Home Asia

Vietnam Business Etiquette and Corporate Culture

November 11, 2014

0 5

Vietnam Business Etiquette and Corporate Culture

Business owners planning to establish and expand their business in Vietnam can benefit greatly by following Vietnam business etiquette. Vietnamese people believe in developing strong relationships in personal as well as professional settings. Showing proficiency in Vietnamese business etiquettes can impress your business associate. It can also give you an advantage to develop a great working relationship with them.

Business center in Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam.

Vietnam Business Etiquette & Corporate Culture The Vietnamese are quite punctual and expect foreigners to arrive on time. However, if a situation occurs that is beyond your control, they can be flexible and accommodating. Business cards are an essential part of Vietnamese business world.

They are exchanged at the start of the meeting and are considered as the first step to a long-term professional relationship. A bilingual business card shows that you value your client and are seriously interested in working with them. You need to receive and present the cards with both hands to show respect. You are expected to bring surplus business cards as you may meet more people than you expected. As a foreigner, you might need to deal with certain government officials to get permits.

This might be a long and stressful procedure. You might need to make several visits to get licenses and approvals from ministry officials.

Since the local chamber of commerce and the embassies have close ties, they can be a great source of information for business related queries and business procedures. They can also help in expediting your documentation process by facilitating effective networking. In Vietnam, decisions are usually made by committees.

As no one holds absolute power, you cannot rely on one person to safeguard your interest. You may need to meet and convince several individuals to close the deal. Additionally, Vietnamese businessmen anticipate high profits from business deals. They seek the best offer from you which may sometimes slow down their decisions making process.

Vietnam Business Etiquette Greeting: Personal respect has critical value in Vietnamese culture. Offering a hand shake with a slight bow is customary in Vietnamese business world. Additionally, it is expected that you address your colleague by Mr. or Miss. followed by the given name. The people of Vietnam are very sensitive about self-respect. Your Vietnamese colleague should never get a sense of lost status or dignity. A slight mistake on your part may make them feel disrespectful which may lead to immediate loss of contact.

Vietnamese Business Meetings Vietnamese businessmen prefer formal dressing at business meetings. Men usually wear suits while women wear dress or suits. During warm weather, it is acceptable not to wear jacket. Vietnamese businessmen are more comfortable in their native language than speaking in English.

Consider hiring an interpreter to facilitate communication. Learning a few Vietnamese words with correct pronunciation may also help to get admiration from your Vietnamese colleague.

In addition, this book, Vietnam Business Guide was absolutely amazingly helpful in giving critical background and business support for my trips and even more so for friends that moved there for work.

In addition to following these Vietnam Business Etiquettes protocols, you should be careful about choosing the businessman you are working with. Due to widespread corruption in the country, inappropriate business partners may cause inconvenience in several ways.

Many respectable companies are registered with the government and your local embassies can offer great assistance here. When I first moved to China back in 2003, it was still very uncommon to hear of people going to Vietnam for anything, to be honest.

I had the fortunate opportunity to meet a few Vietnamese during my travels and I found them to have a vibrant culture and great passion for learning and exploring. Many friends of mine ended up moving from Hong Kong to Vietnam in the late 2000’s as many banks were opening offices there.

And, if you’re looking to have a great time along the coast there, be sure to check out my article here: Vietnam Coastline.

Enjoy!

A Visit to Kimchi Museum – The Staple Food of South Korea

November 10, 2014

1 7

A Visit to Kimchi Museum – The Staple Food of South Korea

When I went to the Kimchi Museum, what I knew was that it is a place showcasing a Korean cuisine item. What I found out upon my visit was that Kimchi Museum is all about Kimchi, literally. Wondering what Kimchi is? Well, I was at a lost at first, too.

Kimchi is Korea’s national dish, and is one of the most traditional pieces of Korean cuisine.

It is a super spicy and sour, usually fermented Korean side dish. This much loved and honored side dish is composed of vegetables and a range of seasonings and the fun part is its resemblance with the nature of wine, the older it gets, the better it tastes, as it preserves the nutrients that are present in fresh vegetables.

The exhibitions at Kimchi Museum, all emphasized about Kimchi’s history, its importance in the Korean cuisine and its delicious varieties. The Museum had different activities for visitors like me; I witnessed a live Kimchi making process, and tasted spicy and sour Kimchi as well.

The Kimchi Museum is a fascinating place to visit, to see how the Koreans absolutely adore and revere their national fruit. The museum was divided into three sections; each one depicted different Kimchi related information.

The first section elaborated on Kimchi’s historical importance, and on display were several books and literature related to kimchi. Have you ever heard of a food trend? Well, the museum in “In the models of Kimchi in each period” illustrates the trends of kimchi that have evolved with Korean history. Trust me, Kimchi Museum was a good one to visit, its section even delved into stories about how hot peppers began to be added to kimchi. A timeline was there even, which detailed kimchi’s history.

Kimchi Museum’s second section displayed the process of Kimchi making, and anyone who has even a little bit of interest in culinary art would love to see it.

Shorts films were being played at regular intervals, thus I didn’t get bored for a second. Also there was this area which just amazed me, it displayed up to eighty varieties of kimchi. Yes, eighty! The walls were covered with graphic illustrations; some had recipes along with description and a picture too.

The third section was like a data room, which had dated records of kimchi, old and latest books on kimchi, and also on the other traditional foods of Korea. In short, this was like a kimchi library. There were kimchi related movies and articles. As I am not much into cook-books, I didn’t spend much time in this section.

Furthermore, there was a section, where I saw the environments that were created on the day of making kimchi. This also got interesting, as there were historic pottery molds on display, that were used a long time ago, for fermentation and storage of kimchi.

The visit to this one of this kind museum would have been incomplete without pictures. I took quite a few pictures. The best part was the tasting room where I got to taste two different varieties of Kimchi. Let me know what you think of Kimchi Museum, and if you have heard of any other food museums.

If you’re interesting about going to this really cool place, here’s the official website.

Enjoy!

Shinkansen – My Experience at Breakneck Speeds!

November 9, 2014

1 7

Shinkansen – My Experience at Breakneck Speeds!

The experience of traveling by train is not new for me. However, traveling on Shinkansen was incomparable.

The super quiet and super speedy Shinkansen is example of high-tech modern traveling.

If you are visiting Japan, I would recommend buying a Japan Rail (JR) pass and get the experience that you would not be able to get anywhere else in the world.

JR pass is a great option for tourists to witness the wonderful sights of Japan along with getting the experience of using one of the best railway networks of the world. It is a luxury that many people dream of experiencing, and I was lucky enough to enjoy it. Of course, it was made possible by using the JR pass. The cost of a round trip on Shinkansen is close to the price of JR pass that gives us unlimited access to almost all railway networks across Japan.

When planning a visit to Japan, remember that you have to buy a JR pass before you head to Japan as trading JR passes within the country is prohibited while paying separately for each railway trip may be too costly for you. Anyone with a temporary visa can get these passes that offer heavy discounts for traveling across various cities and towns.

While we can get 7, 14 or, 21 day passes, I bought a 7 day pass to travel with comfort and speed across cities over the next few days. I could use the JR pass for most of the Shinkansen trains except for the Nozomi and Mizuho in the Sanyo, Tokaido, and Kyushu Shikansen lines.

I was too excited for the ride that I reached the station an hour before the departure time. I was bewildered by the unusual design of the train. On the outside, the train looked like a spaceship with a robot-duck beak on the front.

The inside of the train looked like an airplane. A friendly and professionally trained staff was there to help us. It was an immense pleasure seeing that the train was perfectly clean, spacious, smartly designed, and comfortable.

One of the best things about Shinkansen is that it leaves precisely on time.

As the journey starts, the incredible train would take you through cities, towns, industrial complexes and lush green countryside. As for us, the clacks and clanks of the train and tracks are usual but the Shinkansen is quiet to the level of surprise. Whether it is the lightning speed or the efficient network, they make no noise and at times you don’t even feel like you are in a moving train. I am such a huge fan of Shinkansen for its pace and efficiency.

To add to the incredible journey, the train had clean toilets, vending machines, and phones. Besides, a trolley cart is frequently wheeled from where you can buy food, drinks, snacks and alcohol.

These trains are so addictive that once you use them, you would not want to travel on any other train. I always preferred taking Shinkansen whenever it was possible throughout my stay in Japan.

I would say that Shinkansen ride is a must thing to do in Japan. But, get a JR pass before heading to Japan so that you may enjoy this ride at economical rates.

Vietnam Coastline – Along the Shores

November 7, 2014

3 17

Vietnam Coastline – Along the Shores

Vietnam occupies about 331,211.6 square kilometers of land, the eastern and southern part of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, as the South China Sea runs along its coast. Vietnam enjoys a place on the world map like no other, possessing land ranging from the low altitude golden beaches to cold thick rain forests.

Vietnam is a country of hills, dense forest highlands and tropical forests, with only 20% of the area being leveled. The annual rainfall rate varies along the area from 120 – 200 centimeters, which is substantial for sea-level areas.

It has the tropical monsoon climate and enjoys a prime geographical location, although because of the difference of altitude temperatures vary accordingly. The country is divided into the Red River Delta and the highlands in the north, the coastal lowlands and the Mekong River Delta in the south.

The people of Vietnam come from the lineages of Mongols from china and migrants from Indonesia. The Vietnam coastline is 2000 lines long. The coastline has a scenic beauty filled with white sandy beaches and compelling sunsets.

Apart from that, coves, lagoons, tropical islands and massive boulder formations are not a rare sight for the Vietnamese. It makes me envy them because I can imagine how easy it would be for them to a tan and how beautiful their mornings must be waking up the sun rising at the far end of the watery shore.

The Best of the Beaches

Vietnam Coastline: Nha Trang

In the province of Khanh Hoa, Nha Trang is the busiest beach known for its never ending days of sunshine. Many water adventure sports have made permanent home here and continue to attract tourists from around the world. The facilities of beach resorts and hotels with private beaches are also largely available and you can also hire a beach bungalow for your stay. I guess I know where I am headed on my next trip!

Vietnam Coastline: Danang

During the Vietnam War, Danang Beach served as the central fighting area. It is also well-known for its beautiful beaches that offer tourists the opportunity for Scuba Diving, Snorkeling or indulging in many other water sports. Coconut palms and natural pines are the perfect backdrop for the white and golden beaches of Vietnam.

Vietnam Coastline: Doc Let

Only 30 miles away from the Nha Trang, Doc Let is the beach paradise of your dreams. Many resorts have comfortable bungalows along the beaches with complete meals provided at booking so that the tourists can enjoy the unique peace and quiet of the Doc Let Beaches without hindrance. Doc Let is the popular choice for renegade travelers.

Vietnam Coastline: Phu Quoc Island

Made of national forest land, sandy beaches and pepper plantations, Phu Quoc is a standard tourist spot that offers a unique experience. Because of less development, the island’s natural beauty is still very much intact with dirt roads, limited services and quiet shores. This proves to be a very inviting feature of this place, although there are still some great resorts lined up along the Long Beach that offer decent and comfortable services.

Vietnam has come a very long way from our recent history. It is very common now for westerners to not only visit the beautiful country, but also be assigned there for work on contract (usually banks) for a certain period of time.

The beauty is easily seen from the Vietnam Coastline.

All along the streets you can see westerners enjoying there visits and I’d certainly recommend Vietnam a place to go!

Enjoy!

Namsan Mountain – The Spectacular Hike in South Korea

November 6, 2014

15 69

Namsan Mountain – The Spectacular Hike in South Korea

Ranked as one of the most scenic locations in the Jung-gu district of Seoul, South Korea, the Namsan Mountain or the South Mountain, is a glorious journey into South Korea’s grand past. Indeed some people term the mountain to be a natural museum without walls that is reminiscent of all that South Korea has witnessed over time.

A very popular hiking destination it is, surrounded by the Namsan Park with a magical view of the surroundings. Going on a hiking trip proved to be a really worthwhile decision as this became one of the most interesting and fascinating hiking trip of my life.,

I decided to hike up the Namsan Mountain as I wanted to witness the much talked-about glorious views of Seoul. The fall had descended on the mountain very beautifully, scattering its colored leaves all over the ground. It was quite a steep trail, nd just a few moments after I had stated on my hike, I saw a peculiar phenomenon. The forested peak of this mountain is embedded with statues, that are thousands of years old, and I could actually walk up to them and touch them.

I hiked through the Samneung Valley on the mountain’s western slope; it took around two and a half hours, but gave me the view of several statues and a beautiful panoramic view of the Jung-gu district. The hike continued to unfold upon me the amazing treasures nestled within the mountain. After some time I arrived at Sangseonam Hermitage, which is a small temple and I relaxed there for a few moments.

I remember coming across a statue of Maitreya Buddha along my journey up the Namsan Mountain that was made around 700 years ago and its magnificence totally overtook me.

As I moved along I saw several enormous statues decorating the mountain quite impressively. Furthermore, there are numerous burial mounds dotting the mountain’s landscape. After ever few minutes, I saw an ancient grave site, some were in disarray, while some were cleaned up and presented with fresh flowers.,

The trail is spectacular, as its makes its way through twisted trees, and is covered with large rocks, and unevenly cut out stone steps as well. I chose to sit down at the large rocks to catch my breath, and have some snacks. I was lucky enough to have ample water and snacks with me, because to my dismay, there were no hawkers, stalls, or marts along the way. The hike was quite peaceful as it was not crowded with tourists and I thoroughly enjoyed every twist and turn that brought me to amazing views and exciting statues.

From there, it was a brief hike to the ridge of the mountain, which is completely surrounded by trees. After I reached, the peak, I turned left, and continued up the ridge and came across a dazzling view of the district, which truly refreshed my soul. Once there, I saw a sign, pointing towards a trail that was leading to the Sambulsa Temple at the bottom of the Namsan Mountain, which was quite serene and I spent some time walking around it.

The hike downhill wasn’t as smooth, but wasn’t too troublesome nonetheless. It was short walk back and from there I took a bus back to the town area. Overall, it was a very fulfilling and amazing experience hiking on the Namsan Mountain, and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Sake Guide – The Staple Drink of Japan

November 6, 2014

0 5

Sake Guide – The Staple Drink of Japan

A trip to Japan is incomplete without having Sake, the drink most commonly consumed in the country. Similarly, my trip to the country included pit-stops at the local sake breweries and experiencing the grand Sake Festival, which is one reason alone to visit the country every year!

Actually, the first time I had the opportunity was take a sip of this sweet yet strong drink was back in 2005. I was in Tokyo for a quick trip, two days. After a group of meetings I was invited out for some lunch, which turned out to be an incredible sushi lunch! But, what is common with the meals is sake. My host asked me do I like my sake hot or cold? I didn’t know what the difference was then and I asked for hot.

The sake came to the table in a small yet well crafted bottle and two small round cups. The waitress poured each of us and we drank.

Wow! First, the sake WAS hot! But the sensation was the liquid rank down my throat was exciting. So to help you out and help to not be the fool that I was then I put together this article.

Sake Guide: What is Sake?

Many English-speaking countries mistake Sake for wine, in due fact, Sake can’t be wine because this alcoholic beverage is not made from grapes, but from steamed-cooked rice. It is an easy mistake to make, as many brands of sake possess a fruity flavor. And that was the first thing I asked when I met my host, if we could have some wine! The look he gave me well… lets ay it wasn’t all too pleasing….

The brewing process of sake is very much like beer where the sugar that is needed to produce ethanol must be first extracted from starch that is present in the rice.

To achieve that process, a special mould called koji is added to the cooked rice. The starch that is present in the cooked rice turns into sugars, which in turn becomes alcohol with the addition of yeast into this mixture. This is the fermentation process, and it will be another month or two when the sake can be distributed for consumption.

Sake Guide: Age-old cultural ties attached

The process of brewing sake is a lengthy one, followed and perfected by generations of Japanese who deemed the brewing of this drink as a form of art and their cultural heritage.

If you wish to have an experience of a lifetime, your ultimate travel destination should be Higashi-Hiroshima city. The city is famous for housing one of the three greatest sake brewing districts in Japan.

The chilly month of October is the best time to visit this city, because it is when the Sake Festival is held around the area of the Saijo Station that accommodates many of the oldest and well-established breweries in the city.

Sake Guide: The Sake Festival

I was fortunate enough to have been part of the festivities that occur every year, to greet the arrival of the new season’s batch of sake.

Along with a group of fellow sake enthusiasts, I took the Nozomi Shinkansen from Tokyo, and arrived at Hiroshima City in a grand total of 2 hours, and a couple of minutes. The train flew like the wind!

The only draw-back was that we had to pay the full fare, because the Nozomi Shinkansen doesn’t come under Japan Railways jurisdiction (Big topic of discussions, there are multiple train companies in Japan, each with there own lines and maps!). We also had to change trains, at Shin- Osaka.

All in all, the bullet train experience wasn’t all that bad.

We took the bus from the station and reached easily enough to our destination. One good thing about travel in Japan is the facilities offered to foreigners in terms of travel, and ways to reach places by themselves. You’ll find this in only the big cities though.

Sake Guide: Tasting and sampling

Like us, the whole neighborhood around Saijo station was filled with people that had come from all over Japan, and other parts of the world to sample fine Hiroshima sake.

The venue was be-decked with vibrant colors and food-stalls where visitors milled about some of the finest of that year’s batch of sake.

We ended the night some hours later, at a quiet sake restaurant away from the festivities that were still in full swing, and said kempai (which means cheers in Japanese) to our last drinking round of the day.

After this awesome experience, I can hardly go to a Japanese restaurant without ordering a small bottle of wine. After trying various kinds of hot and cold (there are many costs factors, too, but unlike wines you can get an excellent bottle of Sake for a couple of dollars) I decided I preferred hot!

And if you’re looking to learn a little bit about it, as I did after my trip to Japan, I’d definitely check out this book and help become a sake expert too!

Which do you prefer?

Enjoy!

South Korean Heritage – Five Grand Sites

November 3, 2014

1 7

South Korean Heritage – Five Grand Sites

Can you think of a tiny country with only fifty million inhabitants, encapsulating within its depths civilized history dating back 3000 years. Well South Korea it is. The little country has so much to tempt tourists that you wouldn’t have even thought of it.

Beyond its sophisticated and ultra modern airports, the country possesses a whopping 10 UNESCO world heritage sites. Such a small country yet it has so much of historical treasures to boast of.

South Korea’s prized heritage can be explored by going to the huge National Museum of Korea or visiting a myriad of palaces and temples, and by enjoying the delicacies that its varied cuisine has to offer.

The first time I visited South Korea was only in transit on my way back to Hong Kong from visiting New York. To say that I was impressed and disappointed wouldn’t be enough. I was impressed by how gorgeous the airport was! And depressed that I wasn’t getting the opportunity that trip to actually visit the country! It wouldn’t be for a little time later that I’d get the chance and I was completely taken back by the country.

The people, the sites, the food, the heritage, the culture, the skiing, the list goes on! And as mentioned above, it’s not a big country, but a proud country, with a people that feel at a loss for their brethren in the north.

South Korean Heritage sites are certainly to see these unbelievably amazing places and definitely worth seeing.

Please help to share these wonderful experiences with me.

Here is a glimpse at five of the ten magnificent heritage sites.

1. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Western Gate in Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon, South Korea

Acquiring its status as a world heritage site in 1997, this is a fortress wall, a bit low-key in structure yet preserved in pristine condition. The wall is around 5 km in circumference and you can spend your entire day here.

The wall is lighted up at night, making the late night views the best of all. Near the north east gate, there is an archery range as well which is quite amazing. At the center of the fortress there is small palace, with fantastic tile art, and a really huge Golden Buddha.

2. Changdeokgung Palace

This South Korean Heritage site is one of the five prime palaces in Seoul, and is known to be Joseon Dynasty’s longest lasting palace. It is undoubtedly one of South Korea’s best historical gems. The palace’s throne hall is just splendid with gold sculptures on its ceiling and its incredible architecture. Once you enter the palace, you will feel like you have taken a step back in time, so glorious it is.

3. Ganghwa, Gochang and Hwasun Dolmen Sites

South Korea is believed to have 40% of all the world’s dolmen sites. Dolmen sites are stone-era tombs, and present proofs of organized ancient humanity.These dolmens are symbolic of the Megalithic culture; the stones of the tombs are prized because they mark tombs of the ruling elite of that time period.

4. Jongmyo Shrine

You will be surprised to find out that as claimed by UNESCO, the Jongmyo Shrine has intrinsically maintained its tradition as beautifully, as no other culture has been able to do.

The Jongmyo Shrine, built to honor the spirits of its fallen kings, has honored fallen kings for around six hundred years. The tablets preserved in the shrine, and displayed once every year, document the achievements of every King of the Joseon Dynasty. This truly makes it one of the South Korean Heritage sites to see!

5. Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes

Also known as “Hawaii of Korea’ due to its majestic beauty, this is the only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Korea. Jeju Volcanic Island, last erupted around a thousand years ago, and its main attraction, is the dead Hallasan Mountain. What makes the island so scenic is the astounding set of lava tubes lying at the place where real lava used to fuel the volcano. People climb up the Hallasan Mountain in almost five hours to witness a stunning crater lake where deer drink water from.

The UN site has amazing information on this incredible place!

All the South Korean heritage sites are truly amazing and will embrace you in their awe. If you go to South Korea, you can’t miss out on these. Each one is worth at least a day to see so when you go, take your time and take it all in!

Enjoy!

Cherry Blossoms – Hanami Festival

November 3, 2014

0 3

Cherry Blossoms – Hanami Festival

Ever heard about the celebration of budding cherry blossom trees? Hanami is the thousand year old Japanese traditional custom of rejoicing at the bloom of ‘sakura’ or cherry blossom trees and their beautiful flowers; it’s an annual spring celebration that is celebrated with great pleasure and jubilance and taken very seriously. Amazingly, it is one of Japan’s top ten cultural events.

Sakura start blooming in February and wrap the whole country in their charm until early May. The opening of the Sakura buds is tracked quite carefully, and the blooming forecast is made each year by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The Hanami festival is awaited so much that the blossoming of the buds is shown on the daily news, but the Japanese set out to celebrate Hanami in its full fervor only after official opening of the season has been announced with respect to the cherry blossom trees at Yasukuni shrine.

Getting this news at its earliest is considered quite important for party planning as the seasons lasts for only a week or two.

Hanami literally means “flower viewing”, and people celebrate it by picnicking amidst the cherry blossoms, and these picnic parties that last way into the night are quite a big gathering. This festival is one way that Japanese have found to unplug from their stressful lives and tune back into nature.

Japanese like to celebrate Hanami in its complete splendor, and hence plan extensively. Some of them actually claim picnicking spots beforehand, while others casually stroll around a venue and spend time walking around sakura trees.

In essence, it is all about enjoying the budding of cherry blossom flowers, which in itself turns out to be quite a refreshing experience., however the party crowd, especially goes out to picnic for the food and drinks.

Rivers, gardens, and parks are known as the popular Hanami celebration spots, but some places are really famous for their much talked about cherry blossom festivals.

Another prime spot is the Ueno Park in Tokyo. Its 1200 cherry blossom trees create a stunning sight for their beholders when they flourish in all their glory.

The blossom viewing tunnel at Japan Mint, Osaka is another eminent spot, known for its 100 cherry blossom varieties on display, that are greatly admired by the public. The Yoshino-yama Mountain in the Nara Prefectur that boasts home to a 30000 sakura trees, has one of the most spectacular and mesmerizing views, and attracts thousands of people to its festival as well. One has to be careful about the festival celebrating dates of each location to not miss the glamour of Hanami that they have to offer.

Food and drink stalls or ‘yakai’ can be found at various spots, selling delectable food varieties like okonomiyaki (savory vegetable and meat pancake), yakisoba (fried noodles) and takoyaki (octopus dumpling), and you can’t just avoid them if you are a foodie.

Did you ever think that cherry blossom flowers could be a part of any meal? Well you’re in for surprise: Japanese not only like to see them, they like to eat them too. The pink flower is usually salted before it is added to a dish, and is consumed in tea too!

People seeking out a refreshing and serene holiday in spring, should definitely visit Japan’s Hanami festivals and they would be spellbound by the natural beauty and charm of the cherry blossom trees in Japan. And if you’re interesting in learning more about this beautiful event, The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration book was amazing.

Enjoy!

Cruising along Lake Ashi

October 30, 2014

1 8

Cruising along Lake Ashi

Hakone Lake, also known as Lake Ashi, is the hottest tourist destination in Japan. It is a scenic lake that lies in the Hakone area, in the Honshu province. And without question, it was one of the most relaxing, serene, peaceful, places I had ever visited.

I was in Tokyo on business for a few days, intense meetings with some ink suppliers for a job we were about to print in China, and after the meetings were complete, I felt drained and exhausted. A friend of mine who was living there at the said that when he needed to get away from it all, he went to Lake Ashi.

I promise to write about my experience first hand but I wanted to open up about the place first with some amazing sites to see and how to get around. Tourists flock to the lake not only for its scenic beauty, but also because of its numerous hot springs that are scattered throughout the lake and for catching a glimpse of the famous Mount Fuji which is the highest mountain in Japan.

The Hakone Sightseeing Cruise

A number of boats and ferries especially for sightseeing purposes cruise the entirety of the lake and provide breath-taking views for tourists and passengers. Some of the boats that are used in this tourist excursion are exact replicas of famous sailing warships in history, such as the:

The Royal II: Which is a design based on the Royal Louis, a first-class French warship that was constructed in the 18^th century. The Victory: A cruise ship, which was inspired by the design of the 18^th century British warship the HMS Victory. The Vasa: The cruise ship is also known as ‘king of the figureheads’ due to the impressive figurehead that is fixed at the prow. The original warship which was built in the 17^th century goes by the same name.

Warship Replica's in Lake Ashi — Warship Replica’s in Lake Ashi

All the cruise boats are lavishly decorated and fully equipped with the latest comforts and features, and offer un-paralleled views of the majestic lake.

An Amazing Means Of Public Transport

The cruise takes routes that connect to three different ports, with each port having different attractions. Passengers who are not tourists can also use this as an effective means of public transportation, going about their daily business while appreciating the beautiful views. Each port has many unique sights and the scenery that you will come across the routes doesn’t always remain the same.

There is a different scene and view for every season, which is one reason why Lake Ashi is such a popular destination with tourists coming in every season.

The Hokane Ropeway Service

Hokane is one of the most attractive destination points that are found in Japan. The natural environment, paired with the surrounding hot springs is however not the only attraction this area offers. The Hakone ropeway is an aerial lift service that operates from the Sounzan station at a one-minute interval.

It is a beautiful half an hour ride to Togendai station, which is situated on the shore of Lake Ashi. The ropeway consists of two other checkpoints, or stops where tourists can take pictures and enjoy the breathtaking views of the majestic snow-capped Mount Fuji, the rising volcanic fumes of Owakudani, and the dazzling blue waters of Lake Ashi.

Kuro-Tamago

Another attraction that can be accessed through the Hakone Ropeway is the Great Boiling Valley which is home to some of the hottest springs, due to the volcanic activity nearby. Tourists flock to this spot, and bathe in the spa that nature has provided and nibble on Kura-tamago or eggs that are hard-boiled in the hot springs.

Lake Ashi is breathtaking.

I remember like it was yesterday the awesome site of seeing the lake and then Mt. Fuji in the distance from the tour bus. One of the great thing about arriving here was that it is only a 4-5 hour drive from Tokyo.

Yes.. I know.. I said only… but it is well worth the visit and you’ll definitely be spending more than a day there as there is so much to see, do and wonder at. From amazing boat tours, gondola rides, “hell on earth” and amazing tea cafe’s along the wrong creates a serene and peaceful setting to enjoy and relax.

Have a wonderful time! And read about my awesome experience visiting the town of Hakone, which is right on the water of Lake Ashi.

Japanese Business Etiquette – The Essentials

October 28, 2014

2 16

Japanese Business Etiquette – The Essentials

Demonstrating a little understanding of Japanese culture in a business meeting implies that you have a genuine interest in doing business with them. That’s the best way to create a lasting impression on your business associates.

Good manners, politeness, and sensitivity are the pillars of Japanese business etiquettes as they are in other parts of the world. The difference here is that Japanese business etiquettes are quite formal. However, the Japanese are usually forgiving to outsiders and tend to ignore minor transgressions if you show an effort to understanding their customs.

Japanese Business Etiquette – Meetings

Japanese businessmen like a conservative demeanor. Showing modesty builds trust and image and leads to a higher level of respect from a Japanese host.

When going for a meeting with a Japanese counterpart, you should call your client 1-2 hours prior to the meeting to confirm that you are coming. If you think you may be late, call at least an hour in advance to ask your client to reschedule the meeting. It is always advisable to arrive approximately 10 minutes early for a meeting.

Upon meeting, your Japanese counterpart may offer a handshake. However, bowing may show respect to their culture making a more favorable impression on your business associate.

When the time comes to sit, wait till your Japanese host guides you where to sit as there is a custom regarding seating positions around the table.

Moreover, taking a lot of notes is considered a sign of interest. It is good to take notes of everything at meetings to keep yourself involved in the discussion and look interested.

Business Cards

The exchange of business cards during a meeting is essential business protocol in Japan. The Japanese call business cards “meishi” and foreigners are expected to bring their dual-side printed bilingual business cards essentially.

The Japanese place great emphasis on business cards. They see your business card as a reflection of your image and your intent of carrying out business with them so it is the best way to create a strong impression on your Japanese counterpart.

When your Japanese counterpart presents the card, receive it with both hands and give a quick bow. Read the card and place it carefully on the table until the meeting is over. When the meeting comes to an end, place the card in the folder or card case.

Things to Avoid in Japanese Business Meetings

Keep your hands out of your pockets when talking to someone.
Do not deface or damage the business card that has been presented to you. Also, avoid putting them in your pocket.
If your Japanese associate or client invites you for lunch or dinner, accept it wholeheartedly.
The numbers 4 and 9 are considered unlucky in Japanese culture. Avoid giving gifts in set of four or nine.
Do not write in red ink.
Avoid raising your voice or using excessive hand gestures in business meetings.

The Japanese may not seem welcoming initially. But, once you develop strong relationship with them, your interactions may get less formal and friendlier with them. Learning Japanese business etiquettes and there culture was of great interest of mine, both when I was young and later when I had to travel to Japan for business. This book helped me solve much of that curiosity.

Learning about the long history and culture of the society helps to build your reputation in your Japanese counterparts’ eyes.

Prev 1...234 Next

Page 3 of 4