Travel Information


Passport and Visa
All travelers entering Japan must have a valid passport. A participant requiring a visa should apply to a Japanese
consular office or
diplomatic mission in his or her respective
country prior to departure. Participants are advised
to contact their local travel agencies
or airline companies for assistance.

Currency
The currency used in Japan is yen. Foreign currency or traveler’s checks can be changed
to yen at major banks, hotels, or airports. Only Japanese yen is accepted at stores and restaurants.
It is necessary to show your passport when changing traveler’s checks.
Bills come in units of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen, and coins in units of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 yen.
The approximate exchange rate for U. S. $1 is 82yen (as of May 2011).

Traveler’s Checks and Credit Cards
Traveler’s checks are not as popular in Japan as in some other countries. They are usually accepted only by leading banks and major hotels.
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, or VISA are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops, and restaurants.

Tax and Tipping

There is no custom of individual tipping in Japan. Instead, a service charge will be included in the bill where applicable.
A 5% sales tax applies to almost all consumer
goods made in Japan.


Climate

The climate in Osaka in September is hot and humid with the temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C.

Electricity

Japan operates on 100 volts for electrical appliances. The frequency is 60 Hz in western Japan including Osaka.


Access to Bampaku-kinen-koen


The conference site is located near Osaka International Airport (ITM), but there are no direct flights from Europe or North America. If you arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX), we recommend to take the airport limousine bus for transferring to Osaka International Airport. The detailed information is available on the bus line's website
(
http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/e_time_table/e_osaka_kuko.html) .




Map of Conference Rooms

Hotel Hankyu Expo Park

1-5 Senri-Banpaku-Koen, Suita-City, Osaka 565-0826, Japan

TEL +81-6-6878-5151 / FAX +81-6-6878-3456