The 17thInternational Conference of the European Association for Japanese Studies (EAJS) took place in Ghent, the capital of East Flanders and a city, which is, according to the Washington Post, “Belgium’s unsung capital of cool.” National Geographic Traveller even sees Ghent “as the most authentic historic city in the world.”
The city combines an impressive past with a vivid present with a diversity of architectural styles and treasures, most of which are protected as national heritage by UNESCO. Ghent is also a city of water, where the rivers and canals create a holiday feeling and where boat trips offer a special view of the old city centre. In the evening one can enjoy local cuisine and Belgian beer in the restaurants and bars along the rivers.
To get an overview of what to do when spending time in Ghent we recommend having a look at the Visit Ghent website. It has great articles on how to get to the city, what to see and do, where to eat and drink as well as general tips, like 24/7 ATM locations.
Ghent is convenient for international travellers with good international railway connections via Brussels, a direct train to Brussels International Airport (1hr) and is located at major crossroads of Europe.
The event was hosted by the Institute of Japanese Studies at Ghent University. Over 800 academics participated in the 14 parallel sections and engaged in academic discussions on Japan-related topics over four days. The conference took place in hybrid format, allowing participation both face-to-face (f2f) in Ghent and remotely over Zoom. Online delegates were able to both present and participate in discussions.
How to get to the venue?
The event took place on the Boekentoren campus of Ghent University at Blandijnberg 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. The coordinates are: 51.044070465025996, 3.725477543568886.
Here is a map of all of the university buildings. Almost all of the events and all of the panels took place at number 4 the Campus Boekentoren. For those who were in need of accessible maps of the campus one is provided by the university with accessible routes marked on it. The city has an easy to use public transport route planner. You can purchase your ticket on the same page.
If arriving from Gent Sint Pieters station (those coming from Brussels Airport will arrive here) one can either:
- Take the Nr 1 Tram from Gent Sint-Pietersstation perron 2 to Gent Verlorenkost (this service runs about every 9 minutes). There are also other public transit options but most take longer than walking and thus are not worth taking. Then walk about five minutes along the following route:
- Walk north on Kortrijksepoortstraat (23 m)
- Turn right to stay on Kortrijksepoortstraat (12 m)
- Turn right onto Sint-Kwintensberg (240 m)
- Continue onto Sint-Amandstraat (9 m)
- Walk the whole way, as it is only a 20 min or so journey and takes one through the lovely Citadelpark:
- Walk east on Kon. Maria Hendrikaplein towards Pr. Clementinalaan (52 m)
- Turn left onto Pr. Clementinalaan (12 m)
- Turn right towards Pr. Clementinalaan (13 m)
- Turn left onto Pr. Clementinalaan (35 m)
- Turn right onto Kon. Astridlaan (300 m)
- Continue onto Fortlaan (25 m)
- Turn left (40 m)
- Slight right towards Paul Bergmansdreef (170 m)
- Turn left onto Paul Bergmansdreef (77 m)
- Turn right onto Eugène Felixdreef (67 m)
- Slight left to stay on Eugène Felixdreef (120 m)
- Slight right to stay on Eugène Felixdreef (210 m)
- Continue onto Kunstlaan (240 m)
- Continue straight onto Sint-Amandstraat (350 m)
- Rent a Blue Bike at the station and bike to the venue.
- Take an official taxi or use rideshare apps. The main ones used are Uber and a local competitor Victor Cab.
If arriving from Gent-Dampoort station one can either:
- Take bus Nr 5 or 8 from Gent Steendam stop on Steendam street (buses run about every 10 minutes) to Gent Blandijnberg. It is a 10 minute walk from Gent-Dampoort station to the bus stop (750 m). The whole journey takes about 25 minutes. Take the following route:
- Exit Gent-Dampoort station, pass through the car park and cross Kasteellaan street (90 m).
- Turn right and walk straight, take the second street on your right, Hagelandkaai (100 m).
- Walk along the canal, when the street turns, Hagelandkaai becomes Rodetorenkaai (280 m).
- Continue in the same direction, cross Sint-Jorisbrug bridge and turn right (110 m).
- Gent Stendaam bus stop will be on the right side of the street in 70 m on Steendam street.
- Take bus 5 (Gent Van Beverenplein – Gent U.Z.) or 8 (Gent AZ Sint-Lucas – Arteveldepark), ride for 10 minutes and exit at the 6th stop, Gent Blandijnberg.
- The bus stop is right on the side of the main conference venue, Boekentoren.
- Turn right onto Blandijnberg, the entrance to the main conference venue, at Blandijnberg 2, will soon be on your right (50 m).
- Take bus Nr 76, 77 or 78 from Gent Dampoort B2 stop or bus Nr 70, 71, 72 from Gent Dampoort B3 stop to Gent Zuid perron 4 stop (the buses run about every 10-15 min). Both stops are in front of Gent-Dampoort station on the other side of Kasteellaan street. The whole journey takes about 25 minutes.
- Take one of the buses above from bus stop B2 or B3.
- Ride for about 6 min and exit at the 3rd stop, Gent Zuid perron 4.
- Walk past the bike racks onto Woodrow Wilsonplein and turn left (40 m).
- Continue on Woodrow Wilsonplein, cross Kuiperskaai onto Lemmerstraat (115 m).
- Turn left onto Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat (123 m).
- Continue straight until you reach Blandijnberg street on your right (455 m).
- Turn right onto Blandijnberg, the entrance to the main conference venue, at Blandijnberg 2, will soon be on your right (50 m).
- Rent a Blue Bike at the station and bike to the venue.
- Take an official taxi or use rideshare apps. The main ones used are Uber and a local competitor Victor Cab.
Tips
Money
You can exchange currency/money at the Western Union, at 27 Henegouwenstraat – open Monday to Saturday.
Plug Sockets
Remember to pack adaptors, you will need a European two-prong adapter if you have devices that use other plugs. In Belgium, types C and E are the official standards. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, the common European two-prong. Plug type E is the French type standard, it is slightly different from C, but fully compatible. Only five Continental European countries use the type E standard – Belgium, France, Poland, the Czech Republic & Slovakia.
Weather
August is one of the best months to visit Ghent as well as one of the warmest: the average temperature varying between 14°C (57.2°F) during the night and 22°C (71.6°F) during the day. While August is often sunny, it can also be rainy, so bring your umbrella or raincoat.
Childcare
The organisers were able to offer professional childcare.
