Japan: Oct, 1980…We Flew to Tokyo to present a paper at the Congress of the International Astronautical Federation. The conference was held in the Prince Takayama Hotel and attended by engineers and scientists from all major nations.
Following the week of the conference, we were provided an itinerary for a self-guided trip through the “Southern Alps”, a mountainous region south of Tokyo; the location of many traditional villages. Our itinerary was prepared for us by the Japanese Travel Bureau and written in English and Japanese languages (and characters); in addition, we carried a two-way dictionary. In terms of “traditional Japan”, our most delightful visits were Magome, Takayama, and Kanazawa. We also enjoyed our ryokan in Kyoto and a visit to “pearl-diving” Toba.
It was a great trip! We saw the “real” Japan…the traditional villages and the customs of the people. We came away greatly admiring of the Japanese. Even today, more than two decades later, we continue to feel a warmth and regard for the people of that island nation.