Tokyo. Japan. Currently home to the Volleyball World Cup and Rugby World Cup for the next few weeks. Currently my home for the next 12 months.

The first week involved admin work such as employment contracts, setting up my Japanese bank account and tours round Makino HQ (where our team will be working).

Here are my initial thoughts and observations:
1. Tokyo is a beautifully clean city. Streets, roads and public transport are all kept very clean. It is seen as rude to walk when eating or on public transport, therefore you don’t require bins everywhere.
2. Everyone is extremely polite and friendly.
3. The Japanese language is not the easiest to speak and even harder to read.
4. Exercise is popular with the Japanese. My 5:30am run the other day was joined by so many other morning joggers.
5. No matter where you go in life, you can always find an Irish Pub. Ours is a 15 minute walk away and we quickly made friends with the owner so every pint comes with a free shot of whisky.

This first month I’ll just be getting accustomed to work and living here but I thought I’d just give a quick update to say how the first week has been.

KP