Trip to 上海 (Shanghai, China) on 17-20 December 2008

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2008-12-19_cn-shanghai.htm

I travelled to 上海 (Shanghai, China) for the first time on 17-20 December 2008 to give a talk there at the 5th International Conference on Embedded and Ubiquitous Computing. Although busy, I enjoyed two evenings under the wings of 俊锋 (Jun-Feng) and 増琦 (Luna), two Chinese friends met during our studies in Japan, now working in the city.

上海 (Shanghai) seemed extremely different from the capital, and reminded me of Paris (France), London (United Kingdom) and Seattle (United States of America) though air-conditioners stood out. Modern buildings and infrastructures were well-lit at night, artistic, frequently unique, and full faces of some skyscrapers served as giant screens. I had a vast choice of Chinese food and eagerly tried a frog stew as well as stir-fried lily roots, appreciating both. Friday was most memorable, attending a show with my two friends while dining 四川菜 (Sichuan cuisine) at 巴国布衣上海长宁店 (Ba Guo Bu Yi restaurant, Shanghai Changning shop) then attending a live jazz performance at 布鲁斯与爵士之屋 (House of Blues & Jazz). Yet, the magic of the evening was dampened down by the omnipresence of mendicants, including young children.

The air of the city suited me better than that of the capital (see Post 28 July 2007) although much dust is noticeable, apparently due to transports and heavy constructions. The air quality sharply contrasts with what I am used to in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) and 서울 (Seoul, South Korea), which stops short my thoughts about working in China. Tourists however can enjoy a few days and nights there, and I strongly recommend to reserve well-placed tables at 巴国布衣上海长宁店 (Ba Guo Bu Yi restaurant, Shanghai Changning shop) to see its show and at 布鲁斯与爵士之屋 (House of Blues & Jazz) after checking the schedule for special events.

Trip to 那覇 (Naha, Japan) on 25-29 March 2008

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2008-03_jp-okinawa.htm

I travelled to 沖縄 (Okinawa, Japan) for the first time on 25-29 March 2008 to give a talk at the 22nd International Conference on Advanced Information Networking and Applications in 那覇 (Naha) with Christian. We drove nearby to discover the landscapes, relax on the coast, and reach great coffee shops and restaurants. The climate was so warm at night that I barely slept without air conditioning.

Christian and I were globally satisfied by the most famous places of the island. We were impressed by the depictions of war at ひめゆり平和祈念資料館 (Himeyuri Peace Museum) and by the live 7.9m-long whale sharks of 美ら海水族館 (Churaumi Aquarium), which is a great and unique aquarium. Nearby, the less well-known 熱帯ドリームセンター (Tropical Dream Center) was also worth a visit. However, we were disappointed by 首里城 (Shuri castle), a UNESCO world heritage, which was crowded and radiated a theme-park aura; we enjoyed much more the modest and quiet 識名園 (Shikina garden).

After several cold months in 東京 (Tokyo), this stay was a pleasure. Although moving without a car is unrealistic, the pace is slower and the food delicious. I recommend カフェくるくま (Café Kurukuma), オリーブの木店 (Olive tree restaurant), 花人逢レストラン (Restaurant Kajinbo) with its funny menu written on a fan, ブリリアント・モトブヒルズ (Brilliante Motobu Hills), and above all the extraordinary ぱいかじ上之屋店 (Paikaji Uenoya restaurant). Beware however of the アメリカンビレッジ (American village): we enjoyed an interesting ambiance but had terrible food there.

[Update 04-Nov-2008] I explored jungles, walked among traditional houses, and toured beaches in several Southern islands of 沖縄 (Okinawa) during my second trip there, from 31 October to 03 November 2008 (see Post 04 November 2008).

Trip to 北京 (Beijing, China) on 22-28 July 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-07_cn-beijing.htm

I travelled to 北京 (Beijing, China) for the first time on 22-28 July 2007 to give two talks at the 12th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (aka HCII2007). During my stay, I visited the famous 天安门广场 (Tiananmen Square), 紫禁城 (Forbidden City), 天坛 (Temple of Heaven), and 北海公园 (Beihai Park). 超 (Chao), a Chinese classmate from 総合研究大学院大学 (Sokendai, Japan), took me in charge the first evening, and showed me 天安门广场 (Tiananmen Square) before telling me how to deal with the city and inviting me for a gorgeous dinner.

The city was extremely polluted, with grey fog on daytime and halos on street lamps at night, especially at 天安门广场 (Tiananmen Square), which is surrounded by incredible streets. The only patch of blue sky I noticed was above 天坛公园 (Temple of Heaven park), where lies 天坛 (Temple of Heaven), a UNESCO world heritage site that features 祈年殿 (Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests) and 圜丘坛 (Circular Mound Altar).

I quickly toured 紫禁城 (Forbidden City), another UNESCO world heritage site, with conference fellows but should return for the inside of the buildings. However, I fully enjoyed alone 雍和宮 (Lama Temple), the gigantic 北海公园 (Beihai Park) with its beautiful 九龙壁 (Nine-Dragon Screen) and 白塔 (White Dagoba), the historical 明城墙遗址公园 (Ming City Wall Ruins Park), and the exotic 王府井大街 (Wangfujing street), where I pondered whether to eat scorpions or not...

Trip to 제주도 (Jeju island, South Korea) on 08-12 November 2006

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2006-11_kr-jeju.htm

I visited 제주도 (Jeju island, South Korea) for the first time on 08-12 November 2006 to attend the 2006 International Conference on Hybrid Information Technology (aka ICHIT2006), where I gave a talk. I had a great moment discussing while hiking 한라산 (Hallasan volcano) with Peter, one of the general chairs of the conference, though it was very cold. Besides, I had exceptional views from the plane during my flights between Japan and South Korea.

Trip to 長崎 (Nagasaki, Japan) on 06-10 December 2005

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2005-12_jp-nagasaki.htm

I visited 長崎 (Nagasaki, Japan) for the first time on 06-10 December 2005 to attend the 2005 International Conference on Embedded and Ubiquitous Computing (aka EUC2005), where I gave a talk. During my stay, I was moved by 長崎原爆資料館 (Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum), and enjoyed the vast 平和公園 (Peace Park), the rebuilt 浦上天主堂 (Urakami cathedral), the strange but impressive 福済寺 (Fukusai temple), and the relaxing グラバー園 (Glover Garden).

Fashion show of wearable computers in 大阪 (Osaka, Japan) on 20 October 2005

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2005-10_jp-osaka_iswc-fashion.htm

I attended demonstrations and an evening fashion show dedicated to wearable computers in 大阪 (Osaka, Japan) on 20 October 2005 as part of the 9th International Symposium on Wearable Computers (aka ISWC2005), which I attended for work. The demonstrations included a TextileNet vest that conducts electricity to components placed on it by 戸田真志 (TODA Masashi), a vest that contains an interactive interface by a Fraunhofer institute, and a dress that emits light by チームつかもと (Team Tsukamoto). The show featured numerous luminous accessories and garments by チームつかもと (Team Tsukamoto), difficult to properly photograph due to the darkness.

Fashion show of wearable computers in 高松 (Takamatsu, Japan) on 20 May 2005

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2005-05_jp-takamatsu_amt-fashion.htm

I watched a 1-hour long fashion show dedicated to wearable computers in 高松 (Takamatsu, Japan) on 20 May 2005 as part of the 3rd International Conference on Active Media Technology, where I gave a talk. The show was organized by 塚本昌彦 (TSUKAMOTO Masahiko), and consisted mainly of conceptually interesting garments that serve as pianos, emit light or display messages. I now look forward to seeing advanced versions of such clothes, well integrated and usable in everyday life.