Posted on August 30, 2010

Shibuya Crossing (pictured above) is a famous intersection in Tokyo. Photo Credit: hitthatswitch from Flickr.

This is a reminder to all students interested in gaining international experience in Japan that during the Spring 2011 semester, we will be offering a new course titled, "International Field Experience in Supply Chain Management" (OSM 438/538). This course is specially arranged for students to study advanced manufacturing systems and logistics in countries such as Japan, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. In addition, students will take a trip to Japan for one week this spring as part of the course.

For more information on the course itself, please be sure to check out our initial posting about the course, which highlights its objectives, structure, and scholarship opportunities.

Besides earning credit for the course and acquiring international field experience in supply chain management, this is also a wonderful opportunity for students to be exposed to the unique culture of Japan. In an article published by Maryanne Buechner of Time Magazine in 2009, Tokyo, Japan is described as "a marvelous mix of modern living and old-fashioned manners, slick high-tech gadgets, and cutesy cartoon mascots." Buechner highlighted an example of how to go about exposing oneself to Tokyo's culture in just one day with a listing of ten things to do in a span of 24 hours.

Included in the list of ten places or events to see are (along with some photos):

Tsukiji Fish Market (top left) Yoyogi Park Meiji Shrine (top center) Karaoke Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (top right)	Views of the City (bottom left) Shibuya Crossing Sumo Wrestling (bottom center) Dinner and Drinks in Ebisu Daimaru's Kimono and Yukata (bottom right)

Whether you are listening to the clanging bell signals of the fish auctions at the market in the morning, visiting the stunning gardens at Shinjuku Garden during cherry blossom season in the afternoon, hiking to the top of a skyscraper to soak in the entire city, or just relaxing as you watch two sumo wrestlers duke it out to close out the evening, a trip to Japan is one that you will not soon forget.

Buechner goes into more detail on each of the places or events above in her article, but this is far from an all-inclusive list of how you can spend a day in Japan. There are hundreds of other enriching places or events to see during a typical day in Japan, so why not make plans for a trip over spring break and register for OSM 438/538? Registration for spring classes will be available in a couple of weeks. Remember: you are not required to be an OSM Major to enrole. If you have any more questions about the course, please feel free to contact the OSM Department.

The following are photo credits from Flickr: Jad_23 (Tsukiji), Darren Krape (Meiji), St Stev (Shinjuku), Andy McDowall (City View), california cowgirl1 (Sumo), and colb (Daimuru).