CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies)

CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) isn't an event necessarily unique to Japan, as you'd often find tech expos from here to every corner of the map.  However, for anyone with an interest in the latest innovations, and anyone curious to see what the next level of their current devices will look like, act like, and provide like, CEATEC provides all that... with the added advantage of being executed by companies/organizations from the most innovative nation in the world.

Tokai Optical, taking a step beyond in the sense of sight

No matter what profession you're in, CEATEC will definitely have something that appeals or relates to it.  And, one doesn't even need to have a profession to have an appreciation for many of the innovations on display.  For example, there was a Lawson convenience store exhibit which seemed to be putting out its vision of its future storefront operation:

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At CEATEC... the future of customer service at Lawson? #ceatec2018 #technology #japan #virtual

A post shared by akiba16 (@akiba16) on Nov 28, 2018 at 12:39pm PST

There were some "storefronts" at CEATEC which were more playful in nature, featuring a "robotic" greeter:

Getting to the more serious robotics though, well sort of... there was this dancing group at the Fujitsu booth, which performed perfectly in sync to the delight of everyone who stopped by to watch them perform:

And for those who might not be so much into the performing arts, but love food (who doesn't???), there was this futuristic sushi chef, perhaps coming to a sushi restaurant near you in the next five years or less?

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The future of sushi making at CEATEC? #robot #sushi #japan #artificialintelligence #ceatec

A post shared by akiba16 (@akiba16) on Nov 28, 2018 at 12:42pm PST

Finally, as you can tell from my images and videos, CEATEC is meant to be business oriented, business driven (it's held during the week, from Tuesday to Friday, after all) but is definitely not all serious stuff.  There's a lot to experience even for the casual attendee, or the semi serious like myself.  One could attend in a business/work capacity, or for leisure.  I've done it both ways, so you just need to know enough about the event so that you can convince the boss to let you make the trip for research purposes.  Seriously though, it is very helpful to know what's currently newly out there, and what's upcoming, as plans should always take into account what the future scene will look like... 

And the applause will rain on you if you can make it all work!  If nothing else, CEATEC will amaze and put a smile on your face at least a few times during your visit. 


Recommendations:
- Register in advance (online) and bring the printed voucher with you. 
- Arrive at any time convenient for you; I'd recommend 2 hours at a minimum for opportunity to view all of the exhibits.  This event is popular but not nearly as crowded as most other events held at Makuhari Messe.
- Dress "professionally"; the event is definitely a fun one but is rooted in business, as you will see many suits around you.  Business wear isn't mandatory but shorts and a t-shirt will feel very out of place here.  Just wear what you might on your typical work day.


Specifics:
CEATEC
Held every October, at Makuhari Messe
Cost: Free, with advance online registration

Tokyo Game Show

My first post on this blog, appropriately, is focused on the event which was my initial introduction to the beauty that is the Japanese event: Tokyo Game Show (TGS).  I first attended this event in 2009, and have subsequently attended TGS from 2015-2019, so that makes six times in total. 

Obviously, the focus of TGS is gaming.  However, since I first attended, the focus has widened quite a bit.  In 2009, console gaming was the big thing, followed by arcade gaming.  Recently, mobile (app) gaming has taken a big share of the TGS spotlight, along with consoles, and to a lesser extent virtual reality (VR) games.  Arcade games seem to have mostly dropped from this event, instead finding a home in other events such as the Japan Amusement Expo, which will hopefully also be discussed on these parts of the internets in the near future.  VR may very well be the next big thing, and it is certainly getting attention, but at the moment it remains a novelty compared to the more established gaming modes.

All the major international and Japan-based gaming companies (Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, DMM, Konami, Sega, etc etc) are well represented here, with massive decorated/energized/cosplayed exhibition areas where you get information on, and even test-play their latest game offerings.  And take a photo or two.

Sony PlayStation area

Speaking of cosplay... this is one aspect of TGS which makes it worth attending even if video games aren't your thing.  Cosplay is big in Japan, is done best in Japan, and TGS has an awful lot of it if you like to see cool costumes and take photos.  Just remember to ask permission... and sometimes would have to wait in line for the really popular ones.

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Amazing and friendly Atago cosplayer #tgs2018 #tokyogameshow2018 #atago #cosplayer #cosplay #japan #anime #videogames #picoftheday

A post shared by akiba16 (@akiba16) on Sep 22, 2018 at 3:09am PDT

If you have any degree of interest in video games, cosplay, or how Japan conventions are, Tokyo Game Show is definitely must-see material.  Game on!


Recommendations:
- Purchase ticket(s) in advance, either on the event website or at convenience stores
- Buy the "Supporters Ticket" if possible (limited quantities); not only does it come with some commemorative goods, but more importantly, it gets you past the thousands of general admission attendees and into the event 30 minutes before the actual opening.
- If attending with a general admission ticket, arriving at the event 1.5 to 2 hours after opening would be good for avoiding waiting in line to enter the event.
- Prepare/dress for a very warm climate; even though the temperatures outside may be cooling with the approach of fall, the venue gets very crowded and stuffy, especially around noon to early after noon.
- Saturday is the preferable day to attend; less crowded than Sunday.




Specifics:
Tokyo Game Show
Held every September, at Makuhari Messe
Trips available via Camp Zama MWR, and Yokota 374 FSS 

An Obligatory Introduction post

I'm not the most experienced/knowledgeable person with regards to the greater Tokyo area, and I'm not really a tourist (lived in the area for over three years) so why start this blog thing, now?  There are a few reasons... but I think the most prominent ones that have inspired this movement can be summed up in bullet form:

 

- Happiness:  Never in my life have I been happier with my life, to include my place in my professional career, the place I call home (Camp Zama, Kanagawa; less than an hour from metro Tokyo), and the friends and family around me who truly make every moment full of fun and discovery.  Being so happy, I would like to share some of those things we've all discovered together, and those things I've learned from some very cool people around me.  If I can somehow enable anyone else, whether tourist, local resident, or fellow government employee in Japan, to find more happiness/fun in their stay in this place of beauty (in every sense of the word), the purpose of this web space has been fulfilled.

 

- Contradiction: In today's world more than ever, it seems like innocents suffer while the guilty go unpunished.  Genuinely good people are largely ignored while the loud obnoxious ones seem to grab all the fame in social media, etc.  I'm far from perfect, but I believe my approach to life is firmly grounded on the kinder, gentler side (even if I tend to stand and walk apart from the traditional path of heroes) and I want to show others, even if just a few others, that happiness can be achieved this way, without being rude or taking anything away from someone else.  I'm still pretty quiet, but I'll make every effort a meaningful one from here on out.

 

- Outreach: Even though today's world is much more connected than it was even just a decade ago, and information readily available at the grab of a smartphone, there are things one would still only discover by word of mouth, connecting with friends in the area, listening to their stories and then using that information (or that friend) as a key to open the door to a new adventure.  I know that even today, there are more than a few bored guys/gals sitting in my neighborhood wondering if they truly know what's out there in the big city like I was a decade ago... I'd like to give those people a written/illustrative glimpse into many of the things I've been so fortunate to experience.

 

In case you're trying to get to know the mind behind this web space (me), you'll run into all kinds of contradictions.  The upcoming (or past, depending on when you stumble on this) pages will tell enough about my person but here's a few basic facts that will go undisputed:

 

- Engineer/project manager/planner working at the Directorate of Family Morale and Welfare (DFMWR), US Army Garrison Japan, Camp Zama

- Love music, video games, anime, photography, and fun

- Never want to leave the Tokyo, Japan area

There are a few others, sure, but those will become apparent once the true sharing gets underway.  Have fun and please enjoy the stay!