Day 346: A long day...

Day 346: ...turns into night...

The formalities commenced today. Introductions, meetings, symposium and then judging the efforts of the international students as they 'battled' it out in a Japanese speech contest. 

Prior to that, we got to hear Japanese students present in Chinese and even though I understand very little Chinese, it was fascinating to get a sense of their passion and understanding. All very interesting. 

Vase of flowers

It was an early start and we went right through until 9.00pm with a dinner for the judges and professoriate of the university. We dined at a French-influenced nouvelle cuisine restaurant across the way from the university, one of those places where there is more white plate than food. Still, it allowed for some interesting conversation, including comparing the Abe and Abbott governments, talking about Hannah Arendt and...well, lots...

I don't spend a lot of time in hotels in Japan so the night view from this one was quite a picture...(I didn't notice the reflection of the TV in the window until afterwards...)

Night view, somewhere in Tokyo

It seems there will be more of these events down the track. 

[Camera : iPhone 6, 4.11pm, 9.36pm]