Important dates

22 Aug. 2008:
Deadline for early online registration and submission of the abstract.
31 Aug. 2008:
Deadline for online hotel reservation.
14 Sept. 2008:
Deadline for online registration. Final announcement.
28 Sept. - 3 Oct. 2008:
International Symposium on Snowball earth and emergence of metazoan.

last update at Sep, 22, 2008

Travel Information


Odaiba Area

A map of Odaiba area
Odaiba is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Japan, across the Rainbow Bridge from central Tokyo. It was initially built for defensive purposes in the 1800s, dramatically expanded during the late 20th century as a seaport district, and has developed since the 1990s as a major commercial, residential and leisure area. (URL:http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/tourists/spot/area_intro/odaiba/index.html)

Access to National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Kagaku Miraikan in Japanese)

Most international flights arrive at New Tokyo International Airport (Narita).

  1. Airport limousine bus to the hotels listed on the registration web page Airport limousine bus is available from Narita Airport to the hotels listed on the registration web page (URL: http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/index.html).
    1. To the hotels in Odaiba area : 65 min.-75 min. \2700
      Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington
      Grand Pacific Tokyo Le Daiba
      Hotel Nikko Tokyo
      Free shuttle bus is available every 15-25 minutes, from11:00am to 8:00pm from the hotels to Kagaku Miraikan (URL:http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/e/guide/route_shuttlebus.html).
    2. To Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier: 89-90min. \3000
      Ginza Washington Hotel: 2 min. walk from Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier.
      Shinbashi Station: 5-7 min. walk from the hotel.
      Shinbashi|Funeno-kagakukan: Yurikamome Line, 16 min. \370
      Funeno-kagakukan|Kagaku Miraikan: 5 min. walk.
    3. Airport limousine bus to TCAT
      Airport limousine buses are available from Narita Airport to Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT). They depart from the airport arrival lobbies and are operated between 6:55A.M. and 11:00P.M. at 10-30 minutes intervals. It takes about 60 minutes from the airport to TCAT(one way fare:\2,900). _TCAT(Suitengu-mae Station)|Mitsukoshi-mae: Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, 2 min.@ _Mitsukoshi-mae|Shimbashi: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, 7 min. _Shimbashi|Funeno-kagakukan: Yurikamome Line, 15 min. _Funeno-kagakukan|Kagaku Miraikan: 5 min. walk
  2. JR Narita Express Train to Tokyo
    The JR Narita Express provides a direct connection from Narita to Tokyo station. The Narita Express leaves Narita Airport at hourly intervals between 7:43AM and 9:43 PM. Running time is about 60 minutes, \2940). _Tokyo|Shimbashi: JR Yamanote Line or Keihin-tohoku Line, 3 min. _Shimbashi|Funeno-kagakukan: Yurikamome Line, 6 min. _Funeno-kagakukan|Kagaku Miraikan: 5 min. walk
  3. JR Narita Express Train to Shinagawa
    Some Narita Express trains stop at Shinagawa Station (90 minutes, \3110). _Shinagawa|Oimachi: JR Keihin-tohoku Line, 4 min. _Oimachi|Tokyo Teleport: Rinkai Line, 7 min. _Tokyo Teleport|Kagaku Miraikan: free shuttle bus
  4. Taxi Information
    We do not recommend you to take a taxi from Narita airport to Tokyo. It will cost more than \30,000. _From Shimbashi Station to Odaiba area: approximately 30 minutes, about \3000 _from Tokyo Station to Odaiba area: approximately 35 minutes, about \4000

Climate and Clothing

The climate in Tokyo during the period of the conference will be moderate between 15 and 25 degree C. All the Symposium rooms are air-conditioned. Attendants are advised to bring some light clothing.

Currency Exchange

Only Japanese yen is acceptable at regular stores and restaurants. Credit cards may be used at hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Yen can be purchased at foreign exchange banks and authorized money changers on presentation of your passport. The exchange rate fluctuates daily, but the U.S. Dollar and Euro is equivalent to 105 and 160 Yen, respectively in May, 2008.

Passports and Visas

All foreign visitors entering Japan must have a valid passport. Participants should obtain a visa, if required, from a Japanese Consulate or diplomatic mission in their home country prior to their departure. It is the responsibility of participants to obtain all documents necessary for entry into Japan. For details, you are advised to contact their local travel agent or air carrier.

Japan

We recommend Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) as a source of information on Japan in general, concerning travel geography, language, communication, and other matters. JNTO is an arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has offices in major cities throughout the world. Contact the office nearest to you to ask any questions or to obtain maps, brochures, and other documents, all free of charge. Information on JNTO, including a list of its overseas offices, is found on the homepage at http://www.jnto.go.jp.
Optional tours will be available in the URL, and please contact it individually: http://www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/index.aspx

Traveler's Checks and Credit Cards

Using traveler's checks is not so popular in Japan. Traveler's checks are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels in major cities. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and VISA are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Tipping and Service Charge

You will be free from tipping worries since it is not common practice in Japan. However, some restaurants add a 10-20% service charge as well as a 5% consumption tax to each bill.

* We would appreciate it if you could send a copy of the announcement to the scientists who might be interested in the Symposium but have not received this announcement. Please let us know if you can nominate potential contributors to the Symposium.