Science fiction is reality in Japan

Cool JAXA space tech, ASIMO the robot, insane bullet train ride, submarine/star trek cruise, giant transformer, and hanging out in an international space station module.

Touring Tokyo Bay on awesome submarine cruiser

The Japanese know how to make a cruise exciting. This would be the strangest boat I've ever been on. It's like something out of Star Trek.


The bar
Inside the boat is very light and spacious. A very pleasant way to see the sights. I was surprised by the absence of private water sport activity in such a rich city. Maybe it's not allowed?


Golden Godzilla dropping

Bullet Train



How sick are bullet trains?? A sort of blend between airline and rail, bullet trains are insanely fast! They cruise at 320km/h and some can reach over 600km/h. At the station they slow down but still fly past at wild speeds.

Heading into the country via bullet train - hell yes!!!

Just like being in a jet.



Bullet Train Sushi - Yum!

Space tech


JAXA's International Space Station Module (Replica)
Aki took me to Miraikan, a sort of Japanese super science centre. It was full of space tech from JAXA (Japanese space agency) along with a seemingly random selection from many other agencies. I found this particularly exciting because JAXA tests equipment an sometimes launches in South Australia and I've been involved via the Mars Society.

Inside the ISS module
The JAXA ISS module was destroyed before deployment because of the Tsunami. Nobody thought it would make it into space. But the Japanes managed to build another and the Americans helped get it into space before they mothballed the Space Shuttle.
Japanese space toilet
ISS bedroom
Rocket engine used on JAXA rockets
Aki practicing her remote surgery skills

Super robot ASIMO chatting with kids and kicking balls around


Prototype pet robot


Massive animated globe using satelite images


Deep sea reseach sub




Tokyo Sky Tree is apparently the tallest broadcasting tower in the world. At it's base is an amazing aquarium with some of the best freshwater tanks I've ever seen!



Aquarium











Gandam


In Japan, the transformers don't just exist in the imagination!

Giant robot "gundam unicorn odaiba" - awesome!

Some Octapuss balls to keep me going

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