Travel Information

Visa

Please visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/) to check if you need a visa to attend the conference.

If you require a visa, please complete the conference registration and pay the registration fee first. We can then issue an invitation letter for your temporary visitor visa application.

Venue/Access

Venue: Kitakyushu International Convention Center, Kokura, Kitakyushu-city, Fukuoka, Japan. Visit the Kitakyushu International Convention Center website for detailed information.

Access to the Venue:

• By Air (Kitakyushu Airport): Take the bus bound for 'Kokura Ekimae' and get off at the Kokura Ekimae bus stop.
• By Air (Fukuoka Airport): Take the Fukuoka City Airport Line subway to Hakata Station. Transfer to the JR Kagoshima Line bound for Mojiko and get off at Kokura Station.
• By Bullet Train (Shinkansen): Use Kokura Station.

For other route searches, please use this English site: Hyperdia

For cost-effective travel throughout Japan, consider the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), offering unlimited travel on JR lines, including Shinkansen bullet trains. Learn more at: japanrailpass.net/en/

Hotel

Hotel information, including budget-friendly options, will be provided closer to the conference date. Prices are subject to change. You can also use various hotel booking websites to find accommodations.

Attractions/Tourism Information

Kitakyushu, Shimonoseki, Fukuoka, and surrounding areas offer a wide range of attractions for all ages, from natural wonders to historical sites, cultural experiences, and delicious food. We will provide travel information, maps, and potentially discount tickets during the conference. More details will be available soon.

Suggested Attractions:

• Mojiko Retro Town: Rickshaw tours, scenic views, the Kanmon Bridge, a retro railway line, the Blue Wing Drawbridge, an observation tower, and Mojiko JR Station.
• Kokura Castle Town: Kokura Castle, a Japanese garden, Riverwalk shopping mall, Tanga Market, downtown Kokura, Chacha Town, Uomachi shopping arcade, museums, a zoo, etc.
• Yahata Higashida: Cable car and ropeway to the summit of Mount Sarakura (offering stunning evening and night views), the Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History, the Innovation Gallery and Studio, the Environment Museum, the JICA Center, the AEON shopping center, etc.
• Kawachi - Hiraodai Limestone Plateau: Limestone caves, Hiraodai Countryside Park, a calcareous cave, the Hiraodai Nature Observation Center, Kawachi Hot Spring, Ajisai Hot Spring, the Kawachi Reservoir, Sugao Falls, etc.
• Wakamatsu Coastline: Wakato Bridge, ferry services, the Senjojiki Rocks and the Myokenzaki Lighthouse, Iwaya Beach, Sone tidelands, Oma Bamboo Park, windmills, Eco-Town, Green Park (tropical garden, flowers, animals, lake with boats), etc.
• Eco-Town Tour: Visit http://www.kitaq-ecotown.com
• Universities: Explore potential collaborations at Kyushu Institute of Technology (3 campuses), Kitakyushu University (2 campuses), Kitakyushu International University, Waseda University (Wakamatsu campus), etc.
• Shimonoseki City: Accessible by ferry, car, or even a tunnel! Visit Akama Shrine, the aquarium, enjoy fresh "kaiten" (conveyor belt) sushi, take a speedboat to a nearby island, etc.
• Fukuoka City: Explore areas like Hakata and Tenjin, visit the Botanical Garden, the zoo, the National Museum, etc.
• Nagasaki and Hiroshima: Easily accessible by train or bus (about an hour by bullet train).
• Mount Aso (Kumamoto): Experience an active volcano. Take the bullet train to Kumamoto Station from Kokura.

During the conference, we will provide materials and suggested itineraries. We can also provide information about tour agents if you prefer to arrange your own tours. Japan is a very safe country, and the conference will take place during a time of long daylight hours, allowing you to fully enjoy your time here. Search online for even more information!

Welcome! We look forward to your participation! Feel free to ask for any query.