Robinson’s BF Travel to Japan June 2018
The beginning of a BF delegate trip starts with being selected. Karen and I were so pleased that fellow Y’s Men in the Maritimes and then international read our application and choose us, this began the excitement and sense of belonging to a big organization and an International sense.
Our plan seemed quite simple, go to Japan and visit the Japan East and West Conferences. As our information and scheduling began to unfold we realized this was going to be an amazing tour throughout many regions, clubs, and cities. As well as a large number of Y’s Men contacts luncheons/dinners and fellowship times. This only built more the excitement and anticipation.
We began our time with the Japan East conference in Numazu. We first met our Travel Co Mr. Nagasawa and tour guide Mr. Hinachi, these gentlemen were very helpful and fun to meet, we walked, talked, and laughed together, this was a great welcome to Japan. We felt the warm fellowship of Y’sdom.
Karen and I increased our learning of International at the East conference. We could not help but to reflect on our past regional conventions back home in the Maritimes. It was comforting to see so many similarities in our rituals, this makes us feel we are one with these people, even though we are on the other side of the world, in a very different culture.
We knew in advance the importance of giving and receiving business cards. This I now see as a great way to meet, have a chat, make connections and then have a reminder of our new friend. We look at the stack of 300 + cards we have today in our home and often smile as we ponder all those handshakes, smiles and chats.
After the East conference in Numazu we began a few days of travel, club visits, YMCA tours and amazing meals. First was the beautiful Mt. Fuji. A bus tour to the “SkyWalk” cable bridge and again meeting new friends waking together with Taro and Keiko. We learn so much more than what the eye can see or what the words in a brochure say, when you have the chance to chat at length with friends from the area.
From Mt Fuji, we traveled to Kofu, Kawagoe, Yokohama then Osaka and arriving in Kobe for the Japan West conference. Along this journey we met many club members in their meeting places, homes, restaurants and along sightseeing excursions. We walk and talked, in beautiful temples, museums and gardens. Always ending our day with a planned group of Y’s Men at a dinner, these times of fellowship were great for sharing stories of our culture, and answering many question from around the table on politics, religion, family and vocation. Karen and I were often overwhelmed with the richness, love and kindness in these chats, always mixed with much laughter.
The Japan West conference was huge! The venue was the Crowne Plaza in Kobe and there were over 600 members in attendance. I was embarrassed to admit, but by this time I have run out of my 200 business cards. In fine form, I believe it was PRD Tonegawa had his office make 200 more and we have exact reprints made and waiting at our hotel. This was one of many examples of the hospitality and support we received.
Mr. Ben Ohno RD and his wife were amazing people, they lead that huge conference then hosted us in their home and then got up early to take us on a beautiful temple tour to Nara. The Monday after the conference ended.
Our Japan hosts listened carefully to my chats and learned of my love for cars. Our sightseeing wrapped up with a trip to the TOYOTA museum. This was another highlight in our trip. I was given a book of Mr Toyodas’ story which I read in one evening to prepare, we had a great experience touring the museum on the sight of the original factory.
Karen has a brother and family in Toyko, so we ended our time in Japan with 4 days with family. They have 3 children under 9 so we went to Toyko Disney. Spending time with Karen’s family was a great way to end our time in Japan.
Karen and I have been in Y’sdom for only 6-7 years, we love the ways our Y’s Service Club serve our community and give to our community needs. However a Y’s Member can serve locally and not appreciate the sense our how this little local club is part of a greater, much larger international movement. We were able to see the mark the Y’s Men’s movement is making in the world. We are a fellowship of likeminded, like faith and like hearted men and women. Small in some regions and larger in others, but we all serve toward the same purpose. And this is what our BF trip has helped us learn. We thank all those who were involved to making this trip the learning and fellowship experience it was,
Todd and Karen Robinson