JOPCA Tour for JICA Trainees

(Improvement of Port Cargo Transport Efficiency for African Countries)

Mr. Ikuo FUJITA

Planning Committee

An annual event of Tokyo tour was taken place with the participation of 18 trainees from 13 countries; Algeria (2 males), Angora, Benin, Burundi (1male and 1female), Djibouti, Egypt (2 males), Kenya, Mozambique (1 female), Namibia, Nigeria (1 male and 1 female), Senegal (1 male, 1 female), Sudan (2males), Tanzania (1female). High ratio of female participants; 5 out of 18 characterized the group. Japanese participants as guides consisted of 4 young officers from MLIT, 1 female officer from Yokohama City, 1 person from Echo Corporation, 1 person from Nikken Kogaku Company and 2 persons from JOPCA.

The participants gathered at Shimbashi SL Square at 9:30 in the morning, November 3, 2018. The weather was clear with a bit higher temperature than usual at this time of the year. Since that was the first weekend after their arrival, some of the participants still had jet-lag, but they seemed to feel free, relax and enjoy their stay. It was a beautiful day for walk. At the SL Square, the explanation was made on the role of railway for the development of modern Japan. The first group photo was made just in front of the SL.

Then, the group proceeded to old Shimbashi stationhouse which now accommodated a railway museum. Unfortunately, the time was a bit early for the Museum hour, so the group decided to take the second group photo in front of the stationhouse. As the participants took trains through their way from JICA Yokohama, they were well aware of the importance of railway in the Japanese life. They were very much interested in the stationhouse where the first railway started.

The tour continued to Hama-Rikyu Park. Some participants who were not accustomed to walk in their everyday life, started to complain. Just inside the Park, in front of the large pine tree called "three hundred year pine tree", the third group photo was taken.　When the group restarted their stroll, some participants sat on a bench nearby and didn't like to walk. They were encouraged to continue walking while being advised that after five minutes or so, the tour would stop by at a teahouse. At the teahouse, all of the participants were served with green tea and Japanese sweets. Some accepted the tea and others complained too bitter. A few did not seem to like the sweets. It is true that there is a big gap of culture, but hopefully they accepted the difference.

After the teahouse, the group arrived at an artificial hill near the boat station for water-bus. Another group photo was taken without a few participants. They were walking with the encouragement of Japanese guides, but not able to climb the low mountain. While all the remaining participants were smiling in the picture, a few participants were forced to walk with shuffle.

After the river cruise, all 18 participants got together and took group photo against the background of the Sky-tree tower. Some were interested in the golden form at the top of the Asahi Brewery Company HQs building and made questions. The tour continued to the hustle and bustle of Asakusa. Another group photo was taken right in front of the Kaminarimon Gate. A little tired and hungry, the picture showed less smiles than other pictures. Across the crowded street, the tour went to the Asakusa Tourist and Culture Center Tower, climbing to the top where tourist enjoyed 360 degree panoramic view of the down town Tokyo. There were only two elevators, which consumed time to climbing up and down. Many participants started complaining that they were hungry.

Climbing down the tower, the tour went to the famous tempra restaurant "Sansada" and had a late lunch of tempura. Some participants were very good at using chopsticks and the lunch time proceeded friendly and peacefully. At the end of the meal, the schedule of the tour was explained; free walk through Nakamise street and Sensoji temple for one hour and gathering back at the Kaminarimon Gate, then disband at the subway station. Some still vigorous participants insisted to go to Akihabara, others claimed to go directly to Yokohama without bothering Nakamisa and Sensoji. After intra Japanese consultation, the tour divided into three groups: group one directly went to Yokohama after lunch, group two and three enjoyed Nakamise and Sensoji, and group three went to Akihabara afterward.

15 participants enjoyed Nakamise and Sensoji and gathered at the Kaminarimon Gate within one hour. They expressed their gratitude to JOPCA for holding such an excellent tour, and took their foot onto their destination.