Reports:

This was a day like no other. I say that since it was a reflection of 30 years back into my life when I first came to Japan as a single man and pioneering my way through the land of the morning sun. Yes, through the spontaneous desire of Ayumi wanting to go to Kamakura, I just then decided to make it even better as to visiting my old friends in Fujisawa, which city I call my Japan birthplace. There are so many stories to tell but it would not want to take anyone’s time too much except, for now, showing you a few photos of people that I have known for over 30 years. It is not something I cannot describe in simple words but some of the stories back then are fun to hear.

My strategy in wanting to learn a new culture is to be in a place where I can meet those we do not usually see when on a trip abroad. So I decided to become homeless on the beaches of Kamakura and Fujisawa for a year and yes this is where I found my heaven in Japan. I was fed almost every day by old fishermen and grandmothers and I had a taste of meeting the warmest people in the world, like this family in Fujisawa who own this bar restaurant and live house. They still do to this day and the place has not changed. I remember playing the guitar there from time to time and the owner never charged me for food or drinks. Mr. Nishigai and his wife have never forgotten me and seeing me there after 30 years is really something. Today also some customers remembered me and yes that time became unforgettable. Fumiko a graduate of “Gedai” for example, back then, young and so beautiful used to help me write my music down on paper. She was there tonight, and wow, what a surprise. After my “One Year” experience, I became a successful consultant, always traveling between New York City where I had an apartment and Tokyo.

It was nice to introduce Ayumi wish whom I have had 2 children and just that got the laughter going in questions: “You, Tomeo, with children?” – and then the topic on the Marine Foundation, where I prefer not go into details and just saying I was involved with helping people through a foundation. But then, come to think of it, and to honor those who brought me up in this beautiful but back then strange country, I am deciding to open an Ocean Quarters right here in Fujisawa and yes the timing perfect if I can do that before 20/20 Olympics.