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    More: CAS Design Cultures

    Japan (30 October – 9 November 2023)

    • In a nutshell
    • Why Japan?
    • Preparation workshop and follow-up
    • Itinerary
    • Costs
    • Visa and entry
    • Registration

    In a nutshell

    What: 11-Day Study Trip
    When: Monday, 30 October 2023 until Thursday, 9 November 2023 (Beginning and end in Tokyo)
    Where: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Osaka, Misaki/Ohaga
    Programme manager: Danica Zeier
    Accompanied by: Stefano Vannotti, Markus Ort, Jonas Petermann

    The study trip (5 ECTS) is part of the modular CAS Design Cultures of the MAS Strategic Design continuing education program. The trip can also be booked independently of the CAS program. Costs: CHF 2800.– (excl. flights, accommodation, meals).

    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK
    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK
    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK
    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK
    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK
    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK
    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK
    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK
    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK
    • Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK Japanreise in 2023 im Rahmen des CAS Design Cultures der ZHdK

    Why Japan?

    On the traces of lived contrasts

    We live in a turbulent world characterized by uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. As a result, we are constantly on the lookout for foreign cultures, role models and personalities who have developed an inspiring way of dealing with the increasing ambiguity of our society. 

    How do we deal with difference? How do we live together peacefully and without hostility? How do we find inner peace in an environment that is getting louder, denser and faster? And how do we evolve into the future while taking tradition with us?

    Because of its long isolation, Japan has developed a culture that allows us to live with difference. For example, Japanese culture deals with "tensions" much more naturally, exemplifying the much-discussed principle of ambidexterity. 

    In the metropolis of Tokyo, for example, the hectic, the loud and the shrill dominate. At the same time, however, there are many places, spaces, and moments of depth, tranquility, and seclusion. Quiet spirituality contrasts with groundbreaking architectural concepts, the beguiling aesthetics of everyday objects, or award-winning design with a high affinity for new technologies. Approaches such as kaizen, the art of "small incremental improvements," and lean management are experiencing a resurgence in these times of unbridled innovation and agile collaboration.

    Japan is impressive in the way it continues to evolve and rethink society in line with the values we know from strategic design: "Designing future society for our lives" is the theme of Expo 2025, which Osaka will host.

    Preparation workshop and follow-up

    To prepare and follow up the study trip, your participation in three events with Stefanie Neumann (lecturer at ZHAW) is desired:

    • Thursday, 7 September 2023, 4–8 p.m.
    • Thursday, 5 October 2023, 4–8 p.m.
    • Thursday, 7 December 2023, 4–8 p.m.

    Itinerary

    Map of Japan with some markers.

    Itinerary is in progress and is subject to change.

    Individual arrival

    The outbound and return flights to Tokyo are to be organised independently by the participants.

    Arrival of all participants by Sunday evening, 29.10.2023. At 6 p.m. informal get-together aperitif in proximity to our hotels.

    Day 1 – Monday, 30.10.2023 – Arrive in Japan, immerse yourself in Tokyo

    Insight into the metropolis of Tokyo (including history, culture, geography, politics). Exploration of the city with an expert impulse and a local wine reception.

    Agenda: expert talk, wine reception
    Extra costs: metro ticket, meals, overnight stay in Tokyo

    Links
    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokio

    Day 2 – Tuesday, 31.10.2023 – Trip to Osaka with studio visit in Kyoto

    Transfer by bullet train Shinkansen in less than three hours from Tokyo to Osaka, the economic centre of western Japan. After settling into accommodation, a short trip to Kyoto for a studio visit with multidisciplinary artist Kohei Nawa is planned. Immersion in his diverse art practice at the intersection of virtual and physical space, nature and artificiality.

    Agenda: studio visit
    Additional costs: transfer tickets, accommodation in Osaka

    Links
    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen
    http://kohei-nawa.net/
     

    Day 3 – Wednesday, 01.11.2023 – Vibrant business centre and tech hotspot

    Visit to Swissnex, the Swiss external network for education, research and innovation. Immersion in lean production and agile working methods in a Japanese company. Visit to the organizers of Expo 2025. Introduction to Japan's national strategy of Society 5.0 – a human-centred and fully networked society with sensors, robots, big data and cloud computing as a smart utopia in the context of demographic change.

    Agenda: Lean Production Tour, expert inside exchange Swissnex and Expo 2025
    Additional costs: overnight stay in Osaka
     

    Links
    https://swissnex.org/japan/
    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlanke_Produktion
    https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/
    https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/society5_0/index.html
     

    Day 4 – Thursday, 02.11.2023 – Day trip to Kobe – Between super technology and handicraft tradition

    30 minutes of train ride from Osaka to Kobe. Visit to the Fugaku Supercomputer at the Riken Center for Computational Science. Exploration of the cultural heritage of timber construction. Guided tour and workshop at Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum.

    Agenda: entrance fees, workshops
    Additional costs: transfer tickets, accommodation in Osaka

    Links
    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugaku_(Supercomputer)
    https://www.riken.jp/en/research/labs/r-ccs/
    https://www.dougukan.jp/?lang=en

    Day 5 – Friday, 03.11.2023 – From the hustle and bustle of the big city to the rural village community

    Transfer by train and bus from Osaka to Ohaga in the Misaki region (approx. 3 hours). Get to know the host communities and relax in the rustic silence of the rice terraces.

    Agenda: Bus transfer, accommodation and meals in the host communities
    Additional costs: Train tickets

    Day 6 + 7 – Saturday/Sunday, 04./05.11.2023 – Life in the village community

    A weekend far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Addressing issues such as aging society and rural flight. Exchange with rural people in activities around self-sufficiency, traditional handicrafts and cultural practices.

    Agenda: accommodation and meals in the host communities
    Additional costs: none

    Day 8 – Monday, 06.11.2023 – Heading north to Kanazawa

    Five-hour transfer by bus and train to the coast to the Sea of Japan. Immerse yourself in the sights of Kanazawa's historic old town. Visit Kenrokuen Park, stroll and eat at the Omicho food market and linger over tea ceremonies in the Higashiyama Chaya district. Overnight stay in a traditional ryokan.

    Agenda: bus transfer, ceremonies
    Additional costs: food in the food market, overnight stay in a ryokan

    Links
    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanazawa
    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenroku-en
    https://asienspiegel.ch/2021/05/japan-kanazawa-essen-markt-omicho
    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanische_Teezeremonie
     

    Day 9 – Tuesday, 07.11.2023 – Contemporary Art, Spectacular Libraries and Museum of Architecture

    Visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Architecture. Visit Kanazawa's impressive libraries (including Tamagawa and Ishikawa Prefectural Library). Return to Tokyo by Shinkansen in just under three hours.

    Agenda: Museum entrance fees
    Additional costs: Transfer ticket, overnight stay in Tokyo

    Links
    https://www.kanazawa21.jp/en/
    https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/
    https://asienspiegel.ch/2023/02/kanazawa-ishikawa-prefectural-library-eine-bibliothek-als-sehenswuerdigkeit

    Day 10 – Wednesday, 08.11.2023 – Discover Tokyo at your own pace

    Relaxing day with museum visits or long walks through the modern city architecture. Discover the extraordinary mini-houses and other city trouvailles. Tour of Tokyo's drainage system.

    Agenda: architectural and city tour and sightseeing
    Additional costs: individual museum entrance fees
     

    Links
    https://asienspiegel.ch/2021/12/japan-reisen-g-cans-entwaesserungsanlage-tokio-google-street-view

    Day 11 – Thursday, 09.11.2023 – Last insights and final dinner

    Final highlights of the mega metropolis. Immerse yourself in the daily life of exciting Tokyo residents from the fields of design, technology and culture.

    Agenda: peoples insights and final dinner
    Additional costs: none

    Individual return or onward journey

    From Friday, 10.11.2023, all participants will travel individually again. Continue your journey in Japan or return to Zurich.

    Costs

    The total costs for the study trip to Japan for an individual participant are as follows:

    Module costs CHF 2800.– (plus CHF 200.– for initial registration)

    The following services are included in these costs:

    • Teaching sequences on site at the Toni-Areal (preparatory and follow-up workshops) as well as lectures and guided tours on the study trip itself  
    • Travel planning and organisation by the CAS Design Cultures team as well as additional Japanese travel companions during the 11-day study trip
    • Partial accommodation and food costs during the study trip (days 5/6/7: living in the village community in Ohaga/Misaki; incl. three overnight stays)
    • Occasional group transfers by mini-bus
    • 2-4 aperitifs/snacks as part of organised activities (including start and end days)
       

    Accommodation costs (approximate value)

    During the 11-day study trip (30.10.-9.11.2023), participants must book 7 overnight stays (or 9 overnight stays with arrival and departure days) and pay for them individually on site. Tips for suitable accommodation at the individual destinations will follow by the end of June.

    The costs for 9 nights start in the lower range at approx. ~ CHF 800.– (if you choose a cheap hotel and double room occupancy) and are open upwards.

    Details of the accommodation cost calculation (no responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information):

    Arrival day Tokyo (overnight stay 0 > 1)
    29.10.–30.10.2023
    1 x ~ CHF 85.–/135.– (double occupancy/single room)

    Tokyo – 1 night (travel day 1 > 2)
    30.10–31.10.2023
    1 x ~ CHF 85.–/135.– (double occupancy/single room)

    Osaka – 3 nights (travel day 3 > 4 > 5)
    31.10.–3.11.2023
    3 x ~ CHF 85.–/125.– (double occupancy/single room)

    –
    Costs for accommodation and meals on travel days 5/6/7/8 in Ohaga/Misaki are included in the module costs.

    –

    Kanazawa – 1 night (travel day 8 > 9)
    6.–7.11.2023
    1 x ~ CHF 30.–/50.– (double occupancy/single room)

    Tokyo – 2 nights (travel days 9 > 10 > 11)
    7.–9.11.2023
    2 x ~ CHF 85.–/135.– (double occupancy/single room)

    Departure day Tokyo (overnight stay 11 > 12)
    9.–10.11.2023
    1 x ~ CHF 85.–/135.– (double occupancy/single room)

    Meals

    Breakfast is not included in hotel bookings, but must be booked separately and costs approx. CHF 25.– per head. In so-called konbinis (24/7 convenience stores), cookshops or food courts you can be happy and full from CHF 5.–. Lunch in restaurants costs between CHF 8–15.–, good sushi, ramen and udon start at CHF 8.– per person. The prices for dinner in a middle-class restaurant in Japan are around CHF 15–25.– per person, a 3-course meal in a good restaurant can cost between CHF 30–80.–. So you can get by on CHF 43–120.– per day plus the cost of drinks.

    Mobility

    Travel by public transport will be a large part of the cost of the trip. With the Japan Rail Pass, we will have unlimited travel on the entire national JR (Japan Railways) network, including the high-speed Shinkansen and R trains. It costs CHF 311.– for a 14-day stay and about CHF 408.– for a 21-day stay. Subways, local trains and buses are usually operated by other companies, so we would generously calculate an additional CHF 100.– in transport costs for the trip – plus the purchase of the Rail Pass. Info on purchasing the pass will follow after registration.

    Culture/Entertainment

    A museum entrance fee in Japan costs around CHF 10.– per person, a visit to the Sky Tree Tokyo, for example, costs CHF 14.–.

    Visa and entry

    Visa exemption
    As of 11 October 2022, visa-free travel has been restored for 68 countries, including Switzerland, Germany and Austria. This means that no visa is required for tourist, business (without payment) and family short stays. The short stay is limited to 90 days. For citizens of DACH countries there is the possibility to extend this stay in Japan once for another 90 days. 

    Entry
    On 29 April 2023, Japan lifted the last Corona entry restrictions; Covid 19 vaccination certificates or Covid 19 negative test results are no longer required.

    Registration

    The registration cycle for the study trip to Japan in October/November 2023 is closed.