Kanazawa The Center of Winter Lightning, retains much of Historic Beauty and Traditional Cultures Welcome to Kanazawa Kanazawa is one of Japan's foremost castle towns. The city boasts many places of historic and aesthetic interest, such as the splendid Kenrokuen, known as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, and Ishikawa-mon, the commanding gate to the old castle grounds. In Kanazawa, one is acutely aware of the changing seasons. Not only is Kanazawa's natural scenery a colorful delight year-round, but every seasonal change is so carefully celebrated in Kanazawa's traditional cuisine, decor and yearly events that one comes to feel as if there are many more than four seasons. Geographically, Kanazawa's central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the Hokuriku region as a whole. Ishikawa's charming Noto Peninsula and Kaga region, as well as neighboring Toyama, Fukui and Gifu prefectures, are all easily accessible from Kanazawa. Kanazawa's history began in 1546, when the Buddhist Ikko sect set up a religious government centered on a temple, which later became the site of Kanazawa Castle. The Buddhists' power grew, and so did Kanazawa. Kanazawa was invaded in 1580, and following a turbulent period, was finally taken over by Maeda Toshiie, a retainer of Oda Nobunaga, in 1583. When Japan came under the control of the Shogun Tokugawa leyasu in 1603, Maeda's vast territorial holdings were recognized, making Kaga the wealthiest province in Japan. Its wealth, measured by its rice yield, was one million koku, or five million bushels, Hence, the elegant and refined culture that developed in Kanazawa under Maeda's patronage is referred to as Kaga Hyakumangoku. In 1871, when the feudal provinces were abolished and modern prefectures established, the Kaga region was the third most populous in Japan after Tokyo and Osaka. Since Maeda Toshiie's entrance into Kanazawa in 1583, the city has been completely untouched by war and thus retains much of its historic beauty. While preserving its precious heritage, Kanazawa has developed into a thoroughly charming modern city. Banks Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 -15:00 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays).Automatic teller machines (ATM) can be found at most main banks; withdrawals by credit card can be made everyday (except national holidays) from 9:00 to 19:00 at almost all of the main banks. Withdrawals by foreign credit card are only possible at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Kyoto Branch or just inside the shopping arcade at Shijo-Teramachi at All Card Plaza. Facilities for the exchange of foreign currency will be available at the conference hall. Invitation Letter for Visas The invitation letter is provided to obtain travel visas to Japan. Passport and Visas A valid passport is required to enter Japan. In addition, some foreign nations require a visa; please contact the Japanese Consulate or diplomatic mission in your country at least three months before your departure for Japan. For details, please contact your local travel agent or carrier. While taking the necessary steps with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html), please fill out and return Information Sheet for Visa to the secretariat. If you require to obtain Visa to enter Japan, please click here for information. Climate and Clothing Under Construction Credit Cards Diners Club, American Express, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops and restaurants. Currency Most foreign currencies and travelers' checks are easily exchanged at banks and hotels. A passport may be required for currency exchange services. The approximate exchange rate as of November, 2004 was 1 US dollar = JPY 107, 1 Euro = JPY 136, 1 AUD = JPY 82. We recommend that participants purchase travelers' checks in yen or U.S. dollars before leaving their home countries. The secretariat will only accept cash in yen. Electricity One hundred volts alternating current at a frequency of 60 Hz. Health Documents Health documents are not required for visitors from most western countries, but requirements vary from country to country. Travelers arriving from areas where cholera or yellow fever is endemic require vaccination certificates. Insurance The Organizing Committee can accept no responsibility for accidents or damage to the private property of participants. Please make your own arrangements for health insurance and any other necessary insurance. Letter of Invitation Certain participants wishing to obtain a visa to enter Japan require an official invitation letter from the conference organizers. Such letters will be available upon request to the secretariat. Please note that an invitation does not imply a commitment by the organizers to bear any expenses. Mobile Phones Under Construction Postal Service Hotels often provide simple postage services. Post offices are open daily from 9:00 to 17:00 except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Restaurants There are also many restaurants specializing in Western cuisines.Most shops and department stores are open on Sundays and holidays until early evening, however they normally close on one weekday (mostly on Wednesday). Major credit cards are accepted in many places. Shopping Most shops and department stores are open on Sundays and holidays until early evening, however they normally close on one weekday (mostly on Wednesday). Major credit cards are accepted in many places. Telephones Pay phones are available at the for local and long distance calls. Phone cards can be purchased in a shop at hotels. Time Japan Standard Time is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Tipping Service is always included in the bill at restaurants and in the taxi fares. Research on winter lightning has caught the attention of the global scientific community, and it is hoped that more research will be done to shed light on the problems that remain.