Tokyo Guide
The meeting will be held at the Mita Campus of Keio University. (http://www.keio.ac.jp/index-en.html).
The campus is located near Tamachi station, 10 minutes from Tokyo Central Station by train.
Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the largest economic centers of eastern part of Asia.
You can find almost everything in the city from ultra modern electronic equipments to traditional goods. (http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html) Tokyo is situated in the central part of
the Japanese archipelago. It is easy to make further trips to visit other sites of interest, such as Kyoto,
for example. (http://www.jnto.go.jp/)
Tokyo Facts for Visitors
1. Climate
Average temperature in Tokyo in September is 27 degrees centigrade
(= 80 degrees Fahrenheit)
Typhoons usually occur in September and October.
2. Information
Japan National Tourist Organization (
JNTO) has Tourist Information
Centers (TIC) at the following places;
2-1 Tokyo TIC
Tokyo International Forum B1 floor, 3-5-1 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
near Yurakucho sta.
(JR Yamanote line) phone 3201-3331
2-2 Narita Airport TIC
Terminals 1 & 2
phone 0476-34-6251
3. Train Passes
3-1 Tokyo Combination Ticket
You can get the Tokyo Combination Ticket day pass that can be used
on all JR, subway, and bus lines within
the Tokyo metropolitan area.
This one day pass costs 1580 yen and is available at major stations.
3-2 Pass Net
You can also use the Pass Net that can be used on all subway and
private suburban lines. It costs 1000, 3000,
or 5000 yen and is available
at any station on those lines. Pass Net could be convenient for frequent subway users.
Please note this card is not good for JR lines.
4. Money
4-1 Cash / Credit Cards
Japan is predominantly a cash economy. But major credit cards such as
Master Card, Visa, American Express
and Diners Club are most widely accepted.
4-2 ATMs
Many post offices accept foreign-issued cash or credit cards, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Some banks have "Global ATM"
which accepts Visa, Naster Card and Cirrus.
There is the Global ATM in Ginza, in front of Yurakucho Marion building next to
the Sumitomo bank.
near Yurakucho sta. (JR Yamanote line)
4-3 Changing Money
US dollors can be changed into Yen at many banks which are open Mon-Fri 9am-3pm,
closed on national holidays.
Other currencies can be changed at Narita airport
or at the Bank of Tokyo's Shibuya branch near Shibuya sta.
(JR Yamanote line) phone 3610-7000
4-4 Tipping
You do not have to tip in Japan except to pay a service charge at expensive
restaurants and hotels.
5. Safety
Tokyo is an extremely safe city for foreign travellers.
Although violent crime is rare, be aware of pickpockets
in crowds.
6. Language
Here are selected 12 Japanese expressions.
Konnichiwa : Good afternoon
Sayonara : Goodbye
Dozo : Please, Go ahead
Arigatou : Thank you
Daijobu : OK
Gomennasai: I am sorry
Hajimemasite : Nice to meet you.
Watashi wa --- desu. : My name is ---.
--- wa dokodesuka? : Where is ---?
Koreha nandesuka? : What is this?
Ikuradesuka? : How much?
hai / iie : yes /no