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
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
Konan, founded in 1919, is a well-known private non-denominational university of roughly 9,000 students. Konan University is an institute of higher learning consisting of eight faculties, four research departments, and one professional graduate school. The university's faculties and research departments aim to be world-class bases of research and education, while its research centers and a professional graduate schoolturn out the next generation of researchers and advanced specialists. Konan University was built on the educational philosophy of founder Hachisaburo Hirao, who believed that you should “Build your character, enhance your health, respect others, and use your God-given talent," and that a university should foster “young men and women capable of contributing to societies anywhere in the world.” Based on these creeds, Konan conducts education with the individual in mind, balancing specialized training with a well-rounded education. Our goal is to turn out young people who have a sense of ethics and dignity, are knowledgeable in the ways of the world, and possess the initiative and expertise to take on the challenge of making the world a better place for everyone.
Konan university is located in Kobe city, in the southwestern part of the main island Honshu. Kobe is conveniently located near Osaka, Japan’s second largest city and bustling gastronomic capital, and Kyoto, the preeminent heart of Japanese culture and tradition. It’s also close to the spiritual sites and sacred groves of Nara as well as to Japan’s best preserved feudal castle in Himeji. Together, these cities comprise the heart of Kansai, western Japan’s largest urban and economic region. So, if you want to thoroughly experience everything that traditional and modern Japan has to offer, come join us at Konan in Kobe.
We recommend to use Hankyu Railway (indicated in green).
Konan University is located on the east edge of Kobe City, between Osaka and Sannomiya (central district of Kobe). The closest stations are Hankyu-Railway Okamoto Station or JR (Japan Railway) Settsu-Motoyama Station. It will take 10-12 min from these stations to Konan University on foot. You can take a taxi from these stations. Taxi fare will be about ¥700. If you stay in Sannomiya area, taking Hankyu Railway is strongly recommended, as Okamoto Station is one stop away from Sannomiya Station by using Limited Express.
Meeting venues are Koyu-Hall and iCommons, which are situated in the west of the main campus of Konan University. Please find the venues on the campus map below.
©2022 International Tunicate Meeting