Announcement on May 5, 2019

Dear WISE participants,

It is just a week to go to see you all in Japan!

I have a few announcements, so please spend some time to read the rest. It is long, so take your time.

• For the poster presenters.  The poster size should be A0 (841 × 1189mm)  portrait.  Something equivalent would work but not the landscape.
• WhatsAPP group: I have set up a group account “WISE2019”.  Please contact me at +81-70-5550-4979 to be added to the group. We’ll use this group account to send a message during the meeting. You can also call me at the same phone number in Japan.
• Arrival on 5/12: Busses leave at 11:30, 16:30 and 18:30 from the Shi-Chitose Airport. For those arriving around noon and after and do not want to wait until 16:30, there is a public bus leaving at 14:00 at 1800 yen directly to Jozankei. Let us know if you choose to get on that bus.
• Ice breaker: the dinner is served on the same night at a different place, so you can come to the ice breaker to chat with people but leave to eat and then come back if you like. It is OK to walk around the hotel wearing Yukata, so you may come with the Yukata to the ice breaker.
• Cherry blossom: Good news is that the blossom has not started yet at Jozankei as of yesterday because of the high altitude.  Let’s hope to see the full blossom during the meeting, which will likely be the latest in Japan.  Unfortunately, at Otaru, it is at full blossom now and likely will not last till our arrival.  So, the excursion plan is changed to go near the Ocean instead of a park to see the cherry blossom.
• Excursion at Otaru: We plan to go to see a house on the ocean known to be related to the abundant catch of the herring in Hokkaido. We will also learn the history of it when we go to the museum.  We don’t have many people signed up for the canal cruise yet, so, in that case, we may cancel one boat and get all in one.  If you still want to join, please sign up at:

http://www.orca.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/WasedaLab/wise2019/program/excursion/

 Note the time has now changed to 14:30 and 15:00 and we will make sure those who signed up already will be on the first one.

• Lunch fee: upon registration, we will collect the lunch fee per person.  So, please bring cash, possibly without change.  There is an ATM near the hotel and not at the hotel, but I cannot guarantee that your debit card would work.  So, I recommend you to get Japanese yen at the airport.
• Registration fee: those who have not paid yet, please use the PayPal account or the bank wire transfer, or pay it on site. 30,000 yen per person.
• Hotel room charge: you may use a credit card to pay your room charge. We recommend you to make payment during your stay and not on the last day as there can be a long waiting line.
• Hot springs! It is typical in Japan to get into the hot bath a number of times in a day if you wish. There is one in the basement and another in the top floor. They are big and lots of baths to try.  It is slippery so be careful. If you want to go with your family or with your friends in swimsuits, there is a swimming pool, and a Jacuzzi and a spa as well. So bring your swimsuit.
• Theater: at the hotel, there is a Japanese popular musical theater. Matinee from 13:30 and night from 19:15.  If you or your family are interested in seeing, let us know.