General Visitors

General visitors are those who are not engaged in construction work at the TAO site. For example, researchers, visitors, and inspectors (including contractors who are not engaged in construction work).
If you are engaged in construction work, please visit https://tao-telescope.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VisitTAO/pages/29458542..
If you are unsure which category you are under, please contact visit-tao@ioa.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

Flow of visiting procedures

Before the visit

Please submit the following documents to visit-tao@ioa.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp at least two weeks prior to travel

Document

Forms and Samples

note

1

application form for a visit

Emergency contact information may be a work address where the family can be reached.
It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance (minimum coverage US$30,000) covering COVID19 treatment. Please check the box on the application form if you wish to purchase the University of Tokyo's travel insurance policy. After your return to Japan, the University will send you an invoice for the insurance fee.
If you are not from Japan, you may purchase insurance for travel from and to Japan under the following conditions.
1. Reside in Japan
1. Able to understand Japanese
1. have a resident card and pay taxes.

2

Copy of passport

To be used to request a visit to the TAO base facility and to provide information to El Loa Hospital in Calama.

3

Waiver agreement

The term is for one year. Please submit all those who may have expired.
Contractors with a contractual relationship with TAO are not required to submit this.

Take a safety lecture held by TAO before you visit TAO site. In particular, first-time visitors are required to take this lecture.
Please contact visit-tao@ioa.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp to inquire about the type of lecture ( face-to-face, online, or viewing videos and materials) and the date and time of the lecture. The lecture will take approximately one hour. For more information, please seeTAO安全講習.

To visit the TAO site, you must complete a High Altitude Health Examination.
- Hypoxia tolerance test is optional
- Expenses paid on your own
- Please refer to the TAO High Altitude Medical Examination outline below for the examination items and the medical certificate form.
- Please make sure that none of the "absolute contraindications" or "relative contraindications" listed on page 2 of the TAO Annual Altitude Health Evaluation apply to you.
When a medical certificate is issued, please submit it to visit-tao@ioa.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

When bringing prescription drugs, please bring a copy of the prescription with the drug's trade name and the name of the drug, as well as a translation of the prescription.
MASTER or VISA credit cards are widely accepted. Your credit card's international cash service allows you to withdraw Chilean pesos at ATMs in San Pedro de Atacama. It is recommended that you deactivate your security in advance.

If you need assistance from TAO with any of the following arrangements, please contact visit-tao@ioa.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

Transportation between Calama Airport and San Pedro de Atacama (rental car, TransVip, etc.)
Lodging at San Pedro de Atacama (if you need lodging at the TAO base facility, please contact visit-tao@ioa.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp)
Meals, boxed lunches
Laundry and cleaning
Cold-weather clothing and protective equipment

We ask that you follow the following safety protocols while working at the TAO site.