Airways Japan information: Nagoya Sales Office Sumitomo Shoji Building, 1-1-6, Higashisakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya 461-0005, Japan Phone: 81-52-971-2221, Fax: 81-52-971-2287.

Nagoya Airport: Information Center for Domestic Airlines (0568) 28-5633, Information Center for International Airlines (0568) 29-0765, Nagoya Airport Police (0568) 29-0110.

Banks and exchange Several major bank branches can be found around the stations, along Sakura-dori and Nishiki-dori in Sakae.

Bookshops: The best places for English-language books are Maruzen, 3-2-7 Sakae Nagoya 460-0008 (daily except Wed 10am-7pm) and Kinokuniya Nagoya Loft (052) 265-2621, within the Loft department store in the Nadya Park Building in Sakae (daily except Tues 11am-8pm).

Car Rental in Nagoya: Nippon Rent-A-Car (Phone: (03) 3485 7196; website: www.nipponrentacar.co.jp), Nissan Rent-A-Car (Phone: 0 120 004 123) and Toyota Rent-A-Car (Phone: 0070 8000 10000). Also Travellers can make discounts on bundles of car hire and train fares by booking at JR Eki Rent A Car, just look for the travel centres in every JR station (website: www.ekiren.co.jp).

Emergencies: The Prefectural Police Office is at 2-1-1 Sannomaru Phone: (052) 951-1611. In an absolute emergency, contact the Foreign Advisory Service on Phone: (052) 581-0100. Emergency Calls to the Fire Department (119). Emergency Calls to the Police (110).

Hospital: Nagoya's principal hospital is Nagoya University Hospital, 65 Tsuruma, Showa-ku, but it's best to first call the International Centre, Phone (052) 581-0100 and they'll tell you the most appropriate place to go.

Money Mail: Nagoya's Central Post Office (tel. 052/564-2106), located to the left of the Sakura exit of JR Nagoya Station, is open for mail and money exchange Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.

Post office: The Central Post Office is at 1-1-1 Meieki, 1min walk north of the JR station. Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-12.30pm.

Travel agency: The main JTB office is near Nagoya JR station (Phone: (052) 582-9481), and there's also a useful branch in the Hilton hotel (Phone: (052) 221-8768).