Feynman travels to Japan to participate in a Physics conference. The Japanese are recovering from the war and wish to reignite the academic study of Physics within their culture. Feynman studies Japanese in anticipation of his trip. He later learns he is the only American attending the conference who has done so (all were advised to).
While in Japan, Feynman goes out of his way to learn what he can about Japanese culture. He refuses to stay in western style hotels, and insists on being moved to a Japanese-style hotel. He enjoys his immersion in Japanese culture—sleeping on the floor, eating with chopsticks, speaking Japanese, for example.
An incident involving a chambermaid accidentally walking in on.....
