During the final year of my PhD I took the opportunity to spend the summer on a research placement in Japan. My research involves the design, fabrication and characterisation of metal nanoparticles. In particular I have been working to explore and optimize the methods by which the intense optical properties of metal nanoparticles can be used to improve the performance of solar cells. During my two months at the Research Centre for Photovoltaics in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, I was able to fabricate hundreds of high quality solar cells and coat them with various specific types of metal nanoparticles and investigate their complex optical interactions. Working with the world-class facilities at AIST and being part of a friendly and knowledgeable research team was extremely rewarding and enabled me get a huge amount of very useful data in a short space of time. I felt very welcome in the group and found the other researchers to be very social - I always had lots of company for lunch, and was treated to many trips to the local izakaya (Japanese style pub) and karaoke.

AIST is based in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, which is about 45 minutes from Tokyo by train. Known as Japan's "City" it is home to many national research institutes and a correspondingly large number of international researchers. As a planned city, Tsukuba initially appears to offer little in the way the cultural interest, but a plethora of hidden surprises in the nearby countryside (including the world's tallest statue of Buddha!) more than make up for this. I tended to visit Tokyo a few times a week, and was amazed by the variety of things to see and do there. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Japanese theatre (Noh and Kabuki), and the ever-changing display at the Ota Ota ukiyo-e (woodblock print) museum were always fascinating.

Summer in Japan is an exciting time. Festival season is in full swing, and I spent many happy days immersed in crowds of excited Japanese, most in beautiful summer kimono, watching fireworks, processions or cultural displays. On the downside it's extremely hot and humid, but this is a great excuse to escape to the cooler air of the mountains. Majestic Fuji-san is just a few hours from Tokyo, and an overnight climb to watch the sunrise from the summit was by far the highlight of my trip. I also travelled further afield by bullet train, particularly to visit other JSPS fellows. One of the best aspects of the JSPS Summer Program is that you're not alone -100 other fellows are spread out around the country. Frequent meet ups with the Kanto crowd were extremely enjoyable, and it was fun to hear about everyone's (very different!) experiences in Japan. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. It was a great way to make lasting ties with an excellent research group in Japan, and also to explore the fascinating culture and make new friends. I can't wait to go back!

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