General information

VISA(biza,ビザ)

Japan Government have a web site of the visa.
Check it by yourself.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan[E]>Visa[E]

To extend their period for staying in Japan, many foreigners go out once from Japan to some relative countries and come back again after a few days. However, it is illegal and the Immigration Officers some times refuse re-entry. To avoid this risky way, try to apply for your visa extension (biza enchou,ビザ延長) to the immigration Office. It may be possible to extend your visa for additional 2 or 3 weeks. Confirm to the immigration Office.

Visa Exemption

Japan offer Visa Exemption Arrangements with 63 countries(as of January 2004), which include many of European counties and American countries.(3 month or 90days)

I regret to say that most of Asian nationals still have to apply visas.

Please check before your departure.

Map(chizu,地図)

The maps cyclists have to get are...

Banking

About money(okane,お金)

In the city I had difficulty getting cash on my Visa. Foreign exchange clerks in large banks could not help when their machines rejected my card. This was frustrating until we discovered humble Post Offices had cash machines that would accept an international Visa. From then on, spotting the distinctive Post Office signs, meant cash availability over the following 10 weeks.

As Roy Sinclair said above, Japanese Postal Office (Yubinkyoku, 郵便局) must be very convenience for you. They are anywhere in Japan, even in the underpopulated villages, and you can cash common credit/debit/cash cards or traveler's checks. See the web sites below for detail;

About credit/debit/cash cards handling in Japanese Post Office

About traveler's checks handling in Japanese Post Office

Japan seems to be a cash society compare to western countries. But credit cards are gaining in popularity here in the past years. Now you can pay by credit card at many family restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores.