ISSE Arrival Procedures

1. Arrange your travel to Japan (1) Note to students enrolling in April 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Japan, in accordance with the Quarantine Law, is requiring the following of all those who enter Japan from any country or region outside of Japan.

*This information is current as of January 21, 2021.

ⅰ) Self-isolate for 14 days at your own residence or individually organized accommodation.

Regardless of your nationality, when entering Japan from overseas, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days at your own residence or individually organized accommodation facilities such as hotels or inns and avoid non-essential and non-urgent outings. These 14 days are counted from the day after you enter Japan. It is difficult to secure accommodation for your self- isolation after arriving in Japan, so please be sure to organize this before departure.

ⅱ) Organize transport between the airport and your accommodation avoiding public transportation, the use of which is prohibited.

Public transportation may not be used when travelling to the above-mentioned accommodation you will use to self-isolate. At the same time that you secure your accommodation for self-isolation, please also organize your own means of transport (approved methods of transportation are limited to your own or your family’s car, a rental car, or a car-for-hire “haiya” service) from the airport to your accommodation before departing for Japan.

Public transport here includes trains, buses, taxis, domestic flights, passenger ships and so on.

ⅲ) Regardless of nationality, all persons entering Japan from overseas must submit a Covid-19 negative test result certificate from a test taken within 72 hours of their departure time. Those unable to submit a certificate must self- isolate at a facility specifically designated and prepared by the quarantine station chief.

Reference URL: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html

Please note that the costs associated with i), ii), and iii) above are your responsibility.

Please note that the above policies may change depending on the future situation, so please make an effort to collect accurate information regularly. If the immigration restrictions are lifted and you are able to come to Japan, please inform the university of your expected arrival date as soon as possible.

Check out our FAQ at the link below, composed of the most frequently asked questions received from our incoming international students. Please use it as one source of information on border restrictions, pre-departure, immigration, and post-arrival procedures.

“Frequently Asked Questions from International Students”: https://global.support.ritsumei.ac.jp/hc/en-us

The information beginning from (2) below is outlines the procedures that students coming to Japan should do, once study abroad in Japan becomes possible.

(2) When to arrive at Japan Usually, the University recommends students to enter Japan in the beginning of March. As border restrictions meant to slow the spread of Covid-19 are likely to be in place, however, this year, there is a good chance that issuance of student visas may be delayed. So, please arrange your travel to Japan with an understanding of the following.

Note: Please book your flight only after you receive your visa. If you happen to not receive your visa by your planned departure date, Ritsumeikan University will not be held responsible for any reason.

ISSE  A separate announcement has been sent to those who will live in the International House. As a general rule, students are required to enter the dormitory on a pre-determined move-in date, however, so long as orders to self-isolate after arrival in Japan remain in place, students must self-isolate for 14 days at separate location before they are allowed to move into the dormitory. Also, if you are unable to enter the dormitory on time due to restrictions on entry or reduced flights, please let us know and follow the instructions from the International Center.

 ALL newly enrolled students are required to attend the online-orientation. Please check the provided “Orientation Schedule and Course Outline” carefully by yourself so you will not miss any important guidance sessions to attend.

2. Arriving at the airport in Japan (1) Airport to Arrive It is strongly recommended that you arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX), as it is the closest and most convenient international airport to access Shiga.

(2) Receive a resident status of “Student” and a Residence Card at the airport in Japan After you land at the airport, you will go through immigration. You will need your passport and completed disembarkation card,

and completed customs declaration form. Line up in the line for mid-to-long term visa holders. You will be issued a Residence Card with the resident status of “Student” at immigration. This will be your main form of identification while in Japan, and it is mandatory by law that you keep the card with you all the time. At immigration, you also have the opportunity to apply for a part-time work permit*. *The “part-time work permit” is officially known as “Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted,” which allows you to work part-time up to 28 hours a week.

(3) Travel to Shiga  From KIX to Minami-Kusatsu Station (via ) Please follow the directions below to get to the BKC I-House.

Train (KIX→Kyoto Station→Minami-Kusatsu Station): The JR Express leaves the Kansai International Airport JR station every half hour for Kyoto Station. The KIX train station is on the 2nd Floor, adjacent to the airport terminal. Travel time to Kyoto is around 75 minutes and ticket fare is approximately ¥3,500 one way. (Please purchase the ticket for going to “Minami- Kusatsu Station” which is your final destination.) Tickets can be purchased at the JR ticket booth (みどりの窓口) by cash or

credit card. At Kyoto station, please transfer to the JR (bound for Yasu, Maibara, or Nagahama at Platform #2) leading to Minami-Kusatsu Station. Travel time from Kyoto Station to Minami-Kusatsu is about 20 minutes.

 From Minami-Kusatsu Station to BKC International House *Access Map to the BKC I-House from JR Minami-Kusatsu Station (Please show this map to the taxi driver.) http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/file.jsp?id=246418&f=.pdf (about 2,500yen) *From Minami Kusatsu Station, Buses are also available. However, at the first coming to Biwako-Kusatsu Campus and BKC International House, we recommend that international students take a Taxi.

(4) Exchange of Money As a reminder, the airport will be your last opportunity to change currency to Japanese yen for the immediate future. You will not be able to change currency in the area around campus until after you have registered your address and opened a bank account, which may take up to a few weeks. Please be sure to change enough currency at the airport (the arrival lobby on the 1st floor) to support yourself for the first several weeks of living in Japan.