The time difference with Japan is 12 hours (13 hours during winter time [first Sunday in November to second Saturday in March]).

Same as Halifax/Moncton PEI time

Toronto/Montreal/New York 1 hour behind PEI time

Calgary/Banff 3 hours behind PEI time

Vancouver/Seattle 4 hours behind PEI time

Due to global warming, the climate on Prince Edward Island varies slightly from year to year, but the most suitable time for sightseeing is from late May to mid-October, when the attractions are open. There is no rainy season like Japan's rainy season, but it is not a dry season either, so there are days when it rains, so it is a good idea to bring rain gear.

Usually, the snow melts and the new greenery appears around mid-May.

From mid-May to June, wildflowers begin to bloom and the daytime temperature rises to around 20 degrees, which is typical of spring in Japan.

Summer here occurs from July to mid-August, but the maximum temperature remains below 30°C, and at night it can drop to around 15°C, making the climate very comfortable.

From mid-August to September, you can feel the arrival of autumn, and nights can get chilly, dropping to around 10 degrees.

From late September to October, the leaves change color, so it gets cold at night, dropping to around 5°C, but during the day it can rise to around 15-20°C if the weather is good.

From November, snow may begin to fall, and winter truly begins from December to March. January is the coldest month, with the average temperature dropping to -5 to -10 degrees Celsius, and the perceived temperature can drop to -25 to -40 degrees Celsius.

There is a lot of snow in February and March, and depending on the year, drift ice may also appear.

April is the time when the snow melts, and it is the least beautiful month on Prince Edward Island, so it is not recommended for sightseeing.

From May to June and September, long-sleeved shirts are fine during the day, but it is best to wear a spring/autumn jacket and a thin sweater or vest that can be layered over it.

In July and August, short sleeves are fine during the day, but it is cool in the mornings and evenings, so a light jacket is recommended.

In October, wear a winter jacket and a thin sweater or vest that can be layered.

From November to April, it is recommended to bring a jacket, thick sweater, hat, gloves, scarf, etc. to protect against the cold. Portable hand warmers are also useful.

It will vary slightly from year to year and depending on the individual, and if the weather turns bad it may feel colder than expected, so it is a good idea to prepare accordingly using the above as a reference.

It was late May, sunrise was around 5:30 and sunset was around 8:45.

On the summer solstice (around June 21st), which has the longest hours of daylight of the year, sunrise is at 5:20 and sunset is at 9:08.

In mid-July, sunrise is around 5:35 and sunset is around 9:00.

In mid-August, sunrise is around 9:10 and sunset is around 8:20.

In mid-September, sunrise is around 6:50 and sunset is around 7:25.

It was mid-October, sunrise was around 7:30 and sunset was around 6:30.

By the way, the winter solstice marks the day with the shortest hours of daylight in the year, with sunrise at 7:52 and sunset at 4:28.

You can check the exact times here .

The Prince Edward Island public holidays for 2024 are as follows:

January 1st New Year's Day Most shops and restaurants are closed.

February 19th - Islander Day Most shops and restaurants are closed.

March 29th - Good Friday Most shops and restaurants are closed.

1st April - Easter Monday Most shops and restaurants are closed.

May 20th, Victoria Day Most shops and restaurants are open.

1st July: Canada Day Most shops and restaurants are open.

2nd September: Labour Day. Most shops and restaurants are open.

September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Most shops and restaurants are open.

October 14th Thanksgiving Day: Many stores and restaurants are closed.

November 11th - Remembrance Day - Many stores and restaurants are closed.

December 25th - Christmas Day Most shops and restaurants are closed.

26th December - Boxing Day - Most shops and restaurants are closed.

The Prince Edward Island public holidays for 2025 are as follows:

January 1st New Year's Day Most shops and restaurants are closed.

February 17th - Islander Day Most shops and restaurants are closed.

18th April - Good Friday Most shops and restaurants are closed.

April 21st - Easter Monday Most shops and restaurants are closed.

19th May - Victoria Day Most shops and restaurants are open.

1st July: Canada Day Most shops and restaurants are open.

1st September: Labour Day Most shops and restaurants are open.

September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Most shops and restaurants are open.

October 13th Thanksgiving Day: Many stores and restaurants are closed.

November 11th - Remembrance Day - Many stores and restaurants are closed.

December 25th - Christmas Day Most shops and restaurants are closed.

26th December - Boxing Day - Most shops and restaurants are closed.

Canadian dollars and US dollars are accepted (traveler's checks are not accepted and cannot be exchanged for cash at banks), but the conversion rate for US dollars varies depending on the store, and change is returned in Canadian dollars. As of November 13, 2024, the conversion rate is generally US$1.00 = CAN$1.25 ~ 1.35.

Japanese yen cannot be used in PEI . Currency exchange is only possible at banks, and you must have an account with that bank, so if you are coming from Japan, currency exchange is not possible in Prince Edward Island. We definitely recommend that you exchange your currency for Canadian dollars in Japan!

As of February 4, 2013, the 1-cent coin (penny) has been abolished. When paying with cash, 1-cent units will be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cent unit.

For example, if the amount is between 1 and 2 cents on the dollar, round down to 1 dollar. If the amount is between 3 and 4 cents on the dollar, round up to 5 cents on the dollar.

For example, if the amount is between $1 and $6 and $7, round it down to $1 and $5. If the amount is between $1 and $8 and $9, round it up to $1 and $10.

Credit cards can be used almost anywhere if they are VISA or MasterCard. American Express and JCB cards can only be used at a very limited number of places. Also, when using a credit card, you will need a PIN number (personal identification number), so be sure to check it in advance.

As of October 1, 2016, the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) has increased to 15%.

Some food items are considered necessities and are therefore exempt from consumption tax.

A 15% consumption tax will be added to the cost of accommodation at hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants.

Effective April 1, 2013, all Charlottetown accommodations will be adding a 3% accommodations tax to the room rate in addition to the sales tax.

Many hotels and other establishments offer free local calls (area code 902 + 3 digits + 4 digits phone number), so please check when you check in. It's more convenient than using your mobile phone in Japan! Calls to our office from Charlottetown and Cavendish are treated as local calls.

When making long distance calls using a hotel phone, it is most economical to use a credit card or a calling card. With a calling card in Canada, you call the phone number (toll-free) on the back of the card and follow the voice guidance (some card companies also offer Japanese options) to dial the card's PIN number and the phone number you wish to call. Calling cards are sold at post offices and convenience stores.

Toll-free numbers (such as 1-800-), just dial them as is.

KDDI Japan Direct is 1-800-663-4816. Please follow the voice instructions in Japanese when dialing.

To speak to a KDDI Japanese operator, please call 1-800-663-0681.

Wi-fi is available for free at tourist information centers, restaurants and cafes in town, and most hotels and B&Bs. Many places require a password, so please check with the staff at each place. The Confederation Center has free Wi-fi without a password.

Common to Japan and other countries around the world $2.92 + HST 15% = $3.56

USA $1.40 + HST 15% = $1.61

Within Canada $1.15 + HST 15% = $1.32

Rates current as of November 2024.

The price is the same for postcards and letters (up to 30g). It takes about one week to ten days to reach Japan.

Stamps can be purchased at the post office or available at our office.

It is 110 volts, and the shape of the plug is the same as in Japan. The socket looks like it has three prongs, but you can ignore the bottom prong.

There are no subways or trains, but there are buses in Charlottetown. However, please note that the number of buses and the stops are limited. The fare is $2.00 per adult, paid directly to the driver. Please check here for route maps and schedules.

Prince Edward Island is surprisingly large, so it's difficult to see the sights by bicycle or on foot. Make the most of your car, whether it's a tour bus, taxi, or rental car.

There is no Uber on Prince Edward Island, so taxis are the only way to get around. You can call a taxi at a hotel or restaurant, or there are taxi phones in public places that will connect you directly to a taxi company. You cannot hail a taxi on the street. Some taxi companies also have their own apps. Taxis do not have meters, but the price is determined by the distance and the number of passengers, so tell the driver your destination and check the price before getting in.

If you are renting a car , please be careful when driving as there have been an increasing number of traffic accidents involving Japanese drivers in PEI recently. There are traffic rules that are different from those in Japan, such as driving on the right side of the road, school buses (no overtaking buses with flashing yellow or red lights, and oncoming vehicles must also stop), stop signs (many people seem to miss these signs), one-way streets (most of downtown is one-way), and no left turns, so you need to be careful. Also, roads with a speed limit of 80km are designated as highways in PEI, so it is prohibited to stop your car on the side of the road to take photos. Especially from late June to September, this is the peak season for tourism in Prince Edward Island, so traffic volume increases significantly. This is the season when there are many accidents, so we do not recommend renting a car to people who are not used to driving overseas. In addition, since 2010, the use of mobile phones and mobile text messages while driving has been prohibited by law. Please be careful.

General stores are open from 9 or 10 in the morning until 5 or 6 in the evening. Some stores are open until 8 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Many stores take advantage of the longer daylight hours in July and August and extend their opening hours even further.

Apart from gas stations in the suburbs, there are few convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day. If you arrive late at night, it will be very difficult to get food as there are no stores open in downtown. It is a good idea to eat or buy something at the connecting airport on the way.

Please note that most restaurants have their last orders at around 9pm. The only restaurants open late at night are Chinese and Lebanese. If you are going to see a musical, please be careful as there will be few restaurants open after the musical ends unless you eat before the show.

Starting in 2011, a new ordinance was enacted allowing general shops, supermarkets, and liquor stores to be open in the afternoon on Sundays (excluding public holidays) all year round.

One thing that can be confusing when you come abroad is the custom of tipping. Don't think too hard about it, just give about 15-20% of the bill to the waiter or waitress at a restaurant, and about 20% if you order alcohol or receive particularly kind service. In Prince Edward Island, 15% HST is added to meals at restaurants, so this sales tax amount is a good guide for tipping (round up any fraction less than 10 cents). If you don't have the right amount, you can take the change and leave an equivalent tip on the table. In that case, it is considered bad manners to leave a lot of small coins (less than 10 cents).

Tips can also be paid by credit card. If you choose to pay by credit card, a portable machine will be brought to your table. If you have a card with an IC chip, you can insert the card and select the amount, then select the tip amount as a percentage or $, and finally enter your PIN number, and you can pay the tip with the card. If your card does not have an IC chip, you can simply write the tip amount on the receipt, fill in the total amount, and sign.

Don't worry too much about tipping in taxis in PEI. Just round up the fare you're asked. If they help you carry your suitcases, give them about $1 extra for each suitcase.

If you have a hotel porter carry your luggage for you, it will cost you $1 to $2 per item. However, if you are on a package tour with a tour conductor or local guide, this may be included in the tour price.

For pillow tips at hotels, leave about $1 per bed on the table next to the bed. However, many Canadians don't leave pillow tips, but even a small amount will be appreciated. If you are on a package tour, it may already be included in the price, so please check with the staff.

Please bring plenty of memory and batteries for your camera . If the weather is good, you will take more photos than you think. Prices are high in PEI, and there are few places to buy memory and batteries.

Insect repellent and anti-itch cream are essential from June to August. There are many powerful mosquitoes, especially in the woods, grassy areas, and around streams. These are essential items for romantic walks along Lover's Lane and Haunted Forest!

Sunglasses and sunscreen are useful to bring, especially from June to September. The sun is very strong, especially on the beach, and can easily cause freckles and age spots.

In Prince Edward Island, smoking is prohibited in public places. Smoking is prohibited in public places such as restaurants and bars, hotel lobbies, shopping malls, etc. There are limited areas where smoking is permitted even in rooms at hotels and B&Bs. Please check with staff in advance to see where smoking is permitted.

In Canada, drinking alcohol in public places (including parks, roadsides, beaches, etc.) is prohibited. Be sure to drink alcohol in restaurants, bars, or your own hotel room. Alcohol is not sold at supermarkets or convenience stores. It can be purchased at liquor stores, breweries (exception: satellite shops have opened in supermarkets) and wineries, but please note that they have limited opening hours.

The drinking age in Prince Edward Island is 19 years old or older, but since Japanese people tend to look younger, you may need to show identification (passport) when purchasing alcohol or ordering alcohol at a restaurant. Since the penalties for selling alcohol to minors are very severe, you may not be accepted without identification even if you are over 19, so if you look younger, make sure you bring your passport!

There aren't many bad areas on Prince Edward Island.

However, it may be best for women to avoid walking alone at night in areas such as Passmore Street, the intersection of Weymouth Street and Euston Street, and the area where the old station was (a corner around the intersection of Weymouth Street and King Street). In any case, general precautions (such as being careful not to carry valuables, and avoiding walking alone around bars or on quiet streets at night on weekends) are necessary.