Additional comments from the present (Sep. 3, 2019): This will cover two days, as the entries were fairly short.
Aug. 3, 2018
I’m back, and I’ll have to cover the end of day one while I do days 2 and 3. It actually won’t be a long one, because a lot happened I can’t really speak about in detail (and I’m exhausted). So, here we go…
When last I wrote I was going off to find dinner. I ended up at an okonomiyaki restaurant at the train station across from the hotel. It was awesome.
Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake with a bunch of stuff made on a grill. Mine had pork, shrimp, cabbage, noodle… seriously awesome. So awesome. I nearly licked the plate clean.
My day ended up with nearly 8 miles walked. In the heat, and humidity. Pocari Sweat is my new best friend.
The next day (yesterday) it was work time. I included a picture that proves I a) dress up, and b) clean up well from time to time.
The bus to MC HQ left at 7:20 so it was an early start. The day was literally jam packed with presentations, meetings, discussions. We got to see upcoming product. It was an amazingly cool experience that I’m grateful to have been a part of.
After that I attended a dinner with some dealers that are also on this trip. We ended up at a place called Teppanryori Mimitei. The food was, as it all has been so far, amazing. The company was pretty damn good as well.
This morning was another early one. It was also another day jam packed. I actually presented to the group as a representative of MNAO during the workshop. Cool to have that opportunity, but it’s been a while speaking in front of a group. I think I did awful. Our CMO says it was great. I’ll take his word on this one.
We got back to the hotel fairly late, and I decided I was starving. So… I wandered to a bar/cafe thing I’d heard about, but it wasn’t my thing. I’m honestly glad I didn’t stay, or I would have missed out on the best ramen of my life.
Wow. I don’t even know how to explain how good it was. Just get on a plane and come here. Now. You won’t regret it.
Tomorrow is a crazy early day. Bus arrives at 6:20 to take us to drive some next generation product. I should probably get to sleep.
Night, everyone.
Side note: I discovered the hotel will help me ship some stuff home, so I’m going to ship all of my business clothes back. Better than lugging them around Japan.
Second side note: the MC restaurant bento boxes are, quite frankly, amazing.
Aug. 4, 2018
The first two pictures sum up my Saturday in a way.
It was a silly early morning. On the bus by 6:20 for a half past departure. No breakfast, minimal coffee. It was rough.
The destination for the day was the Miyoshi proving grounds so we could drive some cars. Incredibly exciting to drive future products, which not everyone gets to do.
Before we arrived we were given stickers for our cameras. No pictures! Obviously the experience was a special one.
I can’t comment on what went on, but I can say my confidence in Mazda is higher than ever.
After we finally got back to the hotel around 15:30 I was wiped. Went to the grocery store for some beers. Did some writing. Lounged.
Eventually met up with another gent and we went for food. Molly Malone’s is a local ex-pat bar, and upon arrival we ran into the “Kiwi Kontingent”. Good blokes. Some shared beers later they bailed for dinner.
Ate at the pub. Decent fish and chips. Good beer. Some frank and open discussion that made the night worth it.
Afterwards we went to Don Quixote. A store I can’t figure out. 5 floors of chaos, selling everything from sunscreen to sex toys to plush toys to groceries. I still can’t wrap my head around it. Seriously chaotic.
Back to the hotel so I can pack my box for shipment, and tomorrow the adventure begins.
Night everyone.
Ryan Cavalier 