Photos JAPAN Vacation of E. Doc RIojas and Lourdes Tolentino, March 20th 2003

About Japan There are 47 prefectures and over 3.3 00 municipal governments in Japan. Their responsibilities include providing education, welfare and other services, and infrastructure, including utilities. Their administrative activities bring them into close contact with the local people. Within Japan, climate and natural features differ widely from region to region. And regions differ in their history and culture, too. Tokyo, the nation’s capital, is the political and economic center of Japan. It is also the most populous part of the country. Nearly one quarter of the Japanese--around 30 million people--live within 50 kilometers of Tokyo. The heavy concentration of people in urban areas has produced many problems, such as cramped living space and congested roads and trains. Nonetheless, many young people from small villages and towns continue to flock to urban areas to look for work, and rural populations are falling. Efforts are being made to revive rural areas through active use of transportation and information networks. As an example of regional development, a total of 26 areas have been designated as new types of industrial communities called "technologies"--integrated centers for high-tech-industries, universities, research institutes, and other facilities for research into cutting-edge technologies.
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Traveled March 20 to 31, 2003 Doc Riojas & LouLou's Vacation		The Emperor
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Links
Tradition and Culture	Life in Japan	Daily Life	Explore Japan
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Our Vacation made possible by The Grinages' Glen, Tomiko, and Nina

Gunma Japan		Our Hosts: Glen, Akiko, Nina Grinnage. They live in Setagun Gunma Japan	Mr. Glen Grinage is a dear old friend from the Vietnam war. Glen EN3, was attched to BSU-1. They were part of the SEAL Team TWO's 7th Platoon working out of MyTho RVN in 1967 - 1969. Glen was the pilot of the SEAL STAB (Seal Tactical Attack Boat) during all our insertions and some extractions in combat.

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At Kusutsu our host was Sam Tokunaga. The Hot Springs were awsome
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The Temp: was 1 C. !
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Tomiko "A" and Tomiko "B" our Tour to

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The Nikko Tour by Dr Shuichi and Mrs. Tomoko Miyawaki

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Tomikhiro Museum
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Glen's Students at Mitsubishi Japan
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Bill de Vries our Host in Tokyo
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			Yo Loco?
. Why do the Japanese take off their shoes when entering the house? Japanese have developed the custom of eating meals sitting on tatami mats, not on chairs. They also roll out the futon on which to sleep on the tatami floor. Therefore, they take their shoes off when entering the house to avoid getting the floor dirty. The genkan--or the entranceway just inside the front door where shoes are removed--is slightly lower than the hallway and the rooms of the house. Nearly all Japanese homes today have one or more Western-style rooms with wooden flooring or carpets. To prevent their socks from getting dirty and their feet from getting cold, most Japanese change into slippers after taking off their shoes. Slippers are not worn in rooms with tatami mats,