Transportation

From overseas

From domestic areas

Visa

All participants to Pairing 2010 should be very careful about visa requirements and should make travel plan in advance enough. Visitors are fully responsible for acquiring all documents needed for entering Japan.

Japan provides waiver of visa requirements with more than 60 countries and regions. Please refer to the recent status on the visa waiver program from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA).

If you need a visa for attendance, you should prepare all required documents according to the visa information page by MOFA. If you have any questions, please contact diplomatic establishments of Japan in your residential area.

We will issue an invitation letter for a registered attendee of Pairing 2010 upon request. If you need an invitation letter for visa application, please us by email at pairing2010-visa@m.aist.go.jp. We will respond with a detailed procedure for invitation letter request.

Useful Travel Information

Currency exchange

Only Japanese yen is acceptable at stores and restaurants in Japan. You can exchange money at the airport, foreign exchange banks, and other authorized exchanges upon presentation of your passport. We encourage you to exchange your money at the airport upon arrival.

Credit cards and Traveler's cheques

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 can accept traveler's cheques, but their use in Japan is not as common as in some other countries.

Banking

Most banks are available for foreign currency exchange transactions from 9:00 to 15:00 on weekdays.

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.

Insurance

Participants are advised to procure their own travel insurance, as the Organizing Committee will assume no responsibility for personal accidents, sickness, theft or property damage.

Climate

The conference will be held at the beginning of winter. The average temperature is around 10ºC (50ºF) in the daytime and 3ºC (37ºF) at night.

Electrical appliances

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

Tax

5% consumption tax will be added to your bill. The consumption tax is included in the price quote.

Useful websites for travel in Japan

At the sites below, you may find useful information for travel plans, accommodation and shopping in Japan. Several regional maps are also available on: