Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna, Okinawa, Japan | March 1–12, 2027
About
MLSS 2027 Okinawa is the next edition of MLSS 2024 Okinawa. It is open to all applicants, and we aim to select 200 highly motivated participants. Our main target audience is master's and Ph.D. students with a strong technical background in machine learning related areas. A small number of industry practitioners, professors, researchers, and outstanding undergraduate students may also be considered depending on space and availability. Industry applicants may be able to attend through sponsorship from their company. All participants are expected to have experience programming in Python, a strong interest in machine learning, and a basic understanding of linear algebra, calculus, probability, and statistics.
OIST is located in Onna Village, Okinawa, Japan, which is known as a beautiful resort area. The average temperature in Okinawa in March is around 16–21°C (61–70°F), and there are many beaches near OIST. One of the participants from MLSS 2024 made a YouTube video about the event, so please take a look!
Registration
Registration for MLSS Okinawa 2027 is expected to open in August 2026.
Applications will be collected through OpenReview.
See the Application page for eligibility criteria, required documents, important dates, and registration fees.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is located in the beautiful Onna village.
Visit OIST website
Travel Information
Venue Location
OIST is located at 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
Getting to OIST
The nearest airport is Naha Airport (OKA), Okinawa's main international gateway.
From the airport, you can reach OIST by:
Taxi: Approximately 60–70 minutes from Naha Airport.
Rental car: Use Mapcode 206 159 202*17 for navigation.
Bus: Highway buses connect Naha Airport to areas near OIST (Onna Village). Check the Okinawa Bus website for routes and schedules.
Getting to Naha Airport
Naha Airport is served by direct flights from major Japanese cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka) as well as international routes.
If transiting through Tokyo, the Airport Limousine Bus (~¥3,200 one-way, ~75–90 min) connects Narita and Haneda airports to the city. Bus stop locations at each terminal:
The average temperature in Okinawa in March is around 16–21°C (61–70°F). Light layers are recommended; rain is possible, so bring a light rain jacket.
Currency & ATMs
Japan is largely a cash-based society. ATMs that accept international cards are available at Naha Airport, post offices (Japan Post), and major convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart). A PIN code is required for cash withdrawals.
Electricity
Japan uses 100V AC, 50/60 Hz with Type A plugs (two flat parallel blades). Most laptops and phone chargers are compatible, but please verify your adapters before travelling.
Visa
Participants may need a visa to enter Japan depending on their nationality. Please check the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for up-to-date entry requirements. If you need an invitation letter for your visa application, please contact us at mlss2027@oist.jp.
Accommodation
A list of hotels near OIST is available on the Hotels page.
We will organize shuttle buses between selected hotels and the OIST campus on weekdays.
