (Japan) or +82 33 531-5611 (Korea). Economy ¥25,000, ₩195,000, USD180.

China

• Shanghai - Osaka/Kobe: Japan-China Ferry, ☎ +81 78 321-5791 (Japan) or +86 21 6326 4357 (China), thrice weekly service. 45 hours; CNY17,000 from China, ¥20,000+ from Japan.
• Tianjin - Kobe: China Express Line, ☎ +81 3 3537-3107 (Japan) or +86 22 2420 5777 (China), weekly service. 50 hours; ¥22,000+.
• Suzhou - Shimonoseki: Shanghai-Shimonoseki Ferry, ☎ +81 83 232-6615 (Japan) or +86 512 53186686 (China), thrice weekly service. ¥25,000+.

Taiwan

• Keelung (Taiwan) - Ishigaki/Naha: Star Cruises, +886-2-27819968 (Taiwan) or +81 3 6403-5188 (Japan), irregular cruises in summer high season only (May-Sep), not available every year. One-way fares generally not available.

Russia

• Sakhalin - Wakkanai: Heartland Ferry. 5.5 hours; ¥21,000+. Service is suspended Oct–Apr due to sea ice. see our Russia to Japan via Sakhalin itinerary
• Vladivostok - Sakai Minato: DBS Cruise Ferry, +81 1600 5646 (Japan) or +7 4232 302 704 (Russia). Via Donghae, South Korea. USD265 from Vladivostok.

How to get around in Japan

Japan has one of the world's best transport systems, and getting around is usually a breeze, with the train being overwhelmingly the most popular option. Trains are rarely or never late, and are probably one of the cleanest transport systems on earth. Although travelling around Japan is expensive when compared to other Asian countries and there are a variety of passes that can be used to limit the damage.

For sorting through transport schedules and fares, HyperDia is an invaluable companion; it computes to-the-minutes directions including connecting trains, as well as buses and planes. Jorudan is a similar service, but with fewer options for adventuring alternate routes. Google Maps can give detailed train and bus directions including platform numbers, but it too has few options for filtering results, making it more useful while you're there than for advanced planning. The paper version of these is the Daijikokuhyō (大時刻表), a phonebook-sized tome available for browsing in every train station and most hotels, but it's a little challenging to use as the content is entirely in microscopic Japanese. A lighter version that just includes limited express, sleeper and bullet trains (shinkansen) is available from the Japan National Tourist Organization's overseas offices. English timetables are available on the websites of JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central and JR Kyushu. Timetables for the Tokaido, San'yo and Kyushu Shinkansen can also be viewed in English at Tabi-o-ji. Both Hyper Dia and Tabi-o-ji offer schedule searches that exclude Nozomi and Mizuho services, which will benefit holders of the Japan Railway Pass.

In Japanese cities, a place's address is useful for mail, but it's nearly useless for actually getting there. Most roads have no name; instead, street blocks are numbered, which are grouped into numbered neighborhoods (丁目 chōme), which are then grouped into neighborhoods and larger entities (towns, wards, cities, etc.). Addresses are written in order from largest to smallest; an example address written as 名駅4丁目5-6 or 名駅4-5-6 would be the neighborhood of Meieki (名駅), neighborhood 4, block 5, house 6. (Addresses are usually written in English as "Meieki 4-5-6", or "4-5-6 Meieki"; the numbers connected by dashes stay in the same order as Japanese.) Additional numbers may be appended for the floor or room number. Numbering for neighborhoods, blocks, and houses is often not sequential; numbers are usually assigned as buildings are built, chronologically, or based on distance from the downtown. Small signs near street corners display the ward/neighborhood and neighborhood in Japanese (such as 名駅4丁目, Meieki 4-chōme); they often include the block number, but sometimes not, in which case the signs are very unhelpful since a neighborhood could be a dozen or more blocks. A building's entrance will usually show the block and house number (such as 5-6, sometimes written 5番6号), but not the neighborhood.

Most places are described in terms of the walking distance from the nearest train station, and relative to local monuments. Business cards very often have little maps printed on the back to make navigation easier (at least if you can read Japanese). In addition, many train stations have maps of the local area that can help you find a destination if it is reasonably close to the station. Police boxes (交番 kōban) also have detailed maps of the area; going to a kōban to ask for directions is perfectly normal (it's why they're there), although the policemen usually don't speak much English. Google Maps in Japan is very accurate, even showing the insides of buildings; however, it cannot be used offline (you must have an Internet connection), and it may occasionally misinterpret an address and lead you to the wrong location.

Smart cards

One of the first things any visitor to Japan should do is pick up a public transport smart card (スマートカード sumāto kādo), also called an IC card (ICカード ai shī kādo) or jōsha kādo (乗車カード, "boarding card"). Using a smart card, fares are calculated automatically no matter how complicated your journey or how often you transfer; just tap on and tap off at both ends. In addition to public transport, smart cards are increasingly used for all sorts of electronic payments, so they can be used at vending machines, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, etc. Smart cards are also accepted in lieu of paper tickets for some bullet trains when journeys are purchased online in advance.

The ten major ones listed below are fully interchangeable, meaning you can pick up a card in any major city and use it in virtually the entire country and the main exceptions being Shikoku and Okinawa. They are:

• ' Kitaca' — Hokkaido
• Suica — Kanto and Tohoku
• PASMO — Tokyo
• TOICA — Chubu
• manaca — Nagoya
• ICOCA — Kansai and Chugoku
• PiTaPa — Kansai
• SUGOCA — Kyushu
• はやかけん (Hayakaken) — Fukuoka
• nimoca — Fukuoka

These cards can be purchased from any station ticket counter, including those in airports, and many vending machines for a base deposit of ¥700 plus the amount you wish to load. Cards can be topped up in the same places. The deposit and any remaining value can be refunded when you leave Japan - provided you leave via the same region you arrived and bought the card in. For example, a PASMO card bought on arrival in Tokyo can be used in Kansai, but you will not be able to refund it there before flying out of Osaka airport. You can keep the card for your next visit as they stay valid for 10 years from the last transaction.

By rail

Japan offers one of the most efficient rail transportation systems in the world and the crowning jewel of which is the Shinkansen (新幹線), popularly known in English as the bullet train and the world's first ever high-speed rail line. Japan's railways can also be among the most complicated to navigate — Tokyo, for example, has thirteen subway lines, several private railways reaching the suburbs, and a circular route called the Yamanote Line holding everything in place.

A tourist who plans to travel a great deal around the nation should consider investing in a Japan Railway Pass, which offers — with a few exceptions — unlimited travel on all Japan Railway (JR) services including bullet trains, limited express and regular commuter trains. Seat reservations can also be made for no charge by visiting a staffed JR ticket counter. Prices start at ¥29,110 for a regular adult pass covering 7 consecutive days of travel, with costs increasing for 14 and 21-day passes as well as for Green Car (first class) passes. By comparison, a round-trip between Tokyo and Osaka costs ¥27,240. Children 6–11 years of age can obtain a pass for half the price. Japan Railway Passes have no blackout dates, and are best purchased before arriving in Japan (you receive a voucher which is exchanged for a rail pass when you arrive). JR has begun experimental sales of these passes inside Japan, but at much higher prices.

There are also regional and local rail passes offered by the various JR companies (such as the JR East Railway Pass), as well as by the subway and private rail companies. Numerous discount tickets are also sold, such as the Seishun 18 Ticket.

For short distances, you can purchase a ticket from a vending machine. Stations will usually have a map above the ticket machines of the other stations along the line or within the vicinity, and the fare to each of those stations. If you are unsure, you can purchase the cheapest ticket at your origin station, and visit a fare adjustment machine at your destination station to pay the difference. In major cities or regions, you can also pay for your journey with a smart card and only have to worry about topping off your balance when you are low on funds.

Part of Japan's efficiency in rail travel lies in its punctuality, and average delays for Japanese trains are typically measured in seconds. All services aim to run promptly on the posted timetable, so arrive early if you know your train's departure time. If you are late by even a single minute, you will miss the train. If you are planning to stay out late, be sure to find out when the last train leaves the station nearest to you. Trains usually do not run during the late night hours, as that is when system maintenance is often carried out. Also be careful as the last train may not run all the way to the end of the line.

Luggage

With the exception of airport lines, Japanese trains typically do not have much space for luggage, meaning it is unlikely that you would be able to find space for anything larger than a small suitcase. Fortunately, Japan has very convenient and affordable courier services (see [[#Courier services|§ Courier services) which you can use to send your luggage to the next hotel you will be staying at. The downside is that your luggage will generally take at least a day to arrive at the destination, so you should bring a small day bag to take the clothes you need for at least the first night on the train with you. Your hotel concierge will usually be able to arrange this for you, so enquire with them before you check out.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Japan

Japan's excellent Shinkansen network means that flying is usually more of a luxury than a necessity. That being said, flying remains the most practical mode of reaching Japan's outlying islands, most notably for connections from the mainland to Hokkaido and/or Okinawa. Flying is also useful for getting around sparsely populated Hokkaido, as the Shinkansen network there is limited.

Tokyo's Narita Airport handles a few domestic flights, but most domestic flights leave from Haneda (IATA Flight Code: HND) to the south of the city. Similarly, while there are some domestic Flights from Kansai International Airport, more use Itami (IATA Flight Code: ITM) to the north of Osaka, and Kobe's airport also fields some flights. Narita–Haneda or Kansai–Itami is quite a trek, so allow at least three and preferably four hours to transfer. Chubu, on the other hand, has many domestic flights and was built from the ground up for easy interchange.

List prices for domestic flights are expensive, but significant discounts are available if purchased in advance. Both of Japan's largest carriers, Japan Airlines (JAL, 日本航空 Nihon Kōkū) and [https://flights.ehalal.io All-Nippon Airways (ANA, 全日空 Zennikkū) offer "Visit Japan" fares where the purchaser of an international return ticket to Japan can fly a number of domestic segments anywhere in the nation. These are a particularly good deal for travel to Hokkaido or the remote southern islands of Okinawa. If you hold a return ticket on an airline in the Oneworld alliance or Star Alliance, you can buy a pass for either JAL or ANA flights, respectively, for ¥20,000 each (plus tax). Otherwise, it costs ¥23,000 each (plus tax) with a minimum of two trips required. Some blackout periods or other restrictions during peak travel seasons may apply. If you reserve on the international ANA website and these offers for international travelers may be displayed as the cheapest ones, but if you try on the Japan website (in English and in yens) the regular discounts for a purchase in advance (75/55/45/… days before) may be cheaper.

Low-cost carriers have begun to make an impact in Japan's domestic air market. Among the newer start-ups are ' Jetstar Japan', Peach Aviation, Vanilla Air (formerly Air Asia Japan) and Fuji Dream Airlines. The veteran low-cost carriers include Skymark Airlines, StarFlyer and [HTTPS://WWW.Wirdo.jp/ Air DO. Some of these airlines offer online booking via eHalal Hotels in English (Fuji Dream and StarFlyer do not). StarFlyer offers a discounted fare of ¥7,000-9,000 per flight to Foreign Muslims on select routes. Be careful and their most basic offers may not include a checked baggage (which is sold as an option), and if you reserve via a third-party web site you may not be able to purchase the option.

ANA, JAL, and their subsidiaries offer a special standby card and the Skymate Card, to young passengers (up to the age of 22). With the card, passengers can fly standby at half of the full published fare, which is usually less than the equivalent express train fare. The card can be obtained from any JAL or ANA ticket counter with a passport-sized photo and a one-time fee of ¥2000.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Japan

Given that Japan is an island nation, boats are a surprisingly uncommon means of transport, as all the major islands are linked together by bridges and tunnels. While there are some long-distance ferries linking Okinawa and Hokkaido to the mainland and the fares are usually higher than discounted airline tickets and pretty much the sole advantage is that you can take your vehicle with you.

For some smaller islands, however, boats may well be the only practical option. Hovercrafts and jet ferries are fast but expensive, with prices varying between ¥2000-5000 for an hour-long trip. Slow cargo boats are more affordable, a rule of thumb being ¥2000 per hour in second class, but departures are infrequent. There are also some affordable and convenient short-distance intercity ferries such as the Aomori -Hakodate ferry.

These boats are typically divided into classes, where second class (２等 nitō) is just a giant expanse of tatami mat, first class (１等 ittō) gets you a comfy chair in large shared room and only special class (特等 tokutō) gets you a private cabin. Vending machines and simple restaurant fare are typically available on board, but on longer trips (particularly in second class) the primary means of entertainment is — this can be fun if you're invited in, but less so if you're trying to sleep.

Travel on a Bus in Japan

Buses are plentiful in Japan, and over the last few decades they have evolved into a major mode of intercity transportation, especially for overnight travel. Fierce competition between buses, trains and airplanes have resulted in affordable prices. While a few buses offer fixed fares between two stops, many have adopted a dynamic pricing model, where fares are based on the time of day, whether it's a daytime or overnight bus and the type of seating on the bus, and how far in advance the ticket is purchased.

Major operators of intercity, or highway buses (高速バス kōsoku basu; ハイウェイバス haiwei basu) include the JR Group and Willer Express. Regional transit operators (Seibu in Tokyo, Hankyu in Kansai, etc) also operate long-distance buses. Tickets for such buses can be purchased at the point of departure, or - with a command of some Japanese - at convenience stores or on the internet. A small but growing number of companies offer online reservations for bus routes in English and several other languages.

Willer Express, which operates around the nation in its distinctive pink buses, offers online reservations for its buses in English, Korean and Chinese. In the past few years and they have also begun selling tickets for other bus operators as well. Willer Express' major strong point for foreigners is the Japan Bus Pass, which offers discounted bus travel all across the Willer network. The more the pass is used and the more cost-effective it is; for example, a 3-day weekday bus pass costs ¥20000, and if all of the available trips on that pass are used, each trip costs around ¥2100. A separate national pass is the JBL Pass, which is more expensive but covers a larger network of buses.

Another use of highway buses is for travel to and from airports. In major cities and these buses are known as Limousine Buses (リムジンバス rimujin basu), and travel to major train stations and hotels. Buses also travel frequently to their own terminals in the city which are strategically located to aim for consistent, on-time trips - one such example is the Tokyo City Air Terminal, or T-CAT, in Tokyo's Nihonbashi neighborhood.

Local buses (路線バス rosen basu) are the norm in big cities and small towns. Bus fares are either fixed (you pay once, when entering or exiting the bus) or distance-based (you board the rear of the bus, grab a numbered ticket, and match the number with the fare displayed on a board at the front of the bus when it's time to get off). Many buses are starting to accept smartcards, making payment easier. Buses are indispensable in less-populated areas, as well as in cities such as Kyoto where there is not much local rail transit. The electronic board almost always includes a display and recorded voice announcements of the next stop — usually only in Japanese, although some cities (like Kyoto) make a welcome exception. However, if asked most drivers will be glad to tell you when you've reached your destination.

Best way to travel in Japan by a Taxi

You will find taxis everywhere in Japan, not only in the city but also in the nation. Taxis are clean and completely safe, though a bit expensive: starting fees are usually in the ¥640-710 range and the meter ticks up frantically after the first 2 km or so. But sometimes and they are the only way to get where you are going. Taxi meters are strictly regulated and clearly visible to the passenger. If you are not sure if you have enough money for the trip, your driver may be able to guess the approximate cost of a trip beforehand. Even if money is not a concern, if you get a cost estimate beforehand, some taxi drivers will stop the meter at the estimated price regardless of how much further the destination may be, which can save you money. Although it is quite nice when it happens, do not expect this treatment from every taxi driver. Taxi fares are also higher at night. Tipping is not customary and would most likely be refused.

In the city, you can hail a taxi just about anywhere, but outside train stations and other transfer points you should board at a taxi stand. (The taxi stand will usually either have a long line of patient passengers, or a long line of idle taxis.) If the destination is a well-known location, such as a hotel, train station, or public facility and the name alone should be enough. Even in the major cities, you are very unlikely to encounter a taxi driver who can speak English, so carrying a pamphlet or card of your hotel or destination with the address on it can be very helpful. Likewise, have staff at your hotel write down the names and addresses of places you want to visit in Japanese to show your taxi driver.

An interesting feature of Japanese taxis is that the driver controls the opening and closing of the rear left passenger door. Try to avoid the habit of closing your door when you board the taxi. Taxi drivers also have a reputation for speeding and aggressive driving, but there are very few accidents involving bad drivers.

All licensed taxis in Japan have green license plates. Unlicensed cabs will have standard white or yellow plates and should be avoided.

By car

Rental cars and driving in Japan are rare in or around the major cities, as public transport is generally excellent and gets you almost everywhere. In addition and the roads of major cities like Tokyo are plagued with massive traffic jams and parking is expensive and difficult to find, so driving there is more of a hindrance than anything else. However, many rural areas can really be explored with only your own transport, so driving should certainly not be dismissed out of hand, especially on the vast, sparsely populated island of Hokkaido. Due to Hokkaido's cooler climate it is a very popular destination in summer, so if you are considering renting a vehicle at this time be sure to do so well in advance of your planned travel date as they are often unavailable at this time. Often the most feasible option is to combine the two: take the train out to the nationside and then pick up a rental vehicle at a station.JR'sEkiren has outlets at most larger train stations and often has discounted train & vehicle packages.

An international driver's license (or Japanese license) will be required if you wish to rent a vehicle or drive in Japan, and must be carried at all times. Rental rates typically start from ¥6000 a day for the smallest car. Purchasing insurance from the rental vehicle company is highly recommended as any rental vehicle insurance from your home country (especially through most credit cards) is unlikely to be valid in Japan, check your policy before heading out.

Driving is on the left as normally found in the United Kingdom, Australia New Zealand, India and Singapore, but opposite to continental Europe and the United States and Canada. There is no "right turn on red" (or left turn, rather) rule in Japan, however in rare cases a sign with a blue arrow on a white background will indicate where turning on red is legal (not to be confused with the white arrow on a blue background, which indicates one-way traffic). Drivers are required to make a complete stop at all at-grade railway crossings. Using a cell phone while driving without a hands-free kit can result in fines of up to ¥70,000. Driving drunk is not tolerated at all. While the minimum for "driving drunk" is a breath (not blood) content of 0.15 mg/L (equivalent to 0.03% BAC), "driving under the influence" has no minimum, meaning police can charge you with even a whiff of alcohol. Penalties include fines up to ¥2 million, up to 5 years in jail, and immediate suspension or revocation of your license. Refusal to take a breathalyzer test also carries fines up to ¥700,000 and up to 3 months jail. Passengers can also be charged (for allowing the drunk person to drive), with similarly severe fines and jail time.

Tolls for the expressways (高速道路 kōsoku-dōro) are generally significantly higher than the cost of a train ride, even on the bullet train. So for one or two people it's not cost-effective for direct long distance travel between cities. In major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, a flat rate toll is paid when entering the expressway system. On inter-city expressways, tolls are based on distance travelled, a ticket is issued when you enter the system and the toll is calculated when you exit. Avoid the purple ETC lanes at toll plazas (unless you have the ETC device fitted) as they are reserved for electronic toll collection, any other lane will accept either yen cash (exact change not required) or major credit cards. Inter-city expressways are well-serviced with clean and convenient parking areas at regular intervals, but be wary of travelling into large cities on Sunday evenings or at the end of a holiday period, as traffic jams at these times can reach up to 50 km long. Using local roads to travel between cities has the advantages of being toll-free and offering more opportunities for sightseeing along the way, but traffic jams and numerous traffic lights slow things down considerably. Covering 40 km in 1 hour is a good rule of thumb to follow when planning an itinerary on local roads, generally more on Hokkaido.

Both rental costs and fuel are more expensive than those in the USA, but fuel is generally cheaper than found in Europe. Most fuel stations are full service, to fill up the tank with regular fuel, say regulaa mantan to the attendant. Rental vehicle companies generally offer smaller cars from ¥7,000 a day, and a full size sedan will cost around ¥20,000 a day. Most rental cars have some kind of satellite navigation ("navi") thus you can ask the rental vehicle company to set your destination before your first trip. Some models (specifically newer Toyotas) have an English language mode, so it doesn't hurt to ask the staff to change it before you head out. However unless you read Japanese you may need to ask for assistance to make full use of the navigation computer. Japanese driving habits are generally as good as anywhere else, and usually better than other Asian countries. Japanese roads are generally of good quality, with smooth bitumen surfaces. Gravel roads are very limited, usually forest roads, and unlikely to be on the itinerary of too many visitors. Roadworks are frequent however, and can cause annoying delays. Certain mountain passes are shut over winter, those that are not usually require either snow chains or a combination of studless winter tires and 4-wheel drive. If you rent a vehicle in mountainous/northern areas they will generally come with this equipment already included.

Navigating within cities can be confusing and parking in them costs ¥700-400/hour. Larger hotels in the cities and regional hotels normally offer vehicle parking, but it would be wise to check vehicle parking however before you book. Validated parking is available at some vehicle parks that are attached to major department stores in large cities, but don't count on getting more than 2–3 hours free. The best vehicle to use in Tokyo is a taxi.

Japan has horizontal traffic lights, with any arrows appearing beneath the main lights. The red (stop) is on the right and the green (go) is on the left. There are usually only one or two traffic lights per intersection pointing the same way, which can make it hard to see when the signals change. However some prefectures, such as Toyama and Niigata, have vertical lights (this is supposedly due to the amount of snow they get).

Japanese signs follow a mixture of European and North American conventions, but most should not pose any difficulty in understanding. "Stop" is indicated by a downward-pointing red triangle, not to be confused with the similar looking Yield sign found in North America. On the highways and around major cities English signage is very good; however in more remote locales it may be spotty. Electronic signs are everywhere on expressways and major arterial roads, and provide helpful real-time information on road conditions, unfortunately they are displayed exclusively in Japanese. The following is a brief list of the most common messages and their translations:

• 通行止 — Road Closed
• 渋滞 — Traffic Jam (with length and/or delay indicated)
• 事故 — Accident
• 注意 — Caution
• チェーン規制 — Chains Required

Warning hazards for repair, breakdown and construction are always well illuminated at night and tend to also appear at least once before the main obstacle on higher speed roads such as expressways. Other road hazards to be aware of are taxis, who feel they have a god-given right to stop wherever and whenever they like, long-distance truckers (especially late at night) who may often be hepped up on pep pills and tend to ride the bumper of any slower vehicle in front, and country farmers in their ubiquitous white mini-trucks, who never seem to go above a crawl and may pop out of rural side roads unexpectedly.

Road speed limits are marked in kilometers per hour. They are 40 km/h in towns (with varying areas: some at 30, roads by schools usually at 20), 50 to 60 in the nationside (if unmarked and the limit is 60), and 100 on the expressways. There is usually a fair bit of leeway in terms of speeding - about 10 km/h on normal roads, for example. If you go with the flow you should not have any problems, as the Japanese often pay speed limits no more attention than they have to.

Japan Expressway Pass

The NEXCO companies in charge of most of Japan's toll highways offer a 7 or 14 day w-nexco.co.jp/en/jep/ Japan Expressway Pass for ¥20000 and ¥74000 respectively. The pass allows unlimited usage of NEXCO's toll roads, and is obtainable in conjunction with a vehicle rental. A drawback is that the expressway pass cannot be used within Tokyo, Hokkaido or certain areas of Kansai, and cannot be used on the highways that connect Honshu to Shikoku.

By bike

Japan has many great opportunities for bikers. Bike rentals can be found throughout the nation, especially near popular routes. Some routes (like the Shimanami Kaido, which takes you from the mainland (Onomichi) to Imabari in Shikoku) have been set up specifically for bikers.

If you will be spending an extended period of time in Japan, you may want to consider purchasing a bike. If you choose to do this, be aware that you need to have it registered. If your bike does not have the proper sticker, your bike can be confiscated. It is important that any bike that is not a rental bike is registered under the rider's name. If you are caught borrowing a bike registered under someone else's name, it is considered stolen in Japan, and you will likely be taken to the police station. The police often check bikes, so avoid problems by obeying the law.

You should learn Japan's somewhat extensive cycling laws, although not all of them are heavily enforced. Cycling drunk is illegal, with no blood alcohol limit, and you face fines of up to ¥2 million or up to 5 years in jail (the same as for driving!). Using your phone or listening to music are both illegal. Cycling on the sidewalk, even in big cities crowded with pedestrians, is normal. Helmets are required for children under 13, but neither children nor adults frequently wear helmets, not even police officers.

Local Language in Japan

The language of Japan is Japanese phrasebook|Japanese. Japanese is a language with several distinct dialects, although standard Japanese (hyōjungo 標準語), which is based on the Tokyo dialect, is taught in schools and known by most people throughout the nation. The slang-heavy dialect of the Kansai region is particularly famous in Japanese pop culture. On the southern islands of Okinawa, many dialects of the closely related Ryukyuan languages are spoken, mostly by the elderly, while in northern Hokkaido a rare few still speak Ainu.

Japanese is written using a convoluted mix of three different scripts: kanji (漢字) or Chinese characters, together with "native" hiragana (ひらがな) and katakana (カタカナ) syllabaries. There are thousands of kanji in everyday use and even the Japanese spend years learning them, but the kana have only 46 characters each and can be learned with a reasonable amount of effort. Of the two, katakana are probably more useful for the visitor as they are used to write loanwords from foreign languages other than Chinese, and thus can be used to figure out words like basu (バス, bus), kamera (カメラ, camera) or konpyūtā (コンピューター, computer). However, some words like terebi (テレビ, television), depāto (デパート, department store), wāpuro (ワープロ, word processor) and sūpā (スーパー, supermarket) may be harder to figure out. Knowing Chinese will also be a great head start for tackling kanji, but not all words mean what they seem: 大家 (Mandarin Chinese: dàjiā, Japanese: ōya), "everybody" to the Chinese, means "landlord" in Japan!

Most younger Japanese have studied English for at least 6 years, but the instruction tends to focus on formal grammar and writing rather than actual conversation. Outside of major tourist attractions and large international hotels, it is common to find people who are conversant in English. Reading and writing tends to come much better though, and many people are able to understand some written English without being able to speak it. If lost, it can be practical to write out a question on paper in simple words and someone will likely be able to point you in the right direction. It can also be helpful to carry a hotel business card or matchbook with you, to show a taxi driver or someone if you lose your way. Take comfort in the fact that many Japanese will go to extraordinary lengths to understand what you want and to help you and therefore it is worth to try to pick up at least basic greetings and thank yous to put people at ease.

Public facilities like trains almost universally include English signage, and the Shinkansen and other commonly-used trains also announce upcoming stops in English. Tourist attractions and large businesses also usually have at least some English signage, but as you get farther off the beaten path, English becomes more spotty (and the translations more questionable). Some of the major tourist attractions and large international hotels in Tokyo have staff who are able to speak Mandarin or Korean, and many major airports and train stations also have signs in Chinese and Korean as well. In Hokkaido, some people who live near the Russian border may be able to speak Russian.

Japanese Sign Language (JSL, 日本手話 nihon shuwa) is the dominant sign language. Its adoption has been slow, but it has a few strong proponents, including Kiko, Princess Akishino, who is a skilled sign interpreter and participates in many sign language and deaf events. It is mutually intelligible with Korean and Taiwainese Sign Languages, but not with Chinese Sign Language, Auslan, American Sign Language, or others.

What to see in Japan

Castles

When most Westerners think of castles and they naturally think of their own in places like England and France; however, Japan, too, was a nation of castle-builders. In its feudal days, you could find multiple castles in nearly every prefecture.

Original castles

show=orange The twelve original castles}}

Because of bombings in WWII, fires, edicts to tear down castles, etc. only twelve of Japan's castles are considered to be originals, which have donjons (天守閣 tenshukaku) that date back to the days when they were still used. Four of them are located on the island of Shikoku, two just north in the Chugoku region, two in Kansai, three in the Chubu region, and one in the northern Tohoku region. There are no original castles in Kyushu, Kanto, Hokkaido, or Okinawa.

The original castles are:

• Uwajima Castle GPS 33.219478,132.565236 =
• Matsuyama Castle GPS 33.845539,132.765722 =
• Kochi Castle GPS 33.561111,133.531389 =
• Marugame Castle GPS 34.286191,133.800194 =
• Matsue Castle GPS 35.474977,133.050556 =
• Bitchu Matsuyama Castle GPS 34.809089,133.622325 =
• Himeji Castle GPS 34.839444,134.693889 =
• Hikone Castle GPS 35.276389,136.251667 =
• Inuyama Castle GPS 35.388333,136.939167 =
• Maruoka Castle GPS 36.152347,136.272097 =
• Matsumoto Castle GPS 36.238889,137.969167 =
• Hirosaki Castle GPS 40.606944,140.464444 =

Reconstructions and ruins

Japan has many reconstructed castles, many of which receive more visitors than the originals. A reconstructed castle means that the donjon was rebuilt in modern times, but many of these still have other original structures within the castle grounds. For example, three of Nagoya|Nagoya Castle's turrets are authentic. The structures of Kyoto|Nijo Castle are also authentic, but they are palace buildings with the donjon having burnt down and not been reconstructed, so it is not listed as an original. Reconstructions still offer a glimpse into the past and many, like Osaka|Osaka Castle are also museums housing important artifacts. Kumamoto|Kumamoto Castle is considered to be among the best reconstructions, because most of the structures have been reconstructed instead of just the donjon. The only reconstructed castle in Hokkaido is Matsumae|Matsumae Castle. The Sougamae of Odawara Castle is a long distance surrounding the entire castle town with about 9 kilometers of empty hill and ground so that it remains in the city. Okinawa's Naha|Shuri Castle is unique among Japan's castles, because it is not a "Japanese" castle; it was the royal palace of the Ryukyuan Kingdom and built in a distinctive Ryukyuan architectural style, with a much stronger Chinese influence than Japanese-style castles.

Ruins typically feature only the castle walls or parts of the original layout are visible. Although they lack the structures of reconstructed castles, ruins often feel more authentic without the concrete reconstructions that sometimes feel too commercial and tourist. Many ruins maintain historical significance, such as Tsuyama|Tsuyama Castle, which was so large and impressive, it was considered to be the best in the nation. Today and the castle walls are all that remain but the area is filled with thousands of cherry blossoms. This is common among many ruins, as well as reconstructions. Asago|Takeda Castle is famed for the gorgeous view of the surrounding area from the ruins giving way to its nickname "Castle in the Sky".

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Japan

Money Matters & ATM's in Japan

The Japanese currency is the Japanese yen, abbreviated ¥ (or JPY in foreign exchange contexts). The symbol 円 (pronounced en) is used in the Japanese language itself.

• Coins: ¥2 (silver), ¥7 (gold with a center hole), ¥20 (copper), ¥70 (silver with a center hole), ¥200 (silver), and ¥700. There are two ¥700 coins, distinguishable by their color. (The new ones are Gold and the old ones are silver).
• Bills: ¥2,000 (blue), ¥2,000 (green), ¥7,000 (purple), and ¥20,000 (brown). ¥2,000 bills are rare. New designs for all the bills except ¥2,000 were introduced in November 2004, so there are now two versions in circulation. Most merchants will not object to receiving a ¥20,000 bill even for a small purchase.

Japan is fundamentally a cash society. The Japanese usually carry around large quantities of cash — it is very safe to do so and is almost a necessity, especially in smaller towns and more isolated areas. Some machines, such as coin lockers, laundries and beach showers, only accept ¥200 coins, and some change machines may only accept ¥2,000 bills.

Although most stores and hotels serving foreign clients take credit cards, many businesses such as cafés, bars, grocery stores, and even smaller hotels and inns do not. Even businesses that do take cards often have a minimum charge as well as a extra charge, although this training is disappearing. The most popular credit card in Japan is JCB, and due to alliances, Discover and American Express cards can be used anywhere that accepts JCB. This means that these cards are more widely accepted than Visa/MasterCard/UnionPay. Most merchants are only familiar with the JCB/AmEx agreement, but Discover will work if you can convince them to try!

In many cities and the Japanese can also use mobile phones to pay for their purchases, a feature known as osaifu keitai (おサイフケータイ, "wallet mobile"). Without a Japanese phone and SIM card, you can't use Japanese billing features (billing charges to your mobile phone bill or acting as a prepaid card), but i☎ users can use these fairly ubiquitous terminals (iD, Edy, Waon, etc.) by /en-us/HT207155 registering a Suica card (see [[#Smart cards|§ Smart cards) via Apple Pay. This is only feasible on i☎ 8 and newer and Apple Watch Series 3 and newer, or with a Japanese i☎ 7 or Apple Watch Series 2. Google Pay users generally cannot use these terminals, as hardly any Android phones have been produced with the requisite FeliCa (commonly called NFC-F) hardware.

Less common are terminals that display the international NFC logo EMVCoContactlessIndicator.svg|25px at which you can use contactless credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. When making a purchase, request "NFC Pay" and hold your contactless card or phone to the terminal.

If you already have a Japanese phone, be aware that initializing the prepaid card on a rental SIM will incur data charges which can be avoided by using Wi-Fi. Only feature phones require a Japanese SIM to initiate the service; Japan-market smartphones, once unlocked, can be initialized using any data service, be it Wi-Fi, your own SIM, or a rental. This means it is feasible to set it up before arrival. Mobile Suica and Edy and the two major prepaid card apps included on Japanese smartphones, can be tied to credit cards for payment instead of a phone bill (and while Mobile Suica requires a ¥2000 annual fee, it is the only way to load a Suica with a credit card not issued by JR). However and the only foreign-issued cards these apps take are JCB and American Express. For large purchases paid for with a Suica or Edy linked in this way, AmEx benefits (purchase protection, extended warranty, etc.) do not apply.

Almost any major bank in Japan will provide foreign currency exchange from US dollars (cash and traveller's checks). Rates are basically the same whichever bank you choose (rates may be better or worse at private exchange counters). Having to wait 15-30min, depending on how busy the branch gets, is not unusual. Other currencies accepted are euros; Swiss francs; Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand dollars; and British pounds. Among other Asian currencies, Singapore dollars seem to be the most widely accepted, followed by the Korean won and Chinese yuan.

Exchange rates for US dollars and euros are typically very good (about 2% below the official rate). Exchange rates for other currencies are very poor (up to 15% below the official rate). Other Asian currencies are generally not accepted (currencies from nearby countries, like Korean won, Chinese yuan, and Hong Kong dollars, are exceptions). Japanese postal offices can also cash traveller's checks or exchange cash for yen, at a slightly better rate than the banks. Traveller's checks also have a better rate of exchange than cash. If you are exchanging amounts in excess of US$1,000 (whether cash or traveller's checks), you will be required to provide identification that includes your name, address, and date of birth (to prevent money laundering and the funding of terrorism). Since passports usually do not show your address, bring along another form of ID such as a driver's license that shows your address.

Banking

Banking in Japan is a notoriously cumbersome process, especially for foreigners. You will need an alien resident card (ARC) and proof of a Japanese address. This means that while foreigners in Japan on an extended period (i.e. those on student, dependent or work visas) may open an account, this option is not available to those on short trips for tourism or business. Many banks also require you to have a Japanese seal (印鑑 inkan) to stamp your documents with and signatures are often not accepted as a substitute. Bank staff often do not speak English or any other foreign languages. Unlike most other countries in the world, Japanese bank branches will often only have ATM's available during office hours, though this is changing (for instance, some Mitsubishi-UFJ branches now keep their ATMs available until 23:00).

In the event that you need a locally-issued "credit" card (for an online merchant that performs region checks, for instance) and there are a multitude of online-only virtual Visa cards available, and some stores' point cards carry a prepaid Visa or JCB card function also.

A growing number of Japanese ATMs, known locally as cash corners (キャッシュコーナー kyasshu kōnā), are starting to accept foreign debit cards, but the availability of credit card advances, known as cashing (キャッシング kyasshingu), remains spotty. The major banks and ATM operators accepting foreign cards are listed below.

If you have a Maestro-issued EMV card with a chip (also called IC or chip-and-pin) that is issued outside the Asia/Pacific region, you may withdraw cash at many convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Lawson and stores in the E-Net network, AEON ATMs and Tokyo-based Mizuho and Mitsubishi UFJ ATMs.

Other ATMs, including Japan Post, do not accept these EMV cards. If your card has both a chip and a stripe (still found on many U.S. cards), some machines will accept your card and read from the stripe.

• Over 22,000 Japanese 7-Eleven stores with ATMs accept foreign cards for cash withdrawals. Accepted cards include Mastercard, Visa, American Express, JCB and UnionPay (for a ¥210 extra charge), and ATM cards with the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus logos. These are the most useful for non-UnionPay users as they are everywhere and are accessible 24/7. These ATMs require non-UnionPay users to withdraw in multiples of ¥20,000.
• JP Bank (ゆうちょ Yū-cho), formerly the Postal Savings Bank and hence found in almost every post office, which in turn has a branch in almost every village. Most postal ATMs provide instructions in English as well as Japanese. Plus, Cirrus, Visa Electron, Maestro, and UnionPay are accepted, and you can do credit card advances on Visa, MasterCard, AmEx and Diners Club. Your PIN must be 6 digits or less. Their ATMs in postal offices have limited hours, and that they now charge ¥216 to withdraw cash from a foreign card.
• Shinsei Bank (新生銀行) ATMs, which accept Plus and Cirrus, are located at major Tokyo Metro and Keikyu stations, as well as in downtown areas of major cities. However, be aware that not all Shinsei ATMs take non-Japanese cards.
• SMBC (三井住友銀行) ATMS will take UnionPay cards for a ¥75 extra charge. You MUST change the language to either English or Chinese before inserting the card; the machine will not recognize it otherwise.
• Prestia, a division of SMBC, took over Citibank's personal banking division in November 2015. Prestia ATMs that accept foreign cards are installed at three SMBC branches in Tokyo, as well as at Narita and Haneda airports.
• Mitsubishi UFJ(三菱東京UFJ銀行) ATMs will take UnionPay, foreign-issued JCB, and Discover cards for no extra charge. Be aware that you MUST press the "English" button first; their ATMs will NOT recognize non-Japanese cards in Japanese-language mode.
• Mizuho (みずほ銀行) ATMs now also take UnionPay, and most will accept UnionPay transactions even if you do not press the "UnionPay" button before inserting your card. Some Mizuho ATMs in Tokyo also accept Mastercard and Maestro cards.
• AEON (イオン銀行) ATMs will usually take UnionPay and sometimes take Visa/MC. While Visa/MC cards are not charged, UnionPay users are now being charged ¥75 per withdrawal with no warning provided on the ATM screen. Here you must press the "International Cards" button. Mastercard Japan maintains an English listing of AEON ATMs where Mastercard/Maestro cards are accepted.
• Lawson (ローソン) ATMs, located in most Lawson convenience stores, accept Visa/MC cards as well as UnionPay, but they now charge a ¥210 fee. Insert your card and follow the directions.
• E-Net (イーネット) ATMs, located in most FamilyMarts, Don Quijote, and Costco stores, have Visa/MC/UnionPay functionality, but they charge ¥208 per withdrawal regardless of card network.
• BankTIme (バンクタイム) ATMs, located in Circle K, Sunkus, and some FamilyMarts, now accept JCB, FISCARD (Taiwanese debit), and UnionPay cards. If your ATM card is issued in Taiwan and does not have an international network logo on it, this is the only nationwide ATM network on the Japanese mainland that will accept your card. These ATMs will only accept your card between the hours of 7AM Monday - midnight on Mondays, 6AM Monday - 11PM on Sundays, and 6AM Monday - midnight during other days of the week.

Withdrawal limits at ATM machines for foreign cards vary, due in part to bank security breaches. Most ATMs limit withdrawals to ¥70,000 yen per transaction. At 7-Eleven/Seven Bank and the limit is ¥200,000 for chip card transactions and ¥70,000 for magnetic stripe card and American Express transactions. For people withdrawing cash over the Taiwanese FISCARD network and the limit is set to the local equivalent of NT$20000 at the time of withdrawal no matter which FISCARD-capable ATM (Hokkaido Bank, Bank of Okinawa, or BankTime) is being used.

For those with UnionPay cards - 7-Bank, Lawson, and Yucho all charge an additional ATM fee of ¥210 in addition to the fee charged by the issuer. E-Net charges ¥208, while SMBC and Aeon only charge ¥75. Lawson, Mizuho and MUFG charge nothing at all, so it's best to withdraw at one of their ATMs during opening hours.

• Your UnionPay card number must start with 6. If the first digit is something else and it does not have the logo of another network it will not function at all in Japan. Change it out for another one. If the initial digit is 3/4/5 and it carries the logo of another network (Visa/MasterCard/AmEx) it will not function in SMBC/MUFG/Mizuho/UnionPay-only AEON ATMs, only in the ATMs of the other network (Yucho/Lawson/7-Bank/Prestia/Shinsei/E-Net/international-enabled AEON).
• The illustration on the SMBC/MUFG ATMs show the card being inserted mag-stripe up. This is only for Japanese cards; UnionPay (and Discover/JCB for MUFG) cards are to be inserted the usual way.

Notice the trend of "local" Japanese banks going with UnionPay (and MUFG accepting Discover as well). While 7-Elevens are everywhere, having more options is always recommended, so try to get either a UnionPay or Discover debit card before arrival for increased convenience (for instance, at Narita Airport and there are the "usual" foreign-capable ATMs on the 1st floor of Terminal 2 that get crowded when the international arrivals start coming, whereas the Mitsubishi-UFJ ATMs on the 2nd floor are wide open during most hours).

One thing to beware: many Japanese ATMs are closed at night and during the weekends, so it's best to get your banking done during office hours! Exceptions are convenience stores like 7-Eleven, which is open 24 hours, FamilyMart (some have Yucho ATMs with free withdrawals, most will have E-Net ATMs that charge a fee), Lawson (for UnionPay users), and Ministop locations in larger cities where international card acceptance has been activated on the in-store ATMs.

If you are using SMBC/MUFG/Mizuho/Aeon ATMs, on-site staff at most branches are still unaware that their ATMs now accept foreign cards at all. If you're having trouble, pick up the handset next to the machine to talk to the central ATM support staff. The more fancy functions are for domestic ATM card users only; don't expect to buy lotto tickets or do bank transfers with your debit card from home.

Vending machines in Japan are known for their pervasiveness and the (notorious) variety of products they sell. Most will take ¥2,000 bills, and some types such as train ticket machines will take up to ¥20,000; none accept ¥2 or ¥7 coins, and only some accept ¥2,000 notes. And even the most high-tech vending machines do not take credit cards, save for certain ones in train stations (though there are limitations — for example, JR East and West ticket vending machines require a PIN of four digits or less; most credit card clients would be better off purchasing from a ticket window). Cigarette vending machines require a Taspo card (age verification), which are not available to non-residents, but local smokers are usually happy to lend you theirs.

Prepaid electronic cards are quite popular in Japan for small purchases. There are cards for train fares, convenience store purchases, and other general purposes, though they aren't interchangeable. If you plan on returning frequently and/or need to be able to add funds to your prepaid cards with a credit card, it may be worth it to buy a cheaper, used Japanese smartphone (~¥7000) and use the included prepaid card apps over WiFi. Both Mobile Suica (usable nationwide since system integration in 2014) and Mobile Edy accept foreign JCB/American Express credit cards for funding, although Mobile Suica carries an annual fee of ¥2000 while Mobile Edy requires a two-day wait from submission of credit card details before it will allow loading.

There is an 8% consumption tax on all sales in Japan. Tax is usually, but not always, included in displayed prices, so pay attention. The word zeinuki (税抜) means tax-excluded, zeikomi (税込) means tax-included. If you cannot find out any words in the price card, most of them are tax-included. This tax is expected to increase to 10% in October 2019.

Always keep a sizable stack of reserve money in Japan, as if you run out for any reason (wallet stolen, credit card blocked, etc.), it can be difficult to have any wired to you. Western Union has a very limited presence even in the larger metropolitan areas (their agreement with Suruga Bank ended in 2009, and they have just started a new agreement with Daikokuya as of March 2022), banks will not allow you to open accounts without local ID and the few physical prepaid Visa cards open to Foreign Muslims can not accept bank transfers, and even international postal money orders require proof of a residential address in Japan.

If the above is impractical, at least carry an American Express card. AmEx can print replacement cards from its office in Tokyo for same-day pickup if lost, and they do have the ability to send emergency funds to certain locations in Japan for pick-up if needed.

Tipping

In Japan, tipping is not a part of the culture. Japanese people are uncomfortable with being tipped and are likely to be confused, amused or possibly even offended if tipped. The Japanese pride themselves on the service given to clients, and a further financial incentive is unnecessary. If you leave a tip in a restaurant and the staff will probably come running after you to return the money you 'forgot'. Many Westernised hotels and restaurants may add a 10% service charge, and family restaurants may add a 10% late-night charge after midnight.

Occasionally the hotel or inn will leave a small gratuity envelope for you to tip the maids, though it is completely optional. Never leave a cash tip on a table or hotel bed because the Japanese consider it impolite if it is not concealed in an envelope. Even bellhops in high end hotels usually do not accept tips. Exceptions are high-end ryokan (see [[#Ryokan|§ Sleep) and interpreters or tour guides.

What is the living cost in Japan

Japan has a reputation for being extremely expensive — and it can be. However, many things have become significantly cheaper in the last decade. Japan need not be outrageously expensive if you plan carefully and in fact, is probably cheaper than Australia and most Europe|European Union countries for basic expenses. Food in particular can be a bargain, and while still expensive by Asian standards, eating out in Japan is generally cheaper than in GCC countries, with a basic meal consisting of Rice or lal-food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles starting from about ¥700 per serve. Of course, on the other end of the spectrum, fine dining can be expensive, with prices on the order of ¥70,000 per person not unheard of. For long-distance travel, in particular and the Japan Railway Pass, Japan Bus Pass, and Visit Japan flights (see [[#Get around|§ Get around) can save you a bundle.

As rough guidelines, you will find it difficult to travel on less than ¥7,000 per day (but if you plan carefully, it is certainly feasible) and you can expect a degree of comfort only if you pay ¥20,000. Staying in posh hotels, eating fancy meals or just travelling long-distance will easily double this yet again. Typical prices for moderate budget travel would be ¥7,000 for hotel, ¥2,000 for meals, and ¥2,000 again for entry fees and local transport.

Costs also differ from location to location, with the Tokyo metropolitan area being more expensive than the rest of the nation.

Tips for budget shopping

As noted above, Japan can be expensive. You might feel every item or meal comes with a high price tag in Japan. The main reason for this is that you have chosen an inner-city top-end shopping or eating neighborhood. If you wish to buy more reasonably priced items, consider carefully whether you are desperately looking for upmarket products, or just want daily commodities and groceries. The former should try intown premium department stores, boutiques and restaurants in the well-publicized shopping neighborhoods such as Isetan in Shinjuku and Matsuya in Ginza and the latter would be better off turning their sights toward suburban shopping malls or supermarkets such as Aeon or Ito-Yokado.

However, if you find yourself a little short on cash, you can get your crucial items in one of the many ¥200 shops (百円ショップ hyaku-en shoppu) located in most cities. Daiso is the Japan's largest ¥200 shop chain, with 2,680 shops across Japan. Other large chains are Can Do (キャンドゥ), Seria (セリア), and Silk (シルク). There are also convenience-store-like ¥200 shops such as SHOP99 and Lawson Store 100 where you can buy sandwiches, drinks, and vegetables in addition to selected ¥200 items.

Halal Restaurants in Japan

To be updated

Convenience stores

If you're travelling on the cheap, Japan's numerous convenience stores (コンビニ konbini) can be a great place to grab a bite to eat; they are everywhere and almost always open 24/7. Major chains include 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart. You can find instant noodles, sandwiches, la Meat buns, and even some small prepared meals, which can be heated up in a microwave right in the store. An excellent option for food on the go is onigiri (or omusubi), which is a large ball of Rice stuffed with (say) fish or pickled plum and wrapped in seaweed, and usually cost around ¥200 each. Most of these items are discounted at sundown to quickly replenish the day's inventory before they expire.

Most convenience stores in Japan also have a restroom located in the back. While most of the stores located in suburban and rural areas will let clients use their bathrooms, many in large cities, especially those in downtown areas and amusement neighborhoods of Tokyo and Osaka, will not. Therefore, you should ask whether you can use the bathroom at the cashier first and then buy an item later if you want to show your appreciation.

How to find a Supermarket with Halal food in Japan

For those really on a budget, most supermarkets (sūpā) have a wide variety of ready-to-eat meals, bentos, sandwiches, Snacks and the like, generally cheaper than convenience stores. Some supermarkets are even open 24 hours a day.

One Japanese institution worth checking out is the depachika (デパ地下) or department store basement food court, featuring dozens of tiny specialist stalls dishing up local specialties ranging from exquisitely packed tea ceremony Candies to fresh sushi and Chinese takeaway. They're often a little upmarket pricewise, but almost all offer free samples and there are always a few reasonably priced ones in the mix. In the evenings, many slash prices on unsold food, so look for stickers like hangaku (半額, "half price") or san-wari biki (3割引, "30% off") to get a bargain. 割 means "1/10" and 引 means "off".

Dietary restrictions

Eating vegetarian

Despite its image as light and healthy cuisine, everyday Japanese food can be quite heavy in salt and fat, with deep-fried la Meat or seafood being prominent. Vegetarians (much less vegans) may have serious difficulty finding a meal that does not include animal products to some degree, particularly as the near-ubiquitous Japanese soup stock dashi is usually prepared with fish and often pops up in unexpected places like miso, Rice crackers, Curries, omelettes (including tamago sushi), instant lal-food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles and pretty much anywhere salt would be used in Western cuisine. (There is a kelp variant called kombudashi, but it's fairly uncommon.) Soba and udon Noodles soups, in particular, virtually always use bonito-based katsuodashi, and typically the only vegetarian-safe item on the menu in a Noodles shop is zarusoba, or plain cold lal-food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles — but even for this the dipping Sauce typically contains dashi.

An excellent option is the kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi shop. Westerners tend to associate sushi with fish, but there are several kinds of rolled sushi available in these shops that does not include fish or other marine creatures: kappa maki (cucumber rolls), nattō maki (sushi filled with stringy fermented soy beans, an acquired taste for many), kanpyō maki (pickled-gourd rolls), and, occasionally, yuba sushi (made with the delicate, tasty 'skin' of tofu). These types of sushi tend to be less popular than the sushi using marine animal products, so you may not see them revolving in front of your eyes on the conveyor belt. Just shout out the name of the type of sushi you want and the sushi chef will prepare it for you right away. When you are ready to leave, call the waitress over and she'll count your plates. The Vegetarian sushi options are always affordable.

For anyone living in big cities, especially Tokyo, an excellent option is organic or macrobiotic food, known as shizenshoku (自然食). While "vegetarian food" may sound boring or even unappetizing to Japanese ears, shizenshoku is quite in vogue as of late, although meals may cost about ¥7000 and menus may still contain seafood items. While considerably harder to find, it's worth looking out for a restaurant (often run by temples) that offers shōjin ryori (精進料理) and the purely Vegetarian cuisine developed by Buddhist monks. This cuisine is highly regarded and thus often expensive, but is often available at reasonable prices if you stay at temples.

Fortunately, traditional Japanese cuisine contains an ample amount of protein through its great variety of soy products: tofu, miso, nattō, and edamame (tender green soy beans in their pods), for example. In the prepared food sections of supermarkets and department store basements, you can also find many dishes including various types of beans, both sweet and savory.

Allergies

Travelling in Japan with life-threatening food allergies (アレルギー arerugī) is difficult. Awareness of severe allergies is low and restaurant staff are rarely aware of trace ingredients in their menu items. Japanese law requires that seven allergens be listed on product packaging: eggs (卵 tamago), milk (乳 nyū), wheat (小麦 komugi), buckwheat (そば or 蕎麦 soba), peanuts (落花生 rakkasei or ピーナッツ pīnattsu), shrimp (えび ebi) and crab (かに kani). Sometimes these are listed in a handy table, but more often you'll need to read the tiny print in Japanese only. Packaging is also often less than helpful for anything outside these seven, with ingredients like "starch" (でんぷん denpun) or "salad oil" (サラダ油 sarada-abura) that can contain basically anything.

A serious soy (大豆 daizu) allergy is basically incompatible with Japanese food. The bean is used everywhere, not just the obvious soy Sauce and tofu, but also things like soybean powder in crackers and soybean oil for cooking.

Keeping a strict gluten-free diet while eating out is also close to imfeasible, as celiac disease is very rare in Japan. Most common brands of soy Sauce and mirin contain wheat, while miso is often made with barley or wheat. While sushi is traditionally made with 100% Rice vinegar and pure wasabi root, commercially prepared sushi vinegar and wasabi may both contain gluten. If you have some tolerance, though, Japan and its vast variety of Rice dishes is quite navigable. While udon and ramen lal-food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles are both made from wheat, and soba lal-food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles are usually 80:20 buckwheat/wheat, tōwari or jūwari (十割り) soba is pure buckwheat and thus gluten-free, although the stock it's cooked in or served with will usually have trace quantities.

Avoiding dairy products is straightforward, as none are used in traditional Japanese cuisine. Butter (バター bataa) does make an occasional appearance, but is usually mentioned by name.

Peanuts or other tree nuts are basically not used in Japanese cooking, with the exception of a few Snacks and lal-food/desserts/ desserts, where their presence should be obvious (and marked in the ingredients). Peanut oil is commonly used.

Religious diets

Due to the very small size of the Muslim communities, finding Halal food is difficult in Japan, and you will need to do some advanced planning before your trip. Muslim visitors can contact the Japan Islamic Trust.

Tea

The most popular beverage by far is tea (お茶 o-cha), provided free of charge with almost every meal, hot in winter and cold in summer. There is a huge variety of tea in bottles and cans in convenience-store fridges and vending machines. Asian-style black tea is called kōcha (紅茶); if you don't ask for it specifically you're likely to get Japanese brown or green tea. Chinese oolong tea is also very popular.

The major types of Japanese tea are:

• sencha (煎茶) and the common green tea
• matcha (抹茶), soupy powdered ceremonial green tea. The less expensive varieties are bitter and the more expensive varieties are slightly sweet.
• hōjicha (ほうじ茶), roasted green tea
• genmaicha (玄米茶), tea with roasted Rice, tastes popcorn-y
• mugicha (麦茶), a drink of roasted barley, served iced in summer

Just like Chinese teas, Japanese teas are always drunk neat, without the use of any milk or sugar. However, Asian-style milk tea can also be found in most of the American fast food chains.

Coffee

Coffee (コーヒー kōhī) is quite popular in Japan, though it's not part of the typical Japanese breakfast. It's usually brewed to the same strength as European coffee; weaker, watered down coffee is called American. Canned coffee (hot and cold) is a bit of a curiosity, and widely available in vending machines like other beverages for about ¥220 per can. Most canned coffee is sweet, so look for brands with the English word "Black" or the kanji 無糖 ("no sugar") if you want it unsweetened. Decaffeinated coffee is very rare in Japan, even at Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.), but is available in some locations.

There are many coffee shops in Japan, including Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.)]. Major local chains include Doutor (known for its fair prices) and Excelsior. A few restaurants, such as Mister Donut, Jonathan's and Skylark, offer unlimited refills on coffee for those who are particularly addicted to caffeine (or want to get some late-night work done).

Coffee shops

Though Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) has planted its flag in Japan almost as well as in the United States and the Japanese kissaten (喫茶店) has a long history. If you're really looking for a jolt of caffeine, go to Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) or one of its Japanese predecessors such as Doutor. But if you're trying to get out of the rain and the heat or the crowds for a while and the kissaten is an oasis in an urban jungle. Most coffee shops are one-of-a-kind affairs, and reflect the tastes of their clientele. In a Tokyo/Ginza|Ginza coffee shop, you'll find a soft "European" decor and sweet pastries for upscale shoppers taking a load off their Ferragamos. In an Otemachi [https://ehalal.io/buy-halal-food/halal-coffee-tea/ coffee] shop, businessmen in suits huddle over the low tables before meeting their clients. In Roppongi's all-night coffee shops and the night owls pause between clubs, or doze until the trains start running again in the morning.

A peculiar kind of kissaten is the jazu kissa (ジャズ喫茶), or jazz coffee shop. These are even darker and more smoke-filled than normal kissaten, and frequented by extremely serious-looking jazz buffs who sit motionless and alone, soaking in the bebop played at high volumes from giant audio speakers. You go to a jazz kissa to listen; conversation is a big no-no.

Another offshoot is the danwashitsu (談話室), or lounge. The appearance is indistinguishable from a pricy kissaten, but the purpose is more specific: serious discussions over matters such as business or meeting prospective spouses. All tables are in separate booths, reservations are usually required, and the drinks are pricey. So don't wander into one if you're just looking for a cup of Coffee.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Japan

Japan - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Japan, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Japan. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Japan and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Japan. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Japan. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inJapan: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Japan.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Japan: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Japan, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Japan.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Japan, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Japan, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Japan and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Japan, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Japan, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Japan without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Japan is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Japan.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Japan is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Japan, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Japan Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Japan

eHalal Group Japan is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Japan. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Japan.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Japan ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Japan. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Japan, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Japan are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Japan

In addition to the usual youth hostels and business hotels, you can find several kinds of uniquely Japanese lodging, ranging from rarefied ryokan inns to strictly functional capsule hotels and utterly over-the-top love hotels.

When reserving any Japanese lodgings, bear in mind that many smaller operations may hesitate to accept foreigners, fearing language difficulties or other cultural misunderstandings. This is to some extent institutionalized: large travel agency databases note the few hotels are prepared to handle foreigners, and they may tell you that all lodgings are booked if only these are full.

Instead of calling up in English, you may find it better to get a Japanese acquaintance or local tourist office to make the booking for you. Alternatively, for affordable Internet rates, Rakuten's English search tool is a valuable utility. Prices are almost always given per person, not per room. Otherwise, you may have a rather unpleasant shock when your party of five tries to check out.

When checking in to any type of lodging and the hotel is required by law to make a copy of your passport unless you are a resident of Japan. It is a good idea, especially if you are travelling in groups, to present the clerk a photo copy of your passport to speed up check-in. Aside from this, remember that Japan is mostly a cash only country, and credit cards are usually not accepted in smaller forms of lodging, including small business hotels]. Bring enough cash to be able to pay in advance.

One thing to beware in wintertime: traditional Japanese houses are designed to be cool in summer, which all too often means that they are freezing cold inside in winter. Bulk up on clothing and make good use of the bathing facilities to stay warm; fortunately, futon bedding is usually quite warm and getting a good night's sleep is commonly a problem.

While lodging in Japan is expensive, you may find that you can comfortably use a lower standard of hotel than you would in other countries. Shared baths will usually be spotless, and theft is very unusual in Japan. Just don't expect to sleep in late: check-out time is invariably 10:00, and any extensions to this will have to be paid for.

You may have difficulty finding rooms at the busiest #Holidays|holiday times, such as Golden Week at the beginning of May. However, many Japanese hotels and third-party booking sites do not accept online booking via eHalal Hotels more than 3 to 6 months in advance, so if it's more than 3 months before your trip and you're not finding anything available, either contact the hotel directly or try again later.

Full-service five-star hotels can turn pampering into an artform, but tend to be rather bland and generic in appearance, despite steep prices starting from ¥20,000 per person (not per room). On the other hand, three- and four-star #business hotels|business hotels are relatively reasonably priced when compared to prices in major European or North American cities, and even two-star hotels provide impeccable cleaniness and features rarely found in the West in that price range.

Capsule hotels (カプセルホテル kapuseru hoteru) are the ultimate in space-efficient sleeping: for a small fee (normally between ¥7000 and ¥6000) and the guest rents himself a capsule, sized about 2 x 1 x 1m and stacked in two rows inside a hall containing tens if not hundreds of capsules. Capsule hotels are segregated by sex, and only a few cater to women.

On entry to a capsule hotel, take off your shoes, place them in a locker and put on a pair of slippers. You will often have to surrender your locker key at check-in to insure that you do not slip out without paying! On checking in you will be given a second locker for placing your belongings, as there is no space for them in the capsule and little security as most capsules have simply a curtain, not a door. Beware though if there is a curtain, since probing hands may enter it.

Many if not most capsule hotels are attached to a spa of varying degrees of luxury and/or legitimacy, often so that entry to the spa costs perhaps ¥2000 but the capsule is only an additional ¥2000. The cheapest capsule hotels will require feeding in ¥200 coins even to get the shower to work. This being Japan and there are always vending machines on hand to dispense toothpaste, underwear and sundries.

Once you retire into your capsule, you will usually find a simple control panel for operating the lights and the alarm clock and the inevitable built-in TV. If you oversleep, you may be hit with another day's charge.

In Tokyo's Shinjuku and Shibuya neighborhoods the capsule hotels run at least ¥7500, but have excellent free massage chairs, private secluded saunas, public baths, disposable razors and shampoo, magazines, and coffee in the morning. Despite all that, keep in mind that your capsule "door" is just a curtain that keeps light out. You will likely hear a steady stream of drunk and sleepy business men crawling into their capsules above and across from you before falling into a mild snore.

Business hotels (ビジネスホテル bijinesu hoteru) are usually around ¥20,000 per day and have a convenient location (often near major train stations) as their major selling point, but rooms are usually unbelievably cramped. On the upside, you'll get a (tiny) en suite bathroom and, quite often, free Internet. Some major chains of cheaper business hotels include Tokyu Inn, known for its generously sized rooms, Sunroute Hotels and Toyoko Inn. The latter have a club card, which at ¥2500, can pay for itself on a single Sunday night.

Local business hotels, farther from major stations, can be significantly cheaper (double room from ¥7000/night) and can be found in the phone book (which also tells prices), but you will need a Japanese-speaking assistant to help, or better yet, pre-book online. For two or more and the price can often compete with youth hostels if you share a twin or double room. Full payment is often expected on check-in, and check-out times are early (usually 10AM) and non-negotiable unless you are willing to pay extra. At the very bottom end are dirt-affordable hotels in the labourers' neighborhoods of the major cities, such as Kamagasaki in Osaka, or Senju in Tokyo, where prices start from as little as ¥2500 for a tiny three-mat room that literally has only enough room to sleep. Walls and futons can be thin as well.

Ryokan (旅館) are traditional Japanese inns, and a visit to one is the highlight of a trip to Japan for many. There are two types: the small traditional-style one with wooden buildings, long verandahs, and gardens, and the more modern high-rise sort that are like luxury hotels with fancy public baths.

Since some knowledge of Japanese mores and etiquette is required to visit one, many will hesitate to take non-Japanese guests (especially those who do not speak Japanese), but some cater specially to this group; sites like Japanese Guest Houses list such ryokan and will help you book. A night at a ryokan for one with two meals starts at about ¥8000 and goes up into the stratosphere. ¥70,000 a night per person is not uncommon for some of the posher ones, such as the famous Kagaya Wakura Onsen near Kanazawa.

Ryokan usually operate on a fairly strict schedule and you will be expected to arrive by 17:00. On entry, take off your shoes and put on the slippers you will wear inside the house. After checking in you will be led to your room, simply but elegantly decorated and covered in tatami matting. Be sure to take off your slippers before stepping on tatami. At this time, staff will ask your preferences for when to take dinner and breakfast, and any choices such as courses (such as a choice of Japanese or Western style breakfast) and soft drinks.

Before dinner you will be encouraged to take a bath — see [[#Bathe|§ Bathe for the full scoop. You will probably wish to change into your yukata robe before bathing and it's a simple enough garment: just place the left lapel atop the right when closing it. (The other way, right-over-left, is a faux pas, as yukata are closed that way only for burial!) If the yukata provided are not big enough, simply ask the maid or the reception for tokudai (特大 "outsize"). Many ryokan also have colour-coded yukata depending on sex: pinkish tones for women and blue for men, for example.

Once you have bathed, dinner will be served, either in your own room or in a dining room. Ryokan typically serve kaiseki cuisine, authentic meals that consist of a dozen or more small dishes. Kaiseki is very elaborately prepared and presented from carefully chosen seasonal ingredients. There is usually a simmered dish and a grilled dish, which you cook individually, as well as obscure items that most Westerners aren't usually familiar with; by all means ask if you are not sure how to eat a given item.

After you have finished you are free to head out into town; in hot spring towns it is perfectly normal to head out dressed only in yukata and geta clogs, although doing so as a foreigner may attract even more attention than usual. (Hint: wear underwear underneath.) Geta are typically available near the entrances, or available by request from the desk. These wooden clogs have two supports to elevate them from the ground (a necessity in ancient Japan with muddy roads), which gives them a distinctive clacking sound. It takes a minutes to get used to walking in them, but they're not very different from Western flip-flops. Many ryokan have curfews, so make sure that you get back on time.

When you return you will find that futon bedding has been rolled out for you on the tatami (a real Japanese futon is simply a mattress, not the low, flat bed often sold under the name in the West). While slightly harder than a Western bed, most people find sleeping on a futon very pleasant. Pillows may be remarkably hard, filled with buckwheat chaff.

Breakfast in the morning is more likely to be served communally in a dining hall at a fixed time, though the high-class places will again serve it in your room after the maid tidies away the bedding. Although a few ryokan offer a choice of a Western breakfast, usually a Japanese breakfast is the norm, meaning Rice, miso soup and cold fish. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try the popular tamago kake gohan (卵かけご飯 "egg on rice", a raw egg and seasoning which you stir into a bowl of hot rice) or the disliked-even-by-some-Japanese nattō (納豆 fermented soybeans, which you stir vigorously with chopsticks for a minutes or two until they become extremely stringy and sticky, and then eat over rice).

High-end ryokan are one of the few places in Japan that accept tips, but the kokorozuke system is the reverse of the usual: around ¥7000 is placed in an envelope and handed to the maid bringing you to your room at the very beginning of your stay, not the end. While never expected (you'll get great service anyway) and the money serves both as a token of appreciation and an apology of sorts for any difficulty caused by special requests (e.g. food allergies) or your inability to speak Japanese.

A last word of warning: some establishments with the word "ryokan" in their name are not the luxurious variety at all but just minshuku in disguise. The price will tell you the type of lodging it is.

Minshuku (民宿) are the budget version of ryokan, and similar in concept to a Bed and breakfast|B&B. At these family-run houses and the overall experience is similar to ryokan but the food is simpler, dining is communal, bathrooms are shared, and guests are expected to lay out their own futon (although an exception is often made for foreigners). Consequently minshuku rates are lower, hovering around ¥7,000 to ¥20,000 with two meals (一泊二食 ippaku-nishoku). Cheaper yet is a stay with no meals (素泊まり sudomari), which can go as low as ¥7,000.

Minshuku are more often found in the nationside, where virtually every hamlet or island, no matter how small or obscure, will have one. The hardest part is often finding them, as they rarely advertise or show up in online booking via eHalal Hotels engines, so asking the local tourist office is often the best way.

Pensions (ペンション penshon) are similar to minshuku but have Asian-style rooms, just like their European namesake.

Kokuminshukusha (国民宿舎), a mouthful that translates quite literally into "people's lodges", are government-run guest houses. They primarily provide subsidized holidays for government employees in remote scenic spots, but they are usually happy to accept paying guests. Both facilities and prices are usually more comparable to ryokan than minshuku standards; however and they are almost invariably large in size and can be rather impersonal. Popular ones need to be booked well in advance for peak seasons: sometimes almost a year in advance for New Year's and the like.

Shukubō (宿坊) are lodgings for pilgrims, usually located within a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine. Again and the experience is broadly similar to a ryokan, but the food will be Vegetarian and you may be offered a chance to participate in the temple's activities. Some Zen temples offer Meditation in Japan|meditation lessons and courses. Shukubo can be reluctant to accept foreign guests, but one place where that will not be a problem is the major Buddhist center of Mt. Koya near Osaka.

Muslim Friendly Camping Places in Japan

Camping is (after nojuku, see below) the cheapest way to get a night's sleep in Japan. There is an extensive network of camping grounds throughout the nation; naturally, most are away from the big cities. Transportation to them can also be problematic, as few buses may go there. Prices may vary from nominal fees (¥700) to large bungalows that cost more than many hotel rooms (¥23,000 or more).

Camping wild is illegal in most of Japan, although you can always try asking for permission, or simply pitch your tent late and leave early. Many larger city parks may in fact have large numbers of blue, plastic tarpaulin "tents" with homeless in them.

Campsites in Japan are known as kyanpu-jo (キャンプ場), while sites designed for cars are known as ōto-kyanpu-jo. The latter tend to be far more expensive than the former (¥7,000 or so) and should be avoided by those setting out on foot unless they also have lower-key lodgings available. Campsites are often located near onsen, which can be quite convenient.

The National Camping Association of Japan helps maintain Campjo.com, a Japanese-only database of nearly all campsites in Japan. The JNTO website has a fairly extensive list (in PDF format) of camp grounds in English, and local tourist offices are often well informed.

Study as a Muslim in Japan

Many youth exchange programs bring foreign teenagers to Japan, and the nation also has a number of very active university exchange programs. In order to obtain a student visa, you will be required to either have one million yen, or the equivalent in financial aid awards, to cover your living expenses. With a student visa, you may obtain an additional permission form from Immigration to legally work up to 20 hours per week. Contact your local Japanese embassy or home university's exchange program department for information on how to proceed.

The cheapest way to stay in Japan for a longer period of time is to study at a local school or university with a generous Monbusho (Ministry of Education) grant to pay for it all. A number of Japanese universities offer courses taught in English; some foreign universities also operate independent programs in Japan and the largest being Temple University's multi-faculty campus in Tokyo.

Japan's top universities are also very well regarded worldwide, though the downside is that degree programms are almost always conducted exclusively in Japanese. Nevertheless, many of them have exchange agreements with other foreign universities, and you can apply to go on exchange for a semester or a year. Japan's most prestigious university is the University of Tokyo, which is also considered to be one of the most prestigious universities in Asia. Other universities of good standing internationally include Waseda University and Keio University in Tokyo, as well as Kyoto University in Kyoto.

Martial arts

• Judo (柔道 jūdō, literally "the gentle way") focuses on grappling and throws, and was the first martial art to become a modern Olympic sport. There are many schools all over the nation in which you can study it. If you are a member of a judo federation in any country, you can take part in a randori training at the Kodokan and the headquarters of the worldwide judo community.
• Karate (空手, literally "empty hand") is a striking martial art — using punches, kicks, and open-hand techniques — that is popular all over the world, and also has an influence on Western pop culture as can be seen in the Hollywood movie The Karate Kid (1984). There are schools all over the nation in which you can study various styles. It will be featured at the Olympics for the first time in 2020.
• Kendo (剣道 kendō) is competitive swordfighting using bamboo or wooden swords, akin to fencing. While judo and karate are better known in much of the Western world, in Japan itself, kendo remains an integral part of modern Japanese culture, and is taught to students in all Japanese schools.

Other Japanese martial arts include aikidō, another grappling form, and kyūdō, Japanese archery.

Japanese language

For those living in Japan on a longer-term basis and there are many Japanese universities and private language schools that conduct Japanese languages courses for foreigners. Those at universities are sometimes open only to their students and staff.

How to work legally in Japan

The Tokyo region generally offers the widest array of jobs for foreigners, including positions for lawyers, accountants, engineers and other professionals. To work in Japan, a foreigner who is not already a permanent resident must receive a job offer from a guarantor in Japan, and then apply for a working visa at an immigration office (if already in Japan) or an embassy or consulate (if abroad). It is illegal for foreigners to work in Japan on a tourist visa. Working visas are valid for a period of one to three years, and may be used to secure employment at any employer within the scope of activities designated on the visa (including employers other than the guarantor). Alternatively, if you have substantial funds, you may apply for an investor visa. This requires you to either invest a large sum of money in a local business, or start your own business in Japan by contributing a large amount of start-up capital, and allows you to work for that particular company in a management capacity. Expect strict penalties if you overstay on any visa. Spouses of Japanese nationals can obtain spouse visas, which carry no restrictions on employment.

The Working Holiday program is open to young citizens (between 18 and 30) from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, Ireland and the UK. Those eligible may apply for working holiday visas without having a prior job offer.

Foreigners who have lived in Japan for 10 years continuously are eligible to apply for permanent residency. You need to prove that you are financially independent and have no criminal record. If granted and then you can live and work in Japan indefinitely.

A popular form of employment among foreigners from English speaking countries is teaching English, especially in after-hours English conversation schools known as eikaiwa (英会話). Pay is fairly good for young adults, but rather poor compared to a qualified educator already at work in most GCC countries. Working conditions can also be quite strict compared to GCC standards, and some companies have very bad reputations. An undergraduate degree or ESL accreditation is crucial for most desirable positions. Interviews for English schools belonging to one of the larger chains would usually be held in the applicant's home country. Learning English is no longer quite as fashionable as it once was and the boom years are long since over. Greater emphasis is being placed on children's education. Besides English, other foreign languages that are popular include Portuguese, French, Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese. If you are interested in this kind of work and then you should bear in mind that North American accents are preferred, as well as an unspoken preference for teachers with a caucasian appearance.

The JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching) offers young university graduates a chance to teach in Japan. The program is run by the Japanese government but your employer would typically be a local Board of Education who assigns you to one or more public schools, often deep in the nationside. No Japanese skills or formal teaching qualifications are required and your airfare is provided. Pay is slightly better than the language schools and, unlike at such a school, if you have a serious problem with your employer you can appeal to the JET program people for help. The JET program also has a small number of positions for international relations or sports coordinators, although these require some Japanese ability.

Foreigners with postgraduate education may be able to find jobs teaching English (or even other subjects) at Japanese universities, which offer better pay and working conditions than the eikaiwa industry.

Quite a few young women choose to work in the hostess industry, where they entertain Japanese men over drinks in tiny bars known as sunakku (スナック) and are paid for their time. While pay can be good, visas for this line of work are difficult if not imfeasible to obtain and most work illegally. The nature of the work also carries its own risks, notably poor career prospects, alcoholism, smoking, potential problems from clients such as groping and lewd questions, and even harassment or worse, exemplified by the abduction and murder of hostess Lucie Blackman in 2000.

Medical Issues in Japan

Japan is a country obsessed with cleanliness and health hazards are few and far between. Food hygiene standards are very high. There are no communicable diseases of significance, as despite the name, Japanese encephalitis has been almost eradicated.

Tap water is safe and of good quality throughout the nation. Domestic and foreign brands of bottled water are available for ¥100-200 everywhere (at least in tourist destinations). Most restaurants serve filtered tap water for free. Unless specifically labeled "mineral water" (ミネラルウォーター mineraru wōtā), water in Japan has a low mineral concentration in general. Radioactivity levels in the water supply have been closely monitored in some areas since the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster, but found negligible as far as water used by civilians is concerned; also see the U.S. Embassy's summary and Tokyo government's daily reports].

Many Japanese public toilets do not have soap, and some do not have toilet paper, although there are often vending machines nearby that sell toilet paper at token prices. Do as the Japanese do and use the tissue packets handed out free by advertisers at major train stations.

Though it may be "common sense" for people who have lived in urban areas, many newcomers to Tokyo or Osaka are unfamiliar with life in an extremely congested metropolis, where almost everything they touch has been touched by hundreds of other people that same day. When newcomers to large Japanese cities take no precautions and they may be more susceptible to ordinary illnesses like the common cold. As in any other urban area, when in a large Japanese city like Tokyo or Osaka, wash your hands with soap and water as often as feasible, especially after travelling on public transportation and before meals.

Be sure to bring a small umbrella for the frequent rainy days. Don't rely too much on the weather forecasts, especially from a day or two ago. Then again, if you forget, you can always go into the nearest convenience store and pick one up for ¥700.

Japan has its share of dirty areas. In cities, because of the sheer magnitude of traffic and the streets and curbs are just as dirty as anywhere. The obsession with cleanliness and removing shoes before entering someone's home makes sense because of the conditions of the outside world.

If you do become ill with a cold or other sickness, purchase a mouth-covering, cloth surgical mask. You will find that people frequently wear these out on trains and on the job. This filters your sneezing and coughing so you do not transmit to others.

Passive smoking is a major health hazard in nearly all Japanese restaurants and public areas; this includes multi-national food chains as well as local eateries. Non-smoking areas are not often provided and are sometimes substandard if they are.

Healthcare

Medical facilities in Japan are on par with the West, and the better known hospitals are usually equipped with the most cutting edge medical technology. For Japanese citizens and residents and the cost of medical treatment is made affordable by the government's national health insurance system. However, for those not covered by it and the cost of medical treatment is expensive. While foreigners in Japan for an extended period (eg. those on Work or Student visas) are allowed limited access to the national health insurance system, it is not available to tourists on short visits, so be sure to have your travel insurance in order before your trip. However, if you have not made arrangements prior to arrival for any reason, Sompo Japan sells travel insurance for visitors that can be applied for online after arrival.

Most Japanese doctors and nurses are unable to communicate in English. The /u-s-citizen-services/doctors/ website of the U.S. embassy maintains a list of hospitals and clinics which have English-speaking staff available.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Japan

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, with crime rates significantly lower than that of most GCC countries.

Crimes and scams

Police and the law|Police in Japan may and do detain people up to 23 days before a prosecutor formally files charges, and you may be subjected to nonstop interrogation during this period. This detention period may be extended for another 23 days each time indefinitely by simply amending the charge. You can hire a lawyer only if somebody outside pays the fees in advance, and your lawyer is not allowed to be present during interrogations. Insist on an interpreter and consular access, and do not fingerprint anything (Japanese equivalent of signing), especially if you do not fully understand what you sign. A signed confession will result in a guilty verdict at your trial.

By far the most common pattern of how foreign tourists end up staring at the cold, yellow walls of a Japanese detention cell is getting drunk and then involved in a fight. Standard police procedure is to detain everybody first and to sort out things later. If anybody accuses you of anything even on the flimsiest grounds, you may be looking at an unpleasant extension to your vacation. If you are convicted of a crime, you will be looking at a first-hand experience of Japan's notoriously harsh prison system.

Japan is exotic and mysterious; what seems strange and even appealing to you during daytime can get obnoxious and annoying to you at night, especially with some booze running through your veins, so control your temper and alcohol level. Police patrol party areas heavily at night and they will be willing to "rescue" a fellow Japanese from a violent foreigner.

Street crime is extremely rare, even for single Muslima travellers late at night. That being said, little crime does not mean no crime and it is still no excuse to ditch your commonsense. Muslima travelling alone should take care as they would in their home countries and never hitchhike alone.

Police boxes (交番 kōban) can be found on every other street corner. The police are generally helpful (although they rarely speak English), so ask if you get lost or have any trouble. They usually have a detailed map of the area around showing not only the difficult-to-understand numbering system but also the names of office or public buildings or other places that help to find your way.

Also, if you carry travel insurance, report any thefts or lost items at the kōban. They have forms in English and Japanese, often referred to as the "Blue Form". For lost items, even cash, filling out this form is not wasted effort, as Japanese people will very often take lost items, even a wallet full of cash, to the kōban. If you happen to find such an item, take it to the kōban. If the item is not claimed within six months, it is yours. If it is claimed, you may be due a reward of 5-15%.

Japan has two emergency numbers. To call the police in an emergency, dial 110 (百十番 hyakutoban). To call for an ambulance or fire truck, dial 119 (a reversal of the U.S. 911). Some Japanese public phones have a red emergency button on the lower panel; press this and then dial. In Tokyo, operators proficient in English and other languages are available; elsewhere and they should usually be able to reach an English translator who will have a three-way conversation with you and the dispatcher. In Tokyo, you can report non-emergencies and get translation in English, Korean, and Chinese from the General Advisory Center at +81 3 3501-0110; it is available Monday to Friday 08:30-17:15 except on holidays. Similar services are available from any prefecture's police headquarters by calling #9110, although fewer foreign languages may be available.

Traffic

Contrary to its reputation for very efficient and comprehensive public transport, outside of Tokyo, Japan is a very car-centric culture.

Due to street patterns in much of the nation remaining unchanged for centuries, many roads tend to be small and full of blind corners. One should always be aware when exploring off the main streets.

Additionally, traffic lights tend to mean something different in Japan to the rest of the world. When the light is green at a pedestrian crossing near an intersection, Japanese drivers will still often think nothing of turning onto you. Often they will turn halfway and then stop, allowing you to cross, though it is not unheard of for them to charge forwards at full speed, ignoring people who are crossing.

One should also be aware that crossing the street when the light is red is illegal in Japan and this law is sometimes enforced. Japan is considered to be very safe for travellers, and violence against homosexuals is quite rare. There are no laws against homosexuality in Japan and major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka have a large scene, but same-sex relationships are not recognized by the government, and open displays of your orientation are still likely to draw stares and whispers.

Discrimination

Although violent attacks against foreigners in Japan are almost unheard of and there is discrimination against foreigners in employment. Even Western visitors have been refused entrance into certain onsen and restaurants, especially in rural areas. Some apartments, motels, night clubs, and public baths in Japan have been known to put up signs stating that foreigners are not allowed or that they must be accompanied by a Japanese person to enter. Such places are rare, however, and many Japanese claim that the prohibitions are due to perceived social incompatibility (for example, foreigners may not understand proper bathhouse etiquette) and not racism.

Banks are often reluctant or unwilling to give cash advances to Foreign Muslims, stemming mainly from stereotypes of untrustworthiness. If you need to get a cash advance from your bank then Japanese language proficiency, or a Japanese friend to vouch for you, will strongly help your case.

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Japan is prone to earthquakes (地震 jishin) which can sometimes cause tsunamis (津波 tsunami). On 11 March 2022, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Miyagi prefecture, triggering a very large tsunami and bringing havoc to the city of Sendai and the surrounding area. The quake (and its aftershocks) were palpable throughout Japan, with the death toll numbering over 15,000, mostly due to the tsunami. The previous large quake hit Kobe in 1995 and killed over 5000. Every few days, somewhere in Japan is rattled by a quake large enough to be felt, but most of them are completely harmless. Even though electronic devices are now being introduced to detect earthquakes (both the earthquake intensity and the number of seconds it will take for the tremors to reach a certain location), be aware of a few basic safety procedures:

• Do not put heavy objects in high places, especially above your bed.
• Japan has an early warning system that sends information that an earthquake will shake a specific area. Use this invaluable time to cover up before the actual jolt.
• If you are indoors and you feel a strong shake and the standard advice is that you are far safer if you stay indoors: falling roof tiles and masonry outside usually present the deadliest hazard.
• While it is extremely important to extinguish all flames (burners, candles, etc.) immediately if you have time, be aware that your immediate danger is from falling objects and toppling furniture. Be aware of what is above you and shelter under furniture or a doorway if necessary.
• If you are indoors and feel a large shake, try to open up the door or a window as soon as feasible and keep it open by using something such as a doorstop in case it jams. Again, keep in mind that your immediate danger is from falling objects and toppling furniture.
• If you are outdoors, stay away from brick walls, glass panels and vending machines, and beware of falling objects, telegraph cables, etc. Falling roof tiles from older and traditional buildings are particularly dangerous, as they can drop long after the quake has ended.
• If you are by the sea and experience even a moderate quake, keep an eye out for tsunami warnings (also in English) on NHK TV (channel 1) and Radio 2 (693 kHz). Most tremors and small quakes will merit only a scrolling announcement in Japanese at the top of the screen, as they are not considered particularly newsworthy. If you are near the sea and experience a major earthquake, evacuate to high ground immediately; do not wait for a warning.
• Know exactly where your passport, travel tickets, documents, credit cards, and money are and take them with you if you leave the building as you may not be able to go back in.

Every neighborhood has an evacuation area, most often the local playground. Many schools are set up as temporary shelters. Both of these will be labeled in English. If you are travelling with others, plan to meet there and be aware that portable telephones will likely not work.

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