The Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) publishes a wealth of free, colorful brochures and maps covering Tokyo and other cities. These include a tourist map of Tokyo, brochures of popular destinations near Tokyo, and "The Tourist's Language Handbook," a phrase booklet to help foreign visitors communicate with the Japanese.
Japan Online
You can reach JNTO via the Internet at www.jnto.go.jp (and at www.japantravelinfo.com for North American travelers; at www.seejapan.co.uk for British travelers), where you can read up on what's new, view maps, get the latest weather report, find links to online hotel reservation companies and tour companies, and browse through information ranging from hints on budget travel to regional events.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government also maintains a website, at www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp, as does the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, at www.tcvb.or.jp. A different perspective is provided by bloggers living in Tokyo at http://tokyo.metblogs.com.
The JNTO Overseas
If you'd like information on Japan before leaving home, contact one of the following JNTO offices:
- In the United States: One Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1250, New York, NY 10020 (tel. 212/757-5640; visitjapan@jntonyc.org); and 515 S. Figueroa, Suite 1470, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (tel. 213/623-1952; info@jnto-lax.org).
- In Canada: 481 University Ave., Suite 306, Toronto, ON M5G 2E9, Canada (tel. 416/366-7140; info@jntoyyz.com).
- In the United Kingdom: Heathcoat House, 20 Savile Row, London W1S 3PR, England (tel. 020/7734-9638; info@jnto.co.uk).
- In Australia: Room 1813, Australia Square Tower, 264 George St., Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia (tel. 02/9251-3024; jnto@tokyonet.com.au).
