Letter from Tokyo

Way way way overdue with the blog - we've been in Tokyo since Tuesday morning with Pres Simon Waterfall and ex-Pres Michael Johnson.  We're here for a couple of events to support the D&AD exhibition at ADMT (part of UK-Japan 2008).  It's been running for a few weeks now - they've had lots of visitors and it looks great.

Thanks to our sponsors, Virgin Atlantic, we were upgraded for the flight over.  Oh yes, Upper Class is all it's cracked up to be.  We spent some time in the Yellow Pencil winner Clubhouse before our flight and it was lovely.  We regretted not checking in earlier so we could take advantage of the spa.  Next time, eh? 

Dinner was in Shimbashi - we wandered a rabbit-warren of streets filled with noodle shops and sushi bars.  It's remarkably hard to find a place big enough to fit a group of 6 in Tokyo.  We ended up at a great little place, however, the language barrier led to me receiving a plate of noodles covered in squid ink for dinner.  It tasted fine, but I'm sure the photos will be posted later of my blue-black lips after slurping them up.  Speaking of language barriers- the ashtray at our table seemed to send a bit of a strange message.

We ended up at an even tinier bar, after only a few wrong turns (note to self, never believe Simon when he says, 'it's this way, I'm sure it is!'), we found it down a side street off a side street in Shibuya.  It fits about 6 people and has velvet walls covered with bizarre antique things.  Think lots of gilt, oil paintings of horses, ornate mini-chandeliers...I think there was a deer's head hanging there too. 

The Education Seminars the next day were packed with college students.  Laura talked about how to get noticed and get that first job and Simon & Michael showed them some great work.  Vicky has been playing official photographer at our events, so she'll load them up when she blogs later.

Michael & Simon were both on the list for the 5th anniversary Pecha Kucha that night at Superdeluxe in Roppongi.  It was a packed event with all kinds of people sharing their inspiration and having a great time doing it.  Thanks to Mark Dytham & Astrid Klein for giving us such a warm welcome - they won a Yellow Pencil in 2005 for their amazing Leaf Chapel.

Yesterday was the D&AD Forum, which we held in partnership with The Asahi Shimbun.  Dara introduced D&AD to an invited crowd of creative directors and some of the newspaper's clients.  Simon gave a keynote speech and the event rounded off with an excellent and very lively panel discussion including Simon, Michael and Mr. Teruo Kurosaki, CEO of sasugasouzoushuudan and Mr. Satoshi Takamatsu, CEO/Creative Director of ground.  The poor MC had to jump in to finish up the event, as I think the 4 of them would have happily spent the whole afternoon bouncing ideas off of each other.

After a drinks reception hosted by The Asahi Shimbun offices, we took off for dinner - this time in a Chinese restaurant with an unusual centrepiece. Take a close look at the bell ringer (the thing covered with lights) and you'll understand our surprise.  Even more surprising are the composed diners beneath it.