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The business traveler to Asia has a few questions – Will my cell phone work? Can I access the internet? Can I plug my electronics in? Will my ATM card work?

The answers are: Probably not; Yes; It depends, and Usually.

Unless your cell phone is “tri-band” it won’t work. You can rent one there, which is a good choice, or borrow one from your Sister’s teenage daughter. That is a better choice, but practice your “Mushi Mushi” for those incoming calls. We have all come to depend on cell phones for directions, rendezvous, and changing travel plans.

Cell phones are everywhere in Asia. The taxi driver, the next guy in line, the fruit stand seller, two out of three passers-by, all have phones, and they are all talking on them. And they have better phones than yours, with clamshell configuration, VGA displays, and built-in cameras. Many Asian tourists use the cell phone as camera.

Internet access is ubiquitous, as described previously. Both my Sister in Nagakute, outside Nagoya, Japan, and my old buddy Bob in a high-rise in Hong Kong have always-on DSL, and it is no big deal.

In Japan, you can plug in your electronics – the plugs and the voltage both match. In Hong Kong, they are on the “British” system; large triangular plugs and 220 volts. Many newer power supplies take both voltages; all you need is a plug converter. In Thailand I used a plug converter and transformer, and was able to charge my Sony Cybershot digital camera. There was some weird voltage leaking from the metal band on the case during charging, but the charging worked.

Many hotel, private and public bathrooms in 220 volt areas have 110 volt outlets in the bathrooms, presumably for electric shavers. These are great for an overnight cell phone recharge.

As for ATMs, there is something immensely reassuring in walking up to an ATM in a very foreign country, pushing in your bank card, and getting local currency. This works everywhere in Airports, International bank branches, and in Hong Kong. It is a little harder in Japan – the basic branch ATM won’t give you money – all you get is apologies from the friendly staff, and directions to another branch down the street, which doesn’t work either. In Japan, get money at the airport, or go to the ATMs in the foyer of the Post Office. A usage tip – do currency conversion before you get in front of the machine. I ended up with an outrageous fistful of Thai Bhat when I hurried the transaction due to a line behind me and blew the mental currency conversion.

Speaking of Japan, some things to do: Before you go, order the Japan Rail Pass from www.jtbusa.com. Get the Green pass; it is a bit more, but it is worth it for seating availability. Take the Hikari bullet train down to Kyoto. See the Nijo Castle, and walk on the “Nightingale Floor” and view the garden. Have lunch at Mishima-tei, and enjoy the Kimono-clad attendants, the private tatami rooms, and the fabulously marbled beef sukiyaki. Stop in to the woodblock shop next store, and gawk at the wonderful Edo and Meiji era prints. But bring at least 20,000 yen cash, because he doesn’t take Visa…

See more gardens in the afternoon – Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji are justly famous, and close to each other. Finish up at the Kyoto Handicraft Center – everything from ceramics to pearls, from prints to laquerware. Prices aren’t fabulous, but the selection and quality are good. Wooden ware fanciers should check out the Kabazaiku (cherry-bark) work on the fourth floor.

Take the free shuttle back to the train station. Browse the basement “food court” of the attached Department Store, and buy a Bento Box “picnic” for the train ride back.

Collapse exhausted into a hot Japanese bath. Sleep like a log. Do it again tomorrow.