August 17 - 21, 2026, Kyoto, Japan
18th Orthogonal Polynomials, Special Functions and Applications – OPSFA-18
About
18th International Symposium on Orthogonal Polynomials, Special Functions and Applications (OPSFA-18)
Where
When
Monday afternoon 17 August to Friday 21 August 2026
OPSFA-18 is the eighteenth in a series of biennial conferences devoted to Orthogonal Polynomials, Special Functions and Applications, with a special focus on topics such as integrable systems, random matrix theory, Painlevé equations, exact WKB analysis, stochastic models, and other related areas. Contributions on additional related topics are also highly encouraged.
Since 1984, several conferences have been held where orthogonal polynomials, special functions, and their applications have been the main subjects. The first OPSFA conference took place in Bar-le-Duc, France, October 15-18, 1984. Initially the conferences were held in Europe but now they take place on various continents.
OPSFA-18 will be held at Hardy Hall on the Muromachi Campus of Doshisha University, located in central Kyoto behind the historic Kyoto Imperial Palace, from August 16, 2026 (arrival day) to August 22, 2026 (departure day). The campus is easily accessible—just a few minutes’ walk from Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, with direct access from Kyoto Station in about 10 minutes.
Committees
Organizing Committee
- Satoshi Tsujimoto (Chair, Kyoto University)
- Hiroshi Miki (Co-Chair, Doshisha University)
- Benoit Collins (Kyoto University)
- Kazuki Maeda (University of Fukuchiyama)
- Satoru Odake (Shinshu University)
- Yoshitsugu Takei (Doshisha University)
- Teruhisa Tsuda (Aoyama Gakuin University)
- Luc Vinet (Université de Montréal)
Steering Committee
- Howard Cohl (Elected SIAG/OPSF member)
- Teresa Peréz (representative from OPSFA-17, Spain)
- Luc Vinet (representative from OPSFA-16, Canada)
- Ana F. Loureiro (representative from OPSFA-14, UK)
Venue
Kyoto : Access and Accommodation
Hardy Hall, Muromachi Campus, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is well connected to major cities in Japan by frequent and efficient transportation options:
(1) From Kansai International Airport (KIX), it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Kyoto Station by JR Haruka train.
(2) From Osaka Itami Airport (ITM), it takes around 1 hour to Kyoto Station by limousine bus.
(3) From Tokyo Station, it takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to Kyoto Station by JR Shinkansen (bullet train).
The conference will take place at Hardy Hall on the Muromachi Campus of Doshisha University, located in central Kyoto behind the historic Kyoto Imperial Palace. The campus is easily accessible—just a few minutes’ walk from Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, with direct access from Kyoto Station in about 10 minutes.
As one of Japan’s most historic cities, Kyoto is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, featuring beautiful temples, shrines, and traditional gardens. The city is also known for its distinctive local cuisine, including kaiseki (traditional multi-course meal), yudofu (tofu hot pot), and a wide variety of matcha-based sweets.
Currently, Kyoto is experiencing a high volume of visitors, and booking accommodation is expected to become increasingly difficult. In particular, the night of August 16th coincides with Gozan no Okuribi, a traditional summer event in Kyoto, during which accommodations are likely to be in especially high demand. We strongly recommend that you book your accommodation as early as possible.
Please note that the first day of the conference is scheduled to begin in the afternoon. Therefore, staying in Osaka, Tokyo, or another city on the night of the 16th and traveling to Kyoto on the morning of the 17th is also a feasible option.
