Hotel & Conference venue
Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Hotel, Nagano, Japan
Address: 596 Ashitahakkano, Tateshina, Kitasaku, Tateshina – Chino, Nagano, Japan 391-0321
Car Park
Ikenotaira Hotel provide Free parking for hotel guest.
Wi-fi
Free Wi-Fi internet service is available to all hotel guests.
Electricity
Japan’s Standards for Electrical Devices:
Voltage: 100V
Frequency: 50Hz – 60Hz
Electrical Plug Type: Type A
Japan uses Type-A plugs, which have two straight prongs. There can be differences in prong length between different Type-A plugs, so there is no guarantee that your electrical plugs will work with Japanese sockets just because they are both the same type. If you are coming from a country or region that does not use Type-A plugs, you will definitely need an adaptor for all your electrical devices. Also, if your electrical devices have a Type-B plug, which looks like a Type-A plug with a grounding pin (the round pin below the two flat parallel pins), you will not be able to plug it into a Japanese socket without an adapter.
The best option is to purchase adaptors before you leave your home country, so you are ready and able to use a power socket whenever you need to after arriving in Japan. However, if you need to find an adaptor in Japan, most electrical stores sell them, as well as shops selling travel goods.
Foreign exchange, banking facilities
The currency in Japan is called the yen (円). There are currently 6 types of coins and 4 types of paper money in circulation. You’ll find 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 yen coins. For banknotes, you will often see 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 yen notes, and very rarely you might see a 2,000 yen banknote. The yen is actually the 3rd most-traded currency in the foreign exchange market, ranking after the dollar and euro.
Japan is still a very much cash-based society. Although most major stores will take credit and debit cards, there are many places that only accept cash payment for services.
Exchanging Yen at the Airport: It may be best to exchange your money for Japanese yen after you arrive in Japan. A currency exchange service at a Japanese airport is the simplest, most accessible option. You’ll find a variety of currency exchange counters at every international airport in Japan, and they usually offer the same rate as banks.
Exchanging Yen at the Bank: Japan’s bigger banks, including Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), offer currency exchange services. However, as the need for foreign currency exchange has decreased, not many smaller banks provide this service. Bigger branch stores usually offer this service, but a Mizuho or SMBC bank in more rural areas may not offer currency exchange as part of their services.
Currency Exchange Machines: The currency exchange machines are unmanned. They are conveniently locationed throughout Japan, such as tourist information centers and train stations. They’re fortunately generally easy to use, and available until late at night (depending on their location). Currency exchange machines also include multiple language options for travelers’ convenience.
Emergency services
Throughout Japan, an emergency phone call can be made free of charge from any phone including public pay phones.
Ambulance: Dial 119; Fire: Dial 119; Police: Dial 110.
Getting there
By Plane
From Haneda Airport (4hrs): Take Airport Limousine highway bus to Shinjuku West exit, then take JR Express The Azusa or Super Azusa at JR Shinjuku station, get off at JR Chino station (East Exit), transfer hotel free shuttle bus (reservation is required.)
From Narita Airport (5hrs): Take Airport Limousine highway bus to Shinjuku, or take JR Narita Express train to Shinjuku , then Take JR Express Azusa at Shinjuku, get off at JR Chino station (East Exit), transfer hotel free shuttle bus (reservation is required.)
By train
From Shinjuku (3hrs)
Take JR Express The Azusa or Super Azusa at Shinjuku, get off at JR Chino station (East Exit), take Hotel shuttle bus *(11:40/15:30) reservation is required (free of charge), or take a local bus (Alpico Group) (West Exit, bus stop no.3.) and get off at Lake Shirakaba (JPY 1,000/trip).
You can find the taxi station in Chino station West exit.
ALPICO TAXI tel：0266-71-1181
By bus
Round-trip Hotel shuttle buses are available:
- Round Trip Bus Route 1. from Shinjuku to the hotel (for people coming from Tokyo) and
- Round Trip Bus Route 2. from Nagoya to the hotel (for people coming from Kansai).
Both routes take approximately 3 hours and cost ¥9,000 per person for a round trip. Reservation is required, visit:
From Sakudaira (1,5hrs)
Public transport bus operates only 4-5 times per day. Please check the bus timetable in official website.
You can find a taxi station in front of Sakudaira Station
ALPICO TAXI : tel. 0266-71-1181;
Daiichi Kotsu : tel. 0266-72-4161;
Saku Hire : tel. 0120-63-1515
About Nagano
To find out more about Nagano, visit: https://www.go-nagano.net/en/