Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
307
health-care products, a good bet is the
American Pharmacy,
in the basement of
the Marunouchi Building, 2-4-1 Marun-
ouchi, Chiyoda-ku (
&
03/5220-7716;
Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm, and
Sun and holidays 10am-8pm). It carries
imported cosmetics, vitamins, and other
items and has many of the same over-the-
counter drugs you can find at home (many
of them imported from the U.S.) and can
fill American prescriptions—but note that
you
must first visit a doctor in Japan
before
foreign prescriptions can be filled, so it's
best to bring an ample supply of any pre-
scription medication with you.
EARTHQUAKES
Kobe's tragic 1995
earthquake brought world-wide attention
to the fact that Japan is earthquake-prone.
Approximately 200 earthquakes can be felt
in Tokyo each year, but there are many
more that are too small to detect. How-
ever, in the event of an earthquake you can
feel, there are a few precautions you
should take. If you're indoors, take cover
under a doorway, against a wall, or under
a table, and do not go outdoors. If you're
outdoors, stay away from trees, power
lines, and the sides of buildings; if you're
surrounded by tall buildings, seek cover in
a doorway. If you're near a beach or the
bay, evacuate to higher ground to avoid
danger in case of a tsunami. Never use
elevators during a quake. You should be
sure to note emergency exits wherever you
stay. All hotels supply flashlights, usually
found attached to your bedside table. In
case of major emergencies, there are emer-
gency shelters throughout the city.
ELECTRICITY
The electricity through-
out Japan is 100 volts AC, but there are
two different cycles in use: In Tokyo and
in regions northeast of the capital, it's 50
cycles, while in Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka,
and all points to the southwest, it's 60
cycles. In any case, it's close enough to the
American system that I've never encoun-
tered any problems plugging my American
electronics, including laptops and camera
rechargers. Leading hotels in Tokyo often
have two outlets, one for 110 volts and
one for 220 volts (with the appropriate
plugs used in the U.S. and Europe), so you
can use most American or European appli-
ances (electric razors, travel irons, laptops,
and so forth) during your stay. Otherwise,
plugs are the same as in the U.S., two flat
parallel pins.
EMBASSIES & CONSULATES
The
visa or passport sections of most embassies
are open only at certain times during the
day, so it's best to call in advance.
U.S. Embassy:
1-10-5 Akasaka,
Minato-ku, near Toranomon subway sta-
tion (
&
03/3224-5000;
http://japan.
usembassy.gov; consular section Mon-Fri
8:30am-noon and Mon-Tues and Thurs-
Fri 2-4pm; phone inquiries Mon-Fri
8:30am-1pm and 2-5:30pm).
Canadian Embassy:
7-3-38 Akasaka,
Minato-ku, near Aoyama-Itchome Station
(
&
03/5412-6200;
www.international.
gc.ca/missions/japan-japon/menu-eng.
asp; consular section Mon-Fri 9:30-
11:30am; embassy Mon-Fri 9am-
12:30pm and 1:30-5:30pm).
British Embassy:
1 Ichibancho, Chi-
yoda-ku, near Hanzomon Station
(
&
03/5211-1100;
http://ukinjapan.fco.
gov.uk/en; Mon-Fri 9am-12:30pm and
2-5:30pm; consulate inquiries Mon-Fri
9:15am-2:15pm).
Embassy of Ireland:
Ireland House,
2-10-7 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, near
Hanzomon Station, exit 3 (
&
03/3263-
0695;
www.irishembassy.jp; Mon-Fri
10am-12:30pm and 2-4pm).
Australian Embassy:
2-1-14 Mita,
Minato-ku, near Azabu-Juban Station,
exit 2 (
&
03/5232-4111;
www.australia.
or.jp; consular section Mon-Fri 9am-
5:30pm; embassy Mon-Fri 9am-12:30pm
and 1:30-5pm).
New Zealand Embassy:
20-40 Kami-
yama-cho, Shibuya-ku, a 15-minute walk
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