HEALTH No inoculations are needed to enter Japan. Tap water is safe.

CLIMATE The summer is hot and sticky, but the beer is cold and spectacular fireworks can be enjoyed from river banks and waterfronts. The spring blossoms attract flower-viewing parties, while the brilliant autumn colors are enjoyed more privately. A seasonal front stationed over the archipelago makes for quite a lot of rain in June and July. A rough guide to clothing requirements: light sweater needed from late October or early November, then a thick sweater for December through February or March, then back to a light sweater in April, and off with the sweater in May. You'll need a coat when you're outside in the winter months, although the temperature seldom goes below freezing. Today's weather condition Temperature by Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec (C) 5.3 7.0 10.1 16.3 20.5 21.5 25.3 27.2 24.4 20.1 13.9 9.0 (F) 41.5 44.6 50.2 61.3 68.9 70.7 77.5 81.0 76.0 68.2 57.0 48.2

TIME ZONE All of Japan is in a single time zone, nine hours ahead of GMT. There is no system of Daylight Saving Time in Japan.

ELECTRICITY 100 volts AC. 50Hz in Tokyo and eastern Japan, 60Hz in Osaka and western Japan. Sockets a two-pin plug with rectangular pins.

MONEY Cash & Credit Cards It is generally safe to carry cash in Tokyo. You will need cash for Transpot fares, admission to museums, and smaller dining spots and stores. Major credit cards are widely accepted in Tokyo. Credit Card Inquiries Visa     0120-133-173 (toll-free) Master Card   03-5531-6100 Amex   0120-020-202 (toll-free)

POSTAL SERVICE Post offices are open from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekday. Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Domestic Mail Post Card : 50yen Letter : 80yen (up to 25g) International Mail Post Card : 70yen Letter : 90 to 130yen (up to 25g)

TELEPHONES Calls in Japan Public telephones accept 10yen & 100yen coins and/or telephone cards. A local call (central 23 Wards and some metropolitan cities) costs 10yen per minute. If you put in two 10yen coins. From outside A Tokyo number dialed from outside Tokyo but inside Japan begins: 03. When you dial a Tokyo number from outside Japan the code is 81 (for Japan) and then 3. Access and inquiry numbers KDDI : 001 DDI : 0078 NTT : 0033

ACCESS Getting from Narita to Tokyo Browse around the travel counters in the Arrivals lobby at the airport and look for a mode of transport that suits your destination and budget. The options include a limousine-style bus, JR train, Keisei Skyliner train, rent-a-car, or even a taxi. It takes the trains about an hour to reach central Tokyo. The buses don't take much longer - when the roads are empty.

TRANSPORTATION Trains & Subways Tokyo's public transport is nearly always fast, efficient, frequent, safe, and clean.Trains & subways run from about 5:00 until around 25:00(1 AM). One-day Passes (Tokyo Free Kippu) One-day pass for JR trains within 23 Wards, for Toei subways, buses, and TRTA subways. 1580yen. JR East Taxis You'll find taxi stand at train stations and on some street. In principle, taxis can be hailed anywhere. If the red sign in the lower left corner of the windshield is lit, the taxi is 660yen; for a compact taxi, 640yen. Taxi fares were liberalized and competition has been heating up.

TOURIST INFORMATION Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau : 03-5221-9084 Japan National Tourist Organization : 03-3201-3331

FLIGHT INFORMATION Narita : 0476-34-5000 Haneda : 03-5757-8111 Japan Airlines (JAL) Japan Largest Airline (ANA)

TOUR INFORMATION Tour Bus Guided tours of Tokyo in English. Morning, afternoon, evening, and full-day tours are available. Hato Bus : 03-3435-6081 Tokyo from the water Cruise companies operate lunch, afternoon, sunset, and dinner cruises on Tokyo Bay. Symphony Cruise : 03-3798-8101 Vingt-et-Un Cruise : 03-3436-2121