On 28 and 29 October, JAAGA carried out Nikko Tour 2008.　USAF airmen and spouse, totally 4 persons visited Nikko and Mashiko area.　Nikko tour has been hosted by Mr.Takayanagi who is JAAGA individual associate member and lives in Utsunomiya city near Nikko.　And it is the fourth this time.　JAAGA secretariat Hori and Ogawa accompanied with them to support this tour.　Trip plan of this year was approximately as same as last year.　Mr.and Mrs.Minoru Takayanagi and supporters warmly welcomed us at Utsunomiya interchange of Tohoku Highway.　After greeting there, Mr.Masayoshi Takayangi and Mr.Hideo Miura guided us to Nikko area.　On way to Nikko, we past Nikko cedar tree road and saw Shinkyusha (Sacred Stable).　After taking lunch at the restaurant near Rinoji-Temple, we visited Rinnoji Temple, Toshogu Shrine and Futarasan Shrine.　Col.Citizen and Col.Bowers were just arrival at their post in Japan and it was the first duty in Japan for them, so they were very interesting in Japanese culture. 　They were very surprised about the gorgeousness of Yomeimon Gate and exact sculpture of sleeping cat, made us laugh by taking off as monkeys in front of three monkey sculpture like as not-see, not-speak and not-hear.　At Futarasan Shrine we admired maiden dancing, and Col.Citizen as our representative offered sprig of sacred tree to God of Futarasan, other participants prayed with Japanese method (2 bows, 2 claps and 1 bow).　They could experience about Shinto solemn manners there.　After then we went to Kegon Falls through Iroha zigzag sloping road fulfilled with autumn colors by car.　There we saw magnificent Kegon Falls and and enjoyed nature beauty in Japan.
　　On that day we put up at hotel in Utsunomiya city, and there we had dinner party with Mr.and Mrs.Takayanagi, their families and supporters.　During dinner party, Mr.Takayanagi talked about his Red Subaru Aero Team and Col.Bowers did about his experience in Alaska (his former assigned place).　We spent very pleasant time.　
　　Next day (29 Oct.), we had one hour drive for Mashiko city with Mr.and Mrs.Takayanagi in order to be familiar with Japanese culture and history.　We visited pottery and Sake brewery in Mashiko.　At long-established Sekizawa Pottery, Mr.Takeshi Sekizawa met us with friendly reception, he opened us traditional Japanese house and showed furniture, chinaware, Bonsai, calligraphy and old photography.　At his workshop we experienced potter wheeling and picturing.　They were very hard but we could make good works.　At Sekizawa Museum, we admired Mr.Sekizawa's and his children's works of art.　Next we visited Sotoike Sake brewery, there we saw brewery process and tasted Sake.　USAF members showed very interesting in brewery process based on Shinto ritual, and listened to worker's song by brewery members.　We suppose that they could touch part of our culture through this visiting.
　　After then we took lunch with Mr. and Mrs.Takayanagi, supporters and members of English Conversation Club.　We tasted Sukiyaki and Nagashi Somen (floating noodle).　In this lunch Mr.Takayanagi said "world economy situation is abnormal today, but US military power is so stable.　Therefore we don't have no worry about world peace.　And it's my pleasure to be able to appreciate you all who are dispatched to Japan for security of Japan.　Also I thank you that you go into the country to know real Japan."　Col.Citizen expressed his gratitude to Mr.and Mrs.Takayanagi and supporters, "We could be hearwarmingly welcome by you all, and could have very special and valuable experience this time".
　　The success of this tour caused of Mr.Takayanagi's support, Ms.Horikawa's cooperation, Lt.Gen.Rice's understanding for JAAGA activities and Cap.Frost's role as driver and interpreter.　We would like to express our sincer appreciation to all related on this tour.　(reported by secretariat Ogawa)

　

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