Opening mixer announcement
All participants are invited to opening mixer on September 7, 2014. The mixer is free for all ACOS participants and will be scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. September 7. After registering, please come together to Royton hall A at 3rd floor of Royton Sapporo, a congress hotel. The mixer is providing a light meal and drink.
Excursion announcement
ACOS is offering a half day free tour in the afternoon of September 10, 2014 just before congress dinner. This includes visiting of Okurayama Jump Stadium and Sapporo Winter Museum, Shiroi Koibito Park, and Hokkaido Shrine. The bus tour will meet at the hotel lobby before 1:15 pm, and will begin with a visit to Okurayama Jump Stadium and Sapporo Winter Museum. The tour will then visit Shiroi Koibito Park and Hokkadio Shrine, before returning to the conference hotel at 5:00pm. ACOS participants who would like to join a tour, have to send a mail (ACOS2014@fish.hokudai.ac.jp) before August 20, 2014. But, we are sorry to say that we may not accept your offer in case of full occupation.
Passport and Visa
Any foreign visitor desiring to enter Japan must have a valid passport. A visa is required for citizens of countries that do not have visa exempt agreements with Japan. Please check the following URL for your VISA requirement and contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate for the visa requirements when you need VISA.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
Helpful Websites
Guide to Japan
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
Japan National Tourist Organization
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
Sapporo Tourist Association
http://www.sta.or.jp/english/
Sapporo Travel Guide
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2163.html
Insurance
The organizer is not responsible 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 the case of injury or illness, and other possible risks of international travel.
Climates
Autumn starts in end of August in Sapporo. September, it is best season to visit Sapporo, the average temperature being 18.1℃ (High: 22.4℃ and Low: 14.2℃).
Electricity
2-Flat-pin plugs are used instead of columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs in Japan. The voltage used throughout Japan is 100 volts, A.C. There are two kinds of frequencies in use: 60 Hertz in Western Japan and 50 Hertz in Eastern Japan.
Currency exchange
Only Japanese yen (JPY) is accepted in 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. Japanese money comes in bills (1,000yen, 2,000yen, 5,000yen and 10,000yen) and coins (1yen, 5yen, 10yen, 50yen, 100yen and 500yen).
Tipping
Individual tipping is not common in Japan, since a 10 to 15% service charge is added to the bill at leading hotels and higher-class restaurants.
Food
To satisfy the demanding taste buds of locals and international visitors, the city's restaurants, cafes and bars strive to serve quality food and drinks at affordable prices in Japan. Sapporo is food kingdom in Japan. Please enjoy our foods in Sapporo.
Time zone
Japan has a single time zone, nine hours ahead of UTC. Daylight Saving Time is not practiced in Japan.