Trip Planning

They exist everywhere. Currently, a 3% consumption tax is added to most items, including meals in restaurants and hotel rooms. Travelers from outside Japan are entitled to a refund of this tax on items taken out of the country; however, only the larger department stores and tourist shops seem equipped to deal with refunds of the taxes (and sometimes only if $100 or more is … [Read more...] about Taxes

Modes of Transportation Buses Buses are complicated for tourists who don't speak Japanese. The buses operate as they do in any other city of the world, however, you must be extra-cognizant of where you are heading because the drivers don't speak English. Cars  The absolute worst choice for tourists. Streets are maze-like and parking is all but … [Read more...] about Public Transportation In Tokyo

Letters and postcards can be mailed from you hotel or from the bright red mailboxes located around town. The Central Post Office is located at 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, 81-3-3284-9527.   … [Read more...] about Postal Service

In non-emergency situations, contact your local embassy for recommendations. The International Clinic, 1-5-9 Azabudai, Minato-ku, 81-3-3582-2646 accepts walk-in patients. Drugstores, or kusuri-ya are located throughout the city. One, The American Pharmacy at the Hibiya Park Building, 1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, 81-3-3271-4034, stocks products from the United States and fills … [Read more...] about Medical Care

American Embassy and Consulate -- 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, 81-3-3224-5000  British Embassy and Consulate -- 1 Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, 81-3-3265-5511  Canadian Embassy -- 7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku, 81-3-3408-2101  Australian Embassy -- 2-1-14 Mita, Minato-ku, 81-3-5232-411  Contact the your embassy for hours. … [Read more...] about Embassies/Consulates