On 31 October 2007, fifty-one Camford members and guests gathered at the elegant Tokyo Club in Roppongi 1-chōme — a discreet and refined venue located near the Swedish and American Embassies, the Hotel Okura, and under the shadow of Ark Hills.
On 24 March 2008, the Society gathered for the first — and also the very last — time at Tokyo Kaikan’s Crystal Restaurant on the 35th floor of the Kasumigaseki Building. The restaurant was soon to close as the building was scheduled for redevelopment.
The Society held its annual bonenkai on 19 December 2007 at the International House of Japan in Roppongi. As always, the venue provided an elegant setting, with excellent cuisine and a generous supply of wine. Although the evening was unusually cold, preventing the customary stroll in the gardens, spirits remained high throughout the night.
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.
It was under a threatening weather forecast that we optimistically gathered outside Takao-sanguchi Station for a midday start to our hike on 24 May. A few latecomers — namely Charlotte Lewis and myself — were delayed after being lured into the nearby Trick Art Museum (strongly encouraged by Tim Minton!). After finally escaping its maze of optical illusions, we rejoined the group and set off.
Mitsubishi Shoji Building (21st Floor), 2-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Despite mixed weather forecasts earlier in the week, Saturday 27th September dawned clear and bright as eleven C&O golfers and guests travelled under (and over) Tokyo Bay via the Aqualine to the Society’s 2008 Autumn Meeting at Fuji OGM Ichihara Golf Club in Chiba.
The Society has organised an annual climb up Takao-san for five consecutive years. Although the mountain is close to central Tokyo, it offers the feeling of true countryside. While the 2006 climb was hampered by rain for much of the day, this year’s weather was excellent, making for a very pleasant outing.
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.