iREX 2025 & FANUC Factory Tour

1 December 2025 at 00:00 — 2 December 2025 at 12:00

Departure from Europe to Japan

Before traveling to Japan:
- Cell phones, WiFi, Data roaming: Disable data roaming on your company mobile phone when you leave Europe. If your company’s tariffs don’t cover data roaming in Japan, this could create extremely high costs. You can use free WiFi in the hotel. If you plan to use your cell phone in Japan notify your cell phone provider to have your phone activated for use in Japan. If you plan to use data roaming, check the rates and allowed data. It may be cheaper to rent a WiFi hotspot at the airport. See below for more details.
- Notify credit card companies of your travel to Japan: You might have to enable your credit card for Japan.
- Some credit cards are automatically blocked after the first payment in countries out of Europe.
- Notify FANUC of any dietary needs, such as food allergies, vegetarian or religious restrictions.

Credit card usage in Japan:
Japan has a low credit card usage rate when compared to the West. In this way it is safer to bring cash along with your credit cards when traveling in Japan. Visa and Master Card are widely accepted; American Express is a hit/miss and Discover cards are hardly accepted. Also, some merchants/vendors (such as train ticket machines) require the credit card to have a pin code setup in advance, so if you don’t have it set up, you will need to go to the manned ticket window to authorize payment with a signature. Stores in the suburbs and countryside as well as many places with entrance fees such as Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples are cash only.

Currency exchange:
Although the rates are not good at the airport, it will likely be the most convenient place to get some Japanese yen for some small purchases. Some small stores such as the news-stands in the train stations, small gift shops may only take cash. Currency exchange is located in the arrival lobby after you clear customs.

Tipping:
There is no culture of tipping in Japan. At the restaurants, pay the amount shown on the receipt that includes consumption tax of 8%. Likewise, there is no tipping to the taxi drivers, porters or hotel staff.

Wifi hotspot:
You may want to consider renting a WiFi hotspot so that you do not have to use data on your cell phone. Wi-Fi hotspot rental vendors are located in the arrival lobby after you clear customs.
The provider Telecom Square is right after the arrival gate at Haneda Airport. They also have stores at Narita Airport. You need a passport and a credit card.
- Telecom Square website: https://wifibox.telecomsquare.co.jp/en/ / https://www.wi-ho.net/en_b/product/
- Details: https://www.econnectjapan.com/blog/pocket-wifi-rental-options-in-haneda-airport/

eSIM - Airalo:
Airalo is a service that provides eSIM (Embedded Subscriber Identity Module) technology, enabling travellers to Japan and other countries to access mobile data services without the need to purchase a physical SIM card. Through the use of an eSIM-compatible device, users can download a digital SIM card over the internet, allowing for immediate connection to local networks upon arrival at their destination.
This service is particularly useful for travellers looking to avoid the high costs associated with international roaming or the inconvenience of purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival. Airalo offers various data plans, catering to different lengths of stay and data usage requirements, providing a convenient and flexible solution for staying connected while traveling.
Airalo website: https://www.airalo.com/

2 December 2025 at 00:00 — 2 December 2025 at 12:00

Arrival to Japan

Arrival to Narita or Haneda Airport
- Narita Airport - NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (narita-airport.jp) / Map | NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (Narita Airport Map)
- Haneda Airport - Haneda Airport Passenger Terminal (tokyo-haneda.com) / Haneda Airport Digital Floor Guide | プラチナマップ (Haneda Airport Map)

Transfer to the hotel New Otani
- From Narita International Airport: about 120-150 minutes by bus / Fare: ≈ JPY 3,200 (26€) one-way for adult
- From Haneda International Airport: about 30-45 minutes by bus / Fare: ≈ JPY 1,230 (10€) one-way for adult

Transfer from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport self arranged:

- Tokyo Limousine Bus Ticket: Haneda Airport (HND)・Narita Airport (NRT) ⮂Tokyo City・Disney - KKday

- Limousine Bus by Airport Transport Service Co., Ltd.

From JR Shinjuku Station: Shinjuku Washington Hotel is directly connected to Shinjuku Station by an underground passageway (serviced by JR, Tokyo Metro, Odakyu, Keio and other railway lines) between 06:00 and 22;45 for comfortable access even in bad weather, 8 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station.