This program is sponsored by Mr.Minoru Takayanagi, JAAGA individual associate member and lives in Utsunomiya city near Nikko. It is the second continuance in last year. Participants were Col. Wonziel L.Gardner Jr.(Director of Logistics, Hqs 5th AF), Col. Gilberto G.Rios (Director of Intelligence, Hqs 5th AF), Lt.Col. Michael R.Farrar (Commander of 20th Operational Weather Sq.), Lt.Col.Robert M.Rogers (Deputy Director of Operation, Hqs.5th AF), Lt.Col.William N.Pierce (Director of Staff for 373 Airlift Wg), and Mr.Thomas N.Hasebe (Bilateral Plans & Programs Specialist for Hqs.5th AF). Secretariat Yamamoto (Liaison) and Secretariat Utsunomiya (Membership) joined this tour from JAAGA as the program manager.
They left Yokota AB by USAF bus in the morning of 16 May, took Tohoku Express Highway and went down at Utsunomiya Interchange(I.C.). Mr.& Mrs. Takayanagi and the supporters waited for their arriving at Utsunomiya I.C., welcome them and exchanged greetings each other there. Mr.Masayosi Takayanagi (Mr.Takayanagi's nephew), Ms.Noriko Horikawa (Mr.Takayanagi's eldest daughter), Mr.Hideo Miura (Director of association of Tochigi aviation) accompanied with them after this.
They took lunch at Kanaya Hotel (most famous hotel in Nikko area), then moved to Hutarasan Shrine via Iroha-zaka (Zigzag road). At this shrine they saw the restored Shinkyo (Holly Bridge) which was the world's cultural heritage and was exhibited especially. After observing a treasury at this Shinto shrine, they went sanctuary of this shrine. Col.Gardner gave a sprig of a sacred tree with the look that was tense on behalf of a participant and all member worshiped with Japanese traditional method (2bows, 2claps, 1bow) They observed the swords or the float which were a national treasure and important cultural property were exhibited in the treasury, they showed interesting on the articles of Japan which had the old history in comparison with U.S. history. After this, they went to Kegon Falls, there they was touched by the magnificent scenery which ran in the Kegon Falls in close at hand.
Lodging of 16 May was venerable Utsunomiya Grand Hotel. They were invited the dinner party at this hotel. They could have very pleasant time with Mr. & Mrs.Takayanagi and the supporters. On 17 May, after taking breakfast they enjoyed walking around the hotel's big garden, they checked out and went to Nikko Toshogu Shrine while looking at big roadside cedar trees. At Toshogu shrine, the annual spring festival was held in this time and there were many school excursion students and tourists visited. Col.Gilbert, who is an authority of Japan and has knowledge of tea ceremony, showed tea-serving manners at outdoor tea ceremony held in Omotesando. And at Toshogu, they enjoyed the luxurious gorgeousness of the buildings registered with a world heritage or the sculpture of the three monkeys,a sleep cat, and dragon echo or pictures. Also they could fortunately see the Japanese traditional archery on horseback. The all members sent applause to it to watch for the first time. We think they could understand our history and touch our culture. Also we believe that they understand the feeling of our thanks for the U.S. Air Force members who leave their hometown distantly, and sweat for security of our country, as Mr.Takayanagi says.
Finally we point that the success of this tour is caused by Mr.Takayanagi's support, Gen.Wright's understanding about this program and Mr.Hasebe's effort to this tour. (Reported by secretariat Utsunomiya)
Postscript : JAAGA received appreciation mails from the participants
