We Don't Need a Guide After All

Just a note before I begin today's posting...I am still having problems uploading our photos to Snapfish. I'll keep trying, but I might have to wait until we return home.

Today was our first full day in Tokyo and Dr. Spangler and I conducted our own walking/sightseeing tour and we actually didn't get lost or lose anyone. :) We were originally going to participate in a one-day program with Rikkyo University, but since the SMBA group was just here and had a program with them, it was difficult for them to coordinate a program with us within such a short period of time. So, we decided to take a tour of Tokyo and began our tour with a visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market, which is located in Ginza. Tsukiji fish market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. It was interesting to see the variety of fish sold and we even watched as a couple workers slaughtered some fish--wasn't some of our most favorable moment on the trip. However, it is interesting to see how this business functions and watch the 100's of workers coordinate efforts like a synchronized swim team. Don't worry...I won't post any pictures that are too disgusting. I didn't take any but I think our students did. Yikes!

After our trip to the fish market, we took a tour of Panasonic. I have to say that it was one of the coolest things that I've done while in Asia. The technology was tremendous and you will not believe the items that will be on the market within the next 5 years. Of course we couldn't take photos so your son/daughter will have to tell you about the Life Wall, the 153" 3D HDTV, and massage chair to name a few.

After our Panasonic visit, we just went to a couple different areas via the metro and train. We had lunch and came back to the hotel to get ready for our special dinner at Gonpachi in Roppongi, one of the busiest and foreign friendly parts of Tokyo. This is the restaurant where Quentin Tarrentino got his idea for Kill Bill. On our way to the restaurant, we went to Shibuya, which is like the Times Square of Tokyo (except it is very orderly). It is another shopping and entertainment district situated in the west of Tokyo and is a fantastic place to people-watch.