Airlines: All Nippon Airways (ANA) (Phone: 0120-029222); Japan Air Commuter (JAC) and (JAS) (Phone: 0120-511283); Japan Transocean Air (JTA) (Phone: 0120-255971); KAL (Phone: 086/221-3311).

Banks and exchange: There are many banks along Momotaro-dori, and also you can change money at the Central Post Office.

Bookshops: Beneath the Symphony Hall, Maruzen (Phone: 086-233-4663), open daily 10am-8pm; but closed second Tuesday of month, possesses the best alternative of English books and magazines, or try Kinokuniya (Phone: 086-232-3411), a block west of Tenmaya Bus Station (daily 10am-7.30pm).

Car Rental: Car rental Nippon Rent-a-car (Phone: 086/235-0919); Toyota Rent-a-car (Phone: 086/254-0100).

Hospital: Okayama University Medical Research Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho (Phone: 086/223-7151).

Internet access: You can navigate free in the Net at the NTT building near of the Central Post Office (Monday-Friday 10am-6pm). The Okayama Prefecture International Exchange Centre, 2-2-1 Hokan-cho (opened daily Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm), also offers Internet access for Ľ600 an hour, but reservations are required: call (086) 256-2914.

Police: Okayama Prefectural Police HQ, 2-4-6 Uchisange, Ok City. Phone: (086) 234-0110.

Post office: Central Post Office, 2-1-1 Nakasange (opened: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-12.30pm).

Shopping: A good emporium for local arts and crafts, such as Bizen-yaki pottery, masks and weaving, is the Okayama Tourist Product Centre (daily 10am-8pm) on the ground floor of the Symphony Hall.