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General Information
< Travel to the Congress Venue >
Take a JR rapid train on the Chuo Line to Kunitachi Station. If you are not sure if you which is the correct platform to board the train, please ask the nearest JR station personnel in uniform before you board any train. The train ride from Shinjuku to Kunitachi is approximately 35 minutes (caution: a certain limited number of trains are JR special rapid trains, which are slightly faster with less stops in between, but require one transfer at Kokubunji Station, for approximately a 30-minute ride from Shinjuku to Kunitachi). From the north side of Kunitachi Station, it is approximately a 10-minute walk to the Congress Venue, RTRI. Refer to the Map of Access to the Congress Venue.
< Climate >
Typically the weather in Tokyo during the period of the Congress is mild with the temperature ranging between 11°C and 21°C. It is the best time to travel in and enjoy Japan.
< Currency Exchange >
Japanese Yen (¥) is the only currency accepted at regular stores and restaurants. Certain foreign currencies and credit cards are accepted at a limited number of hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. You can purchase yen at foreign exchange banks, certain hotels, and other authorized money exchangers on presentation of your passport. Coins (especially 100 and 500 yen) and paper money (especially 1,000 yen) are convenient for small purchases and public transport, so it is best to always have some with you.
< Travelers' Checks and Credit Cards >
Travelers' checks are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels in principal cities, and the use of travelers' checks in Japan is not as popular as in some other countries. VISA and Master Card are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops, restaurants and nightclubs.
< Tipping >
In Japan, tips are not necessary anywhere, even at hotels and restaurants.
< Electrical Appliances >
Japan operates on 100 volts for electrical appliances. The frequency is 50 Hz in eastern Japan including Tokyo and 60 Hz in western Japan including Kyoto and Osaka.
< Shopping >
The business hours of most department stores are from 10:00 to 19:00. They are open on Sundays and national holidays, but close once a week on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, depending on the store. Business hours for retail shops differ from each other, but most operate from 10:00 to 20:00, and are open on Sundays and national holidays.
< Hotel Accommodation >
If you have reserved a hotel room using the WCRR'99 registration forms, JR West has sent you a confirmation notice by fax which you were requested in the Preliminary Program to bring with you. Be sure to show this confirmation notice when checking in to your hotel. If you do not have this confirmation notice with you, please mention to the hotel that you are participating in WCRR'99. Room rates include tax, service charges, and breakfast on a per-room per-night basis. All hotel expenses, except for the hotel deposit and the handling charge, should be paid directly to the hotel.
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