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Need help - last minute (work) trip to Japan!
Yes, I will post this on the travel and international nestie boards, as well, but I like you guys better. 
Yesterday, I was offered a fantastic opportunity to travel to Japan with my association leadership for a conference. I think I leave on Sat., 9/23 and I think I am there for 10 days. (I am in Chicago now, and trying to get all the details from a colleague back at the office.) The conference is in Tokyo, that much I know for sure.
So -- what do I wear? what do I pack? what do I expect? My international travel to date includes a brief sojourn to London and Paris more than 10 years ago (like, a 5 day trip), Italy in 2001, and my honeymoon in Australia 6 years ago. So - not much -- and none in the Far East.
Any and all tips, advice are appreciated!
(I have heard that the milk and beef are still likely to have radiation, and so not to eat them. Sadly, I am not a huge fan of sushi -- but I'm guessing that's about to change.)
We are staying at the Imperial Hotel. (I'm trying to give you all the information I have, in case you have different advice based on that location.)
"What is a week-end?"
Re: Need help - last minute (work) trip to Japan!
Holy moley-- that's freaking incredible!!! I'm so jealous.
No advice, sorry. Except there will be tons more to eat besides sushi.
That's awesome!
There is definitely more to Japanese food than sushi. When some friends went there a few years ago they fell in love with a pizza from Dominos with corn and tuna, or something like that :P You could work your way through a bunch of kinds of noodles, if nothing else.
I don't have a specific recs, though my dad and bro looove Tokyo and think it's the coolest. Be prepared for fast trains and expensive restaurants. I do know that they have an amazing variety of Kit Kats in Japan, in case that's relevant.
My SIL is Japanese and goes to Tokyo pretty often, if you have specific questions I can email her.
My hubz is going there the same weekend! But not for a conference.
The last time he went, he ate every possible version of teriyaki and rice. He loved it. He said Tokyo was very clean and very safe. He was impressed too... when he asked a man (in broken Japanese) if he spoke English (he couldn't find the location of a tea shop for a gift for me... aww...), the man ran around asking other people if they spoke any English and didn't stop until he found someone who did! And yes, the 7-Eleven stores are apparently nice there.
He only ate "scary" things like eel at client lunches so as not to be rude. Otherwise, it was pretty much rice (his favorite food) at every meal. Tokyo is extremely expensive though. One of these days I'll be able to go with him.
He was at the New Otani Hotel last time. They have a nice garden.
Have a ball!
Scout
Chocolate Blog!
I spent 5 weeks in Japan in college (Kobe, not Tokyo). My main recommendation would be to look up the customs for business interactions - e.g., they have a particular way of presenting business cards (although I can't remember what it is exactly!). Otherwise, you should be fine behaving, dressing, etc. the way you would at a conference here in the States.
You'll also have no problem finding things to eat other than sushi; there are plenty of rice and noodle dishes, as well as Western food. The only thing that took some getting used to for me was breakfast - a lot of the dishes were rice and meat based (more along the lines of things that we would typically eat at lunch or dinner). if you are staying at a Western hotel, I imagine they would have other options, however.
Have a great time! It's a fascinating country.
Baby248 - ETA 1/10/13
This -- I was there for about 10 days in 2004, and I recall eating fish and rice for breakfast, which took a little getting used to. My colleague got sick from eating their Wendy's chicken nuggets, so maybe steer clear of the Japanese western fast food options. It's a very pedestrian friendly city, so I would make sure I have some very comfortable business shoes (just because I'm not sure if changing shoes to walk in the city while with business partners would be disrespectful). Have fun!!
Wow, I am jealous! I would love to go to Japan someday.
And I have a former colleague who now works for our parent organization in Japan - I could ask her some questions if you need answers!