At some point you will be wanting to get out of Japan, permanently or on holiday. There are a number of things to consider well in advance of your intended departure date such as immigration but you should be aware of the unique system that operates in Japan when it comes to booking flights. Start to plan about two months ahead of your intended departure date, especially if it is around the Japanese holiday season.

Japanese school holidays generally are on the following dates. Depending on your contracting organisation you may or may not be required to come into school or the office during this period. It is acceptable to use your contracted vacation time in this period. Taking vacation during the school term is generally considered unacceptable, however, as is so often said it depends on your situation.

If you can manage to leave either a few days before or after the peak season you will save a great deal of money. Even within the peak times you can get cheaper flights at the start or end of the season, bang in the middle is going to cost you. If you call the airline direct you will invariably pay a great deal more for the same flight, so use a travel agent at all times.

If there is no availability for the flight you want then you can ask to be put on the reserve list. This is a good move as many people in Japan put their names down for about three different options before deciding what they want to do, or are themselves waiting on a reserve list for another destination/flight. So nearer to the date the mess sorts itself out and you may well get the flight you were waiting on the list for. Very complex, but it helps if you know how to play the system. When you call a travel agent it is perfectly acceptable to put your name down on about three different options. Ten days later you will have to put down a deposit on your first choice and one month before departure you will need to pay the amount in full. Check with your travel agent how long until the deposit is non refundable as once it is paid you can get it back minus bank charges up until a cut off point. The travel agents below all operate an email service if you do not have time to call.

DISCOUNT FARES

Many magazines carry adverts offering airfares at very reasonable prices. Discount travel agencies are the way to get the best value fares but the magazine price will probably not be the one you pay. If you can get a Japanese friend to speak for you, it is less likely that the agent will try and make a quick buck from the foreigner. Most agencies will tell you as you are booking the 'great deal' on the air fare that there is an airport usage tax (¥2,500-6,000). So make sure that at every step of the negotiations you make it clear that you are looking for the final price with the dressing. When you start calling for quotes, make sure you ask how much their ticket is with ALL surcharges included-- don't just simply set up a reservation at a place with the "cheapest price in town".

Prices for your fares will vary hugely and depend on your departure date. Either book at least two months in advance or avoid the peak travel times in Japan which are the holiday season where half the country try and leave at the same time. Try not to travel in peak season, even a few days either side can make a big difference on price.

There is a list of reliable and reputable travel agencies in InfoZone.

IMMIGRATION - THE RE-ENTRY PERMIT

If you leave Japan during your contract and intend on returning, you must obtain a re-entry permit from your local Regional Immigration Bureau. These can be issued on the same day but do not rely upon this. You should apply for this permit at least two weeks before you plan to depart Japan. These permits are valid until the current period of stay in your passport expires. If you do not have such a stamp in your passport you may not be let back into the country. A single Re-entry permit costs 3,000yen, a multiple one costs 6,000yen and gives you unlimited re-entry into Japan. You will have to go to an immigration bureau to get the new permit, application forms for which are bi-lingual and easy to fill out. You will need to take the following with you:

The stamps to the value of whatever permit you require, can usually be found at a cigarette stall in close proximity to the bureau. If you are leaving Japan for a holiday remember to keep a hold of the Embarkation/Disembarkation card in your passport as you need it to get back in. Upon your return you may use the "Japanese" line at the airport immigration which flows a great deal more quickly than the "Foreigner line".

INOCULATIONS

Check with your travel agent or the embassy of the country you intend to travel to as to which inoculations you need. Cholera and tetanus shots are available from your local Health Office. Cholera involves two shots 4 days apart so the whole process takes six days. They are good for up to one year. Typhoid shots are available at Tokyo international clinic (03) 3582-2646. You can get 2 injections 10 days apart (5,000yen) or 3 capsules to take over six days (8,000yen). Malaria should be taken one week before entering the country and you should continue until several weeks after your depart that country. Akadama Yakkyoku Pharmacy 03-3492-5706 and the International Clinic 03-3582-2646 in Tokyo will also mail you medicine to your home address.

--This information is a guideline only, you should consult your travel
agent or doctor as to the inoculations needed before travel--

INSURANCE

Yasuda JET insurance cover on holiday/vacation

You are covered in terms of health insurance on holiday under you Yasuda policy. This does not however extent to other cover such as theft of property of cancellation of flights. YOU NEED TO TAKE OUT A SEPARATE POLICY TO COVER MATTERS OTHER THAN HEALTH SUCH AS THEFT OF PROPERTY BEFORE YOU TRAVEL. This can be done through any of the travel agents mentioned below and also online. It is also possible to take out cover at major airports before your departure as long as you get to the desk during working hours (usually until 10pm).

To be as clear as possible on the important issue of health cover we refer you to your CLAIR General Information Handbook which states:

Q: Can I use Yasuda Insurance for medical treatment if I get sick when i'm travelling outside of Japan? Or is it just for accidents? Can I make claims on it for medical expenses whilst in Japan?

A: If you fall ill or are injured while in Japan, you will generally be expected to claim medical expenses with the Japanese Health Insurance, which covers 80% of expenses for the insured party (i.e. the JET). However the 20% you have to pay personally can add up to quite a sum if you have to be hospitalised for any length of time. You are then able to file a claim for a refund of this amount with Yasuda, subject to the exclusions detailed on the previous page (refer to handbook Accident Insurance Policy section). You or your Host Institution will have to inform Yasuda within 30 days of an accident or onset of an illness.

If you fall ill or are injured when you are travelling outside of Japan-either in your home country or in a third country-and medical expenses are incurred as a result, you can also file a claim with the Yasuda insurance company. The policy covers you during the first 30 days of a visit to your home country, and covers you when you are in a third country, regardless if the destination or length of stay. Please note that the Yasuda Insurance only covers medical expenses within 180 days of an accident or up to 180 days from the first day of treatment for sickness.

You must bear in mind that when you file a claim, Yasuda will need various information from you to verify the claim. There is no absolute guarantee that you will be reimbursed for expenses incurred - remember this is an insurance company like any other! The scope of coverage is fairly comprehensive but is not all-encompassing. Please read the Guide to the Accident Insurance Policy for Japan and Teaching Participants very carefully for details.