2018 Convention – Travel

Airfare Discounts

Discounted airfares on flights with Delta is provided for the 2018 convention.

Airlines:  

Many major airlines fly directly into Nagoya.  Delta offers a direct flight from Detroit.  You can also fly into Tokyo’s Narita airport, but you will have to take a train from Narita to Tokyo Station, and then another train from Tokyo to Nagoya.  Travel time on the trains is about 2-1/2 hours.  Flying into Nagoya is much easier.

Arrival Instructions:

Upon debarking, follow signs to “Arrivals”.  Walk across antigerm mat before entering immigration area.  You must put both your index fingers in print reader.  Then move to next station where you redo index fingers in print reader, they stamp and check your passport and take a photo.  You must fill out debarkation card as well as custom card before entering this area, which is provided on the airplane.  You need to know your hotel name, address, and phone for these cards.  They keep one card at this station.  Pick up your luggage.  Next you move to final custom area where they ask questions about your reasons for being in Japan, check your passport, can ask to see your luggage, and take the final custom form.  Then exit to arrival hall.

Airport bus:

Direct access to and from Chubu Centrair International airport and Nagoya city is provided by  Centrair Limousine bus.  The bus connects the airport to Meitetsu Bus Center in Nagoya station, Sakae, Fushimi and some main hotels in downtown.  Our hotel, Nagoya Tokyu Hotel is the first stop on the bus after leaving the airport.  It is also the last stop on the way back to the airport.

Travel time is about 45 minutes, runs every hour and is Bus Stop 6 at the airport .  It runs to the hotel from 9:15 to 22:15.  The return from the hotel to the airport is from 7:00 to 20:00.  When you come out of the International Arrivals hall, you look for the signs for transportation, and follow to Centrair Limousine Bus Stop 6 Arrival Floor 2F.

More information at link below.

Fare: Adult 1,200JPY Child 600JPY  (1200JPY = ~$12)

Taxi:

Taxi is about $135+ to our hotel.  Might be useful if you have a group.

Train:

You would take the Meitetsu Line from the airport to Kanayama Station, then transfer to the Meijo Subway line, getting off at Sakae Station.  Exit at East Wicket, down stairs, straight ahead, #12 exit.  Walk about 3-1/2 blocks and hotel is on right. Trains run every 10-20 minutes.   Cost is about 1200¥ total.  Or you can take a taxi from Kanayama Station to hotel for about 2000¥.

Attire:

Business casual for meetings.

Business hours:

Banks are open from 9:00 to 17:00 Monday-Friday.   Shopping:  9:00 to 21:00 Monday-Saturday, with earlier closing on Sundays.  Restaurants are open similarly.

Climate: 

Nagoya has a humid subtropical climate  with hot summers and cool winters. The summer is noticeably wetter than the winter, although rain falls throughout the year.  Average temperatures in November range from highs of 17°C (62.5°F) to lows of 8.1°C (46.6°F).  Average rainfall for November is 79.7 mm (3.138 inches).  Early November during the Convention is the Japanese fall season and is beautiful with fall leaf colors.

Currency:

The yen (¥) is the currency of Japan and banknotes and coins are identified easily.   There are ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 banknotes; and ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100 and ¥500 coins.  Cash is the most widely used in Japan. However, major department stores and large hotels accept major credit cards.  You can buy yen at Authorized Foreign Exchange banks, major post offices, international airports and other authorized money exchanger at hotels and department stores.  The conversion from your currency to (¥) can be done at xe.com    For example, $1 USD equals ~ 111 (¥).  There is a currency exchange desk at the airport just after security, as well as an ATM.  I suggest bringing a little local currency with you, at least to pay the bus transportation.

Most automated teller machines (ATMs) in Japan do not accept credit, debit or ATM cards issued outside of Japan.  The big exception are the ATMs found at the over 21,000 post offices and at 13,000 Seven Bank ATMs throughout the country.   ATMs at Post offices are available for this service, but only for those cards the sticker indicates.  These ATMs at a post office allow you to withdraw cash by foreign Visa, Plus, MasterCard, Euro card, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, Diners and JCB cards and provide an English user menu.   ATMs at major post offices are typically available weekdays from 7:00 to 21:00 and closed on weekends, some may also open on Saturdays and Sundays.  In addition to the ATMs at post offices, a small number of international ATMs are located in major department stores, airports and Citibank branches.  In order to use international ATMs, make sure that your credit or debit card can be used abroad and that you know its PIN before leaving for Japan.  SevenBank accepts Visa, Plus, Master card, Euro card, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, Diners, JCB card and China UnionPay.
ATMs for Seven Bank can be found at Seven-Eleven convenience stores nationwide, and nearly all are conveniently accessible 24 hours a day.  Also, check what fees and daily and/or monthly limits are associated with international withdraws.

Electricity:

The voltage in Japan is 100 Volt, which is different from North America (120V), Central Europe (230V) and most other regions of the world. Japanese electrical plugs have two, non-polarized pins, as shown above. They fit into North American outlets.

Health:

No immunizations are required to enter Japan, but generally it is a good idea to make sure your tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccinations are up to date before traveling.  You can also check with your personal doctor to see if they recommend anything.

Insurance:

The Society of Wood Science and Technology is not responsible for the insurance of participants against personal injuries, sickness and theft or property damage incurred during the convention period.  Concerned participants should obtain insurance coverage.

Mobile phones: 

While most newer mobile phone models can be used in Japan, many older phones may not work due to different technologies. Most importantly, there is no GSM network in Japan, so GSM-only phones do not work.  You can buy prepaid SIM cards if your phone accepts them. You can also rent/buy temporary cell phones.   One example of cell phone rental/purchase: www.mobal.com

Passport & Visa:  

As of July 2017, Japan has taken measures concerning the Visa Exemption Arrangements with 68 countries and regions as the chart below.

Time Zone:

UTC/GMT +9 hours 

 https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/japan/nagoya

Tipping:

Tipping in Japan is not customary.

Useful Telephone Numbers:

Country code:  81  Check your particular dialing codes

Dial 119 for fire department or medical services

Dial 110 for police

Foreign Embassy Contact Addresses in Nagoya:  

https://www.embassypages.com/city/nagoya

SUBWAY:  

The Nagoya subway includes six lines: Higashiyama, Meijo, Meiko, Tsurumai, Sakuradori, and Kamiida. The Meijo line (purple) is a loop and connects to all other subway lines at Sakae, Kanayama and elsewhere, making it a convenient way to get around the city.  Nagoya University (stop Nagoya Daigaku) is on the Meijo line.  The main tourist attractions in the city are within walking distance of the subway.