Another summer, another Japan tour! Though it's actually being changed up a bit this time. Instead of doing a game studio tour with another professor, I'm running a media and culture tour on my own. The reason being that my usual partner is working to prep some things for next year's game studio tour, during which we're hoping to visit a different part of Japan. Anyway, the current idea is to alternate the tour tours from year to year. There's a few reasons for that, but you don't need all the details. The majority of this tour is the same as previous years, but instead of game studio visits, there's a few new things. As usual, I'll be glossing over the sights and locations that I've written a lot about in the past.

I was back on ANA this time, and had a pretty smooth flight. No real complications with immigration or anything either. After checking into the regular Tokyo hotel we use for the tours, I hopped over to Akihabara to check a couple things and get dinner at (where else) the Yodobashi Camera Food Court. I didn't want to stay up too late, but I still had enough energy to walk back along the Sumida River.

Random Japan Comment: Flying With Portable Chargers
There's a new regulation regarding flights inside and into Japan. Specially, any portable chargers / battery packs need to be kept under your seat (not in a checked bag or the overhead compartment) and you're not allowed to use them on the flight. The reason being that there were a couple cases recently of portable chargers starting fires on planes. Overkill? Maybe. Though when it comes to flying, it's always best to be safe. That said, it's not like portable chargers regularly start fires either. Anyway, so long as you're aware of the rule, it's not really a big deal, especially if you have a working power socket in your seat on the plane to charge devices (I, unfortunately, did not).

After lunch it was time for work. I had to meet with a representative from the travel company to pick up tickets and such for the tour then head to the airport to help meet and escort students to the hotel. Fortunately, everyone got in ok without any real issues and, after a nice welcome dinner (hot pot, like last year), I headed back to get some rest and prepare for our first full day of activities.

Random Japan Comment: Japan and Foreigners
If you follow Japan news, there's been a lot lately about a rise in anti immigration attitudes among the Japanese. It's a long, complicated subject that I don't have the time to fully address, but to briefly summarize, Japan's new and very popular prime minister has been pushing to put more restrictions on immigration into Japan. Primarily illegal immigration, though she's added some new rules and such for legal immigrants as well. These moves are widely supported by the Japanese public, especially given that certain immigrant groups have been causing a lot of trouble lately (starting prior to the new laws, not because of them). And there was already a bit of backlash against foreign tourists going back a year or two.
So in light of that, what's it like as a foreign tourist in Japan today? It's fine. Honestly, I have not noticed any difference in how I or my students are treated, looked at, or the like. So what about the news stories? Well, first off, the internet has a tendency to exaggerate things. Secondly though, and most importantly, not only am I and my students not part of the specific groups that have been causing trouble, but we know how to behave. Japan's main issue with foreign tourists and immigrants is when they (often deliberately) cause trouble and disruption in daily life. This includes things like demonstrations, law breaking, disregard for Japanese culture, extreme behavior, and the like. So long as foreigners behave politely, don't cause problems, and are willing to work with (rather than against) Japanese culture and traditions (remember, you're in Japan, not your home country) Japanese people are generally just fine with them.

After both groups had finished their 84hashi visits and been dismissed for the day, I decided to hang out in Shibuya a bit longer and visit the Nintendo Store and Pokemon Center in Parco. There was also the Capcom Store (which I saw last time I was there) and a Sega Store (which I didn't). There was even a Jojo shop and cafe, though I don't know if that's permanent or just a pop-up.

Finally, I went to try a nearby shabu (hot pot) restaurant that I'd heard about online. Kumachan Onsen is, as the name suggests, themed around a bear hot spring. But it's not just the décor, check out the hot pot itself. The bear is made of collagen and melts as the soup heats up, eventually disappearing into the broth. They even have dessert versions, with bears made out of read bean paste or chocolate. It's extremely cute, and it's pretty good hot pot as well. That said, you do pay a bit of a premium for the experience.

By the time I finished eating, it was getting late so I decided to call it a day.