11th International Tunicate Meeting

Dear all,

April 14th, 2022

In the end of February, we have sent the first announcement of the 11th ITM in Japan. A few persons expressed interest in attending in person and inquired how to visit Japan. We investigated the current regulations for visiting Japan. It requires tangled bureaucratic procedures in these difficult Omicron days. But, at least, number of infected people per day is less in Japan than most countries so far (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/japan/). What we understood is,

1. All visitors now need VISA issued by Japanese embassy. It will take at least a week to issue VISA after you submit the required documents to the embassy. Forms for VISA application is available at https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html.

In order to get VISA,

Vaccinated three times with Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Jansen products. Bring the certificate written in English to the Japanese embassy (click here).

You also need official invitation document by the ITM organizers. Please download the Excel file (from here), fill in, and send it back to Hiroki Nishida (hnishida@bio.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp). We will prepare and send an invitation document to you on request.

2. You need an airplane ticket.

The number of visitors is currently limited 10,000 per day. This regulation is controlled by airplane companies. So if you can get a ticket, it means you can enter Japan. First, you may check the price of airplane tickets because the price could be more expensive than usual.

3. When you arrive at the airport (click here),

You have to show a certification document for negative results of the PCR check, which is carried out within 72 hr prior to arrival.

You will be checked again upon arrival.

4. Quarantine requirements.

None if you pass all the check before and at your arrival.

5. The regulation will be altered depending on situation of the pandemic in Japan. In addition, there are a lot of details as usual for official procedures. We would recommend you to consult your local Japanese embassy for official procedures.

6. If you have interest in attending in person, contact Hiroki Nishida (hnishida@bio.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp). We will list up the international attendees on site and start the procedures to prepare documents that you need to get your VISA.

In brief summary, what you need to do is:

1. Decide to visit Japan and attend the meeting in person.

2. Book a hotel room or dormitory (Information of accommodation is available at the end of this message.

2. Contact Hiroki Nishida (hnishida@bio.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp) by the deadline of abstract submission (May 15th). Please send the Excel file (click here) back to Hiroki Nishida. We need your information (including accommodation in Japan) to register you for Japanese border measures system and prepare an invitation document.

3. Book airplane ticket.

4. We will send an official invitation to you, which is certified by Japanese border measures system.

5. Contact local Japanese embassy to get VISA.

Accommodation information.

The room charge does not include breakfast and is the lowest fee per night for each hotel.

Dormitory in Konan Univ (the meeting venue). HIRAO Seminar House. 3,000 yen per night.

2-29-15, Suriyoshi-honmachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 658-0051, Japan

http://www.konan-isc.co.jp/kaikan2.html in Japanese

To book the dormitory, contact Takehiro Kusakabe (tgk@konan-u.ac.jp).

Hotel Monte Hermana Kobe Amalie 6,237 yen – per night

〒650-0004 2-2-28 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe

PHONE +81-78-393-7111

https://www.monte-hermana.jp/en/kobe/

Hotel Monterey Kobe 8,806 yen – per night

〒650-0011 2-11-13 Shioyamate Dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo

PHONE +81-78-392-7111

https://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/en/kobe/

BRENZA HOTEL　 6,700 yen – per night

6-1-1 Kumoi Dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 651-0096

TEL : 078-222-0707

https://www.brenzahotel.jp/

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kobe-Sannomiya. 7,524 yen – per night

〒651-0087 1-6 5-chome, Gokodori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo

TEL.81-78-291-4055 /FAX.81-78-291-4056

https://www.daiwaroynet.jp/en/kobesannomiya/

Toyoko Inn Kobe Sannomiya No.2 8,400 yen – per night

5-2-2 Kumoidoori, Chuou-ku, Kobe city, Hyogo 651-0096 Japan

TEL +81-(0)78-232-1045

FAX： +81-(0)78-232-1046

https://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/search/detail/00123

Remm plus KOBE SANNOMIYA 8,880 yen – per night

4-chome-2-1 Kanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 650-0001

TEL ＋81-78-571-0606

https://www.hankyu-hotel.com/en/hotel/remm/kobe-sannomiya

ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe 11,800 yen – per night

1-Chome, Kitano-cho Chuo-ku Kobe, 650-0002 JAPAN

T: +81 78 291 1121

F: +81 78 291 1154

https://www.anacrowneplaza-kobe.jp/en/

Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel 8,000 yen – per night

5-6 Hatoba-cho,Chuo-ku,Kobe 650-0042,Japan

TEL:+81-78-325-8111 FAX:+81-78-325-8106

https://www.kobe-orientalhotel.co.jp/english/

Hotel Okura Kobe 11,000 yen – per night

〒650-8560 2-1 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo

TEL / +81-78-333-0111 FAX / +81-78-333-6673

https://www.kobe.hotelokura.co.jp/en/

Hotel Plaza Kobe 7,454 yen – per night

2-9-1 Koyocho-naka, Higashinada-ku,

Kobe, Japan, Hyogo 658-0032

https://www.hotelplazakobe.co.jp/languege/en.html

KOBE BAY SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS 16,501 yen – per night

2-13 Koyocho-naka, Higashinada-ku,

Kobe, Japan, Hyogo 658-0032

Phone: +81 78-8577000

Fax: +81 78-8577001

https://www.sheraton-kobe.co.jp/

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/osakb-kobe-bay-sheraton-hotel-and-towers/overview/

Hoping to see you in Japan.

Best wishes,

Takehiro Kusakabe,

Takahito Nishikata,

Yasunori Sasakura,

Hiroki Nishida