Earlier this month, it was my first
time in Tokyo, Japan, though I did transited twice in Tokyo airport before. I am
not unfamiliar with Japan since I had been to Hokkaido before and had former
Japanese colleagues and business associates. Still, it is a business trip
I looked forward to.
time in Tokyo, Japan, though I did transited twice in Tokyo airport before. I am
not unfamiliar with Japan since I had been to Hokkaido before and had former
Japanese colleagues and business associates. Still, it is a business trip
I looked forward to.
Brief
Facts of Tokyo
Facts of Tokyo
Japan has 47 prefectures. It consist of 43 prefectures (県 ken), two urban prefectures (府 fu, Osaka, and Kyoto), one
“territory” (道 dō, Hokkaido) and one “metropolis” (都 to, Tokyo). Therefore
Tokyo is not really a city but a metropolis. Tokyo is the capital of Japan
which comprise of 23 special wards (~9 million people), 39 municipalities in
the western part of the prefecture and the two outlying island chains. The
total population of Tokyo exceeds 13 million.
“territory” (道 dō, Hokkaido) and one “metropolis” (都 to, Tokyo). Therefore
Tokyo is not really a city but a metropolis. Tokyo is the capital of Japan
which comprise of 23 special wards (~9 million people), 39 municipalities in
the western part of the prefecture and the two outlying island chains. The
total population of Tokyo exceeds 13 million.
Picture from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo
As per Wikipedia, the city hosts 51 of the Fortune Global 500
companies, the highest number of any city. Tokyo was ranked first in the
“Best overall experience” category of TripAdvisor’s World City
Survey.
companies, the highest number of any city. Tokyo was ranked first in the
“Best overall experience” category of TripAdvisor’s World City
Survey.
View
from hotel
from hotel
Narita International
Airport
Airport
There are two international airports serving Tokyo – Haneda and Narita.
The hotel I am heading to is Prince Shinagawa Hotel. Haneda is actually nearer to Shinagawa while Narita is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 50-60km from
Shinagawa. I landed in Narita Airport because we never do homework on the
distance and leave it to the office lady to do the air tickets booking.
The hotel I am heading to is Prince Shinagawa Hotel. Haneda is actually nearer to Shinagawa while Narita is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 50-60km from
Shinagawa. I landed in Narita Airport because we never do homework on the
distance and leave it to the office lady to do the air tickets booking.
It was after
9 pm when my colleague and me landed Narita from Shanghai. I was expecting a busy
arrival terminal. On the contrary, it was quiet and merely few airport staffs
helping with custom clearance.
9 pm when my colleague and me landed Narita from Shanghai. I was expecting a busy
arrival terminal. On the contrary, it was quiet and merely few airport staffs
helping with custom clearance.
Expensive,
Expensive, Expensive
Expensive, Expensive
With temperature displaying 2 degC, we were spotting for taxis. There were no queues and no taxis in sight. We approached
the lone usher on the pathway and he gave his wrinkled old smiles and said “Hai!…it
will cost JPY30k from Narita to Prince Shinagawa Hotel.
Wait a minute…how much
is JPY30k for a 50-60km (70-80 mins) ride? OMG, ~S$350!
the lone usher on the pathway and he gave his wrinkled old smiles and said “Hai!…it
will cost JPY30k from Narita to Prince Shinagawa Hotel.
Wait a minute…how much
is JPY30k for a 50-60km (70-80 mins) ride? OMG, ~S$350!
While waiting, we took deep breaths
of the sparkling air, replacing the polluted ones in China earlier on.
of neat and tidy roads of Tokyo, we reached our hotel. Indeed, the taxi meter read JPY29.5K. For the next day, a 20 min taxi ride of ~10km cost us 3kJPY
(S$34).
of the sparkling air, replacing the polluted ones in China earlier on.
of neat and tidy roads of Tokyo, we reached our hotel. Indeed, the taxi meter read JPY29.5K. For the next day, a 20 min taxi ride of ~10km cost us 3kJPY
(S$34).
Taxi
picture – check out the side mirror of the taxi?
picture – check out the side mirror of the taxi?
Even after the huge depreciation of
the yen, nothing comes cheap in Tokyo. In 2013, Tokyo was named the third most
expensive city for expatriates, according to the Mercer consulting firm, and
the world’s most expensive city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s
cost-of-living survey.
the yen, nothing comes cheap in Tokyo. In 2013, Tokyo was named the third most
expensive city for expatriates, according to the Mercer consulting firm, and
the world’s most expensive city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s
cost-of-living survey.
For meal, we chosen teppanyaki.
A check on the menu, “Woo…Not so cheap!”. So we selected one of the cheapest set lunch menu.
Damage was close
to JPY16.5k for two pax (S$190). Food served were, amuse-bouche, sashimi
appetizer, 130g steak, mushroom & broccoli, garlic rice, desert, coffee and
juice.
A check on the menu, “Woo…Not so cheap!”. So we selected one of the cheapest set lunch menu.
Damage was close
to JPY16.5k for two pax (S$190). Food served were, amuse-bouche, sashimi
appetizer, 130g steak, mushroom & broccoli, garlic rice, desert, coffee and
juice.
Actually it seems reasonable for the excellent quality of food and service. After all, we probably deserve a good meal, after a very tiring work week.
Hotel –
Where is the Flexibility?
Where is the Flexibility?
I stayed for one night, while my
colleague two nights. So after checked out, I left my luggage in his room.
colleague two nights. So after checked out, I left my luggage in his room.
To make it easier for both of us to
travel independently, we requested for another room key from the front desk. We
were rejected and were told to pay for 2 pax in a single room. We then asked if
I can leave the room key at the front desk so that my colleague who come back
later can collect it from front desk.
travel independently, we requested for another room key from the front desk. We
were rejected and were told to pay for 2 pax in a single room. We then asked if
I can leave the room key at the front desk so that my colleague who come back
later can collect it from front desk.
Seems like a simple request. The
front desk girl, always so polite told us to wait. She walked to a room to
consult her manager. 5 minutes later she was back. No is the answer. I
explained I just want to freshen up before going to airport.
front desk girl, always so polite told us to wait. She walked to a room to
consult her manager. 5 minutes later she was back. No is the answer. I
explained I just want to freshen up before going to airport.
She said she totally understand but “she
cannot say yes because she was instructed!” She was apologetic and I totally
understand her position and said never mind.
cannot say yes because she was instructed!” She was apologetic and I totally
understand her position and said never mind.
Meeting
This meeting in Tokyo was subsequent
to the meeting we had in Singapore.
to the meeting we had in Singapore.
Well-Dressed
Unlike in Singapore, this time all our clients were dressed in Suits and Ties. One of them was with
a face mask, not coughing but seems like it has become a trend in Japan to be
on face masks. We had seen many on the streets!.
a face mask, not coughing but seems like it has become a trend in Japan to be
on face masks. We had seen many on the streets!.
Always
Polite
Polite
Handing of business cards is always 2-handed.
We did likewise. I requested to go toilet and my Japanese
client will walk me all the way there. When the meeting ends, they bowed
and see us
through to the lift.
We did likewise. I requested to go toilet and my Japanese
client will walk me all the way there. When the meeting ends, they bowed
and see us
through to the lift.
Stiff
in meeting, over-conscious in business
in meeting, over-conscious in business
Before the
meeting, our client did prepare a list of questions for us in advance. During
meeting, we responded them all.
meeting, our client did prepare a list of questions for us in advance. During
meeting, we responded them all.
We then asked many questions, but
answers from the Japanese were very general. No extra information, and most
answers were always pending top management decision. No one is sticking out the neck to commit anything.
answers from the Japanese were very general. No extra information, and most
answers were always pending top management decision. No one is sticking out the neck to commit anything.
When we asked if they have any
questions for us aside from those they prepare? They looked at each other among
themselves and said “No” in a shy manner.
questions for us aside from those they prepare? They looked at each other among
themselves and said “No” in a shy manner.
Quite different from the Japanese in
Singapore office who were so inquisitive. Those in Tokyo are “stiff”. During the meeting, we tried to
joke and make the meeting less tense, but we were not successful.
Singapore office who were so inquisitive. Those in Tokyo are “stiff”. During the meeting, we tried to
joke and make the meeting less tense, but we were not successful.
Rolf’s
Thoughts
Thoughts
Undeniably, Japan is one of the most
organized, systematic and gracious country in the world. The people are also considered to be one of the most diligent and meticulous. It seems like Japanese believe that the
most perfect system, together with total employee conformance and extreme
manners will yield the best results.
organized, systematic and gracious country in the world. The people are also considered to be one of the most diligent and meticulous. It seems like Japanese believe that the
most perfect system, together with total employee conformance and extreme
manners will yield the best results.
Can creativity locked within a system
be REALLY creative?
be REALLY creative?
Work during working hour is
absolutely no-nonsense. Atmosphere in meeting is so formal, always serious. After working hours, leisure mixed with alcohol can be crazy or disastrously messy. I was told by my previous
Japanese colleagues and a friend who worked in Japan before. The two extremes trying to find a
balance seem arduous task.
absolutely no-nonsense. Atmosphere in meeting is so formal, always serious. After working hours, leisure mixed with alcohol can be crazy or disastrously messy. I was told by my previous
Japanese colleagues and a friend who worked in Japan before. The two extremes trying to find a
balance seem arduous task.
Kudos for being the most courteous
country I ever visited. But…personal touch in Japan for foreigners?
country I ever visited. But…personal touch in Japan for foreigners?
Ginza shopping street
Two curious tourists looking at Beggar in Japan?
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Very nice picture you have there. The food looks really tasty man. Happy CNY!
Hi Secretinvestors,
Indeed food is tasty. I wish I could stay longer, but I do miss home then. It has been a busy last two months.
Anyway wish you a very Happy Chinese New Year 2015.
Rolf,
I like Tokyo.
My most expensive taxi ride was also around SGD $300 in Milan. After that experience, I never complain Singapore taxis expensive!
Japan is a very interesting place. There are many cultural aspects I admire in them; but I also know it would be difficult for me to fit in there…
It's what I call "ritualised" politeness. Conformity is not exactly my strongest suit… LOL!
Although this top down seniority crap (like in Korea) has its roots in Confucius, I prefer our meritocratic system – I can empathise and understand the angst many 50 plus Singaporeans feel at the "threat" of being replaced by a younger, more energetic Singaporean…
In Japan, the seniors are "screwing" with their young by offering them temp contracts or part-time work to keep costs down. That's why if they want full time employment with benefits, must LISTEN to their senpai!!!
Creative flexibility is not exactly rewarded 😉
Hi SMOL,
I like Tokyo as well, but I will definitely prefer to have holiday there rather than work.
Taxi S$300, that is cheap for you! Haha. 😛
What a phrase “ritualised” politeness! Neither do I like conformity. Same species!
Yeah….indeed it is top down crap, which is not my cup of tea. I remember my Japanese colleague told me that even if you know your superior is wrong, Example drive the car in the wrong route, you also cannot tell him he drove the wrong way! It is consider insubordinate!
Oh…the temp contract thingy, something new for me…definitely not the most efficient or ethical way to treat the younger generation. Actually in Norway, it is opposite. The older generation is most willing to hand over the baton to the younger generation, while they take steps backwards.
By the way, you used the phrase “seniors is screwing their young”, sounds like xxx rated! LOL.
Creativity in Japan can only be rewarded if it is still conformity. Hmm….then it is creative destruction!
"有禮 沒體"
But i like their cleanliness. i think ICHIBAN. Most countries of Europe can't compare.
i like their music & songs too. Many of their famous songs are translated in Mandarin by the Taiwanese.
And:-
i remembered one afternoon incident in Tokyo, i was desperately looking for a toilet to piss and i happened to pass by a police post that had a toilet. Needless to say the police just refused me using the toilet with a stern looking face. It was not funny to ask him , i supposed so.
So especially during the night after heavy KARA O. K. drinking session with Japanese technical associates, once out of the pub, we pissed in the backlane lol.
i wonder is there any difference now?
Hi temperament,
Yes, the songs & music are nice. I remember one of my favorite Songs Emil Chua song "让我欢喜让我忧" is also Japanese songs and the famous "say yes" song.
Tokyo is amazingly clean and also funny thing is I can hardly find rubbish bins on the street. Wonder if they bring their own bins bags and put in their pocket.
Europe touristic areas are dirty. In Amsterdam, I remember people just drink, drugs and pee… same in Frankfurt which I witness peeing on the shopping streets.
No time for Karaoke so never pee on back lane. haha. must be lots of fun. 🙂
I definitely have no guts to go to the police station and ask for toilet. You guys are just gutsy! Must be so fun when you look back!