Important
VISAS AND LETTERS OF INVITATION
Entry Visas
Presently, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants VISA waivers/exemptions to approximately 62 countries with special agreements with Japan. If you are unsure of whether or not you need to apply for a short-term VISA to enter Japan in order to attend this conference, please consult this page.
If your country is not listed, then you must contact the Embassy of Japan, or the nearest Consulate of Japan in your home country to receive guidance on the application process and necessary documents. More information.
As part of the VISA application process, you may be required to submit a Letter of Invitation from the conference organising committee. We ask that you please understand and respect the process for obtaining this Letter of Invitation.
Below, there are many websites about traveling and being in Kyoto.
Kansai has two airports: Kansai (KIX) and Itami (ITM). Currently, KIX is quite damaged by the typhoon. ITM is also closer to Kyoto. Another option is Nagoya's international airport (NGO). From further away, both Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) are possible options. The trip, however, is 4-5 hours on the shinkansen and will cost approximately usd140 each way.
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VARIOUS AIRPORTS to KYOTO CENTRAL STATION
KIX to Kyoto & By Bus - both bus (¥2500) and train (¥3900) are approximately 75-90 mins - route options
ITM to Kyoto - Bus (¥1300) and train(s) ¥1000 - route options
NGO to Kyoto - by bus = approximately 3 hrs (¥4000 and by train 90 mins (¥6000) - route option
Traveling from Tokyo (NRT or HND) to Kyoto = approximately 4-5 hours (¥15000) - HND route options and NRT route options
KYOTO STATION INFORMATION
History of Station
Lego Model of Station (now located on Level 7: East Wing)
Roof top garden and restaurants
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Trip Advisor Accommodation options near Doshisha University
AirBnB options near Doshisha University
The Palace Side Motel is just down the road from Doshisha University. They also offer yoga classes.
TOURISTY THINGS
Information about Kyoto
Official Travel Guide to Kyoto
Kyoto Guide
Kyoto Event Guide
K-Loop Bus to see all the sites in Kyoto
Kyoto Museum Guide and Pass
Kansai Craft Beer Map
Hiking Guide
ARASHIYAMA
Sagano Scenic Train from Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (need to book tickets early in Autumn) - Some pictures can be found here.
Official website - good videos
Fufunoyu Onsen
Monkey Park
Kyoto Sento Guide and Onsen Guide and Cycling Kyoto's Sento map
Bicycle Rental Options
Some other tourist-related suggestions outside Kyoto
Boat cruises of Lake Biwa (Japan's largest lake)
Hikone Castle
Lake Biwa Museum
Ohara
Some other helpful information:
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto) or Tokyo's Narita Airport
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, get your Japan Rail Pass
- Get travel insurance for your Japan trip - book online with World Nomads
The venue for the conference is the Institute of Liberal Arts, Karasuma Campus, Doshisha University, Kyoto. This conference is organised in partnership with the the Organization for Identity and Cultural Development (OICD). |
Information about how to get to the venue can be found here. Doshisha University is just north of the Imperial Palace. And the Karasuma campus is a few minutes walk NORTH of the main (Imadegawa) campus.
Address: 647-20 Shokokuji Monzen-cho, Kamidachiuri-agaru, Karasuma-dori (street name), Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Japan
Address: 647-20 Shokokuji Monzen-cho, Kamidachiuri-agaru, Karasuma-dori (street name), Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Japan
If arriving by subway, then you need to take the KARASUMA LINE to #6 IMADEGAWA Station (駅 eki in Japanese) and leave via exit #1
The best way to get to Kyoto from Kansai airport is by bus. It drops you off on the south-east corner of the train station. You need to cross the street and enter the Hachijo-EAST entrance. You'll see a Mcdonalds on the right. Walk past that down the stairs along the corridor for approximately 1 min and on the left you'll see a Karasuma SUBWAY entrance. Enter. But, you'll need to buy a subway ticket opposite the entrance. You might want to get an ICOCA card that you can just recharge when it's low. You can use it on all trains and busses across Japan, pretty much. Once down on the subway platform, you want to head NORTH towards station #1 Kokusaikaikan Station. REMEMBER - the conference is at #6 IMADEGAWA.
This next map is the arrival hall at KIX airport. Once you exit the ARRIVAL GATES at KIX airport, proceed out of the building and head to Bus Stop #8. The bus from here will take you to Kyoto Central Station. It is outside Exit D. There is a vending machine outside to buy tickets. You can select ENGLISH. It is significantly cheaper than the Haruka Express train.
Photo: Aimée-Linh McCartney
Even though the weather will be getting cooler, early November is a wonderful time of year to be in Kyoto, especially for the maple leaves, which you can eat! However, it is also a time to experience 'peak tourist'. Therefore, if you are considering attending the conference, it is advised that you start thinking about accommodation and other travel-related matters well ahead of time.