43rd IMCoS International Symposium

IMCoS 43rd INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM, Tokyo & Kyoto

9–13 November 2026

Early interactions between the Western world and Japan seen through historical maps

Japan Cartographers Association (JCA) and the International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken) will host the 2026 conference. There will also be a one-day pre-symposium tour to Nikko, and a two-day post-symposium tour to Kyushu, including a stay at Yufuin or Beppu hot springs.

Programme details are subject to minor scheduling adjustments. Please refer to the Conference Website for the most up-to-date program details, venues, hotel information, and registration materials.

https://imcosjapan2026.jp/english_index.html

Sunday 8 November 2026

OPTIONAL Pre-symposium tour to Nikko –

7:20 am – 6:30 pm: Express train to Nikko to visit the Kegon waterfall, Chuzenji Lake, Tōshōgu Shrine, Rinnōji Temple, and Kanaya Museum.

Dinner on your own

Monday 9 November 2026

Tokyo

Venue – Nihon University (“Nichidai”), Faculty of Economics Building 2, 2nd Floor Auditorium (Lecture Hall).

Symposium opening, presentations & map viewing

8:30 am Arrival and Coffee/Tea
9:15 am Opening remarks by Tokyo Chair of JCA and representative of IMCoS

Presentations on Japanese mapmaking and coffee break

11:30 pm Lunch on your own

12:30 pm – 3:00 pm  Presentations about maps of China and their influence on Japanese mapmaking

Coffee break

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Map viewing at Meiji University Library (Ashida Bunko)

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Jimbōchō on your own. (Tokyo’s centre for antique and vintage book stores, antiques and curios and publishing houses)

OPTIONAL: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Welcome dinner (close to Jimbōchō)

Tuesday 10 November 2026

Venue – Meiji University Library

Presentations and Excursion to Sawara

8:45 am Arrival and Coffee/Tea
9:15 am Presentations about world famous collections of historical Japanese maps

10:45 am – 1:00 pm Sawara tour by bus (preordered lunch box on bus)

Visit to the Inō Museum, Festival Float Museum, Canal boating, Katri shrine

4:00 pm – 5:45 pm return to Tokyo by bus

Dinner on your own

Wednesday 11 November 2026

Travel day from Tokyo to Kyoto

Thursday 12 November 2026

Kyoto Opening, presentations & map viewing

The Kyoto venue is the Nichibunken Hall, 3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 610-1192 Japan

Shuttle bus to Nichibunken Hall departs at 8:00, 8:45 and 9:30 am from Hankyu Rakusaiguchi Station. It takes 20 minutes. Otherwise, the best way is by taxi.

8:45 am Arrival and Coffee/Tea
9:15 am Opening by Kyoto Chair

Presentations about cultural interactions between the East and West

Coffee break

12:00 pm Lunch on your own

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Presentations addressing current studies of Japanese maps and           world famous collections of historical Japanese maps and Coffee breaks
3:10 pm – 4:10 pm Map viewing at Nichibunken Library with Professor Frederik Cryns

Shuttle bus departs at 4:20 and 5:00 pm. Otherwise, by taxi or public bus.

5:30 pm – Kyoto walk and dinner on your own

OPTIONAL: 7:00 Dinner and performance of traditional music and dance by Maiko performers

Friday 13 November 2026

Excursion to Unsōdō Publishing House, Nara and Tenri

Bus departs from Hotel Okura and from Kyoto Station 

Unsōdō is famous for producing exquisite art books and wood block printing. You will  be able to view their collection of old woodblock and experience the process of woodblock printing.

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Bus to Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (pre-ordered lunch box         on bus)

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm  Guided tour of Tōdaiji, the Buddhist temple complex

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm  Visit to Tenri Library and Sankōkan Museum

OPTIONAL: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm  Farewell Dinner in Kyoto (Location TBD)

14–15 November 2026

Post-Symposium Tour to Kyushu-OPTIONAL

7:30 am   Meet at Kyoto Station

8:03 am –10:30 am Sanyo Shinkansen (high speed rail) to Kokura to visit the Zenrin Museum (the Jason Hubbard coll.) and Kokura Castle

13:00 pm  Ramen noodle lunch

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bus to Yufuin or Beppu where we will stay the night at a hot spring hotel

15 November 2026

8:30 am – 10:45 am in Beppu with a tour of Jigoku-meguri hot springs (1.5hrs)

1:00 pm    Individual departures from Hakata (Kyushu)