The 3rd World Water Forum: A forum open to everyone 
Water is one of the world’s biggest problems. The World Water Forum was created to solve these problems. The 3rd World Water Forum, to be held primarily in Kyoto (and also Shiga and Osaka) will be the first Forum to be held in Asia (Forum #1: Marrakech, Morocco, 1997; Forum #2: The Hague, Holland, 2000). The 3rd World Water Forum (WWF3) will be held in Kyoto: March 16 - 23, 2003. The Forum will bring together people interested in WATER, and provide a platform for discussing and sharing knowledge and experiences on the current and future state of water. The WWF3 is open to everyone regardless of their opinions. To register for the WWF3, please contact the Secretariat (Tel: 03-5212-1645; Fax: 03-5212-1649).The Forum Hall (Kyoto International Conference Center / Kyoto Takaragaike Prince Hotel): to get to these places take the Karasuma subway line to Kokusai Kaikan; from there each place is a 1-min. walk from the station.
The Fair Hall (Miyako Messe Hall or Kyoto-shi Kangyo-kan): to get to the Fair Hall take the Tozai subway line to Higashiyama station; the Fair Hall is a 10-min. walk north of the station. For more detailed information, please visit the official forum homepage <wwf3kyo.com>.
The Kyoto Executive Committee for the WWF3 (KEC) was established by Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce & Industry and 24 other organizations on the 15th of Jan. 2002. This committee was created in order to make the WWF3 successful and offer various services to the Forum attendees.
During the WWF3, forum participants will be able to take part in the following events and activities: a welcome reception at the Kyoto International Exhibition Hall (Miyako Messe) on the 21st of March, 2003; free various excursion tours; the Kyoto Festival from March 21-23; and other various activities and services designed to meet the needs of the participants.
The Community Plaza Kyoto (CPK) for the WWF3 will be used as a base for NGO activities related to preparations for the Forum. Various projects will be held in the CPK free-of-charge seminar & multi-purpose rooms. At present, lectures about WATER are held 8 times per month at the CPK. Participation in 5 lectures, entitles participants to a free one-day ticket to the Forum.
For additional information:The informative WWF3 websites (http://www.worldwaterforum.org/ and http://wwf3.kyo.com/) are filled with useful information in English on the WWF3, as well as facts about Kyoto, and the forum venues. Please check the site for updates and new information. Kyoto’s numerous scenic water spots are also introduced on these websites.
Tel: 81-75-229-3161
Fax: 81-75-229-3162
E-mail: wwf3kyo@kyo.or.jp
Post: Care of the Community Plaza Kyoto for the World Water Forum, Takeyamachi, Karasuma, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0865, JAPAN.
Matsuo Shrine’s Kamenoi Spring
This shrine is famous as the home of the God of Sake. The pure natural spring, known as the Kamenoi Spring, is located behind the shrine. It is ranked as one of the top 100 pure water sources in Japan. The water is said to give long life. At the head of the spring stands a turtle (a symbol of longevity) which is said to be the vehicle upon which the God of Sake rides. The sacred water of the shrine has long been used for making sake. In recent times, it has also been used for tea ceremony and calligraphy. Access: take a Kyoto bus bound for Koke-dera Temple from Kyoto station; get off at Matsuo Shrine. Information: 871-5016.Amanohashidate’s Isoshimizu Spring
This natural water spring is located on Amanohashidate Peninsula. It is also registered one of the top 100 pure water sources in Japan. What makes this spring so special is that it is only a few meters from the sea and yet its waters are pure and sweet. Isoshimizu means pure water on the shore. It is also known to give long life to those who regularly drink its waters. Access: take the Tango Explorer from JR Kyoto station to Amanohashidate. Information: 0772-22-0670.