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日本の革新 Innovation in Japan!
During this 15-day trip we offer you a broad range of activities, whereby the first as well as the final part of the trip will take place in the capital, Tokyo. First we will stay in the residential area around Asakusa, the eastern part of Tokyo. Thanks to this convenient location it is only a short walk to the old temples, Akihabara's crazy electronic towns or the famous Tsukiji fish market. At the very beginning we will offer you an introductory Japanese lesson and then discover Tokyo step by step. For more specific insights we will for instance, visit the office of a specialists in foreign recruiting where we will learn about the Japanese business environment and simulate in practice how to behave in formal situations. On Tuesday evening we will meet members of the Swiss Japanese Heritage Community (SJHC) for a dinner in the very popular mori beer garden, "an oasis in the center of Tokyo". Beyond that, we will try to get in touch with the political world that is likely to undergo a historical change with the general elections of the House of Representatives that will be held on August 30.
After having experienced Tokyo during the first few days of the trip, we will board the 250 km/h fast 'bullet-train' called Shinkansen on Wednesday morning westwards to Hiroshima where we will visit a manufacturer of auto parts. In the evening we move on to Kyushu, the southernmost of the four major islands of Japan. There, our first destination is the city of Kumamoto that is famous for its castle and its role during the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. From there will take you to the huge Aso volcanic caldera - the largest active caldera in the world. Then, a special Bus brings us to the spa town Yufuin where we can relax or for thoses who wish Mt. Yufu (1584m) offers a wonderful hike. |
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The last destination in Kyushu is Nagasaki. There we will focus on two things: the tragic events of the atom bomb strike on August 9, 1945 and the role of Nagasaki as the only place/port where foreigners were allowed to trade with Japan during the period Japan was closed to the outside world (ca. 1639-1854) .
From Nagasaki we will head back to Japan's main island Honshu and take the high-speed train that bring us in only three hours from Fukuoka (Kyushu) to the former capital Kyoto (660 km). There we will find numerous famous shrines and temples bearing the old culture and history of Japan. Further we will stay there in a traditional wooden townhouse (Machiya).
After two nights in Kyoto our last stay will be on the Miura Peninsula where we will visit a mobile communications vision research center in Yokosuka and then enjoy the hot Japanese summer whether by visiting one of the many famous Buddhist temples in Kamakura or simply relaxing at the many popular beaches in Kamakura or Enoshima.
Back in Tokyo, we will stay in the western part of the city so that you can also enjoy shopping, parties and modern life in Japan's capital.
It is our aim to let you think about this country in a differentiated way, explore it, question it and try to understand it, while equally enjoying the many fantastic things Japan has to offer.
The tour will be guided in English. |