Tokyo, Here We Come!

Our day began at precisely 7:06, when the express train to Tokyo arrived at the Mito Station. At precisely 7:07, we were on our way. Apparently, that time never changes, ever. Our main lesson today was that the Japanese like to be on time.  Their efficiency, of course, meant we had a smooth day moving from place to place, something we did all day long on train, monorail, subway, and escalator. We just had to make sure we kept to the schedule.

Hiroko Ozaki, a former Bright School parent, and her daughter Erika (Bright School 2004), met us at the Ueno Station in Tokyo, ready to lead us on our tour. We first took a subway to Nakamise, a lane of shops leading up to the famous Sensouji Temple. Incense and smoke hung heavy in the air as we climbed the steps up to the shrine. Tourists, of course, were everywhere, but it was also interesting to see many others approaching the shrine's center in reverence and in prayer.

Our next journey, on yet another subway route, led us to the fascinating Skytree observation tower. One of the tallest, if not the tallest towers in the world, Skytree looms predominately on the Tokyo skyline. Today, however, the clouds made seeing far an impossibility. After a group photo, we took the elevator up about 400 meters to an observation area (still only halfway to the top). We could see enough to give us a sense of the grand scale of the city, and the clear glass floors at one point added quite a thrill to the awesomeness of the place. The gift shop also became quite the attraction, as I have discovered it does everywhere we go. From what they tell me, the kids have bought presents for every member of their families going back 5 generations!  Prepare yourselves for some refrigerator magnets.

After a great lunch of tempura and beef, we headed by subway, yet again, to the monorail that took us to Japan Miraikan, a fantastic science museum. Its first attraction was a demonstration by the robot, Asimo. Developed by Honda, Asimo showed us how he/she could run, hop, dance, turn around, and move side to side. We all agreed Asimo was quite scary because he/she seemed so human, so much so that you found yourself wanting to talk to him/her. In any case, the museum was full of wonderful futuristic devices and demonstrations that occupied much of our time. Some of us even were able to ride the Segway-type vehicles that you sit upon. My first thought, of course, was how fun it would be to make my way through the halls of Bright School on one of those things.

After an uneventful return by train to Mito, our students were greeted at the station by their host families, waiting to take them for the weekend. I know each family had big plans to show our children a good time. They've just been fabulous in supporting our students and helping them cope with the many cultural adjustments. There is no getting around the fact that living in another country is difficult, even if for just a few days. Again, I can't say often enough how proud I am of our Bright School students.

In the pictures you will also see Sakura, Akane, and their mother, Saori, who were also a Bright School family that had returned to Tokyo a few years ago. And the picture of the "Beard Papa," shows where our students enjoyed pastry covered ice cream. Absolutely delicious! They now want to start a franchise in the U. S.