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24th iCONM Cross Cultural Event Held
On February 17, Ms. Miyako Yokoyama from the iCONM Administration Office hosted the Cross Cultural Event. This gathering was aimed at iCONM staff, facility users, and stakeholders from Kawasaki City and Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, with the goal of effectively leveraging our rich diversity. This event marked the second opportunity to showcase Japanese culture, where we learned about the history, culture, and attractions of Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture, Ms. Yokoyama's hometown.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was relocated to the Kanto region by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, developed Kawagoe as a key defensive position in the north and ensured that prominent figures protected the area during the Edo period. As a result, there are many historical sites from that era, including popular tourist spots like Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Shop Alley) and Tokino Kane (the Time Bell). Additionally, the local specialty sweets made from sweet potatoes attract many visitors. Foreign researchers who attended the event expressed their desire to visit Kawagoe this spring, captivated by the beautiful cherry blossom views, especially at places like Kitain Temple.
Moreover, since Ms. Yokoyama's family runs a public bath (SENTO), we had the chance to hear interesting stories about this unique aspect of Japanese culture. It seems that SENTO has recently gained popularity among foreigners, and flyers explaining how to enjoy “SENTO” have been distributed.
Cross Culture isn’t solely about nationality; we can also incorporate the cultures of the companies we collaborate in joint research program. In near future, we try to hold the culture event with the companies.
