Everyday practical information for Japan

Local rules and cultural differences

While in Japan you must respect local ordinances and unwritten social norms whose violation can carry fines:

• Street smoking ban: smoking on the street, vapes and heated tobacco included, is strictly regulated. Osaka's citywide ban took effect on 27 January 2025, covering roads, parks and plazas outside designated smoking zones, with a 1,000 JPY fine enforced by patrols. In Tokyo (especially Chiyoda, Shibuya and Shinjuku wards) street smoking draws an immediate on-the-spot fine of 2,000 JPY.
• Public drinking restrictions: since 1 October 2024, drinking alcohol outdoors in designated parts of Shibuya Ward is banned year-round from 18:00 to 05:00. The ordinance carries no fine or legal penalty - it works through patrols and being asked to stop - but do not treat that as permission.
• Gion photography ban (Kyoto): photographing geisha and maiko is prohibited on the designated private streets of Gion, with a fine of up to 10,000 JPY. It is a rule about those specific streets, not a blanket ban across Kyoto or all of Gion - the public thoroughfares are not covered.
• Nara deer: the deer have been designated national natural monuments since 1957, so they are protected as cultural property rather than as ordinary animals. Causing serious injury or death to one carries up to five years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 1,000,000 JPY under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. Feed them only the crackers sold on site.
• Shared bikes and cycling rules: rented shared bikes (e.g. via the Luup app) follow the same road rules as motor vehicles. Running red lights, riding on footpaths outside permitted zones or phoning while riding are strictly fined.
• Invalid driving permits: Japan does not recognize international driving permits issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention. Driving requires an international permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Driving on an invalid permit is treated as driving without a licence, with risk of immediate arrest.

Everyday practical information

• Power sockets: exclusively type A (two flat parallel pins) and marginally type B (with an earth pin). Mains voltage is only 100 V (vs 230 V in Europe); frequency is 50 Hz in eastern Japan (Tokyo) and 60 Hz in western Japan (Osaka). European appliances need an adapter, and high-power devices (e.g. hair dryers) may run noticeably weaker due to the low voltage.
• Time zone: Japan Standard Time (JST) is UTC+9. Japan has no daylight saving.
• Opening hours: convenience store chains (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) run 24/7. Standard department stores open 10:00–20:00 or 21:00.
• No public bins: Japanese city streets have no rubbish bins. Pedestrians carry their rubbish back to the hotel. The only exception is bottle/can bins right next to vending machines - dumping general waste in them is considered a serious offence and fined 2,000 JPY for littering in Shibuya Ward.