A is for AccommodationThe official iSummit hotel is the Sapporo Grand Hotel. Has internet connectivity in room but not wifi. If, however, you have decided not to stay in the hotel, you don't need to worry. There is other accommodation is Sapporo to suit a range of budgets. The Sapporo Tourist Information Centre will be able to help you find a place to lay your head for the duration of the Summit.
B is for Buy and Beer
If any of you missed out on the C-shirt workshop at last year's iSummit, you'll be able to buy one this year, for the low, low price of 1,000 yen. CC Japan will have a stall at the Convention Centre where you'll be able to design, remix and print your very own C-shirt.
B is also for beer, something Sapporo is famous for. We carefully timed the Summit this year to coincide with the world-famous Sapporo Beer Festival, when five city blocks of the Odori area of Sapporo are turned into a giant beer garden, with different beers, typical delicacies and even German beer and sausages. Just take the subway to Odori station, then follow your nose. Coffee tumblers also for sale $15 or YEN...
C is for Connectivity and Cash
There will be free wifi in some areas at the Sapporo Convention Centre, and you will be able to plug into Ethernet ports at the Convention centre and in the Sapporo Grand Hotel. So don't forget your Ethernet cables!
Japan is still fundamentally a cash society. Although most stores and hotels serving foreign customers take credit cards, many other places don't. The Japanese usually carry around large quantities of cash - it is quite safe. Almost any major bank in Japan will provide foreign currency exchange from cash or travellers cheques. Japanese ATMs, known locally as cash corners (キャッシュコーナー kyasshu kōnā), generally do not accept foreign cards. The major exceptions are: Citibank, Post Offices (郵便局 Yūbin kyoku) which offer instructions in English and accept Plus, Cirrus, Visa Electron and Maestro. Over 12,000 Japanese 7-Eleven stores have ATMs that accept foreign cards for cash withdrawals. Accepted cards include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB and UnionPay, and ATM cards with Plus, Maestro or Cirrus logos.
Coupons
You will get lunch coupons in your registration packs so don't lose them! You won't need coupons for the last day and for evening events.
D is for DONGLE.
Bring a spare. You never know when you or one of your best friends will need one!
E is for Electricity and Emergency
The voltage in Japan is 100 Volt, which is different from North America (110V), Central Europe (220V) and most other regions of the world. Japanese electrical plugs have two, non-polarised pins. They fit into North American outlets. The frequency of electric current is 50 Hertz in Eastern Japan (including Tokyo, Yokohama, Tohoku, Hokkaido) and 60 Hertz in Western Japan (including Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Shikoku, Kyushu).
Emergency call can be made from any phone at free of charge: call 110 for police or call 119 for fire and ambulance.
F is for Festivals
Summertime is festival time in Japan, and several festivals will be running concurrently to the iSummit. The Tanuki Festival in Tanukikoji celebrates the long-running stores of the area and has a great atmosphere and the month-long 54th Sapporo Summer Festival hosts events throughout the city and various events in Odori Park.
I is for Izakaya
Izakayas are unpretentious, informal Japanese eateries where you can enjoy tasty dishes and alcoholic beverages. Izakayas are reasonable priced, whch makes them popular with students, business people on their way home from work and families with children. They have extensive menus, that include sashimi (sliced raw fish), yakitori (skewered grilled chicken) and other Japanese dishes, and Chinese and Western cuisine.
J is for Jingisukan
Jingisukan is another Sapporo speciality - it's barbecued mutton or lamb cooked at your table. Thin slices of meat are cooked over an open flame, and then dipped into various dipping sauces. It's not hard to find a jingisukan joint - just follow your nose...
K is for Karaoke
Commoners love karaoke - mostly because we love amateurs - and karaoke is the business of passionate amateurs. Make sure you go with a few friends while you're in the home of karaoke. And take pictures!
M is for Meals
Teas and lunches are provided for all iSummit attendees at the Sapporo Convention Centre. Some of the evening events include light snacks and refreshemnts. But we recommend you track down some of the following delicious dishes: kegani (毛蟹) a traditional crab dish. Miso ramen (味噌ラーメン) and Sapporo soup curry.
O is for Organising Partners
iSummit 08 would not have been possible if it hadn't been for the fantastic organising partners that we have worked with in the last few months, putting this massive event together. Many thanks to Digital Garage, Creative Commons Japan and the City of Sapporo who have helped us put this together.
P is for Phones
Most foreign mobile phones do not work in Japan, although some 3G models are compatible. It is much simpler (and cheaper) to rent a mobile phone or SIM card (if you have a 3G phone) at the airport or at one of the many kiosks run by the many service providers. SoftBank is a good provider to use.
R is for Resources
The following resources should help you figure out all you need to know about Japan, Hokkaido and Sapporo:
S is for Sapporo
This year's iSummit wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of the City of Sapporo and its citizens. Remember to thank them as you pass through this beautiful city.
T is for Transport
Transport will be provided to and from the Sapporo Grand Hotel to the Convention Centre on most days. However, Sapporo also has a good subway system with three subway lines, all converging at Ōdōri station at the centre of the grid. The Namboku Line runs north-south, the Tōzai Line runs along Odori west-east, and only the Tōhō Line breaks the mould by running in a C-shaped curve from northeast to southeast. Single fares cost ¥200 and up. For ¥1000 you can buy a Bus & Subway transfer "One-Day Card" which allows travel on the entire suburban bus, subway and streetcar network, all day. The Sapporo Convention Centre is eight minutes walk from Higashi-Sapporo Station, on the Tōzai line. The Sapporo Grand Hotel is 5 minutes walk from Ōdōri subway station.
U is for Unplug
We have a lot to do this year at the iSummit. We have six labs, some fascinating keynote address, a Japanese Culture Programme, C-shirt remix workshops, live drawing projects, exhibitions, concerts, a beer garden right next to the Convention centre... and lots and lots of talking to do. So try switching your machine off every now and then. You'd be surprised how easy it is to function without it...
V is for Venues
This year, the main iSummit venue is the Sapporo Convention Centre. All the day-time events, including the Japanese Culture Programme will be held at the Convention Centre. The evening events will be held at various venues around the City of Sapporo. Transport to these venues will be provided.
W is for Water and Website
The tap water in Japan is absolutely safe to drink.
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Picture by Fumi on flickr.com, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
