Tips from Larry Wai:

I would strongly recommend that you bring as much cash in yen as you feel
comfortable with.  I had to take a bus downtown, and then go find the
Daiwa department store, 5th floor, for a cash machine which would accept
my VISA card.  (Most VISA ATMs around here don't accept cards issued
outside of Japan.) The bus fare from the UCI apartment to the main train
station in Toyama is 650 yen, one way.  Note also, for taking the train
from Osaka to Toyama, one must go to the JR train line at Osaka airport
(there are only two train lines with big offices just outside the airport,
2nd floor) and purchase a couple of tickets for approximately 11000 yen. 
One ticket will take you from Osaka airport to Osaka main train station (1
hour), just cross the platform for the train from Osaka to Toyama (3
hours). 

(2/28/96) TRAINS FROM OSAKA AIRPORT TO TOYAMA 
(shows only departures after 17:50 = arrival time from Seattle)
*
* leave     arrive    leave     arrive
* Osaka     Shin      Shin      Toyama
* airport   Osaka     Osaka
* ------------------------------------
*  18:18    19:27     19:31     22:40
*  19:18    20:10     20:14     23:39
*  19:48    20:52     20:56     23:59
*  22:18    23:23     23:28      4:48     (urgh, big gap, huh?...)   
*
> Osaka-Toyama schedule: Osaka is about 4 minutes 
> earlier than the stop at Shin Osaka.
> 
> #	time	time
> Train	Osaka	Toyama
> 4037m	1742	2101
> 4041m	1842	2201
> 4043m	1927	2240
> 4045m	2010	2339
> 

From Bill Kropp:

Most planes from the West Coast arrive at Narita Airport rather late in the day,
making a same day flight to Toyama difficult if not impossible.  So, a hotel is
necessary in Narita (or Haneda). 

Two known hotels are the Let's in Narita city and the Narita View (about half
way between the city and the airport).

The Let's (FAX 0476-23-0220) is convenient because it is in the city, and is a
nice hotel with english speaking personnel. I have stayed there several times.
The cost is 8,240 Yen including a free breakfast and one way Taxi fare (about
$30). In the city there are many eating places including a McDonalds for folks
lacking refined taste and culture. There are also eel restaurants where you can
watch as they nail your dinner to a board and skin it alive.  The city has a
very nice shrine (Naritasan Shinshoji) within walking distance of the Let's.
Worth a visit even at night. In addition to taxi, you can reach the hotel by
train on the Keisei line (240 Yen, every 20 min or so). (In Terminal 1 turn left
after exiting customs and then go down to the Keisei station. Get off the train
at Narita City, the second stop.  From the station, go straight across the busy
square to the street and turn left about 1 block. I can supply a map.)

Date: Fri, 12 May 1995 10:30:01 -0600 (CST)
From: SVOBODA%7460@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu
Subject: Hotel at Narita

In case you might be interested, I have for many years stayed at a Hotel
near Narita airport called the Narita View Hotel. It is widely used by
flight crews and airline industry people, hence most of the staff speaks
English very well. It is an older hotel (20 years), but quite nice
with good dining facilities, workout places, pool, etc.
[prices below have been corrected]:
	It is also quite cheap, 6000 yen/night (4500 if you are in airline
industry). There is free transportation to/from airport (about 10 minutes
on their bus) and also to/from downtown Narita. Bus runs every 20 minutes
or so from hotel pickup spot at Narita Airport.

	Travel agents can make you a reservation as it is listed in all
travel systems. If they need phone number it is 0476-32-1111

Here are Bob Svoboda's additional comments on the Narita View:

"... Narita View has 3-4 eating places in the hotel that are quite reasonable,
even poolside coffee shop where you can get "western style" food, if you like
such things. There is a free bus every 30 minutes or so to downtown Narita if
you want to go there to eat. Also stops at Jusco Dept. store on the way." He
also comments that the price is 6,000 Yen and there is free bus service between
the Hotel and Narita. (Voice 0476-32-111.)

There are many of other hotels in the Narita area. I have not checked for hotels
near Haneda Airport.

FROM: Jeff Wilkes
RE: centrally located hotel in Tokyo

The Yaesu Fujiya Hotel is just across the street from Tokyo Central
Station and thus very convenient for people arriving too late to make
connections (eg, bus to KEK and trains to almost everywhere depart from
Central Station). It is not very cheap, about Y15,000, but not expensive
by Tokyo standards, very nice, and is only a short walk from the Ginza.
Phone 3273-0222, fax 3273-2180. 


Date: Tue, 16 May 1995 17:54 PDT
From: Bill Kropp 
Subject: Travel from Narita to Toyama

Here is some hopefully useful information on getting to Toyama from Narita
Airport.

The quickest and easiest way is to take the bus to Haneda Airport and then fly
to Toyama. You can also train to Toyama. I would guess it tales about 8 hrs from
Narita and costs a bit less. (Zoa can perhaps supply some details.)

The bus from Narita to Haneda runs about evert 20 to 30 minutes and takes about
1.5 hrs if the traffic is light. The first bus leaves Narita's Terminal 1 at
6:55 AM, and the last at 21:15. The cost is 2,900 Yen each way. In Narita's
Terminal 1, turn right after leaving the customs area and watch for the Airport
2Limousine ticket counter on the left. You will need to buy your ticket
on the same day you take the bus. The bus leaves from near this counter.

The flight from Haneda to Toyama takes about 1 hour and costs about $175. Here
is the current schedule. (It changes occasionally so check with your friendly
travel agent.)

Haneda to Toyama			Toyama to Haneda

Flight Number	Departs			Flight Number	Departs
881		 7:30 AM		882		8:00 AM
883		 9:55			884		9:15
885		11:20			886		1:00 PM
887		 1:20 PM		888		3:05
889		 4:00			890		6:05
891		 6:50			892		7:30

It is about a 20 min drive from the Toyama Airport to Osawano where the
apartments are located. Pickups are possible but people should try to arrive in
groups to avoid overtaxing the hospitality of those already there! The cost of a
taxi I would guess (wildly?) at 3,000 Yen. There is a bus to Toyama station and
then one to Osawano ... a grind with luggage and if you don't know the busses. 

Happy traveling.


Date: Tue, 16 May 1995 23:56:38 EST
From: alpinist@SBHEP.PHYSICS.SUNYSB.EDU
Subject: Yet another way to Toyama via Osaka

                                                      Stony Brook, 16-MAY-1995
Christopher Mauger (Stony Brook Grad student) has found out the following 
information on travelling to Toyama via Osaka from the US rather than via 
Narita. So far this seems to me the best way and cheepest way to get to Toyama.
    
                                   Chang Kee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Travel to Toyama via Osaka from the U.S. - Christopher

The best fares seem to be from Japan Budget Travel.  We have been
communicating with Ms. Machiko Aso.
phone 1 212 686 8855 or outside the New York area 1 800 722 0797
FAX 212 696 2057
There are two US carriers which go to Osaka, Northwest and United.
Northwest flies through Detroit, United flies through San Francisco
or LA. Consequently, the trip on Northwest is slightly shorter.
>From New York, the fares are as follows from 1 June to 13 August.
		student			other
Northwest	$840 + tax		$1115 + tax
United		$870 + tax 		$1135 + tax

>From 14 August until the end of August, the fares increase by about $110.

If paying by credit card, you will pay $1550 and get refunded upon 
completion of travel.  If paying by check, you will pay just the stated fare.
All dates above refer to the date of departure.
Northwest arrives at Kansai airport, in Osaka at 15:25.
United arrives at Kansai airport at 16:35.
The fares quoted above are also valid for travel to Narita.

To get to Toyama from Kansai airport:

Take the special express train from the airport called Haruka to 
ShinOsaka Station (New Osaka Station).
>From there, take the special express called Raicho to Toyama.
You can only buy tickets in Japan for these trains.
The one-way fare including supplemental and reservation fees is
2,930 Yen for Haruka
8,330 Yen for Raicho

Below is part of the time-table for these trains from the Spring.
The schedule is not expected to change much for the Summer.  Schedule 
books are available in Japan in any bookstore and in the United States
at Japanese bookstores -at a much higher price - such as Kinokuniya in 
New York City.


Haruka
Kansai			ShinOsaka
15:18			16:06
15:48			16:36
16:18			17:06
16:48			17:37
17:18			18:07
17:48			18:37
18:18			19:10
18:48			19:37
19:18			20:08
19:48			20:36

Raicho
ShinOsaka		Toyama
15:45			19:04
16:15			19:33
16:45			19:56
17:45			21:06
18:15			21:41
18:45			21:56
19:15			22:41
20:14			23:36

Date: Fri, 12 May 1995 17:14 PDT
From: Bill Kropp 
Subject: Living and working in Osawano

As you know, apartments have been rented in Osawano. Check with your group
leader etc. to determine the state of the apartments, furniture status
etc. Have an apartment assignment before you go!

In the case of the UCI apartments, people need to supply their own bedding
(mattress pad/cover, sheets, pillows, blankets etc.), plus robe, towels, bath
mats, clothes hangers, etc. In the kitchens there are pots and pans, dishes and
glasses. You will need flatware, utensils (knives, peelers, spatulas, etc.), any
favorite cookware, towels, etc. Check with your "room-mates" to see what is
actually there. US electrical appliances seem to work OK on the 60 Hz, 100 Volts
which come out of the walls. However its a totally 2-prong system (old US type)
so bring adapters for polarized and 3-prong plugs.

The apartments in general are rather fragile. Tatami mats need special care as
do paper window screens.  The hardwood floors are easily scratched and the walls
in general are rather easily damaged. We also have to be good neighbors...no
excessive noise, garbage out at the proper day and time, use only assigned
parking spots, etc. A book of rules (in Japanese) comes with each apartment!

Things in Osawano (and in Japan in general) generally are quite expensive...
perhaps 2 times US prices. And clothing to fit the larger of us Amerika-jin is
probably not available! Slip-on shoes are a real convenience in this shoe
conscious country, but a good set of water proof boots is also a wise
investment. You might want to consider bringing food items such as peanut
butter, coffee ($27 per lb for supermarket type), etc. Also don't forget
2prescription and OTC drugs.

Some information on conditions inside the mine: The temp is said to be 15
degrees C (59 F) all year round. (It seems warmer than that to me even in May.)
The steel toed boot requirement, after much waffling, has been dropped. If you
have them bring them anyway. There are times when they will be a definite plus.
Each person now needs to bring a good pair of clean sneakers. These are to be
worn only in the detector tank...you change shoes before you enter! Good quality
is needed because you will be climbing around on narrow beams, 2 meters off the
floor. 

Externally I would expect a lot of wet weather plus hot and humid conditions
generally for the summer.

Date: Wed, 12 Apr 1995 15:47 PDT
From: PRICE@MASTER.PS.UCI.EDU
Subject: SuperK apartments in Japan

As you know the various US SuperK institutions have rented 8 apartments
in Japan with a total of 18 bedrooms. Each apartment has a kitchen and
western style bathroom; none have living rooms or other "common rooms."

These rooms are available to all US SuperK collaborators at no daily cost.
Please keep your travel plans up to date with Hank so that we can keep 
track of room availability and designate an available space for you.

These apartments are very unfurnished.  For the four "UCI" apartments we
have purchased the following:
  a) each kitchen has a table and 2 to 3 folding chairs;
     a minimal set of pots and pans; and
     dishes and drinking glasses for 2 to 3 people.
  b) each bedroom has a very simple bed frame and mattress (twin bed size);
     a desk;
     a wardrobe;
     a desk lamp and a floor lamp.
The kitchen chair will also serve as the chair for the bedroom desk.  There
is also one small canister vacuum for all 4 apartments.  

We would have liked to buy similar furniture for all of the apartments, but
we were told by DoE that we cannot use DoE funds to either buy or rent 
furniture or appliances.  Thus the funds for the above had to come from a 
special UCI account.

In a similar way we expect to equip the "UCI" apartments with a refrigerator 
and range. Some clothes washers and dryers  will be supplied. Microwave 
ovens are not certain.

The apartments may need some rugs and window coverings.  Bill will asses the
situation when he is there later this month.

When you stay in one of the apartments there are some things that you need
to provide for your own use:

1.  Bedroom: mattress pad, sheets, pillow, pillow case, blankets, soap, 
    towel, wash cloth, clothes hangers, slippers, etc.

2.  Kitchen: tableware (knife, fork, spoon), bakeware (pans), 
    mixing bowl, zip-lock bags, storage containers, cooking utensils, 
    sharp knife, pot holder, can opener, laundry supplies, dish towel, etc.

Electricity in that region of Japan is 100 volts, 60 cycles.