[Date and Time] Sunday, July 3, at 12:00~17:30
[Spots] Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Hasedera Temple, and Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha)
[Visitors] 10 participants from 8 countries, with 2 each from Myanmar and El Salvador, and 1 each from the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malawi, Guatemala, and Dominica
[Attendants] 17 KSGG members and 1 observer
Eighteen KSGG members guided JICA participants almost one-on-one because this time we had only 10 participants, almost half in number that we usually have. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine was much more beautiful than usual because its torii gateway and Maiden were decorated with ornaments for Tanabata or the Star Festival. Some KSGG members might have explained about the sad legend involving two stars, Orihime or Vega and Hikoboshi or Altair. According to the legend, they are allowed to meet only once a year on July 7th.
After lunch, we went to Hasedera Temple by Enoden train. Two Myanmanese in our group took off their shoes in front of the statue of Amitabha Tathagata and Hase Kannon and then prayed for a long time, getting down on their knees. I was impressed with the piety of visitors from a Buddhist country. Then we went to see the Great Buddha and we took group pictures of us all in front of it as usual.
Although it was hot in Kamakura, all the JICA participants seemed to have enjoyed and been satisfied with this tour. Later some KSGG members received thank-you emails from some participants.