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Tokyo has a reasonable number of ATMs that accept foreign-issued cards, and Citibank has 24-hour ATMs that accept all kinds of cards. 7-Eleven convenience stores also tend to have English-language ATMs.

For lost or stolen credit cards, call the following 24-hour, toll-free numbers within Japan.

American Express (0120-020-120)

MasterCard (0053-111-3886)

Visa (0120-133-173)

Post

The Tokyo central post office, outside Tokyo station, is under construction until 2011. In the interim, the Azabu Post Office (Map; 3582-3806; 1-6-19 Azabudai, Minato-ku; 9am-7pm Mon-Fri; Hibiya, Ōedo lines to Roppongi, exits 3 & 5) is accustomed to foreigners and can hold poste restante mail for 30 days.

Telephone & Fax

Almost all public phones in Tokyo take prepaid phone cards. For domestic directory assistance, call 104 and ask to be transferred to an English speaker. For details on making international calls from a public phone, Click here.

You can send faxes from the front desk of many hotels (some allow nonguests to use their services for a fee), some convenience stores and from FedEx Kinko’s (Click here).

Tourist Information

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) runs two tourist information centres (TIC; 0476-303-383, 0476-345-877; 8am-8pm) on the arrival floors of both terminals at Narita airport. Staffed by knowledgeable folks who speak English, this centre is a good place to get oriented or to make a hotel booking if you haven’t yet figured out where to stay.

TIC offices will make accommodation reservations, but only for hotels and ryokan that are members of the International Tourism Center of Japan (formerly Welcome Inn Reservation Center; www.itcj.jp). It can also arrange for tours of the city with volunteer guides.

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GRUTT PASS

The magical book of tickets known as the Grutt Pass (www.museum.or.jp/grutto/; ¥2000) entitles the bearer to free or discounted entry at over 60 Tokyo museums and zoos. Valid for two months from the first visit, the pass is a terrific deal if you plan on checking out several museums across Tokyo. Pick up a Grutt Pass at participating museums, or at the Tokyo Tourist Information Center (below) in Shinjuku.

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Asakusa Tourist Information Center (Map; 3842-5566; 2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taitō-ku; 9.30am-8pm; Ginza line to Asakusa, exit 2) Stop by the friendly Asakusa centre to arrange free guided tours of the area; show up on the hour to watch the centre’s animatronic clock go off.

JNTO Tourist Information Center (TIC; Map; 3201-3331; www.jnto.go.jp; 10th fl, Kōtsu Kaikan Bldg, 2-10-1 Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda-ku; 9am-5pm; JR Yamanote line to Yūrakuchō) The main JNTO-operated TIC is just outside Yūrakuchō station. It has the most comprehensive information on travel in Tokyo and Japan, and is an essential port of call. The Kōtsu Kaikan Building is just opposite the station as you exit to the right.

Tokyo Tourist Information Center (Map; 5321-3077; 1st fl, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bldg No 1, 2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku; 9.30am-6.30pm; Toei Ōedo line to Tochōmae, exit A4) A good place to pick up a Grutt Pass (see the boxed text, above for more information).

Travel Agencies

In Tokyo there are a number of travel agencies where English is spoken and where discounting on flights and domestic travel is the norm. For an idea of current prices check the Japan Times or Metropolis.

Four well-established agencies with English-speaking staff:

A’cross Travellers Bureau Ikebukuro (Map; 5391-3227; www.across-travel.com; 3rd fl, Nippon Life Higashi-Ikebukuro Bldg, 1-11-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku; 11am-8pm Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun; JR Yamanote line to Ikebukuro, east exit); Shibuya (Map; 5467-0077; 3rd fl, TK Shibuya East Bldg, 1-14-14 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku; 11am-8pm Mon-Fri, 11am-7pm Sat; JR Yamanote line to Shibuya, Hachikō exit); Shinjuku (Map; 3340-1633; 2nd fl, Yamate Shinjuku Bldg, 1-19-6 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku; 10am-7pm Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun; Toei Shinjuku line to Shinjuku,