Preparing your ARRIVAL
Internship in Japan – 2020 edition
■ Documents to bring
■ Getting your equipment ready
■ Quirks of Japan
■ At the airport
DOCUMENTS TO BRING
Travel documents
Make sure your passport is up to date and valid for the
duration of your stay.
Have a back-up proof of identity (ID card, driving license,
etc.)
Double check your flight tickets information (bring printed
documents if possible)
Anything that you would need in case of emergency
DOCUMENTS TO BRING
Banking solutions
■ Prepare 2 different accounts with 1 debit/credit card per account
– 1 account should be used for your expenses
– 1 account should be your reserve in case you have a problem
■ At least 1 of the cards should be Visa or MasterCard
– Verify the expiry dates
– Verify your daily / weekly / monthly limits
■ Take some of your domestic currency with you to change it at the airport
in Japan upon arrival (better exchange rate)
DOCUMENTS TO BRING
Driving license
■ Check your eligibility
■ Bring your original license
■ Have it translated at the Japan Automobile Federation office
For more information: http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/switch.htm
GETTING YOUR EQUIPMENT READY
Clothes
■ Pack enough clothes to have 1 clean outfit everyday at work
■ Take into account the season and duration of your stay
– Research the usual weather patterns beforehand
– Tokyo’s rainy season lasts from June 8 to July 20 (approximately).
Be ready for sudden rain-storms
■ Make sure your luggage is not overweight
GETTING YOUR EQUIPMENT READY
Dress code
■ Wear professional clothes or the ones the company asks you to bring
■ Even if it is casual office, prepare for formal occasions (big meetings or events)
■ Guide for men: http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/guide-dress-codes-men/
■ Guide for women: http://www.stylishangels.com/office-dress-code/
Trains in Japan
• Usable cards for trains:
Suica VS Pasmo
Can be used for other transport and services/products
• Teikiken 定期券 / Commuter pass
Home ---- Work
• Train Etiquette
Use the Golden Rule in Japan
• JR Rail Pass 7, 14 , 21-day unlimited Travel
https://japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html
• Night buses
https://www.kosokubus.com/en/special/nightbus.html
GETTING YOUR EQUIPMENT READY
Health & safety
■ Bring enough contact lenses with a note from the
doctor.
■ Make sure you do not bring any prohibited articles
and stay within the limits for medication amounts
– http://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/passenger.
htm
– http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-
medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html
– Be careful of prescription medication. There are some
limitations on common medicine.
GETTING YOUR EQUIPMENT READY
Electrical appliances
■ 2 prong plugs, type A socket (or sometimes B)
■ 100V all over the country, lower than the USA or Europe
■ 50hz in Eastern Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama), 60hz in Western Japan
(Osaka, Kyoto)
■ Power transformers / converters can be bought everywhere
■ Beware of some effects on your products
GETTING YOUR EQUIPMENT READY
Phone
■ You can buy a cheap SIM card (for unlocked phones) with 4G LTE data
and unlimited phone calls*
■ Other Options:
- Pocket Wifi
- Travel Sim
■ https://www.mobal.com/icc
https://wi-firental.com/?ref=INTERNSHIP100
– Follow that link and enjoy
– * some restrictions apply
GETTING YOUR EQUIPMENT READY
Applications
Learning Japanese Learning Japanese
AnkiMobile Flashcards AnkiDroid Flashcards
imiwa IMI
Weblio Weblio
Finding your way Finding your way
Google maps (Offline Maps) Google maps (Offline Maps)
Jorudan Jorudan
Social Media Social Media
Line line
Food Food
GuruNavi GuruNavi
Safety Safety
Safety tips Safety tips
TRAVEL TIPS
• Coin Lockers are your friend
• Wearing masks
• Bringing a small towel with you
• Cash over Card
• Buying Food tickets separately.
• JR Pass
Quirks of Japan
Possible surprises
■ Stay on the left on the escalators
– When in Osaka, stay on the right
■ The address system is logical but can be confusing.
■ Some facilities ask you to remove your shoes
■ Japan is very clean and there are few trash cans.
■ Toilets: High-tech but still simple to use.
– 大 = Large flush
– 小 = Small flush
– 止 = STOP etc
Quirks of Japan
Respect - 2
■ Do not force your ways. Be respectful.
■ Adapt to the country
■ Show interest in the culture
■ Analyze the situation
■ Try to understand the logic behind their actions
■ Learn a few short phrases (check our resources)
■ Keep an open mind
At the airport
Immigration procedure
■ Queue in the right lane (foreigner section and Japanese section)
■ There are always people around to ask for help.
■ Fill the document below (you will receive it in the plane)
■ Be careful what you write
At the airport
How to get to Tokyo
■ From Narita: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/index.html
■ From Haneda: http://www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/access/
■ Trains / local bus
■ Option : LIMOSINE BUSES available at airports
■ Use Kuro-neko if you need your luggage
to be sent to your accommodation from
the airport.
http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/tourist/airport/
Common Questions
FAQs about Japan
■ What are some recommended things to bring?
souvenirs, deodorant, clothes for all occasions + formal outfit (Japan
might not have your size) etc.
■ How much Japanese should I learn and how?
Daily phrases (buying food, travel, bookings etc). Use our resources
■ Are there any safety precautions I need to take?
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world so there are very few
concerns about crime occurring while in Japan.
■ How to meet people?
Through common activities. Work, share house, meetups, IIJ networking
events
See you soon in Japan!
