There are bound to be questions when travelling. Information on everything from weather to internet connections can be found below.

• Book This Trip

  To help expedite your booking, please have the following information ready before you call us:

  • Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
  • Traveler Name(s): Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver’s license.
  • Traveler’s Address(es)
  • Traveler’s Phone Number(s)
  • Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and phone number(s).
  • Interest in purchasing Tauck’s Travel Protection Product (see below).
  • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

  For reservations, call 800-788-7885 or contact your travel agent to book today!
  
  Tauck Reservation Sales Counselors are available:

  Monday through Friday 6 am - 8 pm
  Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
  Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm (Eastern Time)

  Some additional questions you might have about booking this trip:

  Special Requests
  We will be happy to advise hotels of any special requests, provided we receive them at time of booking. We regret that requests cannot be guaranteed.

  Deposit Date
  Upon your request, we will hold space tentatively for you and give a “Deposit Due Date,” by which a deposit must be received or space is automatically released. Your deposit is $600 per person.

  Final Payment is due at Tauck’s Norwalk, CT office 60 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.

  Final Documents, which may include airline tickets, when applicable, are sent by first class mail upon receipt of final payment. They include joining instructions, hotel lists, tour itinerary, clothing suggestions, luggage tags and other pertinent information. We recommend overnight mailing service for any reservation that is made within 30 days of the tour departure date to ensure timely delivery. The additional expense will be added to your tour cost.

• Inclusive Prices

  Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, motor coach transportation, sightseeing, porterage, admissions, the services of the Tauck Director, local guides and drivers are included. Transportation from Kansai airport or Itami airport in Osaka to the St. Regis hotel Osaka is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from the Hotel Seiyo Ginza to either Tokyo International airport (Narita) is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transfers to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
  
  Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
  
  Tauck Director – Essence of Japan is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck. In addition, a bilingual local guide assists in each city.
  
  Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. This tour provides a variety of dining experiences, including buffets, à-la-carte dining and set menus. Whenever possible, we will try to honor special dietary requests.
  
  Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff, local guides and drivers are included.
  
  No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

• Not Included

  Transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
  
  Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these bookings as described above in Inclusive Prices. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult Extend Your Trip in the Accommodations section above on this webpage and discuss it with your reservations sales consultant or travel agent when you book your tour.
  
  Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Travel Protection Product section below for more information.

  Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:

  • Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
  • Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
  • Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
  • Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
  • Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
  • File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
  • Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
  • Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary

  Your Tauck Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.
  
  Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
  
  Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

• Tauck Travel Protection Product / If You Have To Cancel

  Tauck’s Guest Protection and Cancellation Fee Waiver

  Guests booking a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing cancellation protection from Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations.

  Tauck's Travel Protection is available to all travelers, with the exception of residents of Puerto Rico. Residents of Puerto Rico are eligible for some cancellation protection by purchasing Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver (see below).

  Tauck’s Guest Protection
  
  Under Tauck’s all-inclusive Guest Protection, you can cancel your tour for any reason up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost. The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost. The cost is $520 per person.
  
  In addition, Tauck’s Guest Protection provides comprehensive travelers’ insurance and 24-hour emergency assistance. Coverage for the following elements is provided by BerkelyCare, Ltd. and is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy:
  

  • Airfare Protection – Should you need to cancel or interrupt your tour for covered reasons, airfares and air penalties will be covered up to the original airfare cost.
  • Medical Protection – You are reimbursed for covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or ill during your trip (including pre-existing conditions if purchased at time of deposit).
  • Luggage Protection – You are reimbursed for lost, stolen, delayed or damaged luggage.

  This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Cost is not refundable under any circumstances. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.
  
  Tauck’s Cancellation Fee Waiver
  
  Should you have to cancel your tour for any reason, Tauck’s non-refundable Cancellation Fee Waiver waives all cancellation fees outlined (except in Extreme Circumstances*), provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. The cost is $400 per person.
  
  This Waiver is not insurance; it does not cover airline penalties, luggage damage, personal injury, or protect travel agent commissions. The advantage of this waiver is that you may cancel regardless of reason, without written notice. Should you wish protection beyond our Cancellation Fee Waiver, your travel agent will recommend insurance companies.
  
  This optional Cancellation Fee Waiver must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. It assures a full refund of land tour costs received by Tauck, except for the cost of the Cancellation Fee Waiver and any extra fees resulting from partial room cancellation.
  
  *Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.
  
  If You Have to Cancel
  
  Cancellations Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, the following fees apply.
  
  Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection will incur cancellation penalties of $520 per person regardless of cancellation date prior to tour departure date.
  
  Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties of $400 per person regardless of cancellation date prior to tour departure date.
  
  Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
  

  
  60 days or more before departure
  $600 per person
  
  59-8 days before departure
  $1250 per person
  
  7-1 days before departure
  $2000 per person

   

  Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office.
  
  In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.
  
  Tour Interruption Fees – If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund of land tour costs if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less $40 per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.
  
  Partial Room Cancellation – A person canceling or leaving a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.
  
  Click here to download our complete Description of Coverage.
  
  

• Additional Information

  Airline Security Measures –
  
  If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
  
  If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
  
  For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA website by clicking here.
  
  If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
  
  Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
  
  Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
  
  Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many state, religious and civic holidays locally observed. You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.
  
  Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
  
  Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:30 PM at The St. Regis Hotel Osaka on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.
  
  Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
  
  Photography and Video on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and / or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet or other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

• Preparing to Go

  Travel Document Requirement –
  
  If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Japan; however, you do not need a visa for the short duration of this tour.

  If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact a consulate or embassy of Japan to determine what travel documentation is required.

  Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
  
  We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
  
  Travel with Children ―
  
  Age Recommendations – Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

  Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
  
  Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
  
  Special Travel Documentation for Children
  Authorization for Travel
  
  If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a notarized note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
  
  If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
  
  Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
  
  Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
  
  In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

  Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey.

  We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
  
  Air Conditioning – All hotels and motor coaches used on this tour are air-conditioned for your comfort.
  
  ATM and Credit Cards ― We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be "suspicious" charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
  
  Clothing and Packing - Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing.  We recommend that you pack lightly for your trip to Japan, as there is very little room for luggage aboard the trains and you will pack an overnight bag for your stay at the Kagaya Hotel on Day 7 and at the Hyatt Regency Hakone resort & Spa on Day 10. The balance of your luggage will be transported by luggage truck and there will be no access to the remainder of your luggage for those two nights. A small bag with wheels that you can comfortably manage on your own without assistance is strongly suggested.
  
  We recommend that you dress smartly. Jeans and capri pants are suitable for casual dining and sightseeing. However, shorts are rarely seen outside of hiking or sport venues, unless they are longer-length Bermuda shorts. Most women wear cropped length pants and they do not, as a rule, wear t-shirts. Most wear a conservative top that may be sleeveless but is not low-cut, and many Japanese women wear heels even with casual clothes.
  
  Shoes that are easily removed are essential, as it is customary to remove shoes when entering temples, shrines, private homes and certain restaurants. Clean socks and hosiery are also required to avoid unnecessary embarrassment.
  
  Japan’s top French restaurants usually require jackets and ties. The older generation considers it inappropriate for women to wear dresses without hose or tops without sleeves.
  
  Bring packets of pocket-sized tissue and handkerchiefs, as tissue and paper towels are often not found in lavatories.
  
  We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
  
  Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your journey to Japan:
  

  • Cotton, cotton/synthetic and linen clothing
  • Light weight shirts, pants, capri pants and dresses
  • Light jacket or sweater
  • Jacket and tie and casually-elegant attire for fine dining
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Shoes that are easy to slip on and off when visiting places of worship
  • Hat (a wide brimmed hat is recommended)
  • Collapsible umbrella
  • Swimwear
  • Gym wear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film
  • Soap leaves, travel packets of tissues, handkerchiefs and hand sanitizer (toilet tissue and paper towels are not available in many lavatories)
  • Binoculars
  • Travel alarm clock
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

  Elevation – The highest overland elevation is 4,455 ft (1,358 m) while traveling through the "Alps of Japan" on Day 10. The highest overnight elevation is 2,157 ft (657 m) at the Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa.
  
  Health – To enjoy this active tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.  We recommend that you pack sturdy, comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in to appreciate fully what Japan has to offer.
  
  Some sites have limited motor coach access and often involve walking some distance from the motor coach parking to the site itself. Due to the ancient nature of several of the sites you will visit, stairs, walkways and garden paths are sometimes uneven, irregular, steep and/or slippery. If you join us for the visit to the fish market, you should be aware that there are crowds of people and fast-moving carts and forklifts. Quite often, you will be asked to remove your shoes to gain entry into the temples, shrines and historical residences along your journey.
  
  We regret that we cannot accommodate wheelchairs and scooters on this itinerary. We also regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you require such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
  
  While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.

  Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

  If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
  
  If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally,  no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Japan. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here.
  
  If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries on the itinerary to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.
  
  Luggage Restrictions –
  
  Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour

  As there is very little space on Japanese trains for luggage, pack lightly and use small suitcases. For your stay at the Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa on Day 10 and at the Kagaya Hotel on Day 7, you will need to pack all essential clothing and personal care items in an overnight bag; the rest of your luggage will be transported to the next hotel by luggage truck.
  
  Checked Luggage – General
  
  While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
  
  Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
  
  Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here.
  
  We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.
  
  Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
  
  Carry-on Luggage - General
  
  Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
  
  For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

• Destination Information

  Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
  
  Unless your cellular carrier is an inbound roaming partner of either DoCoMo or Vodafone Japan, then your cell phone is considered incompatible and will not work in Japan. Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for your service.
  
  Currency and Exchange Rates – The official currency for the Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY).
  
  Travelers’ checks and major international credit cards are accepted by leading banks, hotels, ryokan (Japanese inns) and stores in major cities. However, when traveling outside of major cities it is best to obtain local currency first. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are commonly available in large urban areas throughout Japan; however, many do not accept foreign credit cards or cash cards and their service hours are very often restricted. We advise you to contact the institution that issued your card to determine where you would be able to use your card. Foreign credit, debit and cash cards can be used at  Post Office ATMs in locations throughout Japan. Post offices where this service is available display stickers indicating which cards are accepted. Cards from the Cirrus, Plus, Maestro and Visa Electron networks can be used. Accepted credit cards include Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.
  
  You may obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies by checking your local newspaper or by logging on to oanda.com by clicking here.
  
  Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Each country we visit has its own customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with Japan's specific required customs declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries. You may find additional information by visiting VisaHQ.com by clicking here.
  
  If you are a U.S. resident traveling internationally who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, you are entitled to a duty-free exemption based on the total value of merchandise purchase abroad, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the U.S. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.
  
  If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
  
  Many countries levy Value Added Taxes (VAT) on consumer goods and services. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.
  
  Electrical Current – The electrical current throughout Japan is 100 V, AC. There are two kinds of frequencies in use: 50 Hertz in eastern Japan (Tokyo) and 60 Hertz in western Japan (Kyoto). If your electrical devices do not meet these standards, you may need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters.
  
  Internet Access is available as indicated below:
  
  Hotel Seiyo Ginza - High-speed access in rooms
  Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa - High-speed access in rooms
  Hotel Associa Takayama Resort - In the business center
  Kagaya Hotel - Limited access upon request in the main lobby
  Kyoto Hotel Okura – Wireless access in rooms
  St Regis Osaka – Wireless access in rooms

  We also recommend that you consider three other types of Internet access while in Tokyo or any other part of Japan:
  

  • Rent a prepaid mobile phone with Internet connection
  • Visit the nearest Internet Cafe.
  • WiFi - wireless Internet access

  Time Zones – Japan is 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). Japan does not observe Daylight Savings Time. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest that you log on to the Internet website, timeanddate.com, by clicking here.
  
  Weather - The weather throughout the Japan's four main islands is generally temperate, with four distinct seasons. The weather can get very hot during the summer months, particularly in the South. May, June and July are the wettest months, and June, July and August are hotter and more humid.

  
  To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
  

  	CLIMATE CHART
  	Temperature
  	Tokyo				Kanazawa
  	Japan				Japan
  	Fahrenheit		Celsius		Fahrenheit		Celsius
  	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low
  January	49	34	9	1	43	32	6	0
  February	49	35	9	2	43	32	6	0
  March	54	39	12	4	50	35	10	2
  April	64	50	18	10	63	45	17	7
  May	73	58	23	14	72	54	22	12
  June	77	65	25	18	77	62	25	17
  July	83	72	28	22	84	70	29	21
  August	87	75	31	24	88	72	31	22
  September	80	68	27	20	80	65	27	18
  October	70	57	21	14	69	54	21	12
  November	61	48	16	9	59	44	15	7
  December	53	39	12	4	49	37	9	3
  	Kyoto
  	Japan
  	Fahrenheit		Celsius
  	High	Low	High	Low
  January	47	32	8	0
  February	48	33	9	1
  March	55	37	13	3
  April	67	47	19	8
  May	75	56	24	13
  June	81	64	27	18
  July	88	72	31	22
  August	91	74	33	23
  September	82	67	28	19
  October	72	54	22	12
  November	62	44	17	7
  December	52	36	11	2

  
  
  

  	Rainfall
  	Tokyo		Kanazawa		Kyoto
  	Japan		Japan		Japan
  	Inches	MM	Inches	MM	Inches	MM
  January	1.8	46	10.5	266	2.0	51
  February	2.4	61	7.2	184	2.6	66
  March	3.9	99	6.0	153	4.4	112
  April	4.9	124	5.7	144	6.0	152
  May	5.4	137	6.1	154	6.1	155
  June	7.3	185	7.6	194	9.8	249
  July	5.0	127	8.9	227	9.2	234
  August	5.8	147	6.5	164	5.6	142
  September	7.1	180	9.5	242	8.0	203
  October	6.5	165	7.4	188	4.4	112
  November	3.5	89	10.5	267	2.7	69
  December	1.8	46	11.3	287	1.6	41