Day one on the Japanese Peace Run began with a meeting at Kyoto. It gave us all the time to gather and meet each other, some of us for the first time and went out to explore the city.
We made our way out to Uji Kodomo Sports Festival at Nishi-Uji Park in Uji City an area famous for its green tea. It was growing everywhere on our journey to the city. Children were attending and trying a number of activities. Karate, Aikido, Volleyball, Out door play and of course the Peace Run.
We set up stations and the children came to each space to do an activity with the runners and get their passports stamped.
Mr SUGAI Masatsugu the section head of the sports section of Department of Culture and Sports
After our Udon noodle lunch we headed to Hanazono joyful Kodomo-Kai (kids club).
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A remarkable group for children who are looking for some peace and joy it is run by the equally remarkable Shunichiro Shinozawa through his Hanazono Church. This is a place where children can visit by themselves for free of charge. “In 2012, I placed a fish tank in the entrance of my church as a recreational purpose. One day a young boy visiting our church told me that he had never seen a live fish", said Shunichiro.
We arrived at the church to be greeted by Shunichiro who opened his large garage. We were greeted by the smell of salty water, river water and pond water and a menagerie of exotic and aquatic animals. Iguana’s, turtles, fish, eels, electric eels, carp, monitor lizard, geckos, salamanders, shrimps and even a Galapagos Tortoise. Not what we were expecting!
The aquarium has over 190 different species and is certified as an aquarium by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and is a member of Kyoto Museums. The Peace Runners were given a tour by many of the children that attend the church.
Indeed, there is not much nature around this church, because it is located in a residential area. Mr Shunichiro said "I still remember that excited boy's eyes looking at the fish tank. I began to think that I wanted to provide children with opportunities to experience nature. I gradually increased the number of aquariums and began purchasing rare fish, such as those from the Amazon, and keeping them in aquariums. In addition, due to the power outage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, many people had to give up their fish pets, and I began to adopt them and care for them."
Later we gathered with them in the church for a peace prayer and went shopping with them to purchase the food we were to cook together.
It was wonderful meeting them all and sharing time with them. We made new friends.
Gratitude to Ms HIDAKA Yuki from the Local Autonomy Office who has helped the Peace Runners for many years.
