Date & Time: Friday, November 16, 10:00 a.m. – 17:00 p.m.
Spots: Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Tokaido Kawasaki Shuku Koryukan, and Toshiba Science Museum
Visitors: An Italian Couple
Attendant: 1 KSGG member
Language: English
The visitors, Nevio and Adriana, are a couple in their 60’s from Italy. They came to Japan in September and will stay until December on business. When I arrived at the café, our meeting spot, 20 minutes before the appointed time, they had were already there, having an espresso. I joined them as they welcomed me. After introducing ourselves, we headed for Kawasaki Daishi Temple where we decided to go first. At Kawasaki Daishi Temple, the most interesting thing for them was the Gomakitou, rite of burning. At the ceremony, the drum and the Buddhist instruments resounded in the main hall and the five or six Buddhist monks chanted a sutra in front of the flame of a fire, which was so mysterious to watch. We visited Tokaido Kawasaki Shuku Koryukan next. Luckily, an English speaking guide happened to be there on that day. As the guide gave them a detailed explanation, Nevio said excitedly, “I was pleased to talk with a great guide.” Then we visited Toshiba Science Museum where I had booked an English guided tour in advance. As the guests are scientists, they were interested in the demonstration of the mechanical doll. They were truly pleasant people. They said, “Kawasaki is a very good town and we enjoyed it.” Before saying good bye, we had time for an espresso. Our Kawasaki tour was fruitful.