Weekend In Japan

So it's been a couple of weeks since I got back from Japan and I have had a little time to think about my impressions. Up until now, I wrote about first impressions, but this entry is made (not too surprisingly) after I took too long to enter first impressions!

Japan is much different than I expected in many positive ways. While there may be dark alleys and ramshackle areas, everything is clean and the people take pride in what they have. There is an informal formal-ness to the way of life which is quite pleasant. The people are very friendly and so helpful that it makes me embarrassed sometimes!

My goodness, I have never seen so many surfaces used for advertising! In my opinion, this is way too much, but it is a part of the Japanese life. I can see why there are laws in Hawaii to prevent the abuse of advertising signs. No wonder the Japanese like to come here - it's a break from the ads!

Tokyo is wonderfully modern, but more than that, it is efficient. I may have passed by more people in one weekend in Japan than I have seen in six months in Hawaii! Everyone is polite, if not friendly, and extremely helpful. The service industry is focused on SERVICE! I have learned to do things myself if I want to have it done, but I could learn to rely on the service that people provide in Japan - all with no tipping!

Interestingly, I toured Tokyo all day Sunday and then returned to Hawaii to spend Sunday with DeAnna! I found myself saying "On Sunday morning, Fred and I..." but of course, it was Sunday morning and I was in Hawaii with DeAnna! My friend and co-worker Fred was such a gracious host and patiently shuttled me around Tokyo. Perhaps the best highlights were the shopping places where you got to see the non-tourist side of Japanese people. Simply amazing!

If you ever get the chance to be a tourist in Japan, GO! And when you do, don't stay inside - jump on a train and explore! What follows are some pictures from 2 days in Tokyo.

I couldn't resist this picture with huge Japanese anime and McDonald's french fries in the background...




I found this Barak Obama mask in one Japanese store. Who knows what people do with it... is it a popular item for Chinese New year?



This is my "Where's Waldo?" shot. Yep, I'm somewhere in the mass of people that transition through Shinjuku Station - over 1 million people per day!



Sunday morning in Tokyo. The streets don't really start getting busy until after noon. We were out touring as early as 10:00am and things were mostly deserted.


Dedicated to DeAnna! Japanese love cute stuff and this sculpture is a tribute to English cuteness...




Here on the streets in the canyons of Tokyo shopping district. These streets were the inspiration for the look of the movie, "Blade Runner". The streets are closed to vehicles and fill up with shoppers by mid-afternoon.

This is as close as I got to a Samurai!






We visited one of the main temples in Tokyo. There was a lot of activity in and around the temple. Large pots of incense were burning to purify the faithful as they entered the temples and priests dressed quite similarly to Catholic priests, performed chants and lead worshippers in ceremony. I was never quite clear what they were worshipping though. For the Christian with a relatively clear understanding of his God, the array of idols and rituals never seemed very focused.



Another shopping district near the hotel. The streets are smaller and the shops more intimate. Many smartly dressed vendors politely shout the virtues of every product under the sun!


Yes, I took lots of pictures of McDonalds while I was in Tokyo... It wasn't so much that it was kind of wierd to see the American icon in so many locations, it was that they were always packed with people and mostly open 24 hours! They only had about 10 menu items. Oh - Diet Coke is actually Coke Zero!

From the hotel lounge, I spotted Mount Fuji on Saturday morning. Later in the day, the weather clouded up and I didn't see it again before I left. I was told that it was an unusually clear day. As you can see, Tokyo goes on and on for miles, bounded only by mountains, the ocean and the sky!

What an experience! I hope to return some day and see even more. For now, it's back to work in boring, hum-drum Hawaii... I know, I know - you really feel sorry for me! :-)

Last Work Day - First Night In Tokyo

Up until now, I have been spending my days at Camp Zama and a few train stops around it in the local community. We went to lunch at a Chinese restaurant in town with Ed and Chris today. We sat around a low table on grass mats and had to take off our shoes before we could sit (recline) at the table. It was nice and different, but today, we checked out of Camp Zama and (after a full day of work) caught the express train to Shijuku – a ‘region’ of Tokyo proper.

Tokyo is phenomenally huge and stretches for as far as you can see. Shijuku is mostly a business district with skyscrapers and several large train stations. Remember how important the train stations are in Tokyo life? Well, just one of these train stations (think large mall) is about 10 stories high with several basement levels. The labyrinth of walkways under ground open up to the streets where over a million people pass through every day! STOP! Think about that… a million people every day! That is more than the entire population of Minneapolis and Oklahoma City combined passing through one train station every day!

Needless to say, the station(s) here are huge and full of shops! In many cases, the stations are connected to mega stores that also encompass a city block and rise for 9 to 10 stories! The crowds of people are all very well mannered and polite. Many people wear surgical masks while in town and on the train. I figured that it was because so many folks are there that they were afraid of getting sick and that may be the case for some, but I was told that most of the people wearing masks are sick and are afraid of spreading germs to the commuters around them – Talk about polite!

The express train was luxurious and smooth as it plied through outlying neighborhoods towards downtown Tokyo. When I say neighborhoods, I would not be able to distinguish between them. They are mostly defined by train stations, but from my perspective, it is all just one endless mass of buildings, houses and humanity. We arrived at the Hilton and turned in, resolute in our desire to get out to see the city. The concierge recommended a Teppanyaki place on the other side of town, so we jumped on a train and headed out.

The restaurant was very nice! They cook the food right in front of you, but it’s not the grand show that you might see at Benihana. It’s classy, quiet and very refined! We both got steak.

Japanese steak is very different from American beef and very very good! The service was (as it has been everywhere) impeccable. We even got bibs to wear in case we got messy…

After eating, we walked around to see the night life. Outside, the night life is noisy and dizzyingly busy with people everywhere! As we returned to our hotel, Fred told me that there were a number of “private hotels” as we walked around. I hadn’t even noticed! Even houses of ill repute are dignified around here it seems.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete description here without mentioning the bidet toilet… an interesting amenity that I won’t describe any further here, but I figured you should know about it. Take a close look at the picture here and you can get the idea…

Dinner and Almost a Show

After a full day of meetings (our last scheduled day of meetings) and support work, I was invited to go to dinner with another one of the locals, Fred (not to be confused with my co-worker who is also Fred). We left base, walked to the train station and took a train towards Tokyo for a few stops. When we got off, we were in the middle of a huge mall – otherwise known as a train station. These train stations act as neighborhood centers and the closest American equivalent I can think of is a large shopping mall. However, while most American malls spread out with long, meandering walkways, Japanese train stations go up as well as out! More on this later…

We found Fred and Fred lead us into the streets just outside the station. We walked up an almost hidden flight of stairs for 4 floors and entered a non-descript place that seemed like someone’s house at first. As soon as we entered though, it was clear that this was a restaurant – a very small restaurant. The décor felt like a cave. There were three tables and a “party room” that would hold about 10 people around a table with small chairs. The entire time we were there, we were the only people in the restaurant. My American sensibilities could not see how the place could stay in business being so far off the main path and 4 stories up a hidden staircase, but I was reminded that this wasn’t America…

Our hostess was wonderfully polite and gracious as she took our order (assisted by Fred of course). While we waited for our meal to arrive, we casually chatted and every so often, our hostess would come over to join us. Her English was good, if halting upon occasion. Clearly she was not used to English-speaking customers. The meal arrived one small dish at a time and was quite good. After dinner, we chatted some more with our hostess and finally left with promises to return when we were in the area.

It was our intent to hop into a Karaoke bar for an hour or so, but we had such a nice time at the restaurant that we’d stayed up too late (one more workday…) so we headed back to the train station and found our way back to the base. The weather had turned a bit brisk, so it was nice to be back in my room and turn in under the covers.

Sushi With Ed

Wednesday, January 14

Ed is one of the folks that work here in Japan and he is our main contact for our work. We have been spending all of our time with Ed getting things organized and supporting his efforts with Lean Six Sigma. Wednesday is Day 2 for our training and effort and so we spent the day working with the Army team here to sort out command priorities and identify potential projects. The Commanding General joined us in the morning to highlight his attitude and wishes for Lean Six Sigma and it was quite a positive event.

After work, Ed took us to a favorite Sushi place somewhere in town. We jumped in his car (which I really liked) and he drove (on the left hand side of the road) around narrow streets through traffic that turned this way and that. After dodging countless pedestrians, we arrived at a Sushi place that looked positively franchised! There was a sushi train but Ed ordered for me off the ala carte menu. I had mostly tuna with some eel and some other stuff that I couldn’t pronounce and can’t remember. He was gentle with me so the food was quite good.

The sushi is delivered to your table on colored plates. The plates determine how much you are charged. When you are done, you take the plates up to the cashier and they total up your bill! We talked for a long time. Seems like that’s a normal thing. It’s easy to do because the restaurants are all fairly quiet – except for the shouting of “Welcome, come in and eat!” in Japanese every time someone comes in the door. That is one aspect of people here that seems pervasive – everyone is welcoming, friendly and SMILING!

Tomorrow is another day of meetings so we retired early. My contribution as a training leader is far less important today and tomorrow, so I am focusing on support and strategy. So far, Ed is very happy that I came!

Short Journey On The Train

Tuesday, January 13
This was the major event for my whole trip - leading an executive leader training session. We started at 8:00 and drove solid all the way through to 4:00pm. We then stayed late for a couple more hours wrapping up and prepping for Wednesday.

After that, Fred and I went back in to town to catch the train to another Tokyo suburb for dinner at a Shabu Shabu restaurant. The restaurant was small and very cozy. The food was phenomenal and the service was wonderful.

We didn't speak Japanese so our server took pity on us and did a lot of the choosing and serving for us. There was about 6 courses finishing up with a ginger sherbet. After that, we took the train back and walked to the base hotel.

It was another great experience in Japanese culture and cuisine. We will go to dinner with our local sponsor tomorrow. Until then, the Jet Lag has finally hit hard and bed time sounds good (again).

I am really enjoying Japan. There are little things that endear this place to me. Things like dimming your headlights when you are waiting for a stop light so you don't shine them in someone else's eyes.

I look forward to tomorrow!

On the road, writing with my Blackberry.

Small Adventures

Monday January 12 (late dinner)
I've been up for over 24 hours but my buddy Fred hasn't eaten dinner. So I went with him to dinner in town. We walked through the gates off base and into the dark back streets of the surrounding Japanese neighborhood...

Fred walked me down an alley into a small hole-in-the-wall Ramen noodle restaurant that had 3 tables and several locals watching a Japanese game show. I was wonderfully surprised at how great the soup and noodles tasted! On a cold, tired night in a strange place, I was comforted before turning in for some welcome sleep

I am already impressed with Japan... It will be a good night's sleep.

On the road, writing with my Blackberry.

A Preview Of Cars!

First, there's just something unnerving about being on the wrong (left) side of the road..

I love the cars I see as I ride the bus to the army base. Slick, small, stylish and they look like a lot if fun to drive. I have seen several I'd like to take home with me, but they might exceed my carry on allowance. There are lots of motorcycles and bicycles as well - even in the cold and at night! I'd take a picture but it's night time already.

If you've seen the Honda FIT, Element or the Toyota Prius, you've seen a majority of vehicle styles. I haven't seen too many "sedans" like you'd see in the USA. Hatchbacks seem to rule.

Kanji needs to be explained to me, but there is enough English and pictograph signage to get around. After all, I found the McD in the airport! I won't starve...

I see these cars as harbingers of the future in the USA. Just think; we could fit another 33% cars on the highway because they are so much smaller! Wait... Is that a good thing?

It's 6:00pm Monday night and the clock says I have been awake for 36 hours, but I really have been awake for almost 24 hours, so I am starting to run down. I shouldn't have any trouble falling asleep.

OK, the driver just jumped into the fast lane - against the right guard rail... Freaky!

On the road, writing with my Blackberry.

Waiting On The Bus...

Monday January 12.
Now that I have arrived at the airport (and eaten my QPwC at the airport McD's) I am waiting on the shuttle bus to Camp Zama. It is quite a tedious process but there are a lot of military folks around so I am hearing English conversation.

I was told, but had forgotten, about the smoking. Though there is no smoking in the airport, there is a lot of smoking outside as well as quite a number of smoking lounges around.

The airport is very nice and it's interesting to see the families and children being just the same as they are stateside - only laughing and playing in Japanese! I am used to seeing Japanese tourists in Hawaii,but the people at the airport seem much more relaxed.

I have attached my first view of Japan. It was through the little seat monitor viewing a camera in the nose of the aircraft. It was interesting to see what the pilots see as they approach and land.

More from Japan later...

On the road, writing with my Blackberry.

Flying To Japan

Sunday, January 11.
Well, I am on my way flying on All Nippon Airways. Virtually everyone on the plane is a Japanese tourist returning from vacation. What a different feeling. The service is remarkable and everyone has been very friendly - if not communicative. I've never had an in flight meal on any of my trips on US carriers.

Each seat has it's own entertainment center (see attached picture) with seven different movies, about 10 TV video channels (mostly in Japanese), multiple music and radio channels and several video games that you play in your seat. Everything is available in English, French, German, Mandarin, Korean and of course Japanese.

The flight itself is about 8 hours or so - about the same time as it is to Dallas except this direction I lose a day. So I leave Sunday morning and arrive Monday afternoon! When I return, I leave Sunday night and arrive on in the morning on the same day... Interesting, huh?

I am nervous about arriving in Narita, but hey, it is an adventure! After I arrive, I'll wait two hours and board a bus to the base which will take another two hours before I arrive at the base hotel. Then I can relax for a little while.

It's my first foreign trip since the mid '90's. I am looking forward to seeing a little bit of Japan and Tokyo (though I will mostly be in conference rooms during the day). Watch for another update soon.

On the road, writing with my Blackberry.

What a Christmas Present!

We've just spent two weeks in the mainland away from the island burdened by relatively few schedules... It's been wonderful! Along the way, I got some really nice Christmas presents...

First of course was my first grandson, Colton Thomas Anderson. You already know about Colt. I got to spend 2 days just hanging out with Jessica and John holding him and being there for his first shopping trip to Best Buy and Target. He's starting off right... I also spent time with Julia and met the elusive Derek - a very neat guy!

I got to buy hundreds of dollars of technology with someone else's money as I updated my parent's living room TV and DVD system with an HD setup. They already had a flat screen TV, but we found them a bigger one.

We took the existing TV and turned it into a sweet monitor for dad's new mini laptop system to replace his old computer. I think it was about 8 years old and still worked well. The big thing was the high-capacity laser printer, Fax, copier, scanner we attached to the system! It's dad's new pride and Joy!

I went to see two performances in DC: "West Side Story" at the National Theater and "Best Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber" at the Kennedy Center. I needed a little culture. Speaking of culture, I will have to describe 'Clocky' sometime...

While in Virginia, we looked around at a lot of potential houses in the area. On our last weekend, we had two wonderful possible deals! After contacting the owners, one wanted to deal and we ended up getting a fabulous deal on a top floor 2 bedroom condo with a loft about 15 minutes from my parents house!

So we're going to be Virginia homeowners! DeAnna will go back in about 3 weeks to close and begin bringing our stuff out storage. I will post pictures when I get back online (I am typing this on the plane ride home).

Here are some pictures of the interior!

So it's been a really great holiday! I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things at work and doing some more scuba diving. Watch for more information on the move to Virginia in the next BLOG update!