Day 348: There's an election in the air

Day 348: ...and I have work to do...

Sunday. Time to leave the conference hotel and head back home, there's an election to observe after all. But before that...

A beaut bluesky scene greeted us this morning, the building across the road from the hotel. 

Morning sun

A little spot of reflection but the overall picture was quite stunning I thought. 

On the way home, I passed the board that is always put out at election time at election time for all the candidates' posters. There are a number of these dotted around the electorate. It keeps all the posters under control I suppose. 

All the candidates

With polls closing at 8.00pm, we had a while to wait for the counting to start. So we had to eat, of course...kiritanpo...

Election dinner

And then the counting began. 

NHK's broadcast

Of course, it was a big win for the government but it didn't stop me from watching. 

Tomorrow we head to Wakayama.

[Camera : iPhone 6, 10.29am, 12.22pm, 7.30pm, 10.12pm]

Day 347: A symposium

Day 347: ...and the eve of the election*

Today was the second day of the Musashino University 90th Anniversary celebrations I'm attending. Today starts a little later which means a little bit more time to work in my room. While I was working I was interested, in a photographic way, in the changes in light of the view from the window. Yesterday, we saw the night view, today, the change over a couple of hours. 

The sun rises

...and shines all day

There's just something about the light when you look with photographic eyes. 

Later, it was down to the lobby to wait for the others and moving to the next stage of the event: the student presentations (different from yesterday's contest), a keynote speech about the future of Japanese speakers, and a symposium on why we should continue to encourage the study of Japanese. I didn't have to do much today but can I say that Helen, our representative from the University of the Sunshine Coast, did us all very proud and impressed the audience. 

Japan doesn't celebrate Christmas as such, but they do enjoy any reason to deck the halls as it were...the Christmas tree in the lobby of the hotel is quite impressive.

Oh Christmas tree...

Attention turns to the Japanese election tomorrow, no rest. 

*I'm a psephologist...I'm going to mention elections at any opportunity of course!

[Camera : iPhone 6, 6.53am, 10.33am, 11.29am]

Day 346: A long day...

Day 346: ...turns into night...

The formalities commenced today. Introductions, meetings, symposium and then judging the efforts of the international students as they 'battled' it out in a Japanese speech contest. 

Prior to that, we got to hear Japanese students present in Chinese and even though I understand very little Chinese, it was fascinating to get a sense of their passion and understanding. All very interesting. 

Vase of flowers

It was an early start and we went right through until 9.00pm with a dinner for the judges and professoriate of the university. We dined at a French-influenced nouvelle cuisine restaurant across the way from the university, one of those places where there is more white plate than food. Still, it allowed for some interesting conversation, including comparing the Abe and Abbott governments, talking about Hannah Arendt and...well, lots...

I don't spend a lot of time in hotels in Japan so the night view from this one was quite a picture...(I didn't notice the reflection of the TV in the window until afterwards...)

Night view, somewhere in Tokyo

It seems there will be more of these events down the track. 

[Camera : iPhone 6, 4.11pm, 9.36pm]

Day 345: Christmas lights...

Day 345: ...in Ariake

Ariake. It is an interesting part of Tokyo. Newish. Built largely on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay. It is also the main site for much of the activity surrounding the Tokyo Olympics, due in 2020. I'm here for a few days to participate in the anniversary celebrations of Musashino University. This includes judging a speech contest and participating in a symposium. It is all rather interesting. 

I had to start with  coffee...

Coffee essentials

Then I took a stroll around the area this evening, there are lots of lights. 

I expect to see quite a bit of this place over the next few days. I'm looking forward to it, I must say. 

Reflections over the 'Big Bridge of Dreams'

The Ariake Ferris wheel lights up

...with a spectacular Christmas show

...in all sorts of ways

And sometimes the light show can be elsewhere...

More pics to come, I'm sure.

[Camera : iPhone 6, 4.07pm, 5.42-6.11pm] 

Day 344: When in Tsukiji...

Day 344: ...do as the Tsukijians of course

Today, with the luggage problems sorted, it was time to go to the hospital to bring my friend home. She happens to be getting treatment at the National Cancer Research Center which just happens to be next to do Tsukiji, the famous Tokyo fish markets. And notwithstanding her illness, she always insists we stop at her preferred sushi restaurant for 'proper' sushi. And it is noticeably different, fresh. Very fresh.

This is why I prefer not to eat at the 'sushi train' places at home. That's not sushi...

When in Tsukiji...

THIS is 'how to sushi'.

As they say. Of course, I am from time to time required to sample taste 'sensations' dear reader, so you don't have to...today's example was a rosehip beer cocktail. Really. 

[ ... ]

The less said the better. 

[Camera : iPhone 6, 11.49am, 6.32pm] 

Day 343: Tokyo...where the streets are lined

Day 343: ...with colour

And so here we were, back in my 'second' home, back with my friends the Hashimotos and without my luggage...we went to eat at the same place we ate just over a month ago before I left to return to Brisbane, (confused yet?).

Just before we left to go to dinner I received a phone call to say my bag would be delivered tonight, between 8.00 and 10.00pm and if no-one was there we'd have to make different arrangements...lucky we could change our plans!

It's nice to be back in what I consider my other hometown and so I walked home by myself while my friend rode home on the bike to ensure someone was there at 8.00pm. I was back just little after that, just time to note the 'Xmas' lights that are around at the moment. 

This garden seemed to be pointing the way home...

Tokumaru 'light up'

There's lots more to come. 

*The bag was delivered at 9.00pm

[Camera : iPhone 6, 7.46pm]

Day 342: A stormy take-off...

Day 342: ...and what lies ahead?

So I got myself out to the airport amidst a typical Brisbane summer downpour. Needless to say, with views like this...

Storm : Clouds 1

Storm : Clouds 2

...all the planes were running late, including mine to Sydney with its connecting flight to Tokyo. Question was, would I make it? 

Well, I made it, just in time. There was a very large crown of school students heading back to Japan too. This has happened five flights in a row now...patience grasshopper. 

Perhaps Qantas read my mind, I received an upgrade to premium economy. That was nice. Got to Tokyo though to find my bag didn't make it and I had to wait until later that night for it to be delivered. 

Not too bad really. Everything in order. First time in thirty years or so of flying between the two countries. What then, lies ahead..?

[Camera : iPhone 6, 4.58pm]