From August 7 to August 13, 2025, the 30th International Conference on Low Temperature Physics (LT30) was held in Bilbao, Spain. The authors Matsubayashi (M2), Matsudaira (D1), and Takahashi (PD) attended the conference.
Bilbao is one of the major cities in the Basque region of northern Spain. Once prosperous for its steel industry, the city has in recent years become known as a center of art, following the opening of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. It is an attractive city where the traditional culture of the Basque region coexists with modern urban development, embodying the atmosphere of a “European regional city,” for better or worse. With average summer highs around 25°C, the climate was pleasant, providing a very comfortable environment for attending an international conference.
We departed Kansai International Airport on the evening of August 5, and after a layover in Istanbul, arrived in Bilbao on the evening of August 6. The total flight time was about 16 hours, with a 9-hour layover in Istanbul. For someone not accustomed to long international flights, the journey was rather exhausting. After checking into the hotel in Bilbao, we bought water and food for dinner at a nearby supermarket.
The following morning, we explored the city center of Bilbao. As it was my first time visiting a European city, I felt a mixture of slight unease and excitement, but I was able to fully enjoy the cityscape and atmosphere. We visited landmarks such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Maritime Museum.
In the afternoon, we headed to the conference venue for the opening sessions. The first day began with plenary talks and concluded with a welcome party featuring the local specialties, pintxos and wine.
Structure of the Conference
From the next day onward (except Sunday and the final day), the conference ran from the morning. Each day started with plenary talks for all participants, followed by a coffee break, then semi-plenary talks divided into two parallel sessions. Late morning featured several parallel sessions as well.
After lunch, the afternoon began with poster sessions, followed by additional semi-plenary and parallel talks until around 7 pm. Although the schedule was long and demanding, the discussions were dense and highly productive. I attended sessions on UTe₂, my current research theme, as well as sessions on topological materials and superconducting devices. Although it was challenging at first to follow the talks in English, by the latter half of the conference I had grown accustomed to them and gained valuable insights.
On the third day, Matsubayashi and Matsudaira gave poster presentations, while on the fifth day, Takahashi delivered an oral presentation. Conversations and discussions with international researchers were not always easy, but the experience was extremely valuable.
Cultural Experience in Bilbao
During breaks and after the sessions, we enjoyed local Basque and Spanish cuisine, including paella, pintxos, and anchovies. The people of Bilbao were friendly, the food was excellent, and since the city was not overcrowded with tourists, it left a very positive impression as a travel destination within Europe.
Conclusion
This trip was my first visit to Europe as well as my first participation in an international conference. Attending LT30 was a profoundly valuable experience that greatly broadened my perspectives in both research and daily life.
