Customer Reviews

31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park

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This book accurately captures the experience of the working expat in Japan - coping with culture clashes in the office as well as adjustment pains in a foreign land. Larry and Lorna Collins tell the story of their trip to build Universal Studios Japan - the preparation, the work, the life in Japan and then the return.

As a reader with similar experiences, there were many, "The same thing happened to me" moments as they peeled the onion of Japanese culture, encountering and then digging through stereotypes. The book also provided quite a few "I wish I knew that back then" lessons. The old Japanese hand will also note the odd ironic event here and there, for example, being complimented on using chopsticks is a universal experience.

The mix of good nature and naive wonder experienced by Larry and Lorna come through strong. Perhaps the sincerity is why they made so many connections. Of course the cultural cynic won't be able to finish the book.

Worth the read, and makes me want to return to Japan.

I was utterly charmed by the experiences related from the viewpoint of the author husband and author wife. Not only were the glimpses of the Japanese culture intriguting and fascinating, but I was also awed by the descriptions of the different places visited by the authors. The insights into the actual building of a theme park in a foreign land kept me turning pages.

Having had the opportunity to see the authors at the recent Epicon made it even more interesting as I could imagine them as I read their words.

This is definitely a book for anyone who likes to read about new places and learn more about a different culture from first hand sources.

Thank you for many pleasant reading hours.

Marilyn Meredith, author of Wingbeat, latest in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series.

From the very first chapter, "31 Months in Japan : The Building of a Theme Park" by Larry K. and Lorna Collins, immerses the reader in a fascinating discovery of Japanese culture and the ingenious secrets that make the magic of a theme park real. This detailed and personal account of the trials and surprises involved in creating Universal Studios Japan is told in a warm familiar voice that many times had me musing that I would have reacted the same way as the narrators.

The Collins embark on their adventure with enthusiasm and open hearts, and this attitude enables them to make meaningful contact with their Japanese hosts, not just in the workplace where they face the challenges of turning dreams of an exciting theme park into smoothly-functioning reality, but also on the busy and often confusing streets of Osaka. If you wish to experience a view of another culture that goes beyond rapid tourist impressions or the surface veneer of international negotiations, this book is for you.

Another wonderful layer of the book is the intriguing behind-the-scenes perspective of the complicated mechanics that make all the parts of a major theme park mesh together to form a magical world of imagination come to life. I was spellbound by the innovative solutions that the team of engineers used to solve the complex problems involved in making giant mechanical dinosaurs and sharks interact with an artificial landscape and waterscape to produce a living theater capable of thrilling visitors again and again.

By the time you finish "31 Months in Japan" you will know the Collins well, and will appreciate having joined them on their rich journey to Japan and back. The theme park they helped create is a testament to how drawing on the strength and vision of many individuals and even different cultures can take a project to admirable and unexpected heights. I strongly recommend this outstanding book.

For an American theme park to be built in Japan, both Japanese and American workers must learn to work together. For Universal Studios Japan, many families were uprooted and sent to live in a foreign country. For Larry and Lorna Collins, they had sponsored several Japanese students and were optimistic about the move. However, after several months, even they had trouble adjusting to the move.

31 Months in Japan is the story of Larry and Lorna Collins, regular people who moved miles away from home. In total, they spent several years of their lives on the dream of Universal Studios Japan. They met many wonderful people while away, both American and Japanese. As the project continued, they saw the two cultures collide and learn to live together. They had trouble, especially trying to find new places, but in all, they remained pleased at their experience.

31 Months in Japan will fascinate readers as the Collins' show their sacrifices to build a theme park in another country. They allow readers into both their behind the scenes work and their personal life as they struggled to find their way in a new culture. The Collins' show readers into the Japanese lifestyle as their own way of life is so different. They show both the good and bad things that happened along the way as Universal Studios Japan grew until it was finished.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends 31 MONTHS IN JAPAN as a must for anyone planning on traveling to or working in Japan. It teaches about & shows a very different lifestyle, & how our American ways of doing things can make for both funny & embarrasing moments. Throughout, you sense the authors' excitement, their appreciation of beauty, hard work & friendship.

Elegantly presented, in simple & brief language, 31 MONTHS IN JAPAN tells the saga of how Larry & Lorna Collins got there, the inevitable culture clashes, setting up house, social gaffes, typhoons, festivals & construction woes, together with photographs of the team.

A unique & engaging read.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the trials faced and joys experienced by business professionals entering into another country to build a theme park. The book describes the journey that Larry and Lorna took from monsoons to tea houses and from surfing to theme park rides. I enjoyed learning about the customs and found myself wondering if I could have weathered the adventure as well as they did.

The book is an easy read and well worth your time to explore these 31 months in Japan while building a theme park.