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Last Updated:
November 14, 2007 16:45
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:28 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this Travel Report have been updated. For information regarding the Nova Corporation situation, please visit the web site of the Embassy of Canada in The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is monitoring a large outbreak of measles in BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country.
Most Canadian visitors to OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Crime against foreigners is low. Petty crime occurs in larger cities, particularly in entertainment districts. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure passports and travel documents are secure. Tourists and foreign residents may obtain assistance (in English) via telephone hotlines. The Tokyo English Lifeline provides counselling and referrals (tel.: 03-3968-4099). The Japan Helpline offers similar services (tel.: 01-2046-1997). Additional referrals may be obtained from the Embassy of Canada in For emergency services, dial 110 for Police and 119 for Fire and Ambulance. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Japanese authorities and was valid on It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of Japan and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Effective In order to meet immigration requirements, Canadians must be in possession of a return airline ticket, confirmed accommodation arrangements, and proof of sufficient funds. Canadians have been refused entry into Entry permits for tourists are for a maximum stay of 90 days. Overstaying an entry permit or any other type of Japanese visa is a criminal offence. If you overstay your visa you will be subject to deportation and may be barred from re-entry to Canadian business travellers require a business visa if they will receive compensation for work carried out while in Canadian citizens considering employment in Tourist Visa: Not required Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS Passport services for Canadians in You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses: Japan - TOKYO, Embassy of Canada Address: 3-38 Akasaka 7-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 107-8503 Tel.: 81 (3) 5412-6200 Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 001-010-800-2326-6831 (KDDI) 0041-010-800-2326-6831 (Nippon Telecom) 0061-010-800-2326-6831 (Cable & Wireless IDC) Fax: 81 (3) 5412-6289 E-Mail: tokyo@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.tokyo.gc.ca Limited consular services (providing citizenship application forms and limited notary services) are available from the Consulate of Canada in Hiroshima and the Consulate of Canada in Sapporo at the following addresses: Japan - HIROSHIMA, Consulate of Canada Address: c/o Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc., 4-33 Komachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken, Japan, 730-8701 Tel.: 81 (82) 246-0057 Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 001-010-800-2326-6831 (KDDI) 0041-010-800-2326-6831 (Nippon Telecom) 0061-010-800-2326-6831 (Cable & Wireless IDC) Fax: 81 (82) 246-0057 Japan - SAPPORO, Consulate of Canada Address: Dogin Building, Bekkan 8F, Odori Nish 40-chome 1-banchi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan 060-0042 Tel.: 81 (11) 261-7740 Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 001-010-800-2326-6831 (KDDI) 0041-010-800-2326-6831 (Nippon Telecom) 0061-010-800-2326-6831 (Cable & Wireless IDC) Fax: 81 (11) 261-7740 Limited consular services (providing limited informational and notary services) are available from the Consulate of Canada in Nagoya at the following address: Japan - NAGOYA, Consulate of Canada Address: Nakato Marunouchi Building, 6F, 3-17-6 Marunouchi, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan, 460-0002 Tel.: 81 (52) 972-0450 Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 001-010-800-2326-6831 (KDDI) 0041-010-800-2326-6831 (Nippon Telecom) 0061-010-800-2326-6831 (Cable & Wireless IDC) Fax: 81 (52) 972-0453 E-Mail: ngoya@international.gc.ca When calling from within Japan, the area code is preceded by a 0 (for example, 03 for Tokyo then followed by local number). There is no 0 when calling from outside For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. In most drug cases, suspects are denied oral or written communication with anyone other than their lawyer or a Canadian consular representative. Those arrested, even for a minor offence, may be held in detention for weeks or months during the investigation and legal proceedings. Canadians should be advised that there are restrictions over the importation of certain over-the-counter and prescription medications used to relieve sinus and allergy symptoms. These items are banned under Severe penalties exist for drinking and diving offences. Local laws extend to both the driver and the passengers (for allowing someone to drive while under the influence of alcohol). Both are subject to prosecution. Japanese regulations require that visiting foreign nationals provide detailed information when checking in at lodging facilities such as hotels and inns. The purpose of the registration is to assist in preventing infectious diseases and terrorism. The required information includes name, address, occupation, nationality, and passport number. You must also allow your passports to be photocopied. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Traffic drives on the left. Travel by motor vehicle is challenging. Roads are narrow, signs are in Japanese, and city traffic is congested. Turning on a red light is not permitted unless specifically authorized. Roads in mountainous areas are often closed during winter. All visitors wishing to drive in An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. The currency is the yen. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at major banks and hotels. Credit cards are accepted in major cities. Automated banking machines are widely available, but some do not accept foreign debit cards. Visitors should be aware that banking machines are not available 24 hours a day and may not be available on weekends. A four-digit PIN is required to use ABMs in Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Japan is located in an active seismic zone and is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. The region also has active volcanoes. Travellers should familiarize themselves with safety procedures in the event of an emergency and heed the advice of local authorities. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in On The typhoon season extends from June to September. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. You are advised to visit the Web site of the Japan Meteorological Agency for information on weather conditions. Snow storms occur in western Honshu and Hokkaido from December to March. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is monitoring a large outbreak of measles in BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Canadians working in Travellers can bring a one-month supply of prescription medication or a two-month supply of non-prescription medication into Medical referrals can be obtained by calling Himawari, a free medical information service provided by the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Centre at 03-5285-8181. The Himawari hours of operation are weekdays, Excellent medical care is available. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Teaching English: Contracts to teach English (arranged by recruiters in Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is subject to very stringent controls. Adoption of Japanese children by foreigners in Japan is extremely rare. 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