The document provides an overview of the speaker's 2-week trip to 4 cities in Japan - Tokyo, Takayama, Hiroshima, and Kyoto. Some key experiences included visiting Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market and Imperial Palace, experiencing Takayama's festivals, seeing Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, and touring historic temples in Kyoto such as Kinkakuji. The speaker was impressed by Japan's blend of modern technology and ancient traditions, clean cities, and variety of regional foods experienced throughout the trip.

1. 日本の経験 The Japan Experience Japan is a country of contrasts: Modern technology yet ancient traditions, Millions of people yet very little violence, Extremely clean cities yet no trash cans... Presented by Kimiko Kano April 29, 2010

2. Flight Path to Japan (with an unexpected delay…) Narita Anchorage Los Angeles

3. 20 hours later… We’re finally there! Some First Impressions: High-Tech Toilets Unique vending machines

4. Where we went: 2 weeks, 4 cities Honshu, Japan’s largest island Distance from Tokyo to Hiroshima: ~ 420 miles Japan has 6,852 islands, 426 are inhabited The area of Japan is ~144,000 sq mi, slightly smaller than California However, California’s population is ~37 mil, Japan’s is ~128 mil Shinkansen trains run at speeds up to 160 mph

5. First stop, Tokyo “Eastern Capital” Population: over 12 million people

6. Tokyo Sightseeing Tokyo Imperial Palace Home of the Emperor of Japan Sony Building Bike Tour

8. Tokyo Shrines and Temples Sumiyoshi Shrine on Tsukuda-jima Island Zojoji Temple, Hanamatsuri festival Atago Shrine, Steps of Success

9. Tsukiji Fish Market The largest fish and seafood market in the world The auction price world record was a fish that sold for 2 million yen (~$174,000 ). It was a Bluefin tuna weighing 445 lb. The fish shown here is only 1/10th that size.

10. Odaiba: An artificial island with futuristic architecture Fuji TV Headquarters Tokyo Big Sight Tokyo Big Sight Tokyo Big Sight Fuji TV Headquarters Statue of Liberty replica Tokyo Big Sight 377 ft Ferris wheel

11. Tokyo Fashion Schoolkids Business People Harajuku style

12. Takayama – Denver’s sister city

13. Takayama Sightseeing Takayama Jinya Edo Government Building Morning Market Sanmachi-Suji

14. Takayama Festival: One of the best festivals in Japan There is both a spring and fall festival and each has a different set of floats. This festival triples the population of Takayama, normally around 95,000.

15. Hida Folk Village Gassho-zukuri: Hands held in prayer This village of traditional thatched houses demonstrates the lifestyle of rural people in medieval Japan

16. Takayama Ryokan A traditional Japanese inn featuring tatami floors, sliding paper doors, and sleeping on a futon Sitting room turns into bedroom Onsen – hot bath Drinking tea in my yukata Dining area Remove your shoes at the door

17. Delicious kaiseki meals Meals consisting of many small dishes and featuring seasonal and regional specialties

18. Hiroshima: City of Peace

19. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

20. Peace Memorial Park Cenotaph – contains all victims’ names A-bomb dome (Gembaku Domu) Children’s Peace Monument

21. Miyajima Island “ Floating torii gate” – at low tide Itsukushima Shrine Friendly deer

22. Meeting Family Family Gravesite Brad and me with my cousin, also named Kimiko

23. Kyoto – “Capital City” The Capital of Japan from 794-1868

24. Heian Shrine This is was built in 1895 to celebrate the 1100 th anniversary of Kyoto. Their gardens are famous for their display of sakura (cherry blossoms).

25. Sanjusangendo The Temple of 1001 statues of the 1000 armed Kannon Also houses the statues of 28 guardians of Buddhism

26. Kiyomizu-dera Drinking these waters gives you health, wealth, or wisdom This temple is known for the amazing views from its veranda that juts out from the hillside

27. Nijo Castle: Featuring art from the Kano School of Art… relatives perhaps? Built in 1603 as the official residence of first Tokugawa shogun. Has nightingale floors and hidden chambers for bodyguards.

28. Kinkakuji - The Golden Pavilion An illustration of the harmony between Heaven and Earth

29. Nishi Honganji The main temple of Jodo-Shinshu Buddhism

30. Nara: The first permanent capital of Japan from 710 - 785 Like Miyajima, Nara also is the home of many deer, but they are a little more aggressive.

31. Todaiji Temple: The l argest wooden building in the world Pindola Bharadvaja, Buddhist disciple, master of occult powers This Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is the largest bronze Buddha ever cast at 16 m high

32. Kasuga Taisha: Shrine of 3000 Lanterns

33. Japanese Food: Both healthy and delicious Plastic displays Ramen Bento box Yakisoba

34. Figuring out what to order… It was confusing at times, but we managed It helped when there were pictures!

35. Regional Specialties Takoyaki Okonomiyaki Fugu (blowfish) Conger Eel

36. Seafood Conveyor belt sushi We ate a lot of raw fish on this trip

37. Entertainment: Pachinko, Karaoke, Purikura

38. Conclusion: Japan is awesome and I can’t wait to go back! But first I need to learn to speak Japanese… Questions or Comments?