Japan - Cherry Blossom

Dubbed the ‘City of Life’, Hong Kong, set on South China’s eastern Pearl River Delta, is a true gem of Asia. This destination is a fusion of ancient and modern, natural beauty and urban bustle, mysticism, and cosmopolitan flair. While this pulsing urban metropolis may bring to mind a slew of glittering skyscrapers, there is certainly no shortage of natural wonders. In fact, mountains and sprawling country parks encompass over 70 percent of Hong Kong. See the highest number of skyscrapers in the world from the famous Star Ferry, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, or by heading up Victoria Peak. Explore spectacular sacred temples, go on a food tour, or party the night away. Enjoy the flurry of fascinating museums, shopping at the many chic side-street boutiques, antique stores, and cheerful gadget bazaars.

Currency

The currency of Hong Kong 1 Renminbi Yuan (CNY; symbol ¥) = 10 jiao/mao or 100 fen. Notes are in denominations of ¥100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 5 jiao and 1 jiao. Coins are in denominations of ¥1, 5 jiao and 1 jiao. Counterfeit ¥50 and ¥100 notes are commonplace. The Yuan is often referred to as the ‘guai’ in street slang.

Banking

Banking Hours: Monday-Friday 09h00-16h00/17h00. Some banks close for lunch from 12h00-13h00. Select branches in major cities offer extended hours in the evenings and on weekends.

American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in major provincial cities in designated establishments. Credit cards are often unlikely to be accepted away from the major cities

ATMs can generally be found in airports, hotels, shopping centres and banks, as well as in many major cities and towns.

Travellers Cheques To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Hong Kong has only one commercial airport, there are no domestic flights in Hong Kong

There are double-decker Hong Kong Tramways trams on Hong Kong Island, running from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan (with the red and blue lines heading inland to Happy Valley Racecourse). Get on at the back and pay the fare upon disembarking; the Octopus Card, which stores credit for pay-as-you-go travel, can be used on trams.

A wide selection of self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available. Car hire isn’t very popular however, since congested roads mean that it’s generally easier to use public transport on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. Some of the outlying islands are completely car-free.

Taxis are plentiful in Hong Kong and Kowloon and are reasonably priced, although note that there is an extra charge for the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Red taxis serve most of Hong Kong (except for Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island); green ones serve the New Territories; and blue ones serve Lantau Island.

Hong Kong Island is not particularly cycle-friendly, since roads tend to be busy, steep, or both. Traffic is also heavy in Kowloon, but there are plenty of good cycling options in the New Territories and on the outlying islands.

The bus network is extensive, covering the New Territories and outlying islands, as well as Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Helpfully, the destinations are marked in English and may be accompanied by an X (express), R (Sundays and public holidays only) or M (links up with a station on the MTR metro network). Note that no change is given on buses.

Visitors to Hong Kong will find authentic food from all the regions of China, including Cantonese, Northern (Peking), Chiu Chow (Swatow), Shanghai, Szechuan and Hakka. What’s more, there’s the chance to sample them in all kinds of surroundings: on a sampan in Causeway Bay or a floating restaurant at Aberdeen; in a Kowloon back-street restaurant or street market; or in the dining room of a luxury hotel. Don’t miss the chance to try one (or more) of Hong Kong’s private kitchens, which started out as unlicensed venues inside private homes but have developed into a scene of their own. Some of them are really quite upmarket and the best offer serious treats for gourmand visitors; many also have the added thrill of being in odd or unexpected locations.

All water used for drinking, brushing teeth or freezing should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water, widely and cheaply available, is the most advisable way of getting around this. Be especially careful when eating at small street-side stalls or restaurants where standards of hygiene may not be high. Pork, salad, scallops, snails and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Tipping is not expected.

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with four seasons, and weather strongly influenced by two monsoons: the north-northeast monsoon from October to March and the south-southwest monsoon from April to September.

Lightweight clothing and a light raincoat are recommended during the warmer months, while warmer clothes are useful in winter. It should be noted that even during the hottest weather, a jacket or pullover will be required for the sometimes fierce air conditioning indoors.

Electrical sockets in Hong Kong are Type G (BS-1363). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of this sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in Hong Kong usually supply electricity at 220-240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.

Japan is one of the most visited countries in the world and many tourists wax lyrical when they share their travel experiences. The landscape offers an interesting blend of beautiful nature, well kept religious shrines and temples, historical landmarks, modern cities and world heritage sites. The influence of Japan’s fascinating cultures and unusual subcultures have such an international impact that foreigners flock here to experience sumo wrestling, traditional tea drinking ceremonies, anime comic art, samurai legends and more. Japan is also known as the birthplace of sushi, aikido and calligraphy. A trip here would not be complete without experiencing the otherworldly music scene and diverse nightlife.

Currency 

Local currency: Japanese Yen 
Symbol: ¥ 
ISO code: JPY 
Subunit: None 
Banknotes: ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000 
Coins: ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Limited acceptance 
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 09:00 - 15:00 
Weekends: Limited hours 
Public Holidays: Yes (If yes, add hours) 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA) 
International Airports: Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo, Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka 
Domestic Airports: Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo, Itami Airport (ITM) in Osaka 

Road: 

Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Limited 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: Yes 

Water: 
Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: Yes (Generally safe) 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes (Ensure proper cooking) 
Street food: Yes (Choose reputable vendors) 

Local cuisine: 
Japanese cuisine is renowned worldwide for its precision, freshness, and variety. Highlights include Sushi (raw fish and rice), Ramen (noodle soup), Tempura (battered and fried seafood or vegetables), and Okonomiyaki (savory pancake). Notable local drinks include Sake (rice wine), Green Tea (Matcha), and Shochu (distilled liquor). 

Tipping: Not customary, but small gestures of appreciation may be welcomed. 

Annual rainfall: Varies by region 

Average temperature: 10-25°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 25-35°C 
Average lows: 20-25°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 5-15°C 
Average lows: 0-10°C 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Japan depends on your preferences. Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) offer mild temperatures and beautiful cherry blossoms or fall foliage. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes (In Winter) 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes (For hot springs) 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Plug Type: Type A, Type B 
Voltage (V): 100 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50/60 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.