Wednesday, 23 November 2005
Travel Notes: Japan
My pictures from a week in Japan are now up. This was a trip for the Addressing WG, with a day beforehand to get over jetlag, and a few days afterwards on my own time. Many thanks to Hitachi and especially Bob and Nishiyama-san for doing such an exceptional job hosting us, and also to Paul for letting me crash with him in Tokyo on the way out.
Having travelled little in Asia beforehand (just to Singapore and Hong Kong), I was very interested in going. Generally, I’m very comfortable in Western cultures that I have some ancestral or incidental tie to (e.g., Sweden, England, Portugal, Italy, Australia). My first trip outside of this box, to Singapore, rather confirmed this; I didn’t really feel any attachment to that city-state. However, Hong Kong gave me a very different perspective — the best way that I can describe that wonderful city is “Blade Runner without the flying cars.” So, I went to Japan with an open mind.
For the first few days, I wasn’t terribly happy; a lot of time was spent in transit, because I arrived later than others, so an abbreviated trip to Nikko didn’t allow me to fully appreciate its charms, or indeed get over my jetlag. A vicious cold didn’t help.
However, after a few days I began to appreciate this very foreign culture, and I’d very much like to go back. Highlights include;
Hama Steak House was simply amazing; I never have had or will have better beef. Thanks, Joan!
Harajuku and Omotesando were more than memorable, and I only saw them on a Saturday, not the infamous Sunday scene.
Meiji shrine, Nikko and Kamakura were all quite overwhelming, as was a Kaiseki dinner at Kaikotei; the contrast with Tokyo and Yokohama’s bustle was great, without being discordant.
Most of all, though, I enjoyed watching the Japanese in their daily lives, whether in department stores, at work in Hitachi, eating dinner, drinking or walking on the street. I’ll be back soon, I hope.
Filed under: Travel