Anyone Work In Japan?

[Grazer]

I'm going to be visiting Japan for a few weeks at the start of February (Jan 29 - Feb 12).
I'm wondering if anyone is working with Java in Japan and would be kind enough to give me a tour of their office and show me what they do?

I'm interested to see what the difference is between software development in Australia and Japan.
It would be especially good if I could visit a small (10-50 ppl) company, bu anything might do.
I'm not doing research or anything; just thought it would be an interesting thing to check out while I'm there.

I will be in Tokyo, Oosaka and Hakata over the time.
Please contact me at grlea @ dev.java.net if you would be willing to have me.

Oh yeah, and if anyone wants to suggest stuff I should see in any of those cities, please go ahead!
I basically have two weeks to kill in Japan while my wife is there on business!  

[K.I.L.E.R]

You live in Melbourne? I do.
Apologise about the OT response, I'm just interested if you live nearby.

[Grazer]

You live in Melbourne?

Nope - Sydney.
May move to Melbourne to get a gaming job someday, though!  

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[erikd]

Japan? Wow.
A friend of mine has worked in Tokyo for 9 months (as an english teacher though) and he was totally overwhelmed by it. He told me the culture is so radically different that after about 3 months he simply gave up trying to understand any of it. He said literally everything is completely the opposite of what we're used to in the west,a nice example being our smallest room (the toilet) is actually the biggest room in a japanese appartement.

[Grazer]

... a nice example being our smallest room (the toilet) is actually the biggest room in a japanese appartement.

Well, if anyone agrees to show me around their office, I'll definitely ask to inspect the toilet.  

[sonicviz]

I spent about 3++ years in Tokyo from 94-98 as a Korporate Hacker :-/

Now I'm back in BrisVegas...mmmmm, Smart State:-)

>> I'm interested to see what the difference is between software development in Australia and Japan.

Depends on the company and industry you are working in.

>>It would be especially good if I could visit a small (10-50 ppl) company, bu anything might do.

Try contacting http://www.thetamusic.com/web/home/en/portal/home.html

Small company, but working in a key area.
I'm pretty sure  they do a bunch of Java work but they might be pretty  busy, as everyone in Tokyo is running around jazzed up on genki drinks and neon light overload.

As for things to do and see....

Lots of live music/Art/big city weirdness, but my old blues band (http://bbb.tlm.jp/) still plays here once or twice a month: http://www.thefiddler.com/

Check out the magazine links on http://www.thefiddler.com/links.html for current listings advice from the english what's on sites.

And for the best view of Tokyo check out http://www.tokyocityview.com/en/tokyoskydeck/index.html at the Mori arts centre in Roppongi http://www.moriartscenter.org/.

Also lots of interesting architecture in Tokyo: eg: http://mocoloco.com/tokyo/archives/000628.php#more

As for Oosaka...Kyoto is only 20 mins away by train and is worth the trip, especially to make the visit to any of the 40+ temple gardens, especially http://www.yamasa.org/japan/english/destinations/kyoto/ryoanji.html
(if only for a day)

Hakata...no idea
Have fun...you'll need a holiday when you get back.

pc

ps: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en01.html will save you a heap of money if you want to zip around, which is easy to do on Japans fast rail newtork.

[ap_kelly]

Hey, I'm in Sydney too!

[Grazer]

Hey, I'm in Sydney too!

Yeah, you in Manly. I like the idea of your game, and the name of course! Hope you can finish it as I'd love to play.

Back on topic, is anyone in Japan and wants to show me round their workplace?