I spent the autumn of 2006 in Tokyo, as a visiting scholar at professor Nakajima’s lab at Tokyo Institute of Technology. It was made possible by the Sweden Japan Foundation, who awarded me a scholarship that covered the extra cost for the visiting period.
It was a fantastic to get the chance to switch environments like this – to be able to stay long enough to get the feel of how it is to have an every day life in Japan. I have summarized what it was like working in the lab and living in Tokyo in this document. I also give a few practical tips that I think can be of use for others who will get the chance to go away as a visiting scholar to Japan.
Overview of the summary:
At campus
In the lab
Being in Tokyo
Getting to know Japanese culture
How to behave
Memorable events
Tokyo Game Show
The lab’s off-site to the Kinugawa hot spring
A visit to Namco Bandai
Practical tips
Cash
Cell phone
How to get around
Applying for scholarships – practical tips.
