Buckwheat Noodle Restaurant & Auberge in Niki Town !

by Kazu

We visited the buckwheat noodle restaurant and auberge in the outskirt of Niki Town "Naritaya" on that day. It is run by the friend of ours in Tokyo. It was ouyr second visit to there. 

As it was very popular, we chose the time an hour before noon to avoid waiting for long time. It has two rooms to stay on the second floor.  

The window of the restaurant was facing the east and the orchard hills could be seen on the opposit side of Yoichi River. It has fifteen seats inside. 
 

Suwa Shrine in Sapporo on Sunday !

by Kazu

Nowadays, many shrines decorate the hand-washing place near the gate with natural or artificial flowers for the people visiting there. My wife loves to visit and worsihp the shrines and get the red stamps at the administrative offices of the shrines. 

This is the main sacred house of the shrine. Before the worship in front of the sacred house, the people go through the ring made of plant three times. It was not the original manner of the shrine but it introduced the new way from other shrines in Japan.

 

On a certain weekend !

by Kazu

As the green grass and leaves of the trees were so bright and shining on that day, I took photos on the premises of Hokkaido University on our way to the shrine near my condo.

Suwa Shrine is headquartered in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture where my Grand Mother was born and raised. I've visited the prefecture so many times to meet my relatives and stay.
 

Reception after the Memorial Service !

by Kazu

It seemed that all the delegation members from the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly and the Hokkaido Prefectural Government were satisfied with their accomplishment of the mission.

After the ceremony of the memorial service, we moved to the venue of the reception for the participants to the memorial service.

At the beginning of the reception, the delegation heads had to deliver the words of appreciation to the respects to the deceased Japanese soldiers and the hospitality to the delegations.  

 

Praying for the Japanese soldiers !

by Kazu

Following the President of the Southern Ocean Exchange Association Mr. Namekawa, all the delegation members from the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly and Hokkaido Prefectural Government showed their appreciation and condolences to the deceased Japanese Soldiers. 

That was what I had been eager to do for the deceased Japanese soldiers who fought for their family and nation. 

It must be difficult to collect their bones from the former battle fields on this globe but we have to do our best for the soul and the families of the deceased Japanese soldiers. 

 

Respect to Japanese soldiers !

by Kazu

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Palau at that time Mr. Tommy Remengesau and the Governor of the State of Peleliu at that time Mr. Temmy Shmull show their respect to the deceased Japanese Soldiers in real Japanese way.

They bowed to the monument, the words of the Emperor and Empress and the former battle field. They learned the Japanese manner completely and showed their respect so gracefully. 

The President of the Southern Ocean Exchange Association Mr. Namekawa who had given good supports to Palau followed the Presidential and Gubernatorial speech.

 

Speech of the Governor of Peleliu !

by Kazu

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Palau at that time, Mr. Tommy Remengesau delivered so nice speech for the guests from overseas and his country. 

The interpreter had a Japanese name. But, generally speaking, the Japanese name doesn't mean the gene of Japanese. Japanese name tends to be believed as a reliable figure.

The President showed his respect and gratefulness to the deceased Japanese soldiers.  The Governor of the State of Peleliu at that time also delivered the words of appreciation. Thank you so much, Mr. Temmy Shmull!

 

Presidential Speech !

by Kazu

His Excellency The President of the Republic of Palau at that time Mr. Tommy Remengesau was so kind to be taken photos with me. 

His able cabinet member Mr. Rebluud Kesolei was also so nice to talk and drink with. His smile was so cute but his title was equivalent to the Vice Cabinet Secretary at that time. 

To be honest, I was remembering the famous pro-wrestler "Abudulla the Butcher" during my visit.

 

Beside the President of the Republic of Palau !

by Kazu

Her Majesty the Empress of Japan also left a Japanese traditional poem of thirty-one syllables there.

Her Majesty gazed at the white terns flying on the ocean because Her Majesty thought they were the souls of the deceased Japanese soldiers.

At the beginning of the memorial service, I took a photo with His Excellency The President of the Republic of Palau at that time,

Mr. Tommy Remengesau. 

 

What the people kindly did for Japanese soldiers !

by Kazu

Considering the effects of the global warming, some embankment may be required in coming decades. But, so far so good on the back side of the monument for the deceased Japanese soldiers on Peleliu Island.

Almost all the participants to the memorial service for the Japanese soldiers  took their seats for the ceremony.

When His Majesty the Emperor of Japan visited the island one year prior to ours, His Majesty left a Japanese traditional poem of thirty-one syllables there. 

"The green island where many people passed away in the battle, lies on the blue ocean."
 

Start the memorial service !

by Kazu

Almost all the participants to the memorial service for the deceased Japanese soldiers had arrived at the venue of the ceremony.

We were waiting for the Presidential arrival and the master of ceremony. The participants exchanged their business cards before the ceremony.

The backside of the monument where the memorial ceremony was conducted is like this. The coast must have experienced so hard barrage from both side the ocean and the land.