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, Daimaru, and Kintetsu, 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.

In addition to ATMs located at post offices, there are ATMs in Central Kyoto at the All Card Plaza, on the west side of Teramachi Street just north of Shijo Dori (tel. 075/221-4001), which accept American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, and other cards operating on the PLUS and Cirrus systems daily from 9am to 8pm.

Dentists & Doctors-- The Tourist Information Center (tel] 075/371-5649) has a list of about a half-dozen dentists and about a dozen doctors who speak English. If the TIC is closed or you'd rather talk to a doctor directly, call Dr. Sakabe, Gokomachi, Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku (tel. 075/231-1624), an internist who speaks excellent English; he can refer you to other doctors as well.

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. If you go by ambulance, it must take you to one of these: Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital (Daini Sekijuji Byoin), Marutamachi-sagaru, Kamanza Dori, Kamikyo-ku (tel. 075/231-5171), is staffed 24 hours a day, but a referral by a doctor who knows your problem is expected. English is spoken at Japan Baptist Hospital (Nihon Baputesuto Byoin), 47 Yamanomoto-cho, Kitashirakawa, 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-- God Mountain, in Central Kyoto on the west side of the Shinkyogoku Dori covered shopping arcade (tel. 075/213-7880), is a bakery/coffee shop on the ground floor but has 10 computers on the second floor, for which it charges ¥150 ($1.25) every 15 minutes. It's open daily from 8am to 9pm. Across from Kyoto Station's south (Hachijo) exit is Topscafe, on the corner of Karasuma Dori (tel. 075/681-9270), open 24 hours. You have to become a member for ¥200 ($1.65), after which you pay ¥120 ($1) 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. If you're still having problems, the TIC suggests that you visit their office.

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 Karasuma (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, also with ATMs, is open Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm.