Japan - Day 12

Today we visited the holy grail of manufacturing (according to all of the classes that I’ve taken in school) Toyota.  Similar to the first auto tour of this trip (but not to the same extent) the tour was a bit short and we did not have a chance to ask many questions.  We got the typical window tour (it was actually a catwalk above the floor) tour with a PR person (which does not allow for operations questions).  Despite this, the tour was nice and it was impressive to see the floor.  People all over the factory were certainly moving at full speed.

The better part of the day came at lunch (which was like all of the other company meals in Asia, very classy).  During lunch we got a Q&A with a Sloan alum and he was quite candid with us.  It was refreshing to hear someone discuss the mistakes that Toyota has made and where he thinks the company is going.  We could not take any photos on the tour (standard for most companies), but we got to hang out in their showroom area and take pictures to our heart’s desires.

• Top left: A classy meal filled with things that I don’t eat.
• Bottom mid-left: This chair was weird and I don’t get it.
• Bottom right: They had a trumpet playing robot…I don’t know why.

After that we took the bullet train to Tokyo.  The departure and arrival were…interesting…because we purchased a group ticket, so all 50 of us had to go through the entry and exit gate at the same time…which meant we had to stick together as we went through one of the biggest stations in Tokyo.  Like I said…interesting.  After that, things went well.

We got to our hotel easily enough and then headed out to dinner…which was also…interesting…because everyone decided that they could not read a single guidebook or ask the hotel reception desk but instead they had to get a recommendation from one of the two students who had been to Tokyo before.  So we once again had to try to organize and unofficial event with 35 people, which never works and always takes forever (took us an hour to get out of the lobby).

• Top left and middle: Tokyo had amazing markers for blind people.  You could get around every subway and many public places by following the textured tile path.  The paths even walked up to the blind assistance ticket machine.  Best system for the blind that I’ve seen.

After dinner we went out to see the city.  We went to the busy area of Tokyo, Shibuya.  If you’ve ever seen a movie clip of Tokyo and they show “that” intersection (like Times Square in New York) where people cross in any direction at a crosswalk (so people are crossing cattycorner) then you know Shibuya.  It was raining that night and only a Thursday so it was not as busy as it can be, but it was fun either way.  After a walk around the area, we caught the last subway train back to the hotel.

• Top left: More than 180 degree view of Shibuya.
• Bottom left: Even the Don (our program director) came out with us (only for one drink, but he’s a good sport).
• Bottom right: I never got the story of why this dog is well know, but everyone else was getting a picture so we joined in.

I noted as we walked around (and everyone agreed) that I have never felt as safe in New York, even the nicest areas, as I did in Tokyo, even the sketchier areas.  Tokyo just felt safe.  It was bright and people did not hassle you…everyone was just so darn polite.