Nambutei Buffet Dinner — April 2008
On Tuesday, 22 April, thirty-four C&O members and guests made the annual pilgrimage to the charming restaurant Nambutei, nestled on the southern edge of Tokyo’s Hibiya Park. Tucked among the trees and hidden from the bustle of Kokkai-dōri, Nambutei once again provided a welcome retreat from the frenetic pace of the city.
Among the attendees were three new members: Dr Ken Shackleton (The Queen’s, Oxford 1998–2002), James Thomas (St Anne’s, Oxford 1997–2001), and Anthony Walker (Trinity, Cambridge 1995–1999). Two visitors also joined the dinner: Toshiyuki Yamanaka (St Edmund’s, Cambridge), honorary secretary of the Kansai Chapter, and Clive Galliver (Trinity, Cambridge), visiting Japan.
As always, Nambutei prepared a splendid buffet, eagerly enjoyed by the hungry crowd—the Pasta Bolognese vanished with impressive speed. Good wine flowed, conversations filled the room, and the cheerful noise drifting onto the patio made the restaurant easy to locate even for late-arrivals.
After about an hour of lively mingling, Terry Nakamura brought the room to order and introduced the new members and guests. Tim Minton followed with Society announcements, sharing the sad news that our much-loved president, Sir Graham Fry, would soon be leaving Japan as his term as British Ambassador came to an end. Happily, his successor, David Warren, would also take up the role of Society president.
Tim invited suggestions for a suitable parting gift for Sir Graham, a keen bird-watcher. After ignoring the more humorous proposals, it was agreed that the Society would present him with a print depicting Japanese birdlife.
Following more conversation and a delightful selection of desserts, the evening came to its close with a group photograph taken outside the restaurant entrance. Farewells were exchanged, and everyone departed into the warm spring night—already looking forward to returning to Nambutei next year to continue this cherished tradition.
— Phil Robertson (St John’s, Cambridge 1981)