On 15 March, 41 participants got together in Asakusa at Waentei Kikko restaurant near Senso-ji Temple. We appreciated the good Japanese cuisine and the energetic Tsugaru Shamisen sound by Mr. Koudai Fukui and his pupil-performers playing right in front of us. One of them even sang famous Japanese folk songs so powerfully. Mr. Koudai Fukui showed us how he plays the Tsugaru Shamisen with thick and long neck (FUTOZAO) with a big pick (BACHI) that makes the strong sound. He also demonstrated the difference of playing other style shamisen such as thinner neck (HOSOZAO) Shamisen and Okinawa Sanshin. That was quite interesting. The happy surprise came when he played Dutch National Anthem for us. We enjoyed the rare chance to sing Dutch National Anthem to Tsugaru Shamisen! There were lots of smiles and cordial atmosphere in the restaurant. Even after we left Kikko, many of us followed the voluntary guide of one of the governors and enjoyed stopping at some shops of traditional handicrafts of Edo Chic in Asakusa.