PASSPORT AND VISA

Without a legal visa, foreign participants may be denied entry into Japan. Please contact your nearest Japanese embassy in order to ensure entry. In some cases it may take two months to obtain a legal visa. The following Web page of Japanese embassy may be helpful.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/

*Those who need to obtain a visa, please contact the visa support office at: wms2010-visa@ics-inc.co.jp
If you are not sure whether you need to obtain a visa or not, please click here for simple check.

 

 

INSURANCE

The organizer cannot accept responsibility for accidents that might occur. 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.

 

 

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Only Japanese yen (JPY) is acceptable at regular stores and restaurants. Certain foreign currencies may be accepted at a limited number of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. You can buy yen at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers on presentation of your passport.

 

 

TRAVELER’S CHECKS AND CREDIT CARDS

Traveler’s checks are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels in principal cities, and the use of traveler’s checks in Japan is not as popular as in some other countries. VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

 

 

TIPPING

In Japan, tips are not necessary anywhere, even at hotels and restaurants.

 

 

ELECTRICITY

The voltage used throughout Japan is uniformly 100 volts, A.C. There are two kinds of frequencies in use; 50 Hertz in eastern Japan and 60 Hertz in western Japan (including Kumamoto, Kyoto and Osaka).
A convertible type of electrical appliance such as a hair dryer, travel iron and shaver will therefore be handy; otherwise a step-down transformer is required to convert the voltage.
There are no columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs used in Japan but 2-flat-pin plugs are used instead. It is therefore advised to purchase a plug adapter beforehand.

 

 

NETWORK CONNECTION

Network connection is available for free at almost all hotels in Kumamoto.
Internet corner and Wi-Fi access area will be also available at the congress venue.

 

 

SHOPPING

Shops and other sales outlets in Japan are generally open on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays as well as weekdays from 10:00 to 20:00. Department stores, however, are closed on one weekday, differing by store, and certain specialty shops may not open on Sundays and national holidays.