How to dial to Japan from the U.S.

Time difference - Japan is 17 hours ahead of California during daylight saving time. For example, Tuesday 1pm in Japan is Monday 8pm in California.
Residential Phone:

• 1. Dial 011, the international access code.
• 2. Dial 81, the country code for Japan.
• 3. Dial the area code (it's 86 for Okayama and Kurashiki)
• 4. Dial the rest of the telephone number.

For example, to call Seishin +81-86-462-1661

You will dial 011-81-86-462-1661

Cell Phone:

• 1. Dial 011, the international access code.
• 2. Dial 81, the country code for Japan.
• 3. The area code for the cell phones is usually 090 or 080, but you leave away the leading 0.

So you will dial like this 011-81-90-xxxx-xxxx

JR West Haruka Limited Expresses

JR Haruka

The JR West Haruka limited expresses run from the airport to Shin-Osaka (45 min). Trains run every 30-60 minutes.

The Haruka is the easiest and fastest way to connect to the Shinkansen (bullet train) at Shin-Osaka.

The Japan Rail Pass can be used for the Haruka. You can exchange your rail pass voucher for the pass itself at the JR ticket counter.

[Source]
[Official Website] in Japanese only
[Inside the train] in Japanese only, with pictures

 = first class car
 = ordinary car

Kansai International Airport

[Kansai International Airport]

[1F International Arrivals]

[4F International Departures]

[Airport Access]

Embarkation Card for foreigners

You will receive these two forms from the flight attendants.
The forms must be filled out by pen. Last time, a couple of students used pencil, and they were asked to redo the form by the immigration officers.
Please finish the form before landing.
The Embarkation card is double-sided.

Free Cell Phone Rental by ANA (2010)

ANA (All Nippon Airways) provides free cell phone rental service to its customers. As we will fly ANA, we are qualified. [For details click here]

For our entire stay, the rental fee is free. The incoming calls are at no charge too.

Call Rate:

Domestic Calls (60 yen/30s)

International Calls (75 yen/30s)

SMS Messages

Domestic SMS (10.5 yen/msg)

International SMS (126 yen/msg)

Insurance (optional) 157.5/day

Experience shared by Blair

I received a long email from Blair's co-ordinator of the Japanese exchange program - Ms. Wulf. She has been to Seishin 4 times. Her experience is a great help for us. (Click the title to read the email.)