Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [73]
British Council (Map; 3235-8031; www.britishcouncil.org/japan.htm; 1-2 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku; 10.30am-8.30pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5.30pm Sat; JR Chūō, Sōbu lines to Iidabashi, west exit or Namboku, Tōzai, Yūrakuchō, Toei Ōedo lines to Iidabashi, exit B3) Find it several blocks south along the canal on Sotobori-dōri.
Goethe-Institut Tokyo (Map; 3584-3201; www.goethe.de/tokyo, in Japanese & German; 7-5-56 Akasaka, Minato-ku; 10am-1pm Tue, 2-5pm Wed, 10am-1pm & 2-3.30pm Fri, closed Mon, Thu, Sat & Sun; Ginza, Hanzōmon, Toei Ōedo lines to Aoyama-itchōme, exit A4) Walk eastward on Aoyama-dōri; turn right at Sōgetsu Kaikan and walk one more block to Goethe Institut. See also opposite.
L’Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo (Map; 5206-2500; www.institut.jp, in Japanese & French; 15 Ichigaya Funagawarachō, Shinjuku-ku; noon-8pm Mon, 9.30am-8pm Tue-Fri, 9.30am-7pm Sat, 9.30am-6pm Sun; JR Chūō, Sōbu lines to Iidabashi, west exit or Namboku, Tōzai, Yūrakuchō, Toei Ōedo lines to Iidabashi, exits B2a & B3) Head south along Sotobori-dōri and then hang a right at the stoplight before continuing for about 50m uphill.
Emergency
You should be able to get your point across in simple English. See opposite for more information about dealing with a medical emergency.
Emergency numbers:
Ambulance & fire (119)
Japan Helpline (0120-461-997; 24hr) If you have problems communicating with medical staff, ring this emergency number.
Police (110)
Immigration Offices
Click here for information on foreign embassies and consulates in Tokyo.
Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau (; off Map; 5796-7112; www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/iic-01.html; 5-5-30 Kōnan, Minato-ku; 9am-noon & 1-4pm Mon-Fri; Tokyo Monorail to Tennōzu-Isle) A 15-minute walk from Tennōzu-Isle station; board the Tokyo Monorail from Hamamatsuchō station on the JR Yamanote line. Print a map from the web page for a clear route from Tennōzu-Isle station.
Internet Access
In some neighbourhoods it can be rather challenging to find an internet cafe. Your best bet is finding a local manga kissa – these are 24-hour manga-reading, DVD-viewing internet cafes dotted around major transport hubs. Though often crowded and smoky, they generally offer inexpensive internet access, cheap eats and a thousand ways to kill time (see the boxed text).
Another option is to look for a FedEx Kinko’s, which has branches all over the city. Internet access costs around ¥250 per 10 minutes.
FedEx Kinko’s Higashi-Ginza (Map; 5565 0441; 1st fl, Taiyo Ginza Bldg, 7-14-16 Ginza, Chūō-ku; 24hr; Hibiya & Toei Asakusa lines to Higashi-Ginza, exit 4)
FedEx Kinko’s Shibuya (Map; 5464 3391; 1st & 2nd fl, Tokyo Tatemono Shibuya Bldg, 3-9-9 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku; 24hr; JR Yamanote line to Shibuya, east exit)
FedEx Kinko’s Shinjuku-Minamiguchi (Map; 3377 5711; 3rd fl, Southern Terrace Bldg, 2-2-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku; 24hr; JR Yamanote line to Shinjuku, new south exit)
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WI-FI
The easiest way to access the internet is at your local manga kissa (see the boxed text), but if you’re toting your own laptop, free wi-fi is plentiful. Freespot (www.freespot.com/users/map_e.html) lists a bunch of free hotspots, many in cafes.
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Internet Resources
There are thousands of websites about Tokyo. Here are five of the most useful:
Metropolis (www.metropolis.co.jp) The best all-round site for Tokyo. Lots of events, places of interest and hip feature articles.
Superfuture (http://superfuture.com/supertravel/supercity/1) This hip city guide is particularly good for fashion-savvy shoppers.
Tokyo Food Page (www.bento.com/tokyofood.html) The authority on Tokyo’s dining scene, but be aware that some listings are outdated.
Tokyo Journal (www.tokyo.to) Has monthly events listings, also interesting articles and interviews from time to time.
Tokyo Q (www.tokyoq.com) Another great all-round Tokyo site for finding places to shop, drink and explore.
Laundry
Most hotels, midrange and up, have laundry services. If you are in a budget ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), ask the staff for the nearest