Travel Agency
Inquiries and requests concerning travel arrangements should be addressed to:
10th ICRS Desk
Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd (NTA)
9th floor, New Shimbashi Bldg., 2-16-1, Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0004 JAPAN
Phone +81-3-3581-2751
FAX +81-3-3581-2875
E-mail mcs_center@nta.co.jp

Application
Use Form C

Hotels
The following official ICRS hotels are recommended. The price is a special discount rate offered to the 10th ICRC participants.

Hotel List (Based on per night per person including breakfast, service charge and tax)
* Shuttle Buses will be stopping at the following eight hotels (H1,H2,H3,H4,H6,H8,H11,H17).
Hotel Map (PDF 189 kb)
Code Hotel Name
Adress
Phone/Fax		 Shuttle
Bus
Stop		 Access Price (JPY)
From Okinawa(Naha)Airport From the
Symposium
Venue by car		 Triple Twin Single
By Monorail By taxi Double
occupancy		 Single
occupancy
H1
Laguna Garden Hotel 4-1-1 Mashiki, Ginowan,Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-897-2121
Fax: +81-98-897-7711
O 40min 2min 8,400 10,500 17,850 15,750
H2
Hotel Nikko Naha -Grand Castle 1-132-1,Yamakawa-cho, Shuri, Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-886-5454
Fax: +81-98-897-0070
O 20min 20min Not available
(N/A)		 6,300 12,600 Not available
(N/A)
H3
Kariyushi Urban Resort Naha 3-25-1 Maejima,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-860-2111
Fax: +81-98-860-2112
O 20min 20min 5,250 7,350 13,650 N/A
H4
Okinawa Washington Hotel 2-32-1 Kume,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-869-2511
Fax: +81-98-864-2164
O 5 min malk from Asahibashi Station 20min 20min N/A 5,985 10,185 8,400
H5
Okinawa Heights 3-28-1 Mashiki,Ginowan, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-898-1212
Fax: +81-98-898-1733
N/A 40min 2min 6,580 8,310 10,040 N/A
H6
Pacific Hotel Okinawa 3-6-1 Nishi, Naha,Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-868-5162
Fax: +81-98-868-8876
O 5 min malk from Asahibashi Station 10min 30min 5,250 5,775 9,975 8,925
H7
Hotel Route Inn Naha 2-25-8 Nishi,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-860-0771
Fax: +81-98-860-0772
15 min malk from Asahibashi Station 10min 30min N/A 5,250 6,300 N/A
H8
Ryukyu Sun Royal Hotel 6-20 Higashimachi,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-862-3811
Fax: +81-98-864-1876
O 3 min walk from Asahibashi Station 10min 30min N/A 4,725 8,925 6,825
H9
Naha Grand Hotel 1-5-7 Matsuo,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-862-6161
Fax: +81-98-862-7292
3 min walk from kenchomae Station 10min 30min N/A 5,250 N/A 5,775
H10
Hotel Maruki 3-20-5 Kumoji,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-862-6135
Fax: +81-98-861-5327
10 min walk from kenchomae Station 10min 30min N/A 5,250 6,300 5,775
H11
Ekka Hotel Okinawa 1068-9 Ameku,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-867-5111
Fax: +81-98-868-1783
O 15 min walk from Miebashi Station 10min 30min 4,200 4,725 7,875 6,825
H12
Hotel Shisar Kwan 1-3-43 Makishi,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-868-4343
Fax: +81-98-868-0226
15 min walk from Miebashi Station 20min 30min N/A N/A N/A 8,715
H13
August Inn Kumoji 3-1-10 Kumoji, Naha,Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-867-8000
Fax: +81-98-869-5630
3 min walk from Asahibasi Station 10min 30min N/A N/A N/A 7,770
H14
Annex Ekka Hotel 1-3-11 Kumoji, Naha,Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-861-1181
Fax: +81-98-867-3339
15 min walk from Kenchomae Station 10min 30min 3,675 4,200 7,350 6,300
H15
Hotel Airway 2-14-5 Kumoji,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-864-0511
Fax: +81-98-864-0519
10min 30min N/A N/A N/A 6,510
H16
Hotel Yamaichi 2-16-13 Makishi,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-866-5421
Fax: +81-98-867-3713
10 min walk from Miebashi Station 20min 30min N/A 3,990 7,980 4,725
H17
Hotel Emerald 1-2-25 Asato,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-862-8001
Fax: +81-98-862-3303
5 min walk from Makishi Station O 15min 30min N/A 6,090 7,770 N/A
H18
Nansei Kanko Hotel 3-13-23 Makishi,Naha, Okinawa
Phone: +81-98-862-7144
Fax: +81-98-862-7110
1 min walk from Makishi Station 15min 30min 4,515 4,725 8,925 6,825
H19 "Minshuku"* Between JPY1,800 and JPY4,000 + handling charge JPY500. Without breakfast
* "Minshuku" is a private house providing bed. Based on several persons in one Japanese room with no private bath / toilet.

Sightseeing
All tours include transportation, lunch and English speaking companion(Volunteer staff)
1. Southern Okinawa Island (Half day tour)
Date June 27, 29 & July 1
Visiting Shurijo Castle(a UNESCO World Heritage), Peace Memorial Park, Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave
At first, we visit the Shurijo Castle, a World Heritage, UNESCO, where the Kings of Ryukuyu Kingdom resided for close to 500 years from the fifteen-century, where we can feel the prosperity of the Kingdom. Our next destination is the Peace Memorial Park, built on the Mabuni Hill, the area where the last confrontations of the Battle of Okinawa, in WWII, took place. The park has several facilities and statues such as the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum and the Cornerstone of Peace. And our final destination is the Okinawa World, a theme park on Okinawan's tradition, culture, and performing art, and the Gyoukusendo Cave where we can feel the wonder of the nature.
2. Coral reefs observation and a sightseeing tour of Naha (Half day tour)
Date June 28, 30 & July 2
Visiting Coral reefs of Naha City, Machigwa Public Markets
While boarding on the glass bottom boat off Naha City, the capital city, we can observe coral reefs. Though the coral reefs are just in front of the City but the condition is so-so good and we can see many tropical fishes. After we spend our time in the sea for observation, we flock to the Machigwa Public Markets, the market for ordinary people, where we glimpse the life of ordinary people.
3. Central Okinawa Island (Half day tour)
Date July 1 & 2
Visiting Southeast Botanical Gardens, Nakagusuku Castle Ruins(a UNESCO World Heritage)and the Nakamura Residence(National Cultural Asset)
We head for the Southeast Botanical Gardens while observing the Kadena Air Force Base, the largest base in Asia, behind fence. In the gardens, which is said to be the largest tropical botanical garden in Japan, more than 2000 tropical plants species from all over the world flourish and blooming all the year. Next, we move to the Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, a World Heritage, UNESCO. The castle was built on the hill top, 167 meters height, of limestone facing the Nakagusuku Bay. This castle ruins are featured for using an extraordinary pile stone masonry and extraordinary views on top of walls. And next to the castle ruins, our destination is the Nakamura Residence, a National Cultural Asset. This is the residence of well-to-do farming family built during the late Ryukyu Kingdom.
4. Eco-tour in Higashi Village, northern Okinawa Island (Full day tour)
Date June 29 & July 3
Visiting Kesaji Mangrove(National Natural Asset) and Upama Beach(a natural beach at Kesaji). Prepare for canoeing, you will get wet.
Kesaji, Higashi Village, has a mangrove plant community, a National Natural Asset. This tour, while we canoeing, the observations for mangrove trees, which grow in an estuary swamp, and plants and animals around them are conducted. After we practice paddling in the mangrove, we start paddling toward the sea for landing a natural beach, this kind of beach becoming rare in Okinawa now. On the way to the beach, we can enjoy geographical feature of shore and observe sea creatures in the moat.
5. Eco-tour in Kunigami Village, northern Okinawa Island (Full day tour)
Date June 30 & July 3
Visiting A trail at Yonaha Mountain and Aha Dam Lake. Prepare for canoeing, you will get wet.
Eco-tour in Kunigami Village, the northern part of Okinawa Island (Full day tour)In the northern part of Okinawa Island, there is a subtropical “Yambaru Forest”, a pasania tree forest. The forest is the habitat for many endemic species such as Okinawa rail, Okinawa woodpecker, and Yambaru long- armed scarab beetle. In this tour, while we hiking in the Yonaha Mountain, the center of the “Yambaru forest”, 503 meters in height, the highest mountain in Okinawa Island, we observe plants and animals. After hiking, we move to Aha Dam, the third largest dam in the prefecture, for canoeing. “Yambaru Forest” view from canoe on the surface of the dam lake and a branch are never forgettable experiences. We can see fresh water fishes originated in Ryukyu Islands also.
6. Northern Okinawa Island (Full day tour)
Date June 29 & July 3
Visiting Nakijin Castle Ruin(a UNESCO World Heritage), Kesaji Mangrove(National Natural Asset), Fukuchi Dam, Cape Hedo, Yambaru Wildlife Center and Hijiotaki Waterfalls
In this tour, we stop at main touristic sites in the northern part of Okinawa Island. At first, we stop at Nakijin Castle Ruins, a World Heritage, UNESCO, located in the Motobu Peninsula. The castle is the second largest, next to Shurijo Castle, in Okinawa, and was the residence for the kings of Hokuzan Kingdom, the kingdom in the northern part. It is well-known place for cherry blossom in the season. Our next stop is the mangrove plant community, a National Natural Asset, at Kesaji, Higashi Village. The boardwalk is edged with the plant community so we can see mangroves in close up. The next stop is at the Fukuchi Dam, in Higashi Village also. This dam is the oldest and largest in the Okinawa and well known as the dam built cooperatively by Japan and USA. We can see water situation on Okinawa Island at here. The next stop is at the Cape Hedo, Kunigami Village. The Cape is the northernmost of Okinawa Island, when the sky is clear we can see all the way to Yoron Island, belonging to Kagashima Prefecture, neighbor prefecture.
A symbol for the reversion to Japan movement, the area has a monument of reversion erected on. The next stop is the Yambaru Wildlife Center, Okuma, Kunigami Village. We can understand the present situation of very precious “Yambaru Forest”. And the final stop is the Hijiotaki Waterfalls in Kunigami Village also, the highest, 25.7 meters height, in Okinawa Island. While walking on the promenade that leads to the waterfalls, we can see variety of plants and animals.
7. SCUBA Diving in the Kerama Islands (Full day tour)
Date July 1 & 3
Visiting Tamaruru Reef and Paraiso Reef ( one of the best coral reefs in Kerama Islands). Prepare for SCUBA diving. Trips are subject to the weather/tidal conditions.
The Kerama Islands’ seas are the one of seas that Japan can be proud to the world. In this tour, we can snorkel and/or SCUBA dive in the most beautiful coral reefs in these world best sites. Tamaruru reefs and Paraiso reefs are nominated for the time being but it is subjected to weather and /or tidal condition of the day of the tour.
Prices and Minimum operable number of Persons (*)
No. Tour name Date Price *
1 Southern Okinawa lsland (Half day tour) June 27,29 & July 1 JPY 6,100 30
2 Coral reefs observation and sightseeing tour of Naha(Half day tour) June 28,30 & July 2 JPY 6,800 30
3 Central Okinawa Island(Half day tour) July 1 & 2 JPY 6,200 30
4 Eco-tour in Higashi Village, northern Okinawa Island(Full day tour) June 29 & July 3 JPY 11,500 20
5 Eco-tour in Kunigami Village, northern Okinawa Island(Full day tour) June 30 & July 3 JPY 17,000 10
6 Northern Okinawa Island(Full day tour) June 29 & July 3 JPY 6,000 30
7 SCUBA Diving in the Kerama Islands(Full day tour) July 1 & 3 JPY 18,000 15

Confirmation and Payment
Those participants who would like to book hotels or sightseeing trips described herein are kindly requested to complete the Application Form(Form C)and return it to the 10th ICRS Desk of the Nippon Travel Agency(NTA). Deadline for application is May 31, 2004.
Upon receipt of the Application Form, the NTA will send you a Confirmation & Invoice with the total amount due.
All payments must be in Japanese Yen. Only Credit Cards: American Express, MasterCard and VISA are acceptable.
Confirmations will be effective upon receipt of total payment by NTA.

Cancellation for Hotel and Sightseeing reservations
In the event of a cancellation of the reservations, a written notification should be sent to Nippon Travel Agency. Your payment will be refunded after deducting the following cancellation charges.
Hotels and Sightseeing Trips:
31 days or more prior to the commencement of the tour : Without charge
14 to 30 days prior to the commencement of the tour : 20% of the tour fee
4 to 13 days prior to the commencement of the tour : 30% of the tour fee
1 to 3 days prior to the commencement of the tour : 50% of the tour fee
On the day of reservation or no notice given : 100% of the tour fee
As for sightseeing trips, Nippon Travel Agency will refund your payment without cancellation penalty if actual number of applicants did not reach minimum operable number of persons, as indicated by astarisc.

Access to Okinawa, Japan
Tokyo's Narita Airport, Japan's principal international gateway, is linked nearly 100 cities around the world. Okinawa(Naha)Airport receives over 70 flights daily from all over Japan including 20 flights from Tokyo's Haneda Airport. You can transfer between Narita Airport and Haneda Airport by direct airport limousine bus(Approximately 75 minutes ride). Additionally, direct international flights to Okinawa(Naha)Airport from Manila, Seoul, Shanghai and Taipei(as of July, 2003)make Okinawa easily accessible from both within and outside Japan.
Flight time(hr)to Okinawa(Naha)Airport
From Tokyo (Haneda) 2:55
From Osaka (kansai) 2:05
From Fukuoka 1:40

Shuttle Bus Service        Shuttle Bus Time Table ··· (click here)
The Organizing Committee will provide free shuttle bus services throughout the duration of the symposium. Schedules will be announced on the Offical Web Site.
·Between Okinawa(Naha)Airport and the following 8 hotels
·Between 8 hotels and Symposium Venue(Okinawa Convention Center)
·Laguna Garden Hotel(H1) ·Okinawa Washington Hotel(H4) ·Ekka Hotel Okinawa(H11)
·Hotel Nikko Naha Grand Castle(H2) ·Pacific Hotel Okinawa(H6) ·Hotel Emerald(H17)
·Kariyushi Urban Resort Naha(H3) ·Ryukyu Sun Royal Hotel(H8)

Currency
The currency used in Japan is Yen (indicated as JPY). Foreign currencies and traveler's checks can be changed to JPY at major banks, hotels, or airports. Only Japanese Yen is acceptable at stores and restaurants. It is necessary to show your passport when changing traveler's checks. Bills come in units of JPY1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000, and coins in units of JPY1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500. The approximate exchange rate for 1 US Dollar is JPY119(as of August, 2003).

Please be advised that banks in Japan are opened at 09:00-15:00 on Monday to Friday.
For those who fly to Okinawa through domestic airport, we recommend you to exchange either at Tokyo(Narita Airport) or Osaka(Kansai Airport) due to no exchange booth available at the domestic terminal in Okinawa Airport.

Traveler's Checks and Credit Cards
Traveler's checks are not as popular in Japan as they are in some other countries. They are usually accepted only by leading banks and major hotels. American Express, MasterCard and VISA are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops, and restaurants.

Tax and Tipping
There is no custom of individual tipping in Japan. Instead, a service charge will be included in the bill where applicable. A 5% consumption tax applies to almost all consumer goods.

Climate
Summer in Okinawa generally begins in April, with three to four weeks of rainy season in May and June. The climate in Okinawa is hot and humid in June and July, with the average high temperature at 31°C(88°F)and low temperature at 26°C(79°F). Participants are recommended to bring cardigan and / or light jacket since indoors are mostly air-conditioned. Seawater temperature is around 26 to 28°C(79 to 82°F)in this season. A thin wet suit is enough for SCUBA diving in Okinawa.

Health
Drinking water: Tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Japan. Mineral water including major imported brands can be easily obtained from supermarkets, convenience stores and vending machines.
Hospitals: Medical systems and facilities in Japan are well established so that you can expect to receive a high standard medical treatment, if you have any health problem during your stay.
Inoculations: There are no inoculations required for entering Japan from anywhere around the world.

Internet Access
Internet access will be available at the Symposium Venue

Other information about Okinawa
see http://www.ocvb.or.jp/en/

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