General information for participants from abroad

TIME DIFFERENCE
All of Japan is in the same time zone, 9 hours ahead of G.M.T.
CLIMATE AND CLOTHING
Average Temperature & Precipitation in Kobe
Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

Jun.

Max. Temp

9C (49F)

9C (49F)

13C (56F)

20C (67F)

24C (76F)

27C (81F)

Min. Temp.

3C (37F)

3C (37F)

5C (41F)

11C (51F)

15C (60F)

20C (68F)

Precipitation

44 mm

59 mm

100 mm

121 mm

140 mm

201 mm

Jul.

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Max. Temp

31C (89F)

33C (91F)

29C (84F)23C (73F)

17C (63F)

12C (54F)

Min. Temp.

24C (75F)

25C (77F)

21C (70F)

15C (59F)

10C (49F)

5C (41F)

Precipitation

155 mm

99 mm

175 mm

109 mm

66 mm

38 mm

MONEY
1) Currency and Money Exchange
The unit of Japanese currency is yen. Coins are available in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen and banknotes in
1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen. Exchange banks and money exchange counters can be found atKansai International Airport for money exchange. A passport may be required for currency exchange
service. Exchange bank is also available near Port-liner Sannomiya station.
2) Credit Cards
International credit cards such as Visa, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard are also acceptable
at leading banks, hotels and stores in major cities. However, there are still some services in which credit
card transactions are not acceptable in Japan so obtaining cash beforehand is recommended when youtravel Japan.
3) ATMs
Many overseas credit and cash cards can be used at Japanese ATMs and cash dispensers at banks,
convenience stores and post offices. However, it is advised to contact each credit card company beforehandand check the location of each ATM and its availability because the conditions for the usage of overseas
credit card may vary from machine to machine.
Overseas credit, debit and cash cards can be used at Post Office and the convenience store ATMs inlocations throughout Japan. ATMs where money can be withdrawn in Japanese Yen display stickers
indicating which cards are accepted. Please see the following URLs for the details.
Seven bank ATM in Seven Eleven: https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/index2.html
E-net in Family Mart: http://www.enetcom.co.jp/intl/en/
Post Office: https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/ias/en_ias_index.html

<Banks, Post Office and Convenience Stores near the BDR>a) Sumitomo Mitsui Bank (Sannomiya)https://ml.its-mo.com/p/en/smbcbank/dtl/5901110200410/?&cond1=1&&his=sa%2Csa1
1-5-1, Sannomiya-machi, Chuo-ku
Kobe 651-0021
Tel: 078-332-5911
Office hours: 9:00 to 15:00 on weekdays.
10:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, Sunday and National holidays
ATM: 0:00 to 24:00. on weekdays and Saturdays
0:00 to 21:00 on weekdays and Sundaysb) Sumitomo Mitsui Bank (Kobe Port-island – Iryo Center Station)
ATM ONLY
3-1-2, Minatojima-nakamachi, Chuo-ku
Kobe 650-0046
Tel: 06-6534-2900
ATM: 8:00 to 21:00 on weekdays and Saturdays
8:00 to 21:00 on Sundaysc) Post Office (Kobe Port-island-Park city nai)
6-2-1 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku Kobe,
650-0046
Tel: 078-302-3045
Office hours: 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
ATM: 9:00 to 19:00 on weekdays
9:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays
Closed on Sundaysd) Convenience Store:
There are 2 convenience stores near BDR.
Family Mart: open 24 hours Phone: 078-304-4133
Daily Yamazaki: Located in front of “Iryo Center Station”. Phone:078-302-5662
HEALTHCARE
1) WaterTap water is safe to drink anywhere in Japan. Mineral water can be easily obtained at super markets,convenience stores and other similar places.
2) Hospitals
Medical systems and facilities in Japan are well established so that you can expect to receive a highstandard medical treatment if you have any health problem during your stay.
ELECTRICITY
The voltage used throughout Japan is uniformly 100 volts alternating current at a frequency of 60 Hertz. Astep-down transformer is required to convert the voltage. There are no columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs
used in Japan but 2-flat pin plugs are used instead. It is therefore advised to purchase a plug adapter
beforehand.

POSTAL SERVICE
Hotels and convenience stores often provide simple postage services. Post offices are open daily from9:00 to 17:00 except Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.

TELEPHONES
WiFi Router Rentals and purchase of SIM card are available at Kansai International Airport.
https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/service/internet/03.html
https://sim.telecomsquare.co.jp/
https://umobile.jp/lp/prepaid_eng/
Public phone:
The number of public phones has decreased in Japan as well as the other areas in the world. Public phone
accepts 10 yen and 100 yens coin and/or telephone cards. A local call costs 10 yen per minute. No change
is given for partial use of a 100 yens coin. Prepaid telephone card is available at 1,000 yen at convenience
stores and similar places.
International calls by public phone:
A direct overseas call can be made from a public phone dialing the direct dial access number shown as below:
Direct dial access number
KDDI: 001-010
SoftBank: 0061-010
NTT Communications: 0033-010
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
For general transport, taxis are plentiful and train and bus services are convenient throughout Japan.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist Information Centers provide reliable information for your travel, accommodation and sightseeing inJapan.
1) Kansai Tourist Information Center (Kansai International Airport):
http://www.tourist-information-center.jp/kansai/en/kix/
Central 1F, Terminal 1 Bldg., 1 Senshu-kuko-naka, Tajiri-cho, Sennan-gun.
Tel: +81-(0)72-456-6160
Office hours: 7:00 to 22:00 (open year-round)2) Kobe Information Center (Hello Station Kobe)
https://tic.jnto.go.jp/detail.php?id=1237
Beside Sannomiya station
Tel: 078-322-0220
Office hours: Open from 9:00 to 19:00 every dayRESTAURANTS
There are many restaurants in Sannomiya, Kobe downtown which is about 20 minutes ride the port liner train
from the BDR. You can enjoy various kinds of cuisine from Japanese traditional cuisine to Western cuisines.