Airlines ANA (domestic tel 0120-02-9222; international tel 0120-02-9333); JAL (domestic tel 0120-25-5971, international tel 0120-25-5931); JAS (domestic tel 0120-51-1283; international tel 0120-71-1283); Japan Asia Airways (tel 0120-74-7801); Aeroflot (tel 06/6271-8471); Air Canada (tel 06/6252-4227); Air China (tel 06/6946-1702); Air France (tel 06/6641-1211); Air India (tel 06/6
Airport information Kansai International (KIX) tel 0724/55-2500; Itami tel 06/6856-6781.
Banks and exchange There are plenty of banks around the Umeda, Shinsaibashi and Namba areas of central Osaka. Major department stores also have foreign exchange desks, as does the Central Post Office, beside JR Osaka Station.
Bookshops Kinokuniya, behind the main entrance to Hankyu Umeda Station, is open daily 10am-9pm, except the third Wednesday of the month.
Car rental Several major car rental firms can be found at both Shin-Osaka and Osaka stations (both open daily 8am-8pm) including Eki Rent-a-car (Shin-Osaka tel 06/6303-0181, Osaka tel 06/6341-3388). Also try Nippon Rent-a-car (Osaka Reservation Center tel 06/6344-0919) and PanaLife (tel 06/6949-1822).
Consulates Australia, 29F, Twin 21 MID Tower, 2-1-61 Shiromi, Chuo-ku (tel 06/6941-9271); Canada, 12F Daisan Shoho Building, 2-2-3 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku (tel 06/6212-4910); China, 3-9-2 Utsubohommachi, Nishi-ku (tel 06/6445-9481); France, Crystal Tower 10F, 1-2-27 Shiromi, Chuo-ku (tel 06/4790-1500); Germany, 35F Umeda Sky Building Tower East, 1-1-81 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku (tel
Credit cards American Express tel 0120-02-0120; Mastercard tel 0031-11-3886.
Emergencies The main police station is at 3-1-16 Otemae, Chuo-ku (tel 06/6943-1234; Mon-Fri 9.15am-5.30pm). In an absolute emergency, contact the Foreign Advisory Service on tel 06/773-6533.
Home visits Osaka runs a programme which allows you to meet local people in their homes for a few hours so you can learn a bit more about Japanese life. If you want to participate you need to take your passport to either of the tourist information desks at Osaka or Shin-Osaka stations and allow a couple of days for visiting arrangements to be made.
Hospitals and medical advice Yodogawa Christian Hospital, 2-9-26 Awaji, Higashi-Yodogawa-ku (tel 06/6322-2250), or the more central Sumitomo Hospital, 5-2-2 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku (tel 06/6443-1261). For medical advice and the closest hospital, call the International Medical Information Centre (Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 9am-5pm; tel 06/6213-2393).