Japan is made up of four big islands, namely Hokkaido, Shikoku, Honshu and Kyushu, and thousands of small islands. It has a long and tortuous coastline and beautiful scenery with rug hills and networks of rivers.
There are snow-covered lakes inside mountains, canyons with esoteric stone formations, swiftly-running rivers, tall mountains, majestic falls and warm springs of various sizes in Japan. These enchanting sightseeing scenic spots attract huge numbers of visitors to Japan all year round.
Sakura is Japan’s national flower. Japanese see sakura as the symbol of their national spirit, because blossoming sakuras are extremely resplendent yet sad, and the time they fully bloom is also the time they wither.
The country is covered with sakura trees. Every spring, sakuras in Japan blossom one after another from south to north, thus forming a moving line of blooming flowers. Japanese call this phenomenon of the north-moving of blossoming area as “Sakura Front”, and everyone hopes that the front can arrive at where they live as quickly as possible.
Japan is also known as the “nation of volcanoes and earthquakes”. It has more than 200 volcanoes, around 1/3 being active ones. Although this has led to the frequent occurrence of earthquakes in Japan,it also gives Japan the advantage of rich geo-thermo resources and numerous warm springs. During the winter, it is extremely relaxing to merge yourself in the warm spring water and enjoy the world of snow world. You can also enjoy all kinds of traditional treatments using warm spring water.
Japan’s time is one hour earlier than Beijing, and its international code is 81.
Major scenic spots: Kyoto: Japanese’ homeland of hearts that is rich in Japanese flavor; Tokyo: Capital of Japan and also one of the world’s biggest cities; Okinawa: an international trade and harbor city that attracts visitors from around the world. Opera “Madame Butterfly” uses Okinawa as its setting. Osaka: the gateway of ancient capital Nara and Kyoto. Several generations of Japanese emperors once set capitals in Osaka, leaving behind many antique scenic spots.
CUP has established the acceptance of CUP cards in Japan since December, 2005. CUP’s Japan customer service hotline is 0044-2213-2369. Currently, 50 thousand ATMs in Japan accept CUP cards, including Japan Post Bank, Seven Bank, Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank (outlet of the former FUJ Bank), AEON Credit Service, etc. Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank and AEON Credit Service’s CUP-card-accepting ATMs have all installed Chinese interfaces. For cash withdrawal from AEON Credit Service’s ATMs will not charge commission. To withdraw cash from other ATMs commission will be charged ranging from 75-110 Japanese Yen. Japan Post Bank’s ATMs currently don’t support the inquiry function.
Return
Before visiting Japan, do not forget to carry about several CUP cards. In Japan, you can swipe CUP cards for consumption in the shopping malls and franchised stores frequently visited by many Chinese people, and you can also withdraw yen from the tens of thousands of ATMs. Most ATMs provide the easy-to-use Chinese interface. You can access all the services provided by CUP as long as you can see the familiar CUP logo (in red, blue and green) in the checkout counter of the store or on the ATMs.
The amount of the local currency consumed or withdrawn with CUP cards via the CUP network abroad will be directly converted into that of RMB based on the market exchange rate. The issuing bank will deduct that amount from the cardholder’s RMB account.
Three reasons for using the CUP card or network for consumption while abroad:
Security
Avoid carrying about large amounts of cash to ensure the personal and financial security.
Provide PIN authentication to ensure the security of the transaction and account.
Benefit
The 1%-2% currency conversion fee is exempted.
The ATM withdrawal fee is relatively low.
The opportunity to enjoy CUP preferential activities.
Convenience
Settled in RMB, no need to purchase foreign exchange for repayment
No need to apply for a new card. Nearly all the bankcards with the CUP logo daily used domestically can be used abroad.
Chinese telephone customer service available and some countries provide Chinese interface on ATMs for easy operation,
Tips for Using CUP Cards in Japan:
CUP service opening time: December 2005
Local CUP service hotline: 0034-800-800287
Using the Card in POS Terminals
Application Range
Merchants with the CUP logo all accept CUP cards. Some merchants may not have put up the CUP logo, but cardholders can show their CUP cards and inquire of the cashier whether or not they are accepted.
Merchant Characteristics
Currently, the number of CUP special merchants in Japan has exceeded 16,000. They are mainly airport duty-free shops, large chain stores of electric apparatus (such as the Akihabara Electric Town in Tokyo and Nipponbashi Denden Town in Osaka), department stores in Ginza and Shinjuku in Tokyo, department stores in Umeda and Shinsaibashi in Osaka, as well as brand franchised stores, cosmeceutical chain stores, etc.
Accepted Cards
Bankcards with the CUP logo, including dual currency cards.
Reminder: When using dual currency cards, cardholders are recommended to ask the cashier to choose the CUP network, so as to ensure the enjoyment of the various favorable treatments and services provided by the CUP network. Due to the purchase limits for credit card consumption, it is recommended to use CUP debit cards for large luxury related transactions, as they are subject only to the limit of the balance of the card (except that a spending limit is set by the individual for the debit card).
Relevant Charges
No fee charged while swiping the card in POS terminals.
When consuming through CUP network, the currency exchange charge of 1%-2% will be exempted. CUP will change the amount in local currency into RMB amount to deduct from the holder’s RMB account.
Signature and PIN
Whether you use the debit card or the credit card, please sign on the signature strip on the card back. Please sign on the transaction slip while swiping the card during shopping so that the cashier can check it. Please input you PIN while swiping the card regardless of whether it is a debit card or credit card. If there is no PIN set for the card, just press “Confirm”. Never set too simple a PIN for your card. It is recommended to cover the PIN input keyboard while entering to avoid being captured by a remote camera.
ATM Cash Withdrawal
Application Range
Currently several ten thousand ATMs of Japan Post Bank, BTMU (formerly known as UFJ Bank) , SEVEN Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Bank (staffed points) and AEON Credit Service accept cash withdrawal in Japanese yens with CUP cards.
Japan Post Bank’s ATMs do not support the balance inquiry function. CUP cards cannot perform over-counter transfer and cash withdrawal abroad.
Accepted Cards
Domestically issued dual currency cards cannot use CUP network on ATMs of Japan Post Bank and SEVEN Bank. Other ATMs accept bank cards with CUP labels including dual currency cards.
Reminder: Cardholders are recommended to use the CUP debit card for cash withdrawal while abroad since overdraft interest will occur when using a credit card.
How to Identify ATMs that Accept CUP Cards?
The CUP logo
Chinese Interface
Chinese interface is provided on the ATMs of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, SEVEN Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (staffed outlets).
Cash Withdrawal Procedure
Same as in China, the card will be returned after cash is dispensed.
Take the interface and cash withdrawal procedure of the SEVEN Bank as an example(see the Card Use Guidelines).
Charges and Cash Withdrawal Limits
For ATM cash withdrawals with CUP cards while abroad, follow the stipulations set by relevant state authorities: The daily accumulative withdrawal amount of foreign currency per CUP debit card shall not exceed the equivalent of RMB 10,000. Please consult the issuing bank for the daily cash withdrawal limits of the CUP credit card.
Certain amount of commission fee will be charged by the issuing bank for cash withdrawal while abroad. Please consult the issuing bank for more details on specific rates, the times of cash withdrawal each day with a single card, cash withdrawal limit per time, accumulative withdrawal limit, etc. Except for the commission fee charged at home, some ATM organizations in Japan may charge the ATM service fee of 75-110 yen. Compared to other bankcard networks, the 1%-2% currency conversion fee is exempted when withdrawing cash via the CUP network. CUP will convert the amount of local currency withdrawn into that of RMB, and the bank will deduct that amount from the cardholder’s RMB account accordingly.
Return
l Promotion Period: April 1st, 2008 – May 31st, 2008
l Promotion Method: Shiseido gifts will be given for purchase of at least 10,000 Yen of goods with CUP card at any Mitsukoshi Department Store.
Tips: The gifts are limited by Japanese stores, and the activity will end when all gifts are given out.
Please get your gifts at duty-free counters of Mitsukoshi stores with your CUP card and purchasing . The will be valid for the day of the purchase.
●Activity-holding stores
Mitsukoshi Department Store (Nihonbashi Fleet Store)
Address: 1-4-1 Muromachi Nihonbashi Chuo-ku Tokyo
Tel: 03-3241-3311
Mitsukoshi Department Store (Ginza)
Address: 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuoh-ku, Tokyo
Tel：03-3562-1111
Mitsukoshi Department Store (Sapporo)
Address: Nishi3-8, Minami1-jo,Chuoh-ku,Sapporo;
Tel：011-271-3311
Mitsukoshi Department Store (Nagoya Naka-ku)
Address: 3-5-1 Sakae Naka-ku, Nagoya
Tel：052-252-1111
Mitsukoshi Department Store (Fukuoka)
Address: 2-1-2 Tenjin, Chuoh-ku, Fukuoka
Tel：092-724-3111
Return
1、BIC CAMERA
Merchant Information: One of Japan’s big electronic goods chains. Its 27 branches are mainly located around the main stations of major Japanese cities, so the transportation is very convenient.
Major goods: home appliances, computers & accessories, cameras, digital cameras, goods of top international brands (bags, watches, jewels, etc.)
Discount Information: Get 10% discount when purchasing at least 10,000 Yen goods with CUP card (5% CUP discount + 5% duty-free discount)
2、YODOBASHI CAMERA
Merchant Information: One of Japan’s big electronic goods chains.
Major goods: home appliances, computers & accessories, cameras, digital cameras, goods of top international brands (bags, watches, jewels, etc.)
Discount Information: Get 10% discount when purchasing at least 10,000 Yen goods with CUP card (5% CUP discount + 5% duty-free discount)
Return
