A happy family from California, U.S.A.

 Though the rainy season just started, we were lucky enough to have some sunshine and cool breeze, making the day very relaxing and comfortable. 

Today's guests were a happy family of four from California, U.S.A., a couple (Steve and Sandy) with 2 young ladies, the elder going high school, the younger 5^th grade elementary school.

 We started the tour at around 9:30 a.m. with the explanation about the statues of the sweeper boy and the giant flying squirrel near Kiyotaki station. Then we took the cable car. Unlike the weekend, the cable car was not crowded and the guests were busy taking photos of the beautiful fresh greens around. After visiting Kasumidai Observation Deck near the Takaosan station of the cable car, we took Trail no.1 to Yakuoin temple. On the way, we made stops at various points to give the guests explanations about each spot, including Takosugi, Botanies and natural history of Mt.Takao, Six senses Purification stone wheel, Joshinmon Gate, Otoko-zaka Onna-zaka, Yuki-en, wooden board of the contributors list, Shitenno-mon Gate, Chozuya (stone basin for the Purification), the Main hall, Mitsumata(Paper tree), Stone Guardian Dogs, Main Shrine. When we arrived at Shitenno-mon Gate, the young two, feeling hungry after the walk, bought Manjus（steamed bean-jam buns） and were kind enough to offer some of them to us guides. Thank you, ladies !

 Inside the gate, they were interested in Purification Basin (Chozuya) and were happy to practice the purification ritual following the guidance by us. 

Sandy had known and planned to buy Takaosan stamp Books (Goshuin-cho) for her two daughters. She looked happy and satisfied when she got the books after the staff put, in front of her, some writings and a red stamp on the page of the book. We kept walking to the top of the mountain. Unfortunately we could not see the Mt. Fuji but were happy we could enjoy the tour in spite of the rainy season.

 We climbed down via Trail no.4 and took the chair lift to arrive back at Kiyotaki station at around  1:30 p.m. For the parents, this was the 2nd visit to Japan (the 1st was about 30years ago when they had stayed at and seen only Metropolitan Tokyo) and the 1st for the young ones. So, for all of them, today's experience at Mt.Takao is their first and we are sure that they enjoyed it. 

 Thank you Steve, Sandy and two young ladies for joining us in the tour and we hope you will see and enjoy many things during your holiday in Japan.

(Nori)