Sightseeing Sunday, first half

Sometime shortly after we returned from our home leave, it occurred to me that we hadn't been out on many excursions since Dad and Eileen's visit. This coupled with the fact that we've passed the half-way point in our stay and a tinge of jealous over our friends' outings (The Frijas Family and The Skiles Family ) led me to start planning. Our first adventure of the New Year was on Sunday, January 14. We started our day with worship followed by lunch with some of the congregation at a new-to-us restaurant. It was a noodle restaurant where we sat on cushions on a tatami floor. We ordered miso udon - a delicious noodle soup.

Authentic Samari clothing that was encased near our table.

Our church friends (left to right) Ian, Rebecca, Paul, Yukiko, Yoko, and Addy. Somehow Hiroko managed not to be in the photo!

Paul calls Addy on Hiroko's phone.

Hamming it up for the camera!

After lunch we bid adieu to our friends and headed for Yasukuni Shrine. This shrine has much significance and controversy. I've borrowed (edited, and paraphrased) this next bit from japan-guide.com. This shrine was built in order to commemorate and worship those who have died in war for their country and sacrificed their lives to help build the fundament for a peaceful Japan (the meaning of Yasukuni is "peaceful country"). A big political controversy surrounds the Yasukuni Shrine because, fourteen class-A war criminals are among the 2.5 million people enshrined at Yasukuni. For some people, especially in the Asian countries which suffered most under past Japanese imperialism, the shrine has become a symbol for Japanese militarism and ultra-nationalism, and many regard visits from the Japanese prime ministers as a sign that Japan's political leaders are not looking critically enough at their country's history. Attempts to remove the war criminals from the Yasukuni Shrine have failed due to the shrine's refusal. Other discussions to solve the problem center around plans to create a currently non-existent alternative to the Yasukuni Shrine for commemorating and worshipping Japan's war dead.

The enormous torii that indicates the entrance of the shrine.

A beautiful memorial outside the shrine.

(above) Outside the shrine two uniformed soliders talk to visitors while a man plays an instrument, which best I can tell, is a shamisen.

Ian and Addy at the shrine.

(above) A military ritual