On 15 May we held a bus trip to Nagatoro and Chichibu.
First, we visited “Hodosan Shrine” at the foot of Mt. Hodo, where we felt the aura of spirit in fresh green foliage of mountainous village. At “Hotel Choseikan” we had lunch with fresh local products in a room with the view of Arakawa-river and Iwadatami, a pile of rocks, which is geologically precious. In the afternoon, visiting “Chichibu Meisen Museum”, we discovered the charm of Chichibu meisen textile as a stylish silk kimono which fascinated Japanese ladies from Taisho to Showa period. In “Chichibu Shrine” we took a guided tour both in English and Japanese, and admired the colorful wood carving of several legendary animals on outer wall. As the finale, we visited “Chichibu Matsuri Hall” and experienced the excitement of Matsuri with 3D film.
For 28 participants together with Madame Louise Beschoor Plug-Wesseling and other Dutch people, it was such a beautiful day filled with the beauty of nature, culture and history in the area.