Maj.Gen. & Mrs.Larry D.James (5AF/CV), Col. & Mrs.Wonzir L.Gardner Jr.(Director of Logistics, 5AF), Col.Daniel F.Rogers (Judge Advocate General, 5AF) and Ms.Karen Westoff participated in tour. This program is sponsored by Mr.Minoru Takayanagi who lives in Utsunomiya-city near Nikko and he is JAAGA associate member. This year, it's third time. Mr.Michael H.McCracken as translator, secretariat Hori and Utsunomiya escorted with them as coordinator. We departed from Yokota AB by USAF vehicle, got off at Utsunomiya interchange of Tohoku Expressway. There, Mr.&Mrs.Takayanagi and his staffs were waiting to welcome us. After exchanging greeting word, Mr.Masaki Takayanagi (nephew of Mr. Takayanagi) and Mr. Hideo Miura joined us, and went to Kanaya Hotel for lunch. This hotel is the one of oldest hotels in Nikko area. Then we visited Shinkyo-bridge (heavenly bridge). At Tohshogu-Shrine all members admired on splendid and colorful Yohmei-Mon gate, and interestingly listened on explanation about history of Tokugawa Shogunate Government at cemetery of Ieyasu Tokugawa who was founder of Tokugawa Shogunate. USAF members showed interesting on Roaring Dragon corridor of Sanctuary. Next we visited Futara-san Shrine, watched shrine maiden dancing, and Gen.James offered sprig of sacred tree to Shrine God and others prayed with two bow, two craps and one bow in conformity with Japanese ceremony. Utsunomiya Grand Hotel which they stayed at is famous historical hotel. Mr.& Mrs.Takayanagi, Ms.Noriko Horikawa, Mr.&Mrs.Masaki Takayanagi, Mr.Ohashi and Mr.Miura joined in dinner at hotel. We could spend very pleasant time.
Next morning we walked around big hotel's garden after breakfast. We had plan to guide them to ceramic kiln and Sake brewery to touch Japanese history and culture. We brought them to Mashiko town where is very famous town for ceramic. At Sekizawa pottery company in Mashiko, they could have experience on potter's wheel work and making drawing. After then we visited Sotoike Sake brewery, they understood brewery processing and tried to Sake tasting. Mr.&Mrs.Takayanagi, his staffs and Mashiko English Conversation Club members who had suported this tour joined in luncheon, they enjoyed talking together. After this, we were seen off there and left Mashiko town.
We think USAF members could enjoy 2days Nikko tour freed from their busy duty, also they could feel our appreciation for their contribution to allied nation's security with leaving hometown distantly. This is the reason why Mr.Takayanagi sponsered Nikko tour. Success of tour depends on Mr.Takayanagi's supporting, Ms.Horikawa's coordinating, Gen.Wright's understanding on this program and Mr.McCracken's supporting to this tour. (Reported by secretariat Hori)
