Monday, June 15, 2015

Guiding a Singaporean Family of Seven around Kamakura

[Date & Time] Monday, June 15, at 10:00~13:30
[Spots] Hokokuji Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and Komachi-dori Street
[Visitors] 1 Singaporean family of seven (a couple in their 30s, their parents, and 3 children) 
[Attendant] 1 KSGG member
[Language] English

 At Kamakura Station, we welcomed a Singaporean family of seven with a baby stroller.  The daughter’s family who requested our guiding live in Singapore, while her parents live in Australia.  The family told us that they made it a rule to meet in Japan once in a year and travel around together.  First I took them by bus to Hokokuji Temple.  After we strolled around the bamboo garden, we had maccha (powdered green tea).  While having the tea, I explained about the spirit of tea ceremony, “Ichigo Ichie” meaning each occasion on which hospitality is offered or received is to be cherished as a unique experience in one’s life.  They were very much moved by my explanation.  On our way back, we visited Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and had lunch at a Japanese restaurant nearby, where they really enjoyed their favorite Japanese dishes. The three- year-old boy, E loves Japanese pickles. After lunch, we walked toward Kamakura Station while enjoying shopping along Komachi-dori Street.  On our way back to the station, both the baby in the mother’s arms and the boy in the stroller fell into a sound and peaceful sleep.  Thus this day’s tour ended at Kamakura Station.