[Date and Time] Thursday, September 8, at 12:45～17:30
[Visitors] Participants of the meeting for the Far East area managers of U.S telecom industries (9 members including 4 Americans, 1 Singaporean, and 4 Japanese)
[Spots] The observation deck of Chojyagasaki, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, shopping around Komachi-Dori Street, Hasedera Temple, and Kotokuin Temple (The great Buddha)
[Attendants] 2 KSGG members
We took a microbus and began the tour at 13:30. The bus was caught in a traffic jam because of a mikoshi (a portable shrine) festival held in Hayama Town and stayed there for about 10 minutes. Then we arrived at the observation deck of Chojyagasaki Beach and got off the microbus. Mt. Fuji appeared between thin clouds, causing a cheer among us. Afterward, a KSGG member, Mr. H, gave explanations about the history and the culture of Kamakura, and the warrior rule of Japan. He also demonstrated kamishibai (traditional Japanese picture-card show) of a very famous Japanese fairy tale, “Momotaro,” which evoked a great cheer.
After we visited Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, we headed for Komachi-dori Street and spent 30-minute free time there. Then a KSGG member, Mr. D, mentioned that Kamakura was a city which we are proud of as an old capital of warrior rule and as a city of Zen culture, although it didn't have so many existing cultural assets. As he also said that Japan proposed to add Kamakura to the World Heritage List for this reason, all attendants seemed to fully understand it.
At Hasedera Temple, we enjoyed the serene atmosphere of sunset until just before 17:30 when the main gate of the temple was closed. Then we walked to Kotokuin Temple to see the Great Buddha in a hurry. We had an enjoyable talk while looking up at the Great Buddha, which was good-looking, until 18:00, the closing time of the temple. We, the attendants, said good-bye to the guests and ended the tour, fulfilling our roles.
