On 27-28 October USAF airmen and their spouses were invited to Nikko Tour 2009 sponsored by Mr.Minoru Takayanagi who lives in Utsunomiya city and he is JAAGA associate member.　The participants were Col.&Mrs.Jim Plott (Director of Intelligence and Cyber Operation, 5AF), Col. & Mrs.Randall J.Richert (Director Security Forces, 5AF), Ms.Dorothy L.Vaught (Director of Manpower and Personnel, 5AF) and　Cap.&Mrs.Nicolas Streitz (Deputy Chief of Bilateral Relation, 5AF).　Cap.Streitz just arrived at his post two weeks ago, and was coordinatorof this tour and bus driver.　JAAGA officers (Takahasi, Ogawa and Iba) joined to this tour in order to support them.　After they departed from Yokota AB by bus, they took Tohoku Highway and joined up with Mr.Takayanagi and his group at Utsunomina interchange.
　　We were concerned about the weather of 27-28 October. because the typhoon was approaching to Kanto area, but the typhoon passed an offshore of Kanto area early.　So the day of 27 October was very fine.　Mr.Masayoshi Takayanagi (Mr.Takayanagi's nephew) and Mr.Hideo Miura (officer of Tochigi Aviation Association, graduate of National Defense Academy) guided them to Nikko heritage area.　After visiting Shinkyo (Bridge of God, world heritage), participants took lunch and rest.　After lunch they went to Sanbutsudo, Toshogu-shrine and Futarasan-shrine.　At Toshogu-shrine they received explanation about Yomei-mon gate, sculpture of three monkeys and sleeping cat, and echo corridor of Dragon.　They looked at old and solemnity temples, shrines and other heritage, so they could come in touch with Japanese tradition, culture and history.　At Futarasan-shrine they admired Miko (shrine maiden) dancing and Col.Richerd offered a spring of sacred tree to God on behalf of the group and all member prayed with Shinto manner (2 bows, 3 claps and 1 bow).　After they drove the thrilling Irohazaka (famous zigzag slope road), they got to Kegon falls.　They were so impressed by magnificent scenery.　Then they moved to hotel, there they enjoyed Sushi-dinning and conversation about Japanese culture with Ms.Noriko Horikawa (Mr Takayanagi's daughter), Mr.Ouhashi (Mrs.Takayanagi's brother) and other supporters.
　　The day of 28 Oct. was so fine, and they visited Mashiko-yaki pottery and Sake brewer with Mr.&Mrs.Takayanagi.　First they visited Sekizawa pottery which is the one of oldest pottery in Mashiko town and they experienced potter's wheel and painting on ceramics under the guidance by pottery owner (Mr.Takeshi Sekizawa) and his son.　Mr.Sekizawa's guidance was very humorous and all members did challenge to make Japanese traditional handicraft.　Particularly Mrs.Richerd showed interesting on porcelain painting , so she repeatedly challenge for painting and she made a pair of teacups.　She looked she couldn't wait their completion.　Also they observed Sekizawa Pottery Museum, the tea-ceremony room which was made of big Sake barrel, lots of Bonsai and ascending kiln.　They had good look at Japanese traditional house which was built under consideration of harmony with nature and beauty.
　　Next they went to Tonoike Sake brewery in Mashiko town, they received explanation about Sake brewing process there.　They luckily could hear the singing by brewers.　The explainer indicated that the singing is the method of time measurement for stirring unrefined Sake in old day when there was no clock.　They were very impressed on brewers' wisdom and their tradition.　They tasted some kinds of unprocessed Sake which had different flavor caused of different brewing process.　Then they moved to the restaurant along rice field which was over of crop, they took lunch with the supporters and volunteer translators.　They enjoyed typical Japanese foods, Sukiyaki, Tenpura and Somen noodle which was flowing along long bamboo gutter.　At the end of this tour, Col.Plott expressed appreciation on behalf of USAF airmen, "We thank you very much to give us the opportunity to understand Japanese culture and history, which was arranged by Mr.Takayanagi and many supporters for two days.　It is a great result for us to come in touch with heart of Japanese warm hospitality".　Then they left Mashiko town for Yokota Air Base with all supporters' seeing off
　　This project is sponsored by Mr.Takayanagi, who expresses appreciation to US soldiers who live far from their home land and are separated with their family in order for defending Japan, he wants US soldiers to know the origin of Japan.　The spirit of Japanese culture which was created under Japanese original tradition and nature will remain in their mind forever, we believe.　Finally we would like to appreciate for sponsoring and supporting this tour by Mr.Minoru Takabayashi and Ms.Noriko Horikawa, and for Gen.Rice's comprehension for this tour.
　（reported by secretariat Iba)