The 28th International Cosmic Ray Conference will be held in Tsukuba,
Japan from July 31 to Aug.7, 2003. All people interested in cosmic ray physics and the related topics are welcome to join in this conference.
Location and Climate
The 28th International Cosmic Ray Conference will be held in the Epochal Tsukuba International Congress Center in Tsukuba City, Japan, from Thursday, July 31 to Thursday, August 7, 2003. Tsukuba City is situated about 50 km north-east of Tokyo, and is a center of advanced research and technology in Japan. Epochal Tsukuba is located about 1 km south of the Tsukuba Center Bus Terminal and the "Tsukuba Center Building".
Tsukuba City has a subtropical climate from the end of July to August. By the end of July, the rainy season is usually over. It is sunny but humidity and temperature are high. The highest daily temperature is 30-35 oC, the lowest one 23-30 oC. The humidity is about 70%.
Visas
A valid passport is required for entry into Japan. Delegates from some countries will also need a visa. Detailed information is available through the Web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Invitation letters for the visa application will be provided from the organizers. Delegates who need invitation letters should contact the LOC by email or Fax providing full name, nationality, affiliation, current address, place and date of birth. To identify their activities in the cosmic-ray field, applicants are kindly asked to send the submission numbers of the ICRC2003 abstracts including their name as one of the authors or a list of three major recent publications.
The 28th International Comic Ray Conference will be conducted in accordance with IUPAP principles as stated in ICSU Document "Universality of Science" (sixth edition, 1989) regarding free circulation of scientists for international purposes. In particular, no bona fide scientist will be excluded from participation on the grounds of national origin, nationality, or political considerations unrelated to science.
Electric Appliances
Electric current is provided through two prong sockets, at 100VAC/50Hz in East Japan and 100VAC/60Hz in West Japan. If you use your laptop computers for presentation on this conference, you will need AC plug adapter or in some special case may need a transformer.
Banking
Only Japanese Yens are accepted at regular stores and restaurants. Some foreign currencies may be accepted at a limited number of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Do not expect to use your credit cards at shops or restaurants while major credit cards, VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express, are accepted at hotels. Traveler's checks are not popular in Japan and are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels in principal cities.
Major Foreign currencies can be converted into Japanese Yens as you arrive at the Narita Airport. There are currency exchange counters located in the first floor of the arrival lobby of the airport. They are open from 6:30 to 23:00. See Web cite of the Narita Airport.
In the post offices around the conference venue, international Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) service is provided. You can withdraw Japanese Yens using your credit cards or cash cards. Notice that you are not necessarily able to convert your currency to Japanese Yens at Hotel.
Currency exchange from Australian dollar, British pound, Canadian dollar, Euro, and US dollar to Japanese Yen can be made in the central area of Tsukuba City at the following location: