Fast Facts

Area Code -- If you're calling a Kyoto number from outside Kyoto but within Japan, the area code for Kyoto is 075. For calls within Kyoto, don't dial the area code.

Climate -- Kyoto is generally hotter and more humid than Tokyo in summer and colder than Tokyo in winter.

Currency Exchange -- In addition to banks, good places to exchange money after banks close are large department stores like Isetan, Takashimaya, and Daimaru, and the Kyoto Handicraft Center. You can also exchange money at the World Currency Shop on the eighth floor of Kyoto Station (tel. 075/365-7750), open Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm. When changing money, be sure to bring your passport. The most convenient ATM accepting foreign credit cards is at Kyoto Central Post Office next to Kyoto Station or at one of many 7-Eleven convenience stores in Kyoto.

Dentists & Doctors -- Sakabe International Clinic, Gokomachi, Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku (tel. 075/231-1624), has an English-speaking staff. Otherwise, the Kyoto City International Foundation (tel. 075/752-3010) has information on English-speaking doctors and dentists. For Eastern medicine, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto's RIRAKU Spa (tel. 075/541-1234) offers Oriental therapies, including acupuncture and shiatsu, with an English-speaking staff.

Electricity -- In both Kyoto and Nara it's 100 volts, 60 cycles, almost the same as in the United States (110 volts, 60 cycles); your two-pronged appliances should work, but they'll run a little slowly (there are no three-pronged plugs in Japan).

Hospitals -- Most hospitals are not equipped to handle emergencies 24 hours a day, but a system has been set up in which hospitals handle emergencies on a rotating basis. English is spoken at Japan Baptist Hospital (Nihon Baputesuto Byoin), north of Kikage, east of Shirakawa, Sakyo-ku (tel. 075/781-5191). Also in Kyoto are Kyoto University Hospital (Kyoto Daigaku Byoin), Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku (tel. 075/751-3111), and Kyoto Municipal Hospital (Kyoto Shiritsu Byoin), Gojo Dori Onmae, Nakagyo-ku (tel. 075/311-5311). There's also a holiday emergency clinic on Shichihonmatsu Street, north of Marutamachi (tel. 075/811-5072).

Internet Access -- Media Café Popeye, in central Kyoto next to the Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa at Sanjo Kawaramachi (tel. 075/253-5300), is open 24 hours and offers 1 hour of Internet surfing for ¥420 ($3.50/£1.75), with discounts for additional hours. Across from Kyoto Station's south (Hachijo) exit is Topscafe, on the corner of Karasuma and Hachijo Dori (tel. 075/681-9270), open 24 hours. Here you pay ¥120 ($1/50p) for every 15 minutes.

Lost Property -- If you leave something on the Shinkansen bullet train, you have to call the last stop of the train (regardless of where you got off). Ask the tourist office for the number. For trains terminating in Kyoto call tel. 075/691-1000. Items lost at Kyoto Station are turned in to the lost-and-found office (tel. 075/371-0134), which is open daily 8am to 7:30pm. If you lost something along a street or outside, contact the Shichijo Police Station (tel. 075/342-0110). Taxi Kyodo Center (tel. 075/672-1110) handles lost and found for all taxi companies.

Luggage Storage & Lockers -- Kyoto Station has lockers for storing luggage beginning at ¥300 ($2.50/£1.25) for 24 hours, including lockers large enough for big suitcases on its south (Shinkansen) side.

Police -- The national emergency telephone number is tel. 110.

Post Offices -- The Kyoto Central Post Office, located just west of Kyoto Station's Central (north) Exit (tel. 075/365-2471), is open Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday and holidays 9am to 12:30pm. You can mail packages bound for international destinations here. To the south of the Central Post Office's main entrance is a counter offering 24-hour postal service; stamps for letters are also sold from vending machines. There are also ATMs here, where you can obtain currency Monday to Saturday from midnight to 11:55pm, Sundays and holidays midnight to 8pm, and consecutive holidays (for example, 3-day weekends) 7am to 8pm. The Nakagyo-ku Post Office (tel. 075/255-1119), at Sanjo and Higashinotoin streets in central Kyoto, is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm; its ATMs are open Monday to Friday 7am to 11pm and weekends 9am to 7pm.