Currency and exchange rates
Japan’s currency is yen which can be represented by this symbol \ or 円. The exchange rate is about 90 yen for 1 US dollar and 120 yen for 1 Euro (as of January 2009).
Please see the following for detailed information on exchange rate. [ Yahoo! Finance ]
There are coins and notes. Coins are 1,5,10,50,100 and 500yen. Notes are 1,000, 2,000 5,000, and 10,000 yen. Foreign currency can be exchanged in downtown Obihiro at Chuo branch of Hokuyo bank, Hokkaido bank and Yucho bank (the post office bank).
Please see the following for detailed information on exchange rate. [ Yahoo! Finance ] There are coins and notes. Coins are 1,5,10,50,100 and 500yen. Notes are 1,000, 2,000 5,000, and 10,000 yen. Foreign currency can be exchanged in downtown Obihiro at Chuo branch of Hokuyo bank, Hokkaido bank and Yucho bank (the post office bank).
Price (Tokachi)
As of August 2008, a bottle of mineral water (500 ml) is about 110 yen. Lunch can cost about 1000 yen. A minimum taxi fare is 530 yen and 80 yen is added for every additional 1.4km. Bus fares start from 170 yen.
Gratuities
Tipping is not a custom in Japan. (Shop owners/employees will not accept tips)
Tax
A 5% flat-rate consumption tax is imposed on commodities and food.
This tax is included in almost all labeled prices, but can be hidden in some cases, so please make sure to confirm prices when shopping.
In addition, service tax charges are added at hotels and restaurants. Generally, a 10% tax is added to hotel expenses and generally, a 30-40% tax is added to restaurant bills.
This tax is included in almost all labeled prices, but can be hidden in some cases, so please make sure to confirm prices when shopping.
In addition, service tax charges are added at hotels and restaurants. Generally, a 10% tax is added to hotel expenses and generally, a 30-40% tax is added to restaurant bills.
Climate and time difference
Climate in Obihiro
Hokkaido lies in the northern part of Japan. Temperatures here are lower than in Tokyo. Temperatures reach extremes here, as a result of Obihiro being inland. Temperatures can range from over 30°C (86°F) in summer to below -20°C (-4°F) in winter. Ample sunshine raises the temperature, making day and night temperatures fluctuate at times more than 10°C (50°F).
Climate information
There is a low level of precipitation and rainfall in Obihiro. In winter, there is little precipitation and the air is dry. In summer, the sun is intense and the weather is usually clear, so you will want to bring hats, sunglasses etc. Obihiro is one of the sunniest places in Japan!
Please see the charts below for details
Time difference
Summer time (daylight savings time) is not in effect as of January 2009.
Japan is 14 hours ahead of New York and Washington, 17 hours ahead of the American West Coast, 8 hours ahead of Paris and Rome, 9 hours ahead of London, and 1 hour ahead of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Sydney is 1 hour ahead of Japan. There is no time difference with Seoul. (except in the summer).
Hokkaido lies in the northern part of Japan. Temperatures here are lower than in Tokyo. Temperatures reach extremes here, as a result of Obihiro being inland. Temperatures can range from over 30°C (86°F) in summer to below -20°C (-4°F) in winter. Ample sunshine raises the temperature, making day and night temperatures fluctuate at times more than 10°C (50°F).
Climate information
There is a low level of precipitation and rainfall in Obihiro. In winter, there is little precipitation and the air is dry. In summer, the sun is intense and the weather is usually clear, so you will want to bring hats, sunglasses etc. Obihiro is one of the sunniest places in Japan!
Please see the charts below for details
| Month | Atmospheric pressure(hPa) | Precipitation(mm) | Temperature(°C) | Humidity | ||||||||
| Locale | Sea-level | Total | Maximum |
Average | Highest | Lowest | Average | |||||
| Average |
Average |
In one day | In one hour | In ten minutes | Daily average | Daily high | Daily low | |||||
| 1 | 1011.5 | 1017.2 | 85.5 | 59.5 | 11.5 | 2.5 | -5.4 | -0.4 | -10.2 | 6.3 | -16.5 | 70 |
| 2 | 1008.2 | 1012.8 | 28.5 | 17.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | -4.6 | 0.8 | -10.9 | 6.4 | -16.4 | 67 |
| 3 | 1006.7 | 1012.2 | 28.0 | 14.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | -0.7 | 4.3 | -5.6 | 9.6 | -15.4 | 64 |
| 4 | 1008.7 | 1014.1 | 49.0 | 18.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 4.7 | 10.4 | 0.7 | 21.0 | -1.8 | 69 |
| 5 | 1002.3 | 1007.5 | 163.0 | 62.5 | 12.0 | 2.5 | 11.7 | 17.9 | 5.9 | 27.0 | -0.2 | 65 |
| 6 | 1004.8 | 1010.0 | 36.5 | 11.0 | 5.5 | 3.0 | 17.1 | 23.7 | 12.4 | 32.8 | 6.8 | 78 |
| 7 | 1003.5 | 1008.7 | 70.0 | 26.5 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 16.8 | 22.4 | 12.6 | 32.4 | 9.4 | 78 |
| 8 | 1004.5 | 1009.6 | 61.5 | 19.0 | 13.0 | 6.0 | 22.0 | 28.5 | 16.6 | 35.5 | 11.8 | 75 |
| 9 | 1009.3 | 1014.5 | 194.5 | 83.0 | 13.5 | 3.0 | 17.2 | 22.3 | 12.9 | 31.3 | 4.9 | 78 |
| 10 | 1011.4 | 1016.7 | 62.0 | 23.0 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 10.4 | 16.0 | 5.5 | 22.3 | -0.3 | 73 |
| 11 | 1009.5 | 1015.0 | 60.5 | 27.5 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 7.5 | -2.3 | 16.8 | -8.4 | 64 |
| 12 | 1008.0 | 1013.6 | 54.5 | 41.5 | 5.5 | 1.0 | -3.6 | 1.4 | -8.7 | 6.2 | -15.5 | 66 |
| Obihiro - 2008 |
Time difference
Summer time (daylight savings time) is not in effect as of January 2009.
Japan is 14 hours ahead of New York and Washington, 17 hours ahead of the American West Coast, 8 hours ahead of Paris and Rome, 9 hours ahead of London, and 1 hour ahead of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Sydney is 1 hour ahead of Japan. There is no time difference with Seoul. (except in the summer).
Water
Mineral water is available in shops and hotels in downtown Obihiro. However, soft tap water is drinkable and delicious, so there is no need to indulge in mineral water.
Shopping areas
There are some good shopping areas near Obihiro station: Heigen Dori Street and Nagasakiya (a shopping mall). Both Heigen Dori Street and Nagasakiya have drugstores and grocery shops where you can buy souvenirs, cosmetics and sweets. Also, there is a shopping center called Posful, 5 km south of Obihiro station. Another shopping complex called Ito Yokado is 15 km south of Obihiro station. It offers an electronics retail store, a drug store, a clothing shop and many household goods stores. Souvenirs, such as sweets and snacks, are available at Obihiro station.
As of August 2008, opening hours of shops are generally from 10:00am to 7:00pm. Some are open until 9:00pm and some are open for 24 hour convenience. Shops are rarely closed for religious holidays. However, many specialty stores have a weekly closed day, which is usually Wednesday in Obihiro. The shopping malls and centers, on the other hand, don't participate in these Wednesday closures and are only closed in special circumstances, such as New Year's holidays.
Duty-free shop
"Fujimaru" is the only duty free shop in the city. It is a 5-10 minute walk from Obihiro station. Its limited commodities are tax-free. Please ask the shop assistants for further details at the counter in the Duty-free section on the 5th floor.
As of August 2008, opening hours of shops are generally from 10:00am to 7:00pm. Some are open until 9:00pm and some are open for 24 hour convenience. Shops are rarely closed for religious holidays. However, many specialty stores have a weekly closed day, which is usually Wednesday in Obihiro. The shopping malls and centers, on the other hand, don't participate in these Wednesday closures and are only closed in special circumstances, such as New Year's holidays.
Duty-free shop
"Fujimaru" is the only duty free shop in the city. It is a 5-10 minute walk from Obihiro station. Its limited commodities are tax-free. Please ask the shop assistants for further details at the counter in the Duty-free section on the 5th floor.
