tokyo - day one

thursday was our first day in tokyo!  thursday was a long travel day as we went from hakone to tokyo.  we started our time in tokyo with a corporate visit to fast retailing (owner of uniqlo and theory as well as other brands).  we learned about uniqlo's startegy for growth and its founders' philosophy.  uniqlo - standing for unique clothing, is about producing clothing in many colors and sizes but not being trendy like h&m and zara.  they are trying to expand extensively internationally (outside japan) and indicated many times that they are hiring.  however, they want ALL employees to have worked in stores which will be interesting to see how they convince mbas to work on the floor.  they are very conscious of their social impact and want to find ways to improve the world as well.

after uniqlo, we had some down time in the city before dinner and so we walked to the imperial palace which was surrounded by a moat and a guard.  also, there was a cool tree (bonsai looking) garden outside the palace.

after our trip to the palace, we went to our eel dinner.  yes, i said eel and yes, i ate it.  shocker, i know.  we had about 20 courses.  i ate/tried everything.  again, shocker, i know.  i documented every dish to prove it! food in order (down and right to left) 1. mixed fish. 2.box of random seafood products (from top left in box clockwise) mackerel sushi, shellfish dish, deep fried crustacean and fried shrimp with pink crusting, green slimy veggie, jelly cube with veggie in it and a sardine 3. upclose of the deep fried crustacean 4. sashimi (tuna and yellowtail) 5. egg with eel inside 6. eel organs barbecued on a stick 7. stuffed tempura mushroom with a soy sauce 8. plain eel 9. barbecued eel over rice. yay rice!