OTHER INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

Climate:
The climate of Kyoto City in early September is usually hot and humid, around 28-33C/86-96F in the daytime. The Conference venue, Hotels, and most of public transport are air-conditioned. Generally the weather is fine, but occasionally rainy, especially when a typhoon is coming.
Visa:
As of February 2008, Japan had taken measures concerning the waiver of visa requirements with 62 countries and regions, as shown in the List of Countries and Regions That Have Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan. Nationals of these countries and regions holding valid passports can apply for landing permission for short-term stays for such purposes as sightseeing and participating in a conference without obtaining a visa. For details, please see the web-site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Flights to Japan:
We recommend that participants from abroad use international flights not to Tokyo but to Osaka. There are direct flights to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) from a number of airports in the world.
On arrival:
We will arrange for a carrier service throughout Monday 31st August to allow participants to travel as cheaply as possible directly from Osaka Kansai Airport to the main campus of Kyoto University and the Conference hotels. For the sake of those arriving on other days, information about shuttles and trains from the airport to the city will be given in the 3rd circular and this website in due course.

SOCIAL PROGRAMME AND RELATED EVENTS

A welcome party and a conference dinner are planned in the evenings of the first and the last days (1st and 5th September) respectively. The registration fee covers these, as well as refreshments in the tea/coffee breaks. We are planning to organise an excursion on the last day. Small exhibitions and/or theatrical performances during the conference period are under consideration. Further information on these events will be given in the 3rd circular and this website in due course.


SIGHTSEEING IN KYOTO

Kyoto is famous for a large number of Buddhist and Shinto temples, imperial palaces, gardens, museums and other sites worth visiting. For information on sightseeing you are recommended to consult the following web-sites:

Travel agencies and bus companies offer a variety of programmes of one-day or half-day bus tour in and around the city. The main campus of Kyoto University is situated in the northeast of the city between the Kamo River(Kamogawa) and the foothills of the eastern mountain (Higashiyama). Several sightseeing spots are located within walking distance from the campus.

Buses and trains are the chief means of public transport in the city. Taxis are also very convenient. They are not so expensive (no tip is needed), and are easy to catch on any street in the city.