ISPIM Connects Osaka Conference: Location

Accommodation

ISPIM has arranged special rates with the Hankyu-Hanshin-Daiichi Hotel Group for the following hotels, both located in the heart of the Umeda District and only a short walk to the conference venue and Osaka Station. Rates are valid from 30 November to 8 December.

The Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka (1-1 Ofukacho, Kita Ward, 530-0011, Osaka)

The Hotel New Hankyu (1-1-35 Shibata, Kita Ward, 530-8310, Osaka). Please note this is a Japanese business hotel so rooms are small!

Additionally, there is a direct bus connection between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and The Hotel New Hankyu and the Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka is only 3 minutes walk - see https://www.kate.co.jp/en/

Fly with Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group airlines bring people together - every day, all around the world. The global route network of Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings offers optimal connection and combination options, so you will benefit from quick and direct flights to the event.

To book, simply head over to the dedicated booking portal at https://www.lufthansa.com/event/ispim-connects-osaka2024

Fly with Air France / KLM

10% discount on the Air France or KLM airfare for attendees of

ISPIM Connects Osaka. Discounts are only available via dedicated websites: www.airfrance.fr and www.klm.fr

Follow the regular booking process, when asked if “travelling for business” select YES and use MICE as “contract name”, this ensures the Air France-KLM corporate recognition associated with “Global Meetings and Events” program during your flights.
After completing your personal details click on “Proceed to payment details” at the bottom of the page and enter in the “Your discount code” field the discount code: GME50029AF
Click on 'Send discount code' and if conditions are met* the discount will be applied.

Booking dates valid from 25 November - 11 December 2024.

Visit Japan Web

This is a web service that can be used for immigration procedures (immigration clearance, customs declaration).

It can be used not only by those entering the country from overseas but also by those returning to Japan.

By registering the information necessary for immigration procedures in advance and presenting the 2D code at the time of immigration procedures, you can go through the immigration procedures smoothly. Foreigners can also use it for tax-free purchases during their stay in Japan.

Access the service at https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/

Airport Bus Transfer - Kansai International to Osaka Station

The best way to get from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to the Umeda district of Osaka where the conference will be held is by airport bus.

After collecting your bags, exit the airport and follow the signs for buses immediately outside the terminal building.
Look for Bus Number 5 to Osaka Station.
Buy a ticket using the bank of ticket machines at Section C. You can pay by card or cash and a one way ticket costs ¥ 1 800 (if paying by cash do not use the new ¥ 1 000 bills, use a ¥ 2 000 bill instead).
The first stop is the Hotel New Hankyu which is located next to Osaka Station and takes under an hour.

For more details and for bus timetables, please visit https://www.kate.co.jp/en/

Mobile Suica/PASMO/ICOCA IC Card

We encourage the use of public transport in Japan that is both extremely efficient, cheap and easy to use. All innovation tours will require the use of public transport. We, therefore, strongly encourage the use of a Mobile Suica, PASMO or ICOCA Card. You can also buy a physical card.

iPhone: How to add a Mobile Suica, PASMO or ICOCA Card

To add a card to your iPhone, go to the Wallet app and select “Add”.
Select the “Transit Card” option.
Choose either Suica, PASMO or ICOCA, then select “Continue”.
Finally, enter in how much you want to charge your card, and then select “Add”. You will then be prompted to confirm your purchase, and that’s it.

If you want to use your Apple Watch as an IC card, you will need to go to the “My Watch” tab in the Apple Watch app. Then, select “Wallet & Apple Pay”, followed with “Add Card”, and proceed just like with an iPhone.

Once Suica, PASMO or ICOCA have been added to Apple Wallet, you can easily add money by opening the app, selecting the IC Card, choosing “More”, and then “Add Money”. Add the amount you would like, select the method of payment, and confirm the transaction. The procedure is basically the same when using an Apple Watch.

Android: How to add a Suica, PASMO or ICOCA Card

To use your Android as an IC Card in Japan, you will need to add Suica, PASMO or ICOCA to your Google Pay app. Before going into Google Pay, it is important to turn on NFC and contactless payments. You can do this by going to your phone’s Settings, then Connections, and finally scrolling down until you see “NFC and contactless payments”.

Follow these instructions to add either card.

To add a card to your Android, go to the Google Pay app and select “Payment”.
Select “Payment method”, then E-money, and then either Suica, PASMO or ICOCA.
Select “Anonymous card”, then “Next”, and then “Accept” at the bottom of the Terms of Service.

Once Suica, PASMO or ICOCA have been added to Google Pay, you can easily add money by opening the app, selecting the IC Card, and choosing “Add Money”. Add the amount you would like, select the method of payment, and confirm the transaction.

Physical Cards

If you cannot add a mobile card you must buy a physical uica, PASMO or ICOCA card. You can do this at all train stations and you will need to pay ¥ 2 000 in cash.