Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26: On to Tokyo!

We set out for Kyoto Station to take a Shinkansen, otherwise known as a bullet train, to Tokyo Station, a journey of about 2.5 hours. The ride was quite comfortable, reminiscent of flying in an airplane, but with notably spacious seats, ample legroom, and table space.

We set out for Kyoto Station to take a Shinkansen, otherwise known as a bullet train, to Tokyo Station, a journey of about 2.5 hours. The ride was quite comfortable, reminiscent of flying in an airplane, but with notably spacious seats, ample legroom, and table space. Upon arrival, we headed to the hotel area to check in and store our belongings before embarking on a quick tour of the surrounding area.

The next day, we set out to learn more about Japanese history and culture. We visited Akihabara, a famous area known for showcasing Japanese animation, video games, characters, and more. After exploring that area for a bit, we headed to the Imperial Palace to learn about the emperor's importance to Japanese culture and history. 

The palace is located in the center of Tokyo and near Tokyo Station. The current Emperor of Japan resides within the palace, so we were not allowed to enter. Afterward, we visited the Meiji Shrine, which was a serene and beautiful place.

As we journeyed deeper into the forest, our tour guide provided information about the history of the Meiji Emperor, who had a significant impact on modern-day Japan. He played a crucial role in propelling Japan forward to catch up with the rest of the world in the 19th century and introduced Western culture to its people. We continued through the forest, passing a grand-looking gate, until we arrived at the temple and began to explore.

Afterward, we traveled through the forest back to our bus. We departed for Harajuku, known for its high fashion and trendy shops. We explored the area for a little bit before having dinner at a traditional Japanese restaurant. The food was delicious, and the restaurant's atmosphere gave it a real historic feel. Once we finished our meals, we headed back to the hotel to turn in for the night.

We head to Tokyo University tomorrow to tour some labs and try some VR demos!

—Blog post by Bilal