dhp@ihnp1.UUCP (06/29/83)
I want to make a trip to Japan some time next year, and I need some recommendations. Being a consultant, I hope to be able to claim that by visiting Japan and checking out the competition as it were, the trip qualifies as some form of educational or professional improvement expense and that I can write off a portion of the trip on my taxes. (Any comments on that?) Hopefully, I will be there around two weeks or so. Anyway, I need to know about plant tours, etc. Where are the Japanese hardware and software companies located? Do they offer tours? (Do they shoot industrial spies or congratulate them? :-) And, of course, it would be nice to know about any cultural points of interest located nearby such installations (for after-hours). thanks, Douglas H. Price Analysts International Corp. at Bell Laboratories, Indian Hill IL (312) 979-6431 ..!ihnp4!ihnp1!dhp -- Douglas H. Price Analysts International Corp. at BTL IH Naperville, IL ../ihnp4/ihnp1/dhp 312-979-6431
dhp@ihnp1.UUCP (06/29/83)
I want to make a trip to Japan some time next year, and I need some recommendations. Being a consultant, I hope to be able to claim that by visiting Japan and checking out the competition as it were, the trip qualifies as some form of educational or professional improvement expense and that I can write off a portion of the trip on my taxes. (Any comments on that?) Hopefully, I will be there around two weeks or so. Anyway, I need to know about plant tours, etc. Where are the Japanese hardware and software companies located? Do they offer tours? (Do they shoot industrial spies or congratulate them? :-) And, of course, it would be nice to know about any cultural points of interest located nearby such installations (for after-hours). thanks, -- Douglas H. Price Analysts International Corp. at BTL IH Naperville, IL ..!ihnp4!ihnp1!dhp (312) 979-6431
rbose@hou2g.UUCP (R.BOSE) (02/03/84)
For anyone planning a trip to Japan this summer, and who likes the outdoors, try a hike to the top of Mt. Fuji (or Fuji-san). I went on the hike this past summer, and it was a memorable experience. The Fuji climbing season extends for about 6 weeks, from early July to mid-August. We took a bus to about the mid-point (6500 ft) and started on the ascent at about 10 pm (with flashlights). There is a fairly well defined walking path for the trip. We got to the summit (12385 ft) at about 4:15 am, just in time to see a gorgeous sunrise. After all Japan is "The Land of the Rising Sun", and I saw the real thing ! The descent was a lot harder for me than the ascent. The downward path is along switchbacks covered with loose gravel. A lot of people (including me) seem to hurt their knees on the way down, so be careful. Shortly after we got to the bus station at 6500 ft (Stage 5) we were hit by a small earthquake (5.8 Richter). That really "shook" me up. For all the effort and pain, it was well worth it. Some important points to remember:- 1. At the bus stop (stage 5) buy a stick (that may be your only souvenir of the ascent). At each intermediate stage in the ascent, you can get the stick branded with the seal of that stage. This verifies that you actually got that far. The summit is stage 10. You may also need the stick (as I did) as a crutch on the way down ! 2. Take a heavy sweater. It can get very cold at 12000 ft. Also carry some rain gear. 3. Wear good hiking boots. I did it on a pair of Nike sneakers that certainly aggravated my knee problems. 4. Carrry drinking water. Canned drinks are available at the rest stations at each stage, but they roughly increase in price price by 50% for every 1000 ft of altitude. 5. If you can get to stage 8 you will easily make it to the summit. Stage 7 to 8 is a real bear, some parts actually involved climbing over rocks on hands and knees. Good luck ! Ron Bose (AT&T-BL Holmdel) hou2g!rbose (201) 949-1453
tim@minn-ua.UUCP (Tim Giebelhaus) (02/05/84)
If you were climbing over rocks, you were off the path. I was rather
surprised that the path was so good. They have little stairs cut out in
the rocks... or maybe all the foot steps made the stairs. I climbed at night
too, but I didn't have a flash light. It was pretty well lit.
For me the hardest part was the last part. It was like climbing a long set
of stairs... and I was sleepy besides. Thousands of people walk to the top
every year. Everyone from little kids to old grandmothers. The little kids
will make it there first.
It is true about the price of water as you go up. Everything station past
5 is carried on the backs of Japanese porters. Just carring my camera to the
top was hard enough for me. I would rather buy my drinks. The stick is a great
help, especially going down.
Going down is the most fun part. You have to be ready, though. You want to
get some duct tape and tape the bottom of your pants to your boots. This will
keep all the little pebbles and most of the dust from getting in your boots.
The hill most people go down on is made of volcanic ash and light rocks. Every
step you take, you go about 10 feet. You use that stick you bought alot like
a ski pole. I'd like to climb it again just to go down.
Earth quakes in Japan are less of a deal than in California. The Japanese
build their buildings to withstand them. They are prepared for a big one.
If anyone would like more info on Japan, I spent three years there and would
be happy to give lots of pointers on how to have a good time in such a different
land.
{umn-cs tektronix}!minn-ua!timbrener@milrat.DEC (10/25/84)
Does anybody know of any extremely cheap long term accommodations available in Tokyo. All leads would be very helpful. Please reply A.S.A.P. Thanks s Also, Does anyone know how to go about finding jobs on boats crossing the Pacific? Thanks again, steve