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WELCOME!
We have events, outings or parties in Tokyo, Chiba and elsewhere for Japanese and foreigners who want to build good social relations while exploring this amazing area.
We like socializing with food and drinks including city and country walks, park and garden tours with picnics, exploring "hidden" neighborhoods, old homes and castles, enjoying traditional and modern festivals, fairs, concerts, comedy shows, museums, arts and crafts, unique art events and special "happenings"!
Discover Japan, practice English/Japanese communications, make new friends, and invite your friends to join!
Volunteers are welcome, and we're eager to hear your suggestions for future meetups.
Domo Arigatou!
~ Kerry @}:^)!
P.S. We need volunteers especially Japanese-English and English-Japanese translators!
Volunteers may help in planning future events, assist the organizers on Meetup days, will get FREE admission to special events, and may enjoy other nice benefits too numerous to mention here..
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ใในใฆ่ฆใ- LET'S GO TO REKIHAKU๐ ZHENG CHENGGONG๐ธSee Lovely Herb Garden & Samurai Houses!Keisei-Sakura Station, ChibaJPYย 2,000.00
This Sunday, January 26th, join us for our first Meetup of 2025 when we'll walk through lovely old neighborhoods while hiking in the hills of Sakura City & visit the REKIHAKU, (National Museum of Japanese History: ๅฝ็ซๆญดๅฒๆฐไฟๅ็ฉ้คจ) Japan's largest and finest history museum to view: "Zheng Chenggong* in History & Culture". https://www.rekihaku.ac.jp/e
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This special exhibition is about Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) who was born in Hirado, Japan in 1624. His father was Zheng Zhilong, who lead a trading group, and his mother was the daughter of the Tagawa clan.)
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Koxinga supported the Southern Ming, which aimed to rebuild the Ming Dynasty. After his death, he was deified in Taiwan as the "Holy King of Taiwan."
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In Japan, more than 50 years after Koxinga's death, Chikamatsu Monzaemon created the puppet theater "Kokuxinga Kassen," modeled on Koxinga.
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The scene in which Watonai (Koxinga) wrestles a tiger has survived to the present day as a folk art form. Furthermore, when Japan colonized Taiwan (1895-1945), it used Koxinga's story to justify its rule over Taiwan.
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This special exhibition aims to consider the historical & cultural connections between Taiwan and Japan & is being held in collaboration with the National Museum of Taiwan History.
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After viewing the exhibition & exploring some other wonderful galleries, we'll take lunch at the museum's excellent, reasonably priced cafeteria. (Or, bring your lunch and dine with us there!)
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Museum admission is just 600, or ๏ฟฅ250 for University students, Plus, by showing your ticket stub from the museum, you may enter the Botanical Gardens of Everyday Life at no extra charge!
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Later, we'll stroll the beautiful wooded heights to Sakura Botanical gardens, explore the castle grounds, visit Sakura Castle Ruins Park Center, see proud Makata-jinja Shinto Shrine, enjoy a free art exhibition at elegant Sakura City Art Museum, visit the fascinating Sakura Shinmachi Ohayashi-kan Festival Center, enter the street of authentic Samurai houses, then walk down the lovely, "Hiyodori-zaka" bamboo forest path* & follow the Takasaki River!
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*(Many people have seen the famously beautiful famous hillside bamboo path in Arashiyama, Kyoto, and the HIYODORI-ZAKA is VERY similar!)
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ABOUT SAKURA, CHIBA: The old castle town of Sakura, (once ruled by the powerful Hotta clan) was not only the site of Sakura Castle, but Sakura also has pride of place, in being the site of then, "modern" medical research, conducted with the help of Dutch scientists, in the 19th century!
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(By the way, did you know that the name "Sakura" isn't actually about Cherry blossoms? The town's name refers to a HEMP STOREHOUSE, because growing hemp (Cannabis) was once an important industry in the area!)
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We'll also stop by the beautiful Sakura City Art Museum, ad the Sakura City Festival and Culture center!
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Four beautifully preserved 18th century Samurai houses await our visit, where you may try on samurai armor, a bonus which is included in the ยฅ400 admission fee!
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NOTE: Keisei-Sakura station is only 54 minutes from Nippori Station by Keisei's Main Line Rapid train, or just 42 minutes from Aoto station!
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We'll see & enjoy lots of art, learn about history, visit beautiful places, breathe fresh air & enjoy talking, so invite a friend, a family member, or just bring your wonderful self!
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Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Japanese culture at this special event! Join us for an exciting day filled with fun times, adventure & a chance to make new friends from around the world.
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This event is perfect for both locals & international friends who are interested in exploring the rich tapestry of Japanese art & traditions.
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There's no set Meetup fee, but we work very hard to plan interesting events & to guide you to the best places, so please give generously!
(Suggested donation: Student :๏ฟฅ1000, others, pay : ๏ฟฅ2000-5000. It's your choice!)
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KIDS are WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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Whether you're a fan of the arts, or architecture, you love gardens & photography, or want to enjoy a culture exchange, our event has something for everyone.
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Come for a fascinating experience that will leave you with lifelong memories, new friends & a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture!
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WE'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME in SAKURA CITY, SO LET'S ALL GO!
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Your Meetup organizer, KERRY D. ๐ค - Enjoy: Hinamatsuri ้็ฅญใ๐Girl's Day๐Festival at beautiful Hokkekyo-ji Temple!Ichikawa Station, ChibaJPYย 2,000.00
Celebrate the Hinamatsuri (้็ฅญใ) Girl's Day Festival with a pleasant walk around big, beautiful & historic Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji temple on Sunday, March 2nd!
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OUR TOUR:
Located in Ichikawa & Funabashi, not far from Tokyo, old Hokkekyo-ji temple has one of the finest displays of Ohina dolls in the Kanto area!
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We'll walk up along the "sando", (sacred road) to the temple, past many traditional Japanese-sweets, gift, flower shops, vendors of crackers & other traditional goodies we may view & purchase. (Great stuff!)
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This historic 900-year old temple complex with many gorgeous buildings is set in a beautiful valley filled with plum, cherry, peach & other flowering trees, such as early blooming Sakura!
The sky may be very blue, the air cool & very fresh at Nakayama!
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We'll explore the ancient temple grounds, see the amazing Ohina displays, then hike up to the wonderful, "Inner" temple, where "Saint" Nichiren-shonin took refuge from his enemies. There is a bronze dragon at the top of tall rocks there who spews water in a dramatic torrent which falls into a pool at the feet of Benzaiten, Goddess of Eloquence!
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Other cultural treasures we'll visit include the Great Buddha, Benten-do, Hokkedo Hall, Five Story Pagoda, Yotsuashi-mon gate and Soshi-do Hall. We may also stop to enjoy an antique shop & visit a wonderful Bakery Shop up the hill from the main temple where we can stop for a late lunch, or snacks and drinks.๐ฅ๐๐ฐ
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-d1314356?m=55593
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CULTURE & HISTORY:
"Hinamatsuri (้็ฅญใ) festival takes place each year on March 3rd. It is also sometimes called the โPeach Tree Festivalโ or โGirlsโ Day/Girlsโ Festivalโ, a day to pray for the health, happiness, and good luck for
young girls in the family. https://old.izanau.com/article/celebrate-girls-day-hinamatsuri-japan
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Usually celebrated by setting up a display of exquisite dolls called,
"hina-ningyล" (้ไบบๅฝข), dressed in beautiful clothes in the style of the Heian Period (ๅนณๅฎๆไปฃ). These displays range in size from one pair of dolls up to a full set that includes seven shelves, 15 dolls, and numerous accessories. Historically, displaying the full set has been preferable, the space & time they take to set up & the cost (I have seen just parts of a set selling for over $1000) many people display only the topmost tier."
At Hokekyo-ji, we'll see several large & unique O-Hina displays!
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The festival has roots in the Hina-nagashi (้ๆตใ) doll floating festival dating from the Heian era. (794 to 1185)
SEE: https://www.japanhoppers.com/en/kanto/chibabayarea/kanko/2441/
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Nakayama Hokekyo-ji Temple: This temple in Chiba Prefecture belongs to Nichiren sect. Established by the famous monk Nichiren Daishonin, who lived during Kamakura Period (1185-1333) this temple hosts one of Three Kishimojin Goddesses.
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Many people who pray for safe childbirth, delivery from illnesses and business prosperity visit here. Within the temple you can find works by Nichiren such as โEstablishing the Correct teaching for the Peace of the Land (Rissho Ankoku Ron)โ & โThe Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind (Kanjin-no Honzon-sho)โ,which are both designated as National Treasures!
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SEE: http://www.dentalofficesjapan.net/nakayama-hokekyoji-temple.html#hokekyouji-hinamatsuri
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GOOD TO KNOW:
Since both JR Sobu Rapid Blue & Sobu Local Yellow trains stop at JR Ichikawa station, it's convenient for us to meet there, then take a local train to Nakayama. (Ichikawa is just 19 minutes from JR Akihabara!)
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NOTE: If you prefer to take the Keisei Line from Nippori, Ueno, or Aoto, please get off at Keisei-Nakayama Station. We'll meet you there beside the uphill road at 1:30. (PLEASE let us know in advance IF you'll be arriving at the Keisei Station!)
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NOTE: The Ohina festival is free, but we work VERY hard to plan interesting events and to guide you to the very best places, so please give generously! (There's no set Meetup fee, but your donations of from๏ฟฅ2000 -๏ฟฅ5000 are much appreciated!)
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KIDS are WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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Please bring your smile, wear comfortable walking shoes, snacks & a beverage.
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We look forward to seeing you & hope you will invite your friends to join in this unique experience of traditional Japanese culture!
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Thanks! Your organizer, Kerry D. ๐
