Around The World Tour: Tokyo, Japan

In Joel’s welcome episode to Asia, he visits the Ginza Shopping District in Tokyo, famous for being the first area in Japan to have electricity. He takes you to his hotel where Deaf people work, interviewing Hiragi, Miyagi and Nakasawa, deaf women in the laundry room with Yumi as the interpreter – and Matsuzuki and Togash at a printing shop. To meet more working deaf people, Joel visits Michiko who runs a shop with deaf employees, and a computer-operated order screen so hearing customers can buy food. As Japan is famous for its robotics, Joel finds a cute dinosaur that responds when you pet it, and a robot doing push-ups. Tokyo is also known for its city lights, and a trip to Tokyo Tower shows you the famous view of the city at night. In the Tsukiji Market, Joel tries eating some sea urchin and slices of the infamous blowfish — slice it wrong and the meat is fatal. Joel samples authentic, fresh sushi before hitching a ride on a pedicab with quite unique shoes worn by the driver. At Asakusa, Joel gets a lucky fortune and visits a temple, before going to Ryogoku Kougikan, a sumo stadium where he watches a few rounds of sumo wrestling. Yet another deaf-owned business is found, a restaurant owned by Fusao and his wife who are interviewed, along with Akira, an employee. Special thanks go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. For more information on Tokyo, go to:
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html and http://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/

ABOUT THE SHOW
An around-the-world trip took Joel to seven countries and many different successful Deaf individuals! In just two weeks, No Barriers with Joel Barish traveled via air to spend about two days in each city and truly showcases how empowered deaf people are all around the world. The trip was a positive outlook on the potential of deaf people to succeed in any aspect. No Barriers with Joel Barish would not have been able to complete the trip if it were not for tourism offices in each country. The offices provided Joel with local Deaf tour guides and accommodations to promote their countries, and No Barriers with Joel Barish is always open to new ideas and locations and partnerships with local tourism offices.