The Shinkansen

I love trains and a ride on the famous Japanese "bullet train (The Shinkansen) is a special treat no matter how many times I have taken the train. On this trip to Kyoto we were about a N700 series and the fastest of the scheduled trains between Tokyo and Kyoto -- the Nazomi -- zipping along the countryside at speeds up to about 300KM per hour.

You will note the crew arrives like an airliner and each car is inspected and cleaned in Tokyo by an assigned staff member prior to the departure from Tokyo.

The Joy of Kyoto - March 8-9, 2010

A visit to Kyoto is always an inspirational experience, rich in the history and culture of Japan. On this trip, taken to visit Keiko's aunt whose husband had passed on, we did not have a great deal of time for touring. Our choice was a visit to the Imperial Palace, built when Kyoto served as the capitol of Japan. Despite the rain, the grounds, gardens and buildings offered a wonderful journey into the past. I'll let some of the many architectural study photographs I took speak for themselves.

More Sushi!

For our final night dinner, Keiko's parents invited us to join them at a local sushi restaurant. As you can see from the pictures, the fish is very fresh ... and at this establishment, priced according to the color plate it is served on off a conveyor belt. Great fun .... and great sushi at an unbeatable price. The photo of my niece, Mai, provides amble testimony to the evening's dinning success!

Sushi Anyone?

SUSHI

While in Kyoto on Monday March 8, Keiko and I visited her aunt Akemi. She had prepared sushi for us to eat .... and insisted we should be able to consume the offering presented for five people! We did our best and finished the meal for breakfast on Tuesday morning. It was quite a treat.

We are off for our final day in Tokyo (Wednesday, March 10). I will post additional photos from Seoul and commentary on our journey to Kyoto later in the day.

Tokyo Weather Update

Am I in Maine!!!????

We arrived back from Kyoto last night in a snowstorm! Snow, hail, high winds, rain .... unbelievable for Tokyo in March. Since homes are not built for this type of weather, sleeping was like camping out.

Seoul Update

A productive day in Seoul exploring cultural sites and other venues for a possible UMaine Business School MBA student trip. Developed valuable insights and useful information for planning purposes through a detailed reconnaissance mission and in meetings with Korean contacts. We will finish the exercise tomorrow before departing for Japan and our final week of vacation. Looking forward to our return to Kyoto.

Korean Dumplings and Noodles

After a busy day of meetings, Keiko and I took the time this evening to tour one of Seoul's primary shopping districst and scout out another local place to eat.

On tonight's radar was a dumpling restaurant of some fame in the bustling Myengdong district and we were not disappointed. With only four menu items (2 dumpling dishes and 2 noodle items), the service was fast and simple. With local crowds lined up for tables, it was not a place to idle after dinner. The food was most enjoyable and ice water was the only beverage available ... a very welcomed drink if you overindulged in the Korean hot sauces.

Tomorrow will be spent on a further scouting mission for the potential MBA trip (with some private and public sector meetings; hotel visits, and related items) and then off to the Namdaemum Market and Itaewon shopping area - obvious must see sites for the MBA trip.

Tomorrow's dinning adventure is in the process of negotiation. Actually, I would like to head back to the barbeque alley!

Sogang University Visit - Seoul, South Korea

Today was spent with administrators and faculty from Sogang University discussing a potential student exchange relationship with UMaine and Maine Business School. Based on my visit, I am most confident that UMaine students would have a great experience at Sogang.

Dr. Young Song, the school's Vice President for International Affairs, and Jin ok Ahn, responsible for relations with US schools, outlined a very flexible approach that should meet UMaine requirements.

I also meet with the Dean of the Sogang Business School, Dr. Kyung-Kyu Park, and Associate Dean Gwangheon Hong. They are very interested in having the business school lead the way in developing a cooperative relationship at both under-graduate and graduate levels. Sogang Business School recently received AACSB accreditation and offers 33% of its courses in English. Their new US$10 million building was very impressive!

Also on the agenda was a discussion of potential support for a UMaine MBS MBA international trip to Korea. Without question, Sogang resources could provide valuable assistance in the planning and implementation of a trip, ranging from local business contacts, logistical support, student-faculty engagement, and other critical in-country resources. Based on my outline of a possible May 2011 trip, Dr. Song and Ms. Ahn agreed that they could support my work in the development of the trip.

An additional issue raised during the meetings was a possible opportunity for me to offer a course during either a regular or summer semester. I plan to pursue this matter i the coming months.

Korean Bar-B-Q

Keiko strikes again in the food department. Across the street from our hotel is one of the oldest and most famous Korean barbeque establishments in the city. Finding the small back alley entrance was part of the fun. Joining a very local crowd (no tourists in sight), we feasted on great pork dishes and required refreshments. I suspect it may take weeks for the smoke and garlic to vent itself from my system!

Seoul, Korea - March 3

We arrived in Seoul this afternoon and I am looking forward to meeting with representative of Sogang University tomorrow and also devoting time to planning a potential MBS-MBA (and/or under-graduate trip) with appointments on Friday and Saturday before returning to Tokyo.

Seoul is a great city and I have fond memories from my time here in 2002 during the FIFA World Cup. There is no doubt that a business and cultural trip to Korea would be a valuable experience. On my list are company visits would be Hyundai, Samsung, LG, FILA, the SK Group and the Shinhan Bank. Positive feedback on all counts thus far. Of course, coming this far it would seem to make sense to also include a visit to Japan. Perhaps by the time the date rolls around, the US$ will be stronger and allow for the experience to fit into our plans, or the Japan leg could be incremental for those who could afford the experience.

Tokyo Ramen

Keiko found a very special Ramen noodle shop when she worked nearby 15 years ago. It was still there. She said it was special and it was an unbelievable experience (only about 10 counter seats). You will need to pay for the name and directions.

I seriously think my idea of opening such a shop in Orono is critical to help Maine truly realize the vision of the "way life should be!"

Tokyo - Ramen Noodle Time

With the marathon now history, Keiko and I have rested and will be off touring the city and visiting with family and friends. High on the to-do list is eating at some of our favorite places.

Today is dedicated to ramen noodles! As noted in a recent NY Times article:

Still unclear? Well, combine New Yorkers’ love of pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers, throw in some Southern barbecue mania, and you’ve still only begun to approximate Tokyo’s obsession with ramen.

Check out one of the many ramen blogs for my insights (for example, Ramenate!) Happy noodle slurping!!

Tokyo Marathon Update

Lost by some in all the excitement of the marathon experience was Keiko's performance in the 10K race run simultaneously with the marathon. Congratulations Keiko on a personal best time of 59:29! A great run in the difficult weather conditions.

Tokyo Marathon - February 28, 2010

I did it!

The Tokyo Marathon was a fantastic experience. Without question, the most unique and exciting way to tour the fabulous city of Tokyo Japan.

My unofficial time was 5:10:09 under very extreme cold and wet conditions. In fact the hardest part of the race was standing in the rain for one and a-half hours before the race started; the sun appeared about mile 16. Getting 32,500 runners organized and to the start required a massive organization and logistical effort.

My Garmin GPS watch displayed an average pace of 11:50/mile, just 20 seconds off my race plan. My fastest mile was #1 (9:34 - I was so cold I ran very fast to get warm!). The slowest mile was #12 (13:00); the final mile pace was 12:14. I believe better conditions would have yielded better results ... I really wanted to break 5 hours ... but I have no regrets. At mile 21 I decided to alter my race plan (I actually walked very little of the time this race, all in just about 3 miles) and be sure I finished the race in good health with a still respectable time. I had crossed the start line about 18 minutes after the gun and passed the 5:30:00 pace setters at mile 21, so I knew I was within range of my personal goal. I sprinted the last kilometer. Keiko found the Marathon's web site video of my finish and it was fun to watch the morning after.

The event itself, despite the weather, was an unbelievable experience. The number of people and their support was beyond imagination, cheering crowds, bands and other musical performers every step of the way. The marathon volunteers and support staff were fantastic.

Keiko and her family were there at four stops along the way to cheer me on. The most memorable image I have of the race was the long approach to the "Thunder Gate," an iconic Tokyo landmark in the Asakusa district (mile 18), with Japanese drums providing a mystical cadence as we ran. As I turned the corner at the gate there was Keiko and her family with signs, UMaine pom-poms and a hugh American flag to send me on my way to the finish.

A sincere thank you to everyone who wished me well and supported my quest. I carried photos of my family on the journey. The thoughts and confidence of my daughters Jodi, Jessica and Alissa were a very special part of this extraordinary experience.

Tokyo Update - February 24, 2010

Keiko and I had a wonderful trip to Japan. The good feelings about the trip started when we arrived at New York's JFK airport. Delta had changed equipment and our previously selected bulkhead seats disappeared. At the gate I asked the agent if it might be possible to correct the situation. She did get us reassigned and asked why we were traveling to Japan. I mentioned a family visit and running the Tokyo Marathon. When we went to board the aircraft another agent said we had been upgraded to Business First .... with good luck on my run! It was an absolutely fabulous beginning to our journey.

We spent Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday relaxing and visiting with family and friends. A special treat was being with some dear friends, former colleagues from Avaya Japan. The photo shows some members of what we call "The Kamakura Gang", members of my Avaya FIFA World Cup team who introduced me to the pleasures and excitement of Japan. They have remained good friends and we never visit Japan without seeing them. Thank you Kase, Chiho and Miki.