(a) Many shops and offices are closed from Dec. 29-Dec. January (New Year) closed. (b) If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday (excluding New Year’s Day).
(c) Working days between two public holidays are also released.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items may be brought into Japan duty-free (persons over 20 years of age): 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 10 individual packs of tobacco that is heated but not burned or 250 g of tobacco/ or 250 g of mixed tobacco products. (Caution: The total amount of a mixture of the specified tobacco types must never exceed 250 g) 3 bottles (each approx. 0.76 l) of spirits; 56 ml perfume; Allowable total value of all goods carried from overseas other than the above: Less than ¥200,000. Items valued at less than ¥10,000 are tax-exempt and will not be charged. Personal use items such as clothing, toiletries and, if applicable, portable professional equipment. Annotation:
Import Restrictions
Medicines in a first-aid kit: internal use: 2-month supply; external use: 24 pieces; Cosmetic items: 24 pieces. The import of sausage and meat products is subject to strict regulations. Precious metals over 1 kg are notifiable. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Export Restrictions
Precious metals over 1 kg are notifiable.
Prohibited Imports
Articles that violate patent or copyright rights, counterfeit money, weapons, ammunition, drugs of all kinds and narcotics, special medicines (including allergy medicines, certain painkillers), stimulants (including nasal sprays and inhalation sprays for colds), obscene or pornographic media, Plants with soil, most fresh fruits, plants and vegetables. Further information can be obtained from the relevant diplomatic missions. More information is available from Japan Customs.
A large number of bilingual business cards is essential; you can also have them printed in Japan. Appointments should be arranged in advance. Due to the etiquette to be observed, one should plan more than a few days for the business visit. Punctuality is very important. Tea is often served before the mostly formal negotiations.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00. Some shops are open on Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00.
Business contacts
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code is 0081. Companies offering international communication services include. KDDI (001) and NTT (0033). If you want to make a call to Germany, you dial the number (area code) of a provider and then the country code. International calls can be made from payphones marked “International & Domestic Card / Coin Telephone”. Public phones are often found around train stations, hotels and other places heavily frequented by tourists. They are gray or green and can be used with coins or phone cards. Phone cards are available from small general stores and train station kiosks. public phones,
Mobile phone
Cellular networks in Japan are based on PDC (Personal Digital Cellular System) technology, which is not compatible with GSM or other cellular standards. However, UMTS mobile phones or 3G and 4G mobile phones can be used in Japan. The service points of SoftBank Mobile, DoCoMo and the traveller’s local mobile phone provider set up the use of their own SIM card in their own mobile phone or in a rented mobile phone. International roaming agreements exist. However, international roaming is very expensive. In Japan, mobile phones can be rented from Rentafone Japan, among others. Already at Narita Airport and Kansai Airport you can find rental companies like SoftBank Mobile.
Internet
There are Internet cafes in Tokyo and in every other major city. In Tokyo, Kobe and Yokohama, foreign tourists have free access to the Internet via Wi-Fi hotspots. Most hotels offer Internet access, mostly for a fee. Many public buildings and so-called manga cafés also offer inexpensive internet access. Mobile WiFi routers can also be rented.
Post office
English-speaking staff are available at the main post office at Tokyo Station. Postal mail to Europe takes 3-6 days. Poste restante items are accepted by major post offices and held for up to 10 days. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00, Sat 09.00-12.00. Main Post Office and International Post Office (near exit A-2 of Otemachi Subway Station; staff speaks English) open until 7pm, Sat until 5pm.
Radio
Numerous German-speaking radio stations can be received over the Internet in Japan.
