KOBE UNIVERSITY All Rights Reserved. Published by Kobe University 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501 JAPAN International Researchers' Handbook Introduction This handbook is for all international researchers who are preparing to come to Kobe University. It contains information concerning what to do before coming, while in Japan, and before leaving Japan. Definition of “International Researchers” A. Foreign Researcher Employed by Kobe University (Visiting Researchers) B. International Collaborative Researcher Foreign researchers who work on collaborative research with Kobe University researchers. C. Foreign Trainee People who undergo the official Researcher Development Program at Kobe University. D. Foreign Participant in Symposiums in Japan Participants in meetings, symposiums and lectures organized by Kobe University. E. Invited Foreign Researcher to Kobe University Foreign researchers who work on research activities at Kobe University for more than one month, and are accepted as “Invited Foreign Researchers to Kobe University” with the official approval of faculty. ※ Information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Hotels for Short Stay Before Coming to Japan Kobe University International Residence Visa and Status of Residence ・・・・・ 2 Kobe University International House (Fukae) Traveler's Insurance ・・・・・・・・・・・・ 2 Other Housing ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 20 Green Hills Rokko Arriving in Japan Others From Kansai International Airport to Education ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 21 (Japanese Schools) Rokkodai Campus ・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 3 Nursery School Rokkodai Campus Kindergarten Fukae Campus How to Enroll in Japanese Schools Myodani Campus Senior High School Education Kusunoki Campus (International Schools) English/European Languages While in Japan Asian Languages Legal Matters ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 7 On Campus ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 22 Residence Card Transportation Change of Status Driver's License Extension of Stay Libraries Short Leave and Re-entry Wireless LAN Points-based System for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals Security Export Control Visa and the Status for Family Kobe University CO-OP National Health Insurance Card In Case of Emergency ・・・・・・・・・・ 24 Birth of a Child Police Station Childbirth Allowance Fire Department Subsidy for Households with Children Traffic Accidents Maps of Nearby Ward Offices ・・・・ 10 In Case of Earthquakes and Learning Japanese ・・・・・・・・・・・・ 11 Other Natural Disasters ・・・・・・・・ 25 KOKORO-NET in Kobe Earthquakes Hyogo International Association Typhoons Kobe International Community Center Evacuation ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・25-27 Health ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 12 Evacuation Sites Medical Center for Student Health Nearby Hospitals Before Leaving Japan FACIL, the Multi Language Center ・・・・・・ Daily Life ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 13 Moving out of Apartment 28 Utilities Disposal of Oversized Garbage Trash Collection Paying Utility Bills Opening a Bank Account Closure of Bank/Post Office Accounts ATM Cash Card Cancellation of Health Insurance Cell Phones Returning Residence Card Public Phones Useful Information ・・・・・・・・・・・・ 29 Housing Information ・・・・・・・・・・ 19 Japanese Holidays Kobe University Chobokan Phone Numbers Gakujiso A List of Useful Websites Note: Please keep in mind that the issuing of a Before Coming to Japan visa can take a while after the application is filed at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate. As part of Visa and Status of Residence the application process, Kobe University is also To enter Japan, one must apply for a Japanese required to issue various documents including visa at the Japanese Embassy/Consulate in his/ a letter of guarantee. Therefore, it would be a her home country. The type of visa required for good idea to start this application procedure each researcher depends on the activities he/ well in advance. Please verify which documents she will engage in, and the length of stay. Other are required at the nearest Japanese Embassy/ Before Coming to Japan than Temporary Visitor's Visa, the application for Consulate. a visa requires a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. The hosting Traveler's Insurance university will apply for this certificate on behalf Since medical services can be very expensive, it of the researcher. is strongly recommended to sign up for traveler's insurance before coming to Japan. Be sure to read Status of Residence for Kobe the terms of the traveler's insurance carefully, for University Foreign Researchers there are illnesses and injuries that may not be covered by the insurance policy. Foreign researchers visiting Kobe University may enter and stay in Japan under one of the following three status of residence: Professor This status is for a person who receives a stipend or salary from a Japanese university or educational/ research institution during his/her stay in Japan. Cultural Activities This status is for a person who receives a stipend or salary from a non-Japanese university or educational/research institution during his/her stay in Japan. Temporary Visitor This status is for a person who visits Japan for a short-term for such activities as attending a conference, lecture or symposium. A Certificate of Eligibility is not required for those entering Japan on a Temporary Visitor's Visa. Japan has bilateral Visa Exemption Arrangements with many countries, enabling temporary visitors from those countries to come without a visa. Under the Visa Exemption Arrangement, an eligible visitor can stay in Japan for up to 90 days. For details, please contact the nearest Japanese Embassy/Consulate. 2 Arriving in Japan From Kansai International Airport to Rokkodai Campus By Railway Take JR (Japan Railways) Kansai Airport Line from Kansai Airport Station and get off at Osaka Station (time required: 1 hour). Change to JR Kobe Line and get off at Rokkomichi Station (5th station by express train, time required: 25 min.) When taking a train from Kansai Airport, go up to the second floor of the passenger terminal building and go through the passage to the concourse. Arriving in Japan Train Route Finder: http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/ By Bus Take the Limousine Bus bound for Kobe Sannomiya from Kansai International Airport (time required: 65 min.) At Sannomiya, go to Hankyu Railways and get onto the Kobe Line concourse bound for Umeda. Take the local train to Rokko Station (3rd stop, time required: 6 min.) To use the limousine bus: go out of the passenger terminal building and buy a ticket for Kobe Sannomiya at the ticket counter; board the bus at No. 6 bus stop. KATE Airport Limousine web site: http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/index_e.html By MK Skygateshuttle Omnibus Take MK Skygateshuttle to your destination in Chuo-ku, Higashinada-ku, Nada-ku, Hyogo-ku in Kobe city from Kansai International Airport. Reservation by phone or by web is required 2 days prior to the date of use. When using the MK Skygateshuttle omnibus, go to the MK counter on the first floor of the passenger terminal. MK Skygateshuttle web site: http://www.mk-group.co.jp/english/shuttle/index.html 3 Rokkodai Campus 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, 10 Kobe 657-8501 Japan 15 9 13 12 3 5 4 14 11 6 2 1 7 Arriving in Japan 8 35 30 32 26 28 23 16 24 21 22 36 20 33 31 25 29 17 19 18 27 34 37 40 38 39 1 Main Building 21 Science and Technology Research Building 1 (Graduate School of Economics / Faculty of Economics (Organization of Advanced Science and Technology) Graduate School of Business Administration / 22 Science and Technology Research Building 2 School of Business Administration) 23 Science and Technology Research Building 3 2 IDEMITSU SAZO Memorial Rokkodai Auditorium 24 Science and Technology Research Building 4 3 Graduate School of Law / Faculty of Low 25 Research Center for Environmental Genomics 4 Library for Social Sciences Biosignal Research Center 5 Research Institute for Economics and Business 26 Research Center for Urban Safety and Security Administration 27 Graduate School of Humanities / Faculty of Letters 6 Graduate school of International Cooperation Studies Library for Humanities 7 Student's Hall 28 Administration Offices 8 Academic Hall for Social Sciences (Secretariat / Medical Center for Student Health) 9 Frontier Hall for Social Sciences 29 Information Science and Technology Center (main) (EU Institute in Japan, Kansai) 30 Information Science and Technology Center (annex) 10 Graduate school of Human Development and 31 Office of Collaborative Research and Technology Environment / Faculty of Human Development (Institute Development of Human Development Support) 32 Office of Collaborative Research and Technology Library for Human Development Sciences Development (Venture Business Laboratory) 11 Graduate school of Intercultural Studies / Faculty of 33 Center for Supports to Research and Education Intercultural Studies Activities, Radioisotope Division General Library / Library for Cross-Cultural Studies 34 Center for Supports to Research and Education 12 Institute for Promotion of Higher Education Activities, Cryogenic Division 13 School of Languages and Communication 35 Center for Supports to Research and Education 14 Student Center Activities, Instrumental Analysis Division 15 Gymnasium 36 Center for Environmental Management 16 Graduate school of Engineering / Faculty of Engineering 37 Kobe University Centennial Hall 17 Graduate School of System Informatics (Rokko Hall / International Student Center) 18 Graduate School of Science / Faculty of Science 38 Yamaguchi Seishi Memorial House 19 Graduate School of Agricultural Science / Faculty