Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [620]
Radio Recent years have seen an increase in the number of stations aimed specifically at Japan’s foreign population. InterFM (76.1FM; www.interfm.co.jp/) is a favourite of Tokyo’s expat community, and the Kansai equivalent is FM Cocolo (76.5FM; www.cocolo.co.jp).
Electricity The Japanese electric current is 100V AC. Tokyo and eastern Japan are on 50Hz, and western Japan, including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka, is on 60Hz. Most electrical items from other parts of the world will function on Japanese current. Japanese plugs are the flat two-pin type.
Video Systems Japan uses the NTSC system.
Weights & Measures Japan uses the international metric system.
* * *
Camping
Camping is possible at official camping grounds across Japan, some of which are only open during the summer high season of July and August. Camping is also possible year-round (when conditions permit) at camping grounds in the mountains or around certain mountain huts Click here. ‘Guerrilla’ or unofficial camping is also possible in many parts of rural Japan, but we recommend asking a local person about acceptable areas before setting up your tent.
Cycling Terminals
Cycling terminals (saikuringu tāminaru) provide low-priced accommodation of the bunk-bed or tatami-mat variety and are usually found in scenic areas suited to cycling. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one at the terminal.
Cycling terminal prices compare favourably with those of a youth hostel: at around ¥3000 per person per night, or ¥5000 including two meals. For more information, check out the website of the Bicycle Popularization Association of Japan (www.cycle-info.bpaj.or.jp/english/begin/st.html).
Hostels
Japan has an extensive network of youth hostels, often located in areas of interest to travellers. The best source of information on youth hostels is the Zenkoku Youth Hostel no Tabi booklet, which is available for ¥1365 from Japan Youth Hostels, Inc (Map; JYHA; 03-3288-1417; www.jyh.or.jp/english; 9th fl, Kanda Amerex Bldg, 3-1-16 Misaki-chō, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006). Many youth hostels in Japan sell this handbook.
The best way to find hostels is via the JYHA website, which has details in English on all member hostels, and allows online reservations. Another option is the Youth Hostel Map of Japan, which has one-line entries on each hostel. It’s available for free from Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and travel information centres (TICs) in Japan.
MEMBERSHIP, PRICES & REGULATIONS
You can stay at youth hostels in Japan without being a member of either the JYHA or the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHA). You can purchase a one-year IYHA membership card at youth hostels in Japan for ¥2500.
Hostel charges currently average ¥3000 per night; some also add 5% consumption tax (Click here for more information). Private rooms are available in some hostels from ¥3500 per night. Some hostels have introduced a special reduction – sometimes as much as ¥500 per night – for foreign hostellers.
Average prices for meals are ¥500 for breakfast and ¥900 for dinner. Almost all hostels require that you use a regulation sleeping sheet, which you can rent for ¥100 if you do not have your own. Although official regulations state that you can only stay at one hostel for three consecutive nights, this is sometimes waived outside the high season.
Hostellers are expected to check in between 3pm and 8pm to 9pm. There is usually a curfew of 10pm or 11pm. Checkout is usually before 10am and dormitories are closed between 10am and 3pm. Bath time is usually between 5pm and 9pm, dinner is between 6pm and 7.30pm, and breakfast is between 7am and 8am.
Hotels
You’ll find a range of Western-style hotels in most Japanese cities and resort areas. Rates at standard midrange hotels average ¥9000 for a single and ¥12,000 for a double or twin. Rates at first-class hotels average ¥15,000 for a single and ¥20,000 for a double