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 ATMs accepting foreign credit cards are at Kyoto Central Post Office next to Kyoto Station and at the Nakagyo-ku Post Office in central Kyoto.

Dentists & Doctors -- Sakabe International Clinic, Gokomachi, Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku (tel. 075/231-1624), has an English-speaking staff. Otherwise, ask Kyoto Tourist Information or the concierge of your hotel for a list of English-speaking doctors.

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 ($4), plus ¥95 (90¢) for each additional 15 minutes. 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. You have to become a member here for ¥200 ($1.90; ID required), after which you pay ¥120 ($1.15) for every 15 minutes.

Lost Property -- If you leave something on the Shinkansen bullet train, call tel. 075/691-1000 to see whether it has been found. Items lost at Kyoto Station are turned in to the lost-and-found office (tel. 075/371-0134). 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) 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 service (but not for packages or currency exchange); stamps for letters are sold from vending machines. There are also ATMs here, where you can obtain currency Monday to Saturday from 5am to 11:55pm and Sundays and holidays 5am to 8pm. The Nakagyo-ku Post Office, at Sanjo and Higashinotoin streets in central Kyoto, is open Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm; its ATMs are open Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm and weekends 9am to 5pm.