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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Preparing for Departure

2 Arrival in Japan

3 Life in Japan

4 Campus Life

Visa ………………………………2

When Should I Arrive? ………………………………2

Money in Kyoto ………………………………2

Things to Bring/Things to Do ………………………………3

Kansai International Airport to Kyoto ………………………………4

Kansai International Airport Map ………………………………6

Transportation ………………………………8

Daily Needs ………………………………9

A Few Things to Keep in Mind …………………………….11

Orientation …………………………….12

RSJP / RWJP Buddies …………………………….13

Classes …………………………….13

Important Dates …………………………….13

Map of Ritsumeikan University’s Vicinity …………………………….14

Important Contact Information …………………………….15

Useful Websites …………………………….15

Registration Paper for Monthly Buss Pass …………………………….16

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1. PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE

Visa

Do you have your visa ready?

A visa is required for students of some nationalities, so please contact your nearest Japanese

embassy or local consulate for detailed information. You need to complete the visa application

in the country where your current university is located in.

If you are required to obtain a visa for Japan, follow the procedure below.

1. Contact the local Japanese embassy or consulate in the country where you currently study.

2. If you have not yet notified the RSJP/RWJP program coordinators, notify the coordinators

immediately that you will need to apply for a visa.

3. Collect all documents specified by the local Japanese embassy or consulate.

4. Participants who already paid their program fee will receive a document titled “Notification

of Acceptance” from the International Center, with our supporting visa documents for the

application.

5. Submit documents from No.3 and No.4 to your local Japanese embassy or consulate.

※ Please note that the necessary visa for RSJP2 is a short-term tourist visa, not a student visa.

When and where should I arrive? － Airplane Tickets

We recommend participants arrive at Kansai International Airport, as it is the closest

international airport to Kyoto, at least one day before the program starting day.

What is my check-in time?

Your check-in time will vary depending on your accommodation. Please be sure to check your

accommodation guide for more details.

Money in Kyoto

Living expenses will vary, depending on each student’s individual lifestyle, but

approximately JPY 60,000 is considered adequate to cover monthly living expenses.

● Cash, Cards, ATMs

※ Please note that personal checks and travelers checks are not commonly used in Japan.

Changing your traveler’s checks into cash at the airport’s currency exchange is

recommended. Although credit cards are gaining popularity, they are also not used as

widely as in other countries. However, credit cards and cash cards issued by overseas

financial institutions can be used to make withdrawals at Japan Post Bank ATMs and

convenience stores, located throughout the country. For more information, please check

the following website.

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・Japan Post Bank:

http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/ias/en_ias_index.html (English Site)

*There is one Japan Post Bank ATM machine on campus.

・7-Eleven:

http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/index2.html (English Site)

*Please note that none of the currency exchange providers are affiliated with

Ritsumeikan.

Things to Do /Things to Bring

Travel Insurance: RSJP2 does not cover travel insurance. You MUST enroll in an

international travel insurance before your departure to Japan. You need to submit your

travel insurance information with your flight schedule by June 17th, Friday. If we are not

able to confirm it by then, you MUST purchase the travel insurance on the first day of the

program at Ritsumeikan University.

In the case that you need to visit a hospital while in Japan, you will need to pay the full

cost of the medical examination and any medication prescribed. You can apply for

reimbursement after leaving Japan if your insurance covers the costs, so make sure to

save all receipts.

Transcript and Credit Approval: Upon successful completion of the program,

participants will receive an academic transcript. The academic transcript will be mailed to

you or your home institution through regular post within 1 month after the final day of the

program. If you wish to have your credits approved, please consult with your home

institution in advance about obtaining credits for coursework conducted during the

program.

Textbook and Dictionary: Please bring your Japanese textbook you currently use in a

Japanese course at your institution. You can deepen your understanding on what you

study in classes at Ritsumeikan by comparing a textbook provided in the class with one

you have. You will need a dictionary in class so please bring one with you. Also, you will

need to bring your own writing materials, including notebooks and pencils.

Clothing: Participants are advised to bring a raincoat or umbrella and a practical footwear.

There are Japan Studies (fieldwork excursions) that may involve a lot of walking so we

recommend participants to bring walking shoes and easy comfortable clothing.

Kyoto is surrounded by three mountain ranges which provide Kyoto with much of its

scenic beauty but also create some extreme weather conditions. In particular,

summer is very hot and humid (average 22 – 28 ℃, 70-73% humidity), while

winter is cold and damp (average 4 - 7 ℃, 67% humidity). There is also a rainy

season in June during which it rains regularly, and a typhoon season in September.

Mobile phone: There are NO pre-paid mobile phone/rental mobile phone/rental SIM card

/pocket WI-FI services available for students staying for short-term in any mobile phone

shop in Japan. The only way to obtain a mobile phone is by ordering through internet.

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Please refer to the websites below beforehand:

・For Rental mobile phone (Can be delivered to anyplace in Japan):

http://www.pupuru.com/en/

・For Prepaid SIM card (Can purchase at airports in Japan and Kyoto Station):

http://www.so-net.ne.jp/prepaid/en/index.html

※ Please note that none of the mobile rental service providers are affiliated with

Ritsumeikan, so technical support is limited to that given by the service providers.

2. ARRIVAL IN JAPAN

Kansai International Airport to Kyoto

① Arrival at the Airport

It is strongly recommended that you arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX), as it is the

closest and most convenient international airport to Kyoto. After leaving the aircraft, have

your passport and disembarkation card ready and proceed to Immigration (入国にゅうこく

審査し ん さ

/Nyuukoku shinsa) and Customs (税関ぜいかん

/Zeikan). If an immigration officer asks you the

purpose of your stay in Japan, answer: Short Term Study Abroad (短期た ん き

留学りゅうがく

です/Tanki

ryuugaku desu). Once you are finished, exit to the Arrival Lobby. We highly recommend that

you exchange enough currency into Japanese Yen at the airport exchange bureau. In Japan,

most transactions are done by cash (JPY).

② KIX to Kyoto

We do not arrange airport pickups.

Please travel to Kyoto by one of the following options:

Airport Shuttle ★Highly recommended

Airport shuttle services to and from Kyoto and Kansai International Airport are available at

the airport. This is a very convenient service that drops you off at any location in Kyoto.

However, please note that it will take at least two and half hours and may take even longer

to reach your final destination as you will have to share the ride with other passengers. The

rate is about JPY3,600 per person, one way to or from Kyoto to Kansai Airport (including tax

and highway toll). To use this service, you must make your reservations at least two days

prior to your departure or arrival. You can make your reservation from the following shuttle

taxi companies:

●Yasaka Kanku Shuttle: The counter is located near exit G on the southern end of the

Passenger Terminal Building on the first floor. For more information on booking and for

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other inquiries, please call +81(0)75-803-4800 (Yasaka Group) or check the following

website: http://www.yasaka.jp/english/shuttle/index.html

●MK "Skygate shuttle": The counter is located near exit H on the southern end of the

Passenger Terminal Building on the first floor. For more information, booking, and

inquiries, please call +81(0)75-778-5489 (MK Co Ltd) or check the following website:

http://www.mktaxi-japan.com/#!airport-services/c13fw

Train

You can reach Kyoto Station by taking the Airport Express train “HARUKA” that leaves from

JR (Japan Railway) Kansai Airport Station, located on the second floor of Kansai International

Airport, adjacent to the airport terminal. The train leaves every half an hour and takes

approximately 75 minutes to Kyoto Station. A one way ticket costs JPY2,850 for a

non-reserved seat and JPY3,370 for a reserved seat respectively, and you can purchase your

tickets by cash at the ticket vending machine or at the JR ticket booth

“MIDORI-NO-MADOGUCHI” (みどりの窓口まどぐち

).

※ Please note that the RSJP2 accommodations are not located near Kyoto Station. In the

case that you use the Haruka train you will need to take a separate city bus or a taxi cab to

reach your accommodations after arriving at Kyoto Station.

Airport Limousine Bus

You can purchase tickets at the Limousine Bus Ticket Offices found in four locations near the

limousine bus, and at taxi stops outside the northern and southern ends of the Passenger

Terminal Building on the first floor. You can take the bus to Kyoto Station from bus stop No.8

when your flight arrives at Terminal 1, and take the bus from bus stop No.1 when your flight

arrives at Terminal 2. It will take approximately one and a half to two hours to Kyoto Station

depending on traffic conditions, and will cost JPY2,550 one way. A variety of information

regarding limousine bus services is also available at the Limousine Bus Ticket Offices, and the

staff at the counter will be able to help you with purchasing your ticket. For more information,

check http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/index_e.html or call +81(0)72-461-1374 (Kansai Airport

Transportation Enterprise).

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※ Please note that the RSJP2 accommodations are not located near Kyoto Station. In the

case that you use the Airport Limousine Bus, you will need to take a separate city bus or a taxi

cab to reach your accommodations after arriving at Kyoto Station.

Kansai International Airport Map

Terminal 1

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Terminal 2

http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/index.asp

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3. LIFE IN JAPAN

Transportation There are various forms of public transportation such as trains, the subway and buses in

Kyoto.

Train/Subway

To ride the train or the subway you will need to buy tickets at the ticket vending machines

at the station.

Kyoto City Bus

The Kyoto City Bus is also useful for getting around to various places within Kyoto. A single

ride in Kyoto City area is JPY230.

Monthly Bus Pass

You can purchase a JPY9,240 monthly bus pass if you are planning to use city buses for

traveling and commuting to the university. By using this pass, you will be able to ride the

bus as many times as you want during the program period, including weekends. The

registration paper of the monthly bus pass is on page 14. Please fill in the registration

paper and bring it to one of the following 4 stations conveniently located from you

accommodation to purchase the pass. You cannot buy the pass at Ritsumeikan University.

*A monthly bus pass is only available for one month. If your pass’ starting date is July 5th,

please be informed that it will be expired one day before the last day of the program.

Book of Coupons

There are 3 types of books of coupons. You can purchase them at the stations where

monthly bus pass is available and also at Ritsumeikan University. The buddies will show

you during the campus tour on the first day of the program.

Location Business Hour Phone Number

Shijo Station (subway) Monday~Saturday 7:30-19:30

Sunday/Holiday 9:00-17:00

075-343-3784

Kyoto Station 075-371-6622

Kitaooji Station (subway) 075-492-3208

Nijo Station (subway) Monday~Saturday 12:00-19:30

Sunday/Holiday 9:00-17:00 075-823-2265

Price Tickets

JPY1,000 JPY230×4 tickets + JPY180×1 ticket

JPY3,000 JPY230×14 tickets + JPY180×1 ticket

JPY5,000 JPY230×25 tickets

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One Day Pass

With One Day Pass, you can travel any number of times throughout one day within the

designated area in Kyoto city by Kyoto City Bus and Kyoto Bus.

*To ride a night bus or to go outside the center of Kyoto city, you need to pay extra fare.

For more information about the Kyoto City Bus, please check their website:

http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html

Daily Needs Meals: Cooking for oneself can be an inexpensive and rewarding experience, and

participants are encouraged to do so. Additionally, participants may choose to eat at

one of the on-campus cafeterias, which serve everything from noodles to full meals at

very reasonable prices.

Grocery Shopping: There are many grocery stores and shops in Kyoto where you can

buy your groceries and other necessities. Most stores in Japan are usually open from 10

am to 8 pm throughout the week. Feel free to ask the Buddies if you need any advice or

help finding these stores. The amount you will spend depends on what you buy, but the

estimated expense for one week’s grocery shopping is between JPY3,000 and 5,000 per

person.

Convenience Stores: There are many convenience stores (“Konbini”) in Kyoto that

are open 24 hours everyday of the year. Konbinis are like small supermarkets, stocked

with a wide array of prepared foods, snacks, beverages, magazines, and daily

necessities. Other services such as copy machines and ATMs are often available as well.

Telephone Very few public phones in Kyoto can be used to call overseas. In order to

make overseas calls from these public phones, you will need to purchase a prepaid

telephone card such as “World Prepaid Card” or have JPY 100 coins ready. You can

purchase the card at convenience stores. There are three on-campus pay phones that

are capable of making overseas calls.

Internet Access: You will be able to use the computers on-campus and access the

internet by using the login ID and password given to you at the Orientation. The

university also provides a campus-wide wireless network, so you are able to bring and

use your laptop on campus. We provide Wireless LAN connection on campus for the

Price Pass

JPY500 Kyoto City Bus & Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass

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Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Mac OSX 10.7~, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and

Android operating systems. Free Wi-Fi service is also available at the accommodation.

Health: You MUST enroll in an international travel insurance before your departure to

Japan, as the program does not cover travel insurance. Please consult with the

Ritsumeikan staff if you are experiencing any health problems. There is a Medical

Service Center on-campus that offers medical assistance to students with health

concerns, and consultations are available in English during certain times of the day. For

any medical treatment received, you will be required to pay the full charge. Please

remember to take the receipts back with you to your home country for insurance

reimbursement.

※ A medical examination with prescribed medication at a clinic or hospital can cost

approximately JPY10,000 for internal medicine and from JPY20,000 to JPY30,000 for

other treatments such as ophthalmology and otolaryngologist.

Currency Exchange in Kyoto: There are several places for currency exchange

available in Kyoto. However, we strongly recommend exchanging currency already at

the airport upon arrival to Japan as most transactions are made in cash in Japan. Below

are some examples for reference.

※ Please note that none of the currency exchange providers are affiliated with

Ritsumeikan.

Tokai Ticket Enmachi Branch

Website: http://www.tokai-ticket.co.jp/shops/enmachi (Japanese)

Address

1F., Yamashiro Bldg.

22-8 Enmachi, Nishinokyo

Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu,

604-8463

Location

North East side Corner of Enmachi

crossing, opposite side of the street

from Sumitomo Mitsui Bank

TEL 075-467-8822

Business

hours

Weekdays and Saturdays

10:00～20:00

Closed on Sundays & Holidays

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Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Exchange Corner

Website: http://www.smbc.co.jp/kojin/sonota/ryougae/tenpo.html (Japanese)

A Few Things to Keep In Mind Bathroom: Most public toilets in Japan are reasonably well-equipped. However, some

may not provide any toilet paper. It is the best to always carry with you a small pack of

tissues and a handkerchief for drying hands. On campus, there are both Japanese and

Western style toilets.

Tipping: Tipping is not a common practice in Japan. This includes restaurants, hotels,

and taxis.

Noise in Public Places: In Japan, it is common to keep your voice volume down in

public places such as inside the train, bus, buildings and etc. Also, talking on your

mobile phone inside public transportation is prohibited.

Drinking and Smoking Regulation: Drinking and smoking under the age of twenty is

strictly prohibited by Japanese law.

Wheels Regulation: You are NOT allowed to operate or purchase a bicycle, car,

motorbike, or any other vehicle during the program.

Address

68 Higashi-iru Shin-machi

Kawaramachi, Shijo-dori

Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu

600-8001

Location

1st floor of Kyoto Sumitomo Bldg.

at Shijo Kawaramachi.

Same building as Kyoto Marui

department store.

TEL 075-223-2866

Business

hours Weekdays 11:00～18：30

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays & National

Holidays

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4. CAMPUS LIFE

Students Staying at International House Taishogun

* At 9:45am on July 5th, please attend the dormitory guidance which will be held at

Multipurpose Room in International House Taishogun. After the guidance, you will be guided

by RSJP2 staffs and buddies to Ritsumeikan University for the orientation.

Students Staying at The Palace Side Hotel

* At 9:45am on July 5th, please be at the entrance of the building. Buddies will meet you

at the entrance of the building and they will guide you to Ritsumeikan University for the

orientation by Kyoto City Bus.

* How to get to Kinugasa Campus:

http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/common/img/data/access-map-kinugasa.pdf

* Campus map of Kinugasa Campus:

http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/file/about/kic-campusmap2015_e.pdf

* Orientation will be covering the following:

・ General introduction to campus life at Ritsumeikan University and life in Japan

・ Program Schedule

・ Information about the Japanese language classes and Japan Studies …and more.

Schedule for the first day

Time Schedule Place

11:00 -

11:45 Orientation

Ritsumeikan University,

Kinugasa Campus

Yoyokan Building Room No. 955

11:45 -

13:15 Lunch with the buddies

Ryoyukan Cafeteria

Yoyokan Building Room No. 955

13:30 -

14：30 Campus Tour Kinugasa Campus

14:30 -

15:30

Visiting Kyoto Museum

for World Peace

Kyoto Museum for World Peace,

Ritsumeikan University

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RSJP / RWJP Buddies Ritsumeikan students will be assisting you as volunteer buddies so that you can adjust to life

in Kyoto as quickly and smoothly as possible. Please feel free to consult with the buddies

whenever you need any help. We asked all buddies to speak to you in Japanese. Don’t

hesitate to talk to them and let’s enjoy practicing conversational Japanese.

※ You will not have an individual buddy.

Classes Japanese classes will start on the second day of the program, and will be held from 9:10 am to

12:00 pm, Monday to Friday. You will not have any classes on weekends. More information of the

program schedule will be given to you at the orientation.

IMPORTANT DATES

NAME DATE TIME PLACE

Program Period July 5th Tuesday

– August 5th Friday ― Kinugasa Campus

Accommodation Period

July 4th Monday

– August 6th Saturday

(Check out on August 6th)

― Designated

Accommodation

Notify Your Flight Info and

International Travel

Insurance to Ritsumeikan

By June 17th Friday ― By E-mail

Arrival Date to Kyoto By July 4th Monday ― Kyoto

Orientation July 5th Tuesday 11:00 AM Yoyokan 955

Japanese Classes July 6th Wednesday

– August 5th Friday

9:10 AM

~

12:00PM

TBA

Completion Ceremony August 5th Friday 13:30 PM Library

Conference Room

Farewell Party August 5th Friday 16:00 PM Igakukan E-Platz

*You will have class on July 18th, national holiday.

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MAP OF RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY’S VICINITY

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IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Ritsumeikan International Center at Kinugasa Campus

Address: 56-1 Toji-in, Kitamachi, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8346

住所：立命館大学衣笠国際教育センター

〒603-8346 京都市北区等持院北町 56-1

TEL: +81-75-465-8230 (from outside Japan)

075-465-8230 (from within Japan)

FAX: +81-75-465-8160 (from outside Japan)

075-465-8160 (from within Japan)

Program Coordinators

Ms. Makiko Ito (Languages: Japanese / English)

Mr. Takeshi Tanaka (Languages: Japanese / English)

Ms. Mai Toyosaki (Languages: Japanese / English)

Ms. Mariko Kawamura (Languages: Japanese / English)

USEFUL WEBSITES

Kyoto Visitor’s Guide

http://www.kyotoguide.com/

A monthly guide to Kyoto events and festivals.

Kyoto Travel Guide

http://www.kyoto.travel/

Information on Kyoto festivals and other events.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

Guide to Japanese Visas

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