AP-ELSO2015

Travel Assistance

Kyoto

KyotoReflecting its long history as the cultural and religious center of Japan, Kyoto is home to nearly 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. More than 60 museums throughout the city offer visitors the opportunity to view priceless works of art and important cultural objects.Kyoto is also a panorama of the changing seasons; in summertime the lush greenery.The passage of seasons is evident in the beautiful gardens of Kyoto's ancient temples and shrines.

Kyoto International Conference Center

Kyoto International Conference Center

Japan's leading convention center with all modern facilities, the Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto), is a complex consisting of 7 separate conference halls, the largest of which can hold 2,000 persons.It is located in the scenic north area of Kyoto City, verdurous and having quiet surrounding.Its Japanese landscape garden offer additional settings for convention participants to meet and communicate informally.

Travel Information

●Access
About 75 minutes by Airport Shuttle Train "Haruka" from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto Station
About 55 minutes by Limousine bus from Osaka (Itami) Airport to Kyoto Station
2 hours 15 minutes by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station
For further information, see http://www.icckyoto.or.jp/en/access/index.html.
●Passports and Visas
All persons entering Japan must have a valid passport. In addition, persons coming from certain countries must have a visa issued by a Japanese Consulate in their country. Please be aware that in some cases it takes more than one month to obtain a visa. For details, contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate nearest you (www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html).
●Currency Exchange
Only Japanese yen is acceptable at stores and restaurants. You can exchange money at the airport, foreign exchange banks and other authorized exchanges upon presentation of your passport. The exchange rate is roughly ¥120 to 1 US dollar, ¥134 to 1 Euro (as of March, 2014).
●Credit Cards and Traveler’s Checks
Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diners Club and JCB are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops and restaurants. Only major banks and hotels in principal cities accept traveler's checks and their use in Japan is not as common as in some other countries.
●Insurance
Participants are advised to provide their own personal insurance. The Organizing Committee will assume no responsibility on behalf of participants for accidents, sickness, theft or property damage.
●Electrical Appliances
Japan operates on 100 volts for electrical appliances. The frequency is 60 Hz in the western part of Japan, including Kyoto.
●Tipping
There is no custom of tipping in Japan. Instead, at places such as restaurants, bars and hotels a 10% service charge is usually added to your bill.
●Tax
A 8% consumption tax is levied on most goods and services in Japan including the 10% service charge.
●Climate in Kyoto
Summer temperatures can rise to almost 40 degrees C (more than 100 F) and Kyoto is famous for its humidity.