Tour members left Yokota AB by USAF vehicle to Nikko, and were welcomed by Mr.Masayosi Takayanagi (nephew of Mr.Minoru Takayanagi) and Mr.Hideo Miura (secretariat of Tochigi Aviation Association) on the way to Nikko, and they guided the tour party to Nikko. After taking lunch at Kanaya Hotel which is very venerable in this area, they visited Toshogu Shrine, Sanbutsudoh Hall and Futarasan Shrine, they seemed deeply impressed by Yomeimon Gate, Tree Monkeys, Sleeping Cat, Crying Dragon and others at Toshogu Shrine. Then they went to Futarasan Shrine, they saw shrine maiden dancing, on behalf of the group Gen.Angelella offered a sprig of the sacred tree to the shrine in accordance with old tradition, and all members experienced Japanese Shinto prayers. After Futarasan Shrine, they went to Kegon waterfall, they enjoyed the very magnificent waterfall and colorful landscape tinted with autumnal leaves. After finishing first day schedule, they checked in the hotel in Utsunomiya city near Nikko area, joined the dinner party there with Mr.&Mrs.Minoru Takayanagi and others supporters, and enjoyed talking each others, having Japanese dish and drinking Sake. Very pleasant time they spent there.
On the second day under a beautiful fall day, they visited Mashiko-ware pottery and Sake brewer with Mr.&Mrs.Minoru Takayanagi. In the first place they visited Sekizawa pottery which is the one of old established pottery in Mashiko area, they experienced "potter's wheel" and "pottery painting" under the guidance by Mr.Takeshi Sekizawa (pottery owner) and his son, Gen.Angelella and all members challenged Japanese traditional handicraft. They seemed to look forward their completion. Then they were guided to Sekizawa pottery museum, Sake barrel tea house, many Bonsai and kiln. Next they visited Tonoike brewery. After receiving the explanation of Sake brewing process, Director &Mrs.Tonoike did welcome greeting and the tour members were provided the chance to taste many different kinds of Sake, so they could deepen their knowledge about Sake. They enjoyed Japanese lunch, Sukiyaki, Tempura and Nagasi-Somen, at the mountainside restaurant with the members who supported this Nikko Tour 2010 program. Maj.Gen.Angelella who will leave from Japan in a couple of week, expressed sincere words of thank for the hearwarming consideration, then they took seeing off by Mr.&Mrs.Takayanagi and supporters and departed from Mashiko.
This program materializes from Mr.Minoru Takayanagi's goodwill for US servicemen who leave their homeland and sweat for Japanese defense, in order to express the appreciation and to let them know Japan well through this Nikko Tour program. I believe that all tour participants could touch Mr.Takayanagi's heart and his goodwill will remain in their heart forever. Finally JAAGA expresses sincere appreciation to Mr.Minoru Takayanagi, Mrs.Noriko Horikawa and other persons related on this tour. (reported by secretariat Kikukawa)
