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Tokyo Diary # 7
From: Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>
Date: Sat, 3 Jun 1995 15:55:18 +0900
It has been a quiet week in Tokyo. However the next three weeks are rather full of meetings and talks. Took a while for everyone to find me here :-). The newscasts (at least NHK 7 p.m. program which provides English on the Broadcast Satellite edition is still full of the cult news, some news re the tariff battle with the US (but rather small amounts) and lots on Japanese politics in particular the VJ Day resolution issue. We are becoming vets re dealing with Tokyo (well at least surviving in). I find myself saying that 800 Yen for a Soba lunch is a bargain and 180 Yenfor a cup of coffee a steal. Some random prices in supermarkets are: 1 quart nonfat milk 180, small loaf of white bread 350, 1 1/2 liter Diet Coke 320, 450 grams chicken breast (sale) 250, 700 for a box of shredded wheat etc. Several nights ago Hiro HASHIZUME and his wife held a Soba party at our place where they made fresh Soba. It was great. There is a feeling of prosperity that belies the statements of the government. stores are crowded and people seem to be buying -- especially the young. Note again that the strong yen seems not to have caused prices to drop on imported goods. In Mitsukochi Department store you see one end of Japanese retailing. There are many clerks -- most young women. Everything you buy is carefully wrapped and then bagged. The other end is the numerous small stores that carry one class of items -- for example small fruit stands etc. Japan is a nation of very small stores and large chains. Within Tokyo central there are few large supermarkets and discount stores (parking is limited) and you buy from the small stores (it is fun). I have my first haircut. It was an experience. Hot towels, shampoo, back pounding and a very good haircut. Price 3800 yen and there are no cheaper shops I can find. Eating again -- we have fallen into the big lunch out , small dinner at home habit when we are not meeting people. Dinner out is a business habit and stores have endless takeout prepared foods of all varieties. Moma-sen seems to buy dinner at the Department store food court and serve it at home. By the way one of the fun things is to wander through the food courts of the large stores. Besides endless variety there are samples and samples. Fun. We had a chance to go to a fun Koto performance in one of the very fine parks one can find in Tokyo (not too many but very nice). Held in a Tea House by one of the many organizations trying to help foreigners. We also went to Ueno park to the Tokyo Museum for the final day of the exhibit of foreign Japanese art that had been sent to Japan for repair. Beautiful. The Museum shop was very good. Ueno Park is the home of homeless people who sleep on benches. They are mostly sad old men, quiet in their poverty and never bothering anyone (that I saw) and most definitely not begging. Tomorrow we go to a concert by the Yale Whiffenpoofs at the American Club. 23 days left and I suspect we will miss doing many things. Rainy season starts very soon and outdoor activities will give way to indoor ones. Dave and GG
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- Tokyo Diary # 7 Dave Farber (Jun 02)