Japan

Lesley and Caroline were lucky enough to be invited to attend a conference in Japan by colleagues. They flew from Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda airport, taking a bullet train to Kyoto on September 1st. After a week in Kyoto with colleagues from Japan and business associates from the USA, they travelled back to Tokyo - narrowly avoiding a major typhoon.

Fuji view

A glimpse of Fuji in the clouds
To the hotel

We took a screen shot of the hotel location, as taxi drivers don't speak English. It was evening rush hour at the station and with…
Taxi view

We passed the famous Starck building for Asahi on the way to the hotel
One@Tokyo

We've arrived! Our last hotel of the trip. Designed by cult architect Kengo Kuma. We got a good deal online, so changed last minut…
Cool corridor

This is our floor
Room

The rooms are nicely designed and really comfortable - even room for luggage
Another loo

No English at all on this one and it has auto lid opening. Every time you walk past the door it opens or closes the lid. Also the…
Storage

Safe, torch etc.
Free phone

There's a free phone for international calls and you can take it out of the hotel with you to use maps and tourist info. Fantastic
Hotel bar

Long day. - time for a G&T in the bar
Roof terrace

One of the things that attracted me to this hotel was the amazing roof terrace. It was getting dark by now and I found the low met…
Tokyo sunset

Right opposite the Skytree - quite a view. You can pay to go up to the viewing deck and maybe see Mount Fiji in the distance
Skytree

The hotel reception suggested we go to the Skytree to eat dinner. We found a great cheap noodle bar (and many shops)
Larson Juhl Nippon

Day two in Tokyo. Up early for the train to the office in Tokyo. A photo of Caroline for CXD social media. After a short meeting h…
Sushiro

We got sushi for lunch nearby
Sushi

really good sushi
Archival board

We can see why they are moving to larger premises
Meeting Jasmine

Jasmine places all the orders with CXD UK office - it's good to finally meet!
Framing

It's interesting for us to see the frame making side of the business
Finishing to perfection

This is the back of the frame - customers in Japan like to have everything neatly sealed with coloured paper tape
Frame making

Examples of how it must be done