All visitors entering Japan must be in possession of a valid passport. It is the responsibility of participants from nations requiring visas to apply to the Japanese consular office or diplomatic mission in their country for a visa prior to departure. Persons who need an invitation letter to get a visa are asked to contact the General Chair. For detail on visas, see the general information on Japanese visas.
The conference will take place at Kyoto International Conference Hall (KICH), located in the north of downtown Kyoto. You take subway that is bound for Kokusaikaikan Terminal on Karasuma Line at Kyoto Station. It leaves every 7 minutes at daytime. You will get off at Kyoto Kokusai Kaikan Terminal. It takes about 20 minutes, and the fare is 260 yen.
Kyoto is a beautiful historical city. From 794 to 1868, Kyoto served as the capital of Japan and the seat of the imperial court. It was also the home of famous craftsmen, artisans, scholars and religious leaders who gathered here and created those representative elements of Japanese culture which have been carefully preserved for the last 12 centuries. Industries such as textiles, dyeing, ceramics and 'sake'-brewing, fans, dolls, and lacquer ware were supported by imperial, religious and political rulers throughout Kyoto's history. Here in Kyoto, the past still lives on in the form of nearly 2,000 shrines and temples, six historical preservation districts and an abundance of beautiful natural scenery. Kyoto is the home of 20% of Japan's national treasures, 15% of the country's important cultural properties as well as 17 temples and shrines designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1994.
Kyoto is in the central of Japan. The best way to go to Kyoto is by train from Kansai International Airport (KIX). It takes about 100 km from KIX to Kyoto. Otherwise you can go to Kyoto from New Tokyo International Airport (Narita) by train or domestic flight (via KIX/Itami). We provide information how to get to Kyoto.
The best way to go to Kyoto is by train from Kansai International Airport (KIX). Take the airport limited express "Haruka" run by Japan Railways (JR), and get out in Kyoto station. Nankai Airport Express "Rapit" is not advisable, because you have to change to JR in the central of Osaka city.
| Train | Limited Express "Haruka" (Both reserved and non-reserved seating available) |
Rapid Service "Kanku Kaisoku" and change at Osaka (non-reserved seating only) |
|---|---|---|
| Fare | 3,490 yen (non-reserved seat: 2,990 yen) | 1,830 yen |
| Travel Time | 75 minutes | 100 minutes (You have to change at Osaka.) Kansai Airport to Osaka: 60 minutes Osaka to Kyoto: 40 minutes (JR Tokaido Line) |
| Runs | 6:29-22:18 (every 30 minutes) | 06:02-22:32(every 20-30 minutes) |
Another way to Kyoto from KIX is by bus.
| Bus | Airport Limousine From Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station (South Exit) |
|---|---|
| Fare | 2,300 yen |
| Travel Time | 105 minutes |
| Timetable | 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 8:45, 9:20, 10:00, 10:45, 11:20, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 14:45, 15:20, 16:00, 16:45, 17:20, 18:00, 18:45, 19:45, 20:45, 21:45 |
When your plane arrives at New Tokyo International Airport (Narita), the best way to Kyoto is by train via Tokyo station. There are several ways to Tokyo station from Narita Airport with through trains or buses. "Skyliner" or "Keisei Line" is NOT advisable, because you have to transfer to JR line on the way to Tokyo Station. Railway tickets to Kyoto are available at the JR station at Narita Airport.
| Transportation | Limited Express "Narita Express" (seat reservations required) |
Rapid Service Train "Airport Narita"
(non-reserved seating only) |
Airport limousine bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fare | 2,940 yen | 1,280 yen | 2,800 yen |
| Travel Time | 60 minutes | 90 minutes | 80 minutes |
| Timetable |
7:43, 8:13, 8:46, 9:13, 9:43, 10:13, 11:13, 12:13, 13:13, 14:13, 15:13, 15:43, 16:13, 16:43, 17:13, 17:44, 18:13, 18:43, 19:13, 19:43, 20:43, 21:45 |
7:00.8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 11:45, 13:00, 13:45, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:04, 21:15, 22:17 |
here |
From Tokyo to Kyoto, Shinkansen super express is convenient. The timetable of Shinkansen will update in the Autumn.
| Train | Super Express "Nozomi" (seat reservations required) |
Super Express "Hikari" (Both reserved and non-reserved seating available) |
|---|---|---|
| Fare | 14,190 yen | 13,220 yen (non-reserved seating: 12,710 yen) |
| Travel Time | 2 hours 16 minutes | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Runs | (every 60 minutes) | (every 30 minutes) |
There are two ways to Kansai area, including Kyoto, by domestic flight. There are two airports Itami International Airport (Itami) and Kansai International Airport (KIX). If you can't take domestic flight from Narita, you have to transfer to Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). You may go to Haneda by Limousine bus: it takes 75 minutes and 2,900 yen. The domestic flights from Haneda to Itami run every 30-60 minutes. It takes 60 minutes to Itami. The fare of flights from Narita or Haneda to Itami is about 11,000-16,000 yen. Please contact your travel agency to reserve the tickets.
There is a bus line from Itami to downtown of Kyoto.
| Bus | Osaka Airport Transport (bus) |
|---|---|
| Fare | 1,280 yen |
| Travel Time | 60 minutes |
| Timetable | here |
The conference takes place just at the beginning of Winter. The weather at daytime is usually cold. The temperature in December ranges from 2.3 degrees centigrade (36 degrees Fahrenheit) to 11.3 degrees centigrade (52 degrees Fahrenheit). It is advisable to bring some warm winter clothes: a coat, scarf and gloves.
The local currency in Japan is the "yen". Coins are 1 yen, 5 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen. Bills are 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen. Approximate exchange rates: 105 yen = approx 1 US$ (Sep. 2000).
Cash is the most popular form of payment in Japan. We strongly recommend that you exchange your cash or travelers' checks to Japanese Yen before departure from your country or upon arrival at Kansai International Airport or New Tokyo International Airport. You can exchange your cash or travelers' checks to Japanese Yen at exchange agency in the conference hall, but cannot exchange any currency to other currency. Most major foreign currencies can be exchanged to Japnanese Yen at exchange agencies in international airports and the conference hall.
Traveler's checks are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels, and the use of traveler's checks in Japan is not as popular as in some other countries. VISA, MasterCard, JCB, Diners Club, and American Express are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops and restaurants. However, ATM caching service for credit cards is not generally available in Japan.
Tips are not necessary anywhere in Japan, even in hotels and restaurants. Tips, if necessary, are usually included in the bill as service charge. Tax is usually excluding in the listed prices. The sales tax of 5% will be added in you payment at regular stores and restaurants.
Business hours for retail stores, including department stores, differ from store to store but most operate from 10 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m., and are open on Sundays and national holidays.
Japan operates on 100 volts, 60 cycles in western Japan including Kyoto, 50 cycles in eastern Japan including Tokyo. The type of plug is Type-A (American type).
English may be understood only for a very simple communication. It is recommended to have written address of hotel.