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on March 1st, 2024 (JST) current information.
Furthermore, the details under "Visa" and "Passport" are for Japanese nationals.
This information is likely to change suddenly, so please contact the relevant official authority (e.g., embassy) for the latest information.
You do not require a visa to stay in the UK for general tourist purposes (generally stays of 6 months or less for Japanese citizens)
Your passport must be valid for at least the length of your stay.Check the UK government website for details (https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/before-you-leave-for-the-uk) .
When visiting from Japan, the following items are prohibited from bringing in to the UK. The following are for general tourists bringing in items for personal use.
May be brought into the country for personal use. For the scope of duty-free allowances, please refer to "Bringing in e-cigarettes" below.
There is a 9-hour time difference between Japan and London. Subtract 9 from the hour in Japan. In other words, 8:00 in Japan is 23:00 on the previous day in the UK.
This changes to an 8-hour difference during daylight saving time, which begins at 1:00 (2:00) at night on the last Sunday of March and ends at 2:00 (1:00) at night on the last Sunday of October.
London is on a higher latitude than Hokkaido but is not as cold as Hokkaido thanks to warm currents and the westerlies. However, you will need a warm coat in winter. In summer, although some years have heat waves, the air is dry and some days are cool, so it is best to bring a cardigan or shawl. It rains often throughout the year, so a jacket with a hood comes in handy.
Temperature and precipitation in London and Tokyo
Monthly average temperature and precipitation
The average maximum temperature in Tokyo and London, The average minimum temperature in Tokyo and London
month | The average maximum temperature in Tokyo | The average minimum temperature in Tokyo | The average maximum temperature in London | The average minimum temperature in London |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. | 10℃ | 2℃ | 6℃ | 3℃ |
Feb. | 10℃ | 2℃ | 7℃ | 3℃ |
Mar. | 13℃ | 5℃ | 11℃ | 4℃ |
Apr. | 18℃ | 10℃ | 15℃ | 5℃ |
May | 23℃ | 15℃ | 17℃ | 9℃ |
Jun. | 25℃ | 18℃ | 20℃ | 11℃ |
Jul. | 28℃ | 23℃ | 21℃ | 14℃ |
Aug. | 31℃ | 24℃ | 20℃ | 13℃ |
Sep. | 27℃ | 21℃ | 19℃ | 10℃ |
Oct. | 23℃ | 15℃ | 15℃ | 9℃ |
Nov. | 17℃ | 10℃ | 10℃ | 5℃ |
Dec. | 13℃ | 5℃ | 8℃ | 3℃ |
The average precipitation in Tokyo and London
month | The average precipitation in Tokyo | The average precipitation in London |
---|---|---|
Jan. | 50mm | 50mm |
Feb. | 60mm | 40mm |
Mar. | 110mm | 40mm |
Apr. | 130mm | 40mm |
May | 130mm | 40mm |
Jun. | 160mm | 40mm |
Jul. | 160mm | 60mm |
Aug. | 150mm | 60mm |
Sep. | 210mm | 50mm |
Oct. | 110mm | 60mm |
Nov. | 90mm | 60mm |
Dec. | 40mm | 50mm |
The portrait on coins and banknotes gradually change to that of King Charles.
The unit of currency is the pound (£) and pence (p). £1 is 100 p, JPY163 (as of March 18, 2024). There are four denominations of banknotes: £5, £10, £20, and £50. In general, £50 notes are not often used.There are eight types of coins: 1 p, 2 p, 5 p, 10 p, 20 p, 50 p, £1, and £2.
Although Scotland, Northern Ireland, and other countries in the UK issue their own banknotes, the currency values are the same. Scottish and Northern Irish banknotes are supposed to be accepted in other regions of the UK, but there may be places that refuse you service. Also, Scotland and Northern Ireland currency cannot be exchanged in Japan and should be used or exchanged to British pounds as early as possible.
In the UK, a 20% value-added tax called "VAT” (Standard taxation rate) is applied to many products. However, there are no duty-free procedures in England, Wales, or Scotland for goods purchased and taken home by general travellers.
Fees charged in places such as restaurants and hotels often include a service charge, so a tip is not always required. However, you may tip someone providing you with a service as a show of gratitude. The amount differs depending on whether a special request was made and the level of satisfaction with the service, but the following values serve as references.
Type BF
Generally the voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Plugs are generally Type BF. Although you can often plug digital camera battery chargers or computers in directly, you will need an adapter for some electrical devices. Check the voltage details on the label.
The TV and video system in the UK differs from that of Japan, so media from the UK cannot be played on ordinary media players in Japan. The DVD region code is 2, the same as Japan, so it can generally be played on a computer equipped with a DVD player but not on ordinary DVD players.
The Blu-ray region code is A in Japan and B in the UK.
The UK postal service is called Royal Mail. Some small shops have a Royal Mail counter in a corner. Hours differ quite a bit among post offices, but they are generally 9:00 to 17:30 on weekdays. Some are open on Saturday. They are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Some small post offices are closed at lunch time.
For airmail to Japan, postcards and standard letters up to 100 g cost £2.20. You can post small parcels.
dial 00 (International telephone ID Number)
81 (Country Code, Japan)
3 or 90 (Remove the first 0 for area codes and mobile telephone numbers)
1234-5678 (Other parties telephone No.)
Phone carrier identification number
010 (International Identification No.)
44 (Country Code, England)
20 (Remove the first 0 from telephone numbers)
1234-5678 (Other parties telephone No.)
The dates for most national holidays change each year, and there are substitute holidays when they fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday. Some close before and after Easter and from before/after Christmas to New Year. Transport such as the underground, buses, railways, etc. does not operate as usual from before Christmas to New Year.
Primarily English. Welsh, Scots, and Gaelic (Scotland and part of Northern Ireland) are also used.
Below is a guide for general business hours. There is a 30 min. to 1 hour or so difference between stores. Many close or have irregular hours around Easter and Christmas, during the New Years holidays, and on public holidays.
Hours vary widely by bank, but are generally 9:00 to 17:00 weekdays. Some also open Saturdays in the morning only. They are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00. A growing number are now open for only 6 hours on Sundays and holidays.
Lunch is from 12:00 to 14:30, afternoon tea from 15:00 to 17:00, and dinner from 17:30 to 23:00 (roughly).
Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes are not allowed to be purchased by people under the age of 18 in the UK. When renting a vehicle, age restrictions vary with the car rental company, the type of vehicle, and other factors, and a credit card is requested as ID.
When lining up (forming a "queue"), stand in one line even if there are multiple agents, and go to a free agent when you reach the front of the line. To hail a taxi or stop a bus, signal by sticking out your arm. When standing on escalators, stand on the right. In general the left side is for people to walk.
Smoking is prohibited in restaurants, pubs, shops, hotel lobbies, and other public buildings. Violators will be fined. It is allowed in outdoor terraces. You will also be fined for littering cigarette butts in the street.