Visiting the Toyota factory in Nagoya
As I correctly predicted, rain was not just looming, it was actually raining.
So I thought I had better go see some looms and find out why Toyota went from making fabric on automated looms to making cars.
As it turns out, Toyota started in Nagoya, there is actually a large suburb called Toyota, but the original factory is quite near the main station, and is now The Toyota commemerative museum of industry and technology.
Turns out this is an excellent place, with most of the exhibits being demonstrated by highly excited presenters.
Toyota, stareted by Mr Toyoda, got rich by making the worlds first fully automated loom. They still make these today, I know cause I saw lots of them.
At some point, one of Mr Toyodas sons went on a study tour to look at looms, and was surprised at how many cars there were on the roads compared to Japan.
Basically at the same time he returned to Japan, the great Kanto earthquake occurred and destroyed all the railroads, and Toyota saw their opportunity.
The museum goes into great detail about quality, safety, innovation and all those other buzzwords. I thought it was great.
I might add to this, that Paris is the only place I have ever been to in my life where I was concerned for my safety whilst wandering around the streets.
This is the original Toyota factory where they made their first looms.
And here it is, the worlds first fully automated loom for turning cotton balls picked by slaves into fabric.
We now get a history of looms. I learnt of water wheel powered ones, mules that walk around in a circle, steam powered.
The little old men that show them working love their job.
Room full of looms, dont worry, we are nearly finished saying loom.
Megaloom.
Between the loom museum and car museum, I was treated to a brief steel forging presentation. This had actual red hot molten metal pressed into a conrod.
The robot band played me off.
Now we get to learn about the history of the car part of the Toyota company.
This included examples of every engine, transmission, steering rack, brake system and suspension system they have ever produced.
The surprising thing is how long engine designs last, some that were first used in the 50's were still in production in the late 80's.
The giant thing in the glove box is not a cd player, or a laserdisc player, its a fax machine, in case you need a fax whilst out on the road.
If you read about westerners working in Japan, they will usually tell a story about how they cannot believe their office still sends and receives hundreds of faxes each day, with a girl employed whos job it is to run around distributing them as they come in.
This is the first ever Toyota car, the model A1. They employed efficiency techniques even with the naming.
I got to see automated welders.
Then robotic welders. At which point I learnt that Toyota also owns Daihatsu and Denso.
I was excited, thats for sure.
The gift shop features a series of Toyota themed curry mixes.
Back outside, and its still raining, slightly.
So I headed into Cafe Pronto for a toasted sandwich and cup of tea. This was really nice, and very cheap. I think one half was peppered pork, whatever that is, and the other was potato salad which was delicious.
And then as I arrived back at my hotel, right over the road a kind of massive flea market was underway. Hordes of people were busy staging an umbrella fight.
This is the local fashion runway catwalk extravaganza. There was lots of clapping and jumping up and down in time with Lady Gaga.
Traditional Japanese costumes.
Presumably, the highlight of todays festival. At some point shirtless men will push this through the streets and run people over to appease the earthquake gods.
But first, an actual band of clowns. Their goal, to play as out of tune and out of time with each other as possible. They truly were masters of their craft.
Cactus in a cube was pretty cool.
The local school band however, were terrible. They had 3 false starts at the one song. As in they actually stopped and apologised and tried again, 3 times!
The most famous food of Nagoya
Now, for a urinal story.
The urinals in the train station, have a target to aim at, and the longer you stay on target, the more LED lights inside the urinal light up.
I have been drinking gallons of tea to try and get all 10. So far 7 out of 10 lights is the best I can do.I have let down Australia.
Tonight is my last night in Nagoya, so 2 cities down and 3 to go. It is still raining, just slightly, not enough to need an umbrella, but everyone has one.
I liked being in Nagoya because I had not been here before. It was new and there were new things around most corners.
I also enjoyed the many opportunities for day trips to mountains and nearby cities with real castles.
Its wide streets and perfect grid like arrangement are what makes it different from other Japanese cities I have been to. Dont think of it as a small place, the metro area is just over 9 million people!
First up this evening, I got to appreciate a giant cat. Along with about 1000 other people. You could line up to have one on one time with the cat.
Then I happened on a peace protest. Out the backside of the station there were police everywhere and the streets were all closed off.
I dont think it had anything to do with France, more to do with Japans wish to return to pre imperial times and expand globally via force.
The tops of the big buildings were ascending into the cloud.
Nagoya has plenty of vending machines.
These 3 dogs were annoyed the giant cat was getting all the attention.
I finally found some guitars to buy.
And now my dinner. Which was awesome, but so very very unhealthy.
It comes from a place that is somewhat famous in Nagoya, but now I forgot the name! It is actually a pasta dish, but they pile everything else Japan likes on top of it.
Squid, a burger and an egg.
I lined up for this, and it was worth it. Once I got to the front of the line I still had to negotiate my way to a spot at the bar.
They found an English speaking waitress, and we discussed that I would still pay for the food even though the spicy version of the sauce would be far too spicy for me and I wouldnt be able to eat it.