Tohoku Youth Ambassador Day 1 (continued)

Posted By: Creator of Zsup

So after our mini tanabata making session, we were whisked 2 roads down to Sendai Kokusai Hotel for an opening ceremony and our dinner.

A couple of speakers made their speeches, starting with Prof. Kawamura from Fukushi University (Who is a Buddhist monk as well), who spoke to us about his experience with previous disasters and how with that experience he managed to do his part for Tohoku, when the massive Tsunami struck. As of 26/7/11, the death toll stood at 15,628 and 4,823 were still missing. He explained how it Japan has recovered astoundingly quickly, with aid from the rest of the world. He thanked us from the bottom of his heart, for volunteering to come down to Tohoku to show the world that it is safe, as well as for all the efforts that many Singaporeans made to raise funds for Japan.

 Lobby of Sendai Kokusai Hotel

 Prof. Kawamura

Mr. Alexis (sp?) his translator. From Russia and Karate expert.

Next Mr. Abe from Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organisation spoke to us about the developments of the Tohoku region, and how relief efforts have been so far. Some important information:

1) Almost ALL modes of transport in Tohoku are fully functional. The Tohoku Expressway, the Shinkansen tracks, and various airports as well are running well. With Sendai Airport running charter flighteds from 25 July, and ALL domestic airports fully open and in operation.
2) Many of the tourist attractions are safe to travel and did not suffer significant damage from the earthquake. With the exception of coastal areas, all are safe for travel.
3) In hot spring areas, all ryokans are open for business.
4) This summer, many of the traditional festivals will be held as per normal.





We then proceeded to our dinner location. Where we, well, had dinner!
 Waiting for dinner.
 A selection of alcoholic (not) drinks.
 Our dinner spread.

The local specialities.

 Sea urchin from Iwate, and grilled scallop from Aomori.
 Inaniwa Udon from Akita
 Hittumi (left) and Zunda (right) Mochi from Miyagi.
 Moni from Yamagata, its a pork + konnyaku in broth dish
 Grilled sea urchin from Fukushima. The only dish I failed to taste :(
 Scallop on the grill.
 The queue of food.
 From nearest: Salmon, octopus, pork, chicken, pasta, edamame.
Nearing the end of our dinner, we had a couple more stage activities. First of which was the self introduction by some of the University students from Sendai.



And then it was a renactment of Sendai's history, by a group of pretty talented guys, roleplaying as Date Masamune and his entourage.
 The awesome gang.

Group photo!


With that, we ended our nights activities and retired to our hotel. 2 night stay at ANA Holiday Inn Sendai.

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