Air Canada Vacations

Before you leave Canada

Entry requirements
Canadian passport holders require a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry in Japan and a confirmed ticket out of Japan, and do not need a visa for stays of 3 months or less. For all other nationalities, consult your consulate or tourist board for details. You can also visit www.voyage.gc.ca for up-to-date information.

Baggage
Please refer to aircanada.com for baggage information.

Airport check-in
It is recommended that you present yourself at the airport counter of the airline indicated on your voucher 3 hours prior to departure. Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations representatives will be available starting at 5 a.m.

During your stay

Money
The unit of Japanese currency is the yen. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen and bank notes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen.

Shopping
Kyoto has excellent quality textiles and cosmetics, as well as typical handicrafts. On the 21st of every month, the area around To-ji Temple hosts a flea market known as “Kobo-ichi.” Another flea market held around Kitano Tenman-gū Shrine on the 25th of each month is called “Tenjin-san.” People sell second-hand clothing, pottery and antiques in small stalls. It’s a fun place to chat with the sellers, learn about the items on sale, and even negotiate for better prices if you feel up to the task.

Credit cards
International credit cards such as American Express, VISA, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted at most major establishments; however, credit card transactions are not always convenient outside big cities so obtaining cash beforehand is recommended when you travel to the countryside. Foreign credit and cash cards can be used at the Post Office and Seven Bank Ltd. ATMs throughout Japan. There are over 26,000 Post Office ATMs in Japan and post offices which provide this service display stickers indicating which cards are accepted. Cards from the Cirrus, PLUS, Maestro and Visa Electron networks can usually be used.

Language
There is only one official language spoken in Japan, which is, of course, Japanese. However, many Japanese are able to understand English since English is taught in schools.

Even if you don't understand Japanese, you can still enjoy Japan. But if you learn a few everyday Japanese phrases, it will make your trip even more memorable!

Population
Japan's population is over 126 million. Most Japanese reside in densely populated urban areas. The population of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area including the city, some of its suburbs and the surrounding area is approximately 12 million.

Japanese cuisine
The Japanese archipelago stretches from north to south and each region has a different climate. Amid such environmental conditions, numerous delicacies have developed in each locality and these local cuisines, together with traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi and tempura, produce a dietary culture unique to Japan. Japanese cuisine has in recent years become much more familiar and appreciated around the world. Many visitors to Japan will have already sampled the pleasures of raw fish or batter-fried shrimp. But few first-time visitors to Japan are prepared for the variety and sumptuousness of Japanese food, as it is traditionally prepared. Eating in Japan is an experience to be enjoyed and remembered.

Emergencies
To report a crime, accident, or other emergency, dial ‘110’ from any telephone. In Tokyo, an English-language line to the Metropolitan Police is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., at 03-3501-0110. Your best resource for contacting the police, getting directions if you are lost, or for reporting a lost or stolen item, is your nearest “Koban,” or police box. This network of “mini police stations” is unique to Japan, and they can be found in virtually every neighbourhood throughout the country. There are over 1,200 Koban in Tokyo alone

Telephone
Public telephones accept 10 yen and 100 yen coins and/or telephone cards. A local call (within Tokyo's central 23 wards and some other metropolitan cities) costs 10 yen per minute. Prepaid telephone cards cost 1,000 yen from vending machines, kiosks at train stations and convenience stores. Charges for inter-city calls vary according to the distance. Domestic calls are cheaper at night and on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays. Telephone numbers starting with 0120 are receiver-paid calls under NTT's Free Dial 0120 service. For Japan Telecom, the toll-free numbers begin with 0088, but calling areas are sometimes limited. Toll free numbers cannot be called from outside Japan.

Health
Tap water is safe to drink everywhere in Japan. Mineral water, including major imported brands, can easily be obtained from supermarkets, convenience stores and other similar places. Medical systems and facilities in Japan are well established so you can expect to receive a high standard of medical treatment, should you have a problem with your health during your stay. There are no inoculations required for entering Japan from anywhere around the world

Time zone
All of Japan is in the same time zone, 9 hours ahead of GMT. No Daylight Saving Time is practiced in Japan

Electricity
The voltage used throughout Japan is 100 volts, A.C. There are two kinds of frequencies in use; 50 Hertz in eastern Japan and 60 Hertz in western Japan (including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka).

Your departure from destination

Hotel checkout
Hotel checkout times may vary depending on the property but generally you must vacate the room by 12 p.m. (noon).

Duty-free shopping
After an absence of 7 days or more, Canadian residents are permitted to return with a maximum of 750 CAD of merchandise per trip without paying duty. Each time you leave Canada for at least 48 hours, you are eligible to declare up to 400 CAD of merchandise. A written declaration may be requested. Each adult is allowed 1.1 litres (40 oz.) of liquor, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cigarillos, 200 tobacco sticks and 200 grams (7 oz.) of manufactured tobacco. To calculate the number of days absent, do not count the day you left Canada but include the day you return. If you include cigarettes, tobacco sticks and loose tobacco in your personal exemption allowance, only a partial exemption will apply. You will have to pay a minimum duty on these products unless they are marked “Canada-Duty paid”. Canadian made products sold at duty-free shops will be marked this way.

Airport check-in
Procedures are the same as for departure from Canada.

Customer care
For inquiries relating to extension of stay or change or hotel changes, please call Air Canada Vacations Customer Care department toll free at + 800 296-3408 or e-mail us at: prevoyageclientele@vacv.com. We are at your service seven days a week; from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday ET and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.