1. it is ALL over japan
2. it is actually a japanese company. it was founded in the us but after financial difficulties, the japan subsidiary bought out the parent company. the japanese chain was run more efficiently.
3. have unique inventory (like bottled franzia (yes, box wine gone fancy), rice balls, coldstone, japanese anime magazines that are explicit, huge cup of noodle and more!)
next up was toyota. we got a tour of their production facility and it was AWESOME. just like we had studied in school. tps - toyota production system. the workers were constantly hustling. the process was down to a science. the conveyor belt with cars was constantly moving so that the workers had to keep moving. mixed production to keep workers engaged. the pull cord so that production stops if there is a problem. just in time production. a scoreboard with actual verse projected production and how many cars they had created. sophisticated technology mixed with human touch. i could go on forever. it was awesome. after the tour, we went to their museum/showroom. love the next lexus rx450h. also, got to see many of their new technologies (example: seated people mover) that are green and other ways they are trying to improve the driving experience and create safer roads. definitely a highlight of the trip! we couldnt take pictures inside the factory, so here are some others. once i get the group shot, i will add it back into this post.
after toyota, we took another bullet train (we are experts now), to hakone. hakone is known for its hot springs. the hot springs were definitely an experience. similar to the baths i had been to in turkey, the water is natural and supposed to give a healing benefit to the user. however, unlike turkey, you have to go in the water completely naked. the hotel gives you robes and sandals to wear down to the hot springs. then once you get to hot spring area you leave your shoes with the attendant. then you go to a changing room and lock up your clothes and take a mini towel (think wash cloth size) to "cover" yourself as you rush to the shower area where you shower before you get into the hot springs - which are shallow. so i waddled over under water to the dark area. also, you cant let the mini towel touch the water so you have to wear it on your head. the water was VERY hot, but interesting none the less. definitely an experience and obviously! no pictures for that section of the trip.
after the hot spring, it was time for the enkai party. think of 150 people dressed in the same outfit (robe thing) eating dinner while sitting on the floor, drinking sapporo and sake and then being entertained by performances. simply amazing. after dinner, we had a karaoke session. enjoy the pictures and the video of one of the performances put on by our classmates!
video (trying to get the second one to work too):
and some from karaoke:
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