Odaiba Day — September 2008
On Saturday, 8th September, the Society held its annual “Odaiba Day” events. The day began with a visit to Oedo Onsen Monogatari, a popular urban hot spring resort that some members may remember from the Centenary celebrations in 2005. This year, seven members and guests gathered to enjoy the unusual blend of old Edo atmosphere within the ultra-modern surroundings of Odaiba.
Fully refreshed after their baths, the group proceeded to the Shiokaze no Koen barbecue area, where they were joined by twelve more participants. The relaxation from the onsen was soon put to good use, as muscles and sinews were immediately needed for the assembly of tables, chairs, and barbecues.
The scene at times resembled a challenge from the Krypton Factor or an Army Officer Initiative Test, as Oxford and Cambridge graduates of all ages tried to decipher the mysterious catches and sliding mechanisms of the barbecue equipment.
Before long, though, full-scale barbecuing was underway. Delicious yakiniku-style vegetables, meats, sausages, and pork were grilled and eagerly consumed, accompanied by plentiful wine, beer, and soft drinks. Thankfully, mosquitoes were almost entirely absent — presumably blown away by the typhoon that passed through the day before.
As evening fell, conversations continued by lantern light, and the atmosphere remained cheerful and relaxed throughout.
Those who stayed to the end boarded the Yurikamome Line and travelled to Ariake no Tenisu Mori Station to enjoy drinks at a beautiful skytop bar overlooking the illuminated Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo skyline. Grateful thanks go to Phil and Ayaka Robertson for arranging access to this magnificent venue.
— Julian Culliford, Girton Cambridge