Airport information tel 0568/29-0765.

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 (daily except Wed 10am-7pm) and Kinokuniya, within the Loft department store in the Nadya Park Building in Sakae (daily except Tues 11am-8pm).

Car rental Eki Rent-a-car (tel 052/581-0882); Japan Rent-a-car (tel 052/221-7631).

Consulates Australia, 8F, Ikko Fushima Building, 1-20-10 Nishiki, Naka-ku (tel 052/211-0603); Canada, 6F, Nakato Marunouchi Building, 3-17-6 Marunouchi (tel 052/972-0450); USA, 6F, Nishiki SIS Building, 3-10-33 Nishiki, Naka-ku (tel 052/203-4011).

Emergencies The Prefectural Police Office is at 2-1-1 Sannomaru (tel 052/951-1611). In an absolute emergency, contact the Foreign Advisory Service on tel 052/581-0100.

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

Internet access Each of the four Kinko's ( www.kinkos.co.jp ) at Chiyogaoka, Ikeshita, Sakae and Meikei Minami offer Internet and many other business services. For a cybercafA©, try Media Wave (tel 052/264-6550) on the 9th floor of the Sakae Maruei Skyle Building next to Mitsukoshi on Hirokoji street in Sakae.

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 (tel 052/582-9481), and there's also a useful branch in the Hilton hotel (tel 052/221-8768).