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on December 6th, 2024 (JST) current information

Immigration and Visa

Visa

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) . However,visitors from certain countries (including Japanese nationals from January 8, 2025) entering the country for the following purposes are required to obtain electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

  • Travelling to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
  • Travelling to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
  • Travelling to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
  • Transiting through the UK– including if you are not going through UK border control

    • Passport

    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) .

    • Visa, passport, and other inf+E3:E13 is subject to change without notice. Be sure to check with the Embassy, Consulate, or travel agency.

    Quarantine

    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.

    • a: Meat and meat products
    • b: Milk and dairy products (excluding baby formula, baby food, special foods required for medical reasons, and special pet foods)
    • c: Endangered plants and animals require a permit
    • Although you can bring in most types of fruits and vegetables, you will need a plant quarantine certificate.
    • There are allowable limits and processing restrictions for some products such as seafood and honey.
    • Some restrictions differ for Northern Ireland.
    • There may be other conditions and restrictions in addition to the above.

    Customs

    Bringing in e-cigarettes

    May be brought into the country for personal use. For the scope of duty-free allowances, please refer to "Bringing in e-cigarettes" below.

    For bringing and possession of tax-free cigarettes

    • Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 100 slender cigars, 50 regular-sized cigars, 250g of cut tobacco, or 200 cigarettes for use with electronic cigarettes (possession of combinations of the above is generally acceptable within the restrictions).
    • Alcohol: 42 liters of beer, 18 liters of still wine. Other than the alcohol described at left, either of the following may also be brought in. Four liters of spirits or other alcoholic drinks over 22% alcohol or 9 liters of sparkling wine or fortified wine (e.g., port or sherry) up to 22% alcohol. (Combinations are possible, as long as they are within the allowances.)
    • Other goods: Goods worth up to a total of £390 (Up to £270 if arriving by private aircraft or boat)
    • If you are under 17 years, you need to declare any tobacco and alcohol that you bring in before arriving.
    • There is no limit on bringing currency in, but you must make a declaration when bringing in cash of £10,000 or more. Even if the individuals in a family or group are carrying less than £10,000 each, if the total is more than £10,000, you will need to make a declaration.
    • The above apply in England, Scotland, and Wales if you bring it yourself, and you use it yourself or use it as a personal gift (other than bringing in currency). When entering Northern Ireland, see UK Government website (https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arriving-in-northern-ireland), etc.

    Time difference and Daylight Saving Time

    Time difference

    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.

    Climate

    Climate

    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

    Currency and Exchange Rate, Tax, Currency exchange, Tip

    Currency and Exchange Rate

    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, JPY191.08 (as of December 6 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.

    Tax

    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.

    Tip

    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.

    • Taxis: About 10-15% of the fare. Tip well if you have a lot of luggage.
    • Restaurants: If there is a service charge, generally no tip is required. If there is none, the tip should be about 12% to 15% based on the class of the restaurant.
    • Hotels: About £1~2 each time for the bellhop or when asking for room service.
    • Restrooms: While not a tip, there is a charge for pay public toilets of about £0.20 to £0.50.

    Voltage and plug

    Voltage

    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.

    Video and DVD

    Video and DVD

    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.

    Blu-ray system

    The Blu-ray region code is A in Japan and B in the UK. In the UK and Japan, the television standard format and region code are different, so a typical player for use within Japan cannot play them. However, some devices, such as those with a built-in PC or region-free players, can play them.

    Mail

    Mail

    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.

    Postal charges

    For airmail to Japan, postcards and standard letters up to 100 g cost £2.80. You can post small parcels.

    Phone Call

    How to phone

    Telephoning Japan from England

    Ex. When calling (03) 1234-5678 or (090) 01234-5678
    STEP1

    dial 00 (International telephone ID Number)

    STEP2

    81 (Country Code, Japan)

    STEP3

    3 or 90 (Remove the first 0 for area codes and mobile telephone numbers)

    STEP4

    1234-5678 (Other parties telephone No.)

    Telephoning England from Japan

    Ex. When calling London (020) 1234-5678
    STEP1

    010 (International Identification No.)

    STEP2

    44 (Country Code, England)

    STEP3

    20 (Remove the first 0 from telephone numbers)

    STEP4

    1234-5678 (Other parties telephone No.)

    • *1.On a mobile phone, instead of 010, hold down 0 until + appears, then add the country code and the phone number.
    • *1.Pre-registration to World Wing is required for NTT DoCoMo.

    Holiday / National holiday

    Holiday / National holiday

    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.

    2025

    • January 1 : New Year's Day
    • January 2 : Bank Holiday (only Scotland)
    • March 17: St. Patrick's Day (only Northern Ireland)
    • April 18: Good Friday
    • April 21: Easter Monday (except for Scotland)
    • May 5: Early May Bank Holiday
    • May 26: Spring Bank Holiday
    • July 12: Orangemen's Day (only Northern Ireland)
    • August 4: Summer Bank Holiday (only Scotland)
    • August 25: Summer Bank Holiday (without Scotland)
    • November 30: St. Andrew's Day (only Scotland)
    • December 25: Christmas Day
    • December 26: Boxing Day

    Language

    Language

    Primarily English. Welsh, Scots, and Gaelic are also used.

    Business hours, etc

    Business hours

    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.

    Banks

    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.

    Department stores and shops

    Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00. A growing number are now open for only 6 hours on Sundays and holidays.

    Restaurants

    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).

    Age Limit

    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.

    Manners

    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

    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.

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