Venue and Travel Information

Mizunami

Mizunami area, which locates at ~40km northeast of Nagoya, is considered to be laid down under the paleo Pacific Ocean before the late of the Cenozoic (15-20Ma), and many fossils such as mollusks, crabs, fishes, mammals, and plants can be found from a layer called Miocene Mizunami Group. A database of these fossils is available in Mizunami Fossil Museum, and a visitor can learn the historical and current geology of Mizunami area.

Tono area including Mizunami has been famous for pottery industry from hundreds of years ago, and many pottery factories are found in this area. Events such as a bazaar or a festival related to pottery are often taken place in Tono area, and it is possible to buy a good hand-made pottery in a reasonable price. The history of pottery industry in Tono area, old potteries made hundreds years ago, and old pottery factories can be found, for example, in Mizunami Pottery Museum.

There are some scientific establishments in Mizunami. For example, Science World - Gifu Research Information Center near Mizunami International Geoscience Community-Plaza introduces the latest technology and science subjects to members of the public, and stimulates an interest in science related subjects among the young, who will be the future scientists of the 21st Century.

From Kansai International Airport (Osaka):: ~45 min. by express train to Shin-Osaka station, 1 hour by super express train (Shinkansen) to Nagoya station
From Tokyo International Airport (Narita):: ~1 hour by express train to Tokyo station, 2 hours by super express train (Shinkansen) to Nagoya station
From Nagoya International Airport:: ~30 min. by Limousine to Nagoya Station
From Nagoya station:: ~35 min. to Tajimi, 40 min. and 45 min. to Mizunami by train.

Conference Venue

Mizunami City Culture Center

On-site registration and icebreaker on June 29 afternoon, and all scientific presentations from June 30 to July 2 will be held in Mizunami City Culture Center. It takes ~10 minutes on foot from Mizunami Station. During the conference, free bus transportation between the venue and hotels near Tajimi Station is available in the morning and in the evening.

Mizunami International Geoscience Community-Plaza

Reception on June 30 evening will be held in Mizunami International Geoscience Community-Plaza, which is one of the establishments of Tono Geoscience Center, Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute. Free bus transportation from Mizunami City Culture Center to the plaza is available before the reception.

Travel Information

1) Passport and Visa

To visit Japan, you must have a valid passport. A visa is required for citizens of countries that do not have visa-exempt agreement with Japan. Please contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate for visa requirements (http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit /visa/index.html).

2) Duty Free Import

Personal effects and professional equipment can be brought into Japan duty free as long as the customs officer deems their contents and quantities reasonable. You can also bring in 400 cigarettes, 500 grams of tobacco or 100 cigars; 3 bottles (1 bottle =760ml) of alcoholic beverages; 2 ounces of perfume; and gifts and souvenirs whose total market price is less than \200,000 or its equivalent. There is no allowance for tobacco or alcoholic beverages for persons ages 19 years or younger. Strictly prohibited are firearms and other types of weapons, and narcotics.

3) Insurance

The organizer cannot accept responsibility for accidents that might occur during the Workshop period and field trips. Delegates are encouraged to purchase travel insurance before leaving their home country. Insurance plans typically cover accidental loss of belongings, medical costs in case of injury or illness, and other possible risks of international travel.

4) Climate

The period from June to July is the rainy season in whole Japan. It is thought to rain so often during the workshop, and each participant in IWAM04 is recommended to have an umbrella. The weather in Mizunami in June and July is generally hot and humid; the average temperature ranges between 25 degree and 30 degree.

5) Currency Exchange

Only Japanese yen (JPY or \) is acceptable at regular stores and restaurants. Delegates are strongly recommended to buy Japanese yen at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers at the airport or in their home country. The exchange rate between US$ and JPY on May 27, 2004 is US$1 ~ \111.

6) Traveler's Checks and Credit Cards

The use of traveler's checks in Japan is not as popular as in some other countries, and they are accepted only by leading banks. VISA and MasterCard are usually accepted at hotels, department stores, shops, and restaurants, but other credit cards are not so often accepted. Participants are recommended to have enough cash.

7) Tipping

In Japan, tips are not necessary anywhere, including taxis, hotels and restaurants.

8) Electricity

Electricity is 100 volts, AC, throughout Japan, but with two different cycles: 50Hz in eastern Japan including Tokyo, and 60Hz in western Japan, including Mizunami, Kyoto, and Osaka.

9) Shopping

Shops and other sales outlets in Japan are generally open on Saturdays and Sundays as well as weekdays typically from 10:00 to 20:00.

10) Taxes

It may be necessary to pay an additional service fee in hotels, which is up to 10%.

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