In October, we will be heading to Tokyo to explore one of the best cities in the world.
Tokyo is an exciting mix of tradition and technology.
Great culture and high energy make Tokyo the ultimate urban delight. It has traditions going back thousands of years, such as Shinto ceremonies and amazing craft. But Tokyo is also the heartland of new technology, with the latest gizmos available at every corner.
The natural energy of Tokyo rivals most cities in the world. In fact, Tokyo is the largest metropolitan economy in the world, yet luckily well served by the most extensive urban railway network in the world (and let’s not forget reliable, clean and safe).
Over the next two months, this blog will provide handy insights and tips on Tokyo Achievers 2009.
And when we get to Tokyo, we will provide daily updates.
So bookmark this site, have a conversation about Japan and start getting excited.
Kev.
August 5, 2009 at 10:19 AM |
When I was pretty small we lived in Tokyo – Minamishinagowa – which is probably not the correct spelling – but my very first memories are of the two gold fish – the bathtub that was like a swimming pool to me – and my parent’s room which had a door leading to a roof top patio.
Went back there for a quick visit as an adult and was entertained by friends of my parents to a superb meal in a lovely garden restaurant with heaps of fish kites waving in the breeze – something to do with ‘boys’ festival.
Looking forward to Achievers – lots of Japanese food (no beer gardens please) – immersion into Japanese culture for the week.
August 11, 2009 at 4:57 AM |
I was in Japan about 2 years ago and spent a couple of fantastic days in Tokyo. It’s Ian’s first time there so it’ll be great to share this Achievers trip with him.
Japan is an diverse mixture of history, culture and beauty, in the form of old temples, gardens and countryside. Parts of it are also extremely modern, with sometimes shockingly ugly, concrete buildings and motorways. Seeing an ancient temple and a modern concrete block side by side in the same street can be quite disconcerting.
In my experience, the Japanese are a friendly, yet reserved, people, extemely polite and most willing to help, even where no English is spoken at all.
Politeness goes a long way in Japan. Being able to say “please” and “thank you” in Japanese will smooth things along. There is no need for foreigners to bow but it sometimes becomes infectious and you can’t help yourself.
A tip for the unwary-
Be mindful that it is extemely impolite to show the soles of your shoes to somone, so when you are sitting opposite people (eg on a train), keep both feet flat on the floor – no crossed legs.
The best experiences I would recommend are:
1. Ginza at night: The lights from the buildings are like the Amway Tokyo
poster only more so (it photographs really well) and the many
department stored are usually open late – really great shopping!
2. The Asakusa district in north Tokyo:
the Senso-ji temple was built in 628AD and is the most spectacular
temple in Tokyo – it’s massive and very beautiful. Surrounding it is
block after block of wonderful small shops selling beautiful quality,
traditional Japanese arts and crafts – the best souvenirs!