While some classmates had arrived in Japan earlier, October 9th was the first day when we would all meet; and some of us had not seen each other in over 50 years… One group met at Shinjuku Station (busiest train station in the world, 3.6 million riders daily) to catch an express train, the Romance Car, to Hakone Yumoto. After some light shopping and memorably delectable soft serve ice cream, the excitement was palpable as we rode the switchback Tozan Tetsudo train from Yumoto to Gora. Lush trees covered the hills, and even the rain stopped by the time we reached the tiny Gora station.

We arrived to a warm welcome at the beautiful Byakudan (sandalwood) Inn, the hot springs resort located in the mountains which was chosen with care by Terry Jane. Instead of standing in line to check in, we were ushered into our “club” room and served hand-frothed matcha tea and a sweet omanju. This room with an expansive view of the pristine mountains would be Reunion Central for the rest of our stay (although no one gave the view much attention, we were too busy eating and chatting). Though many of us hadn’t seen each other in over half a century, shyness quickly gave way to warm hugs and exclamations of delight. Each guest room was equipped with a charming, outdoor bath on the patio, filled with mineral water from the hot spring. We enjoyed bathing before breakfast, after napping, before dinner, after dinner…you get the idea.

The first activity for some on Day 1 (Wed) was to check out the big, communal bath. Overcoming some timidity, we soaked in the hot, spring water and began the delightful process of catching up. Dinner the first night was a multi-course extravaganza of traditional Japanese food, including fresh wasabi which we ground by ourselves on a dried, hardened sharkskin grater; fresh sashimi; and thinly sliced meat which we cooked by ourselves on small individual braziers on the table.

Our first full day together (Day 2 Thurs) saw eager friends split into two groups: one to go shopping at the massive Gotemba Outlet Mall, where some enjoyed the famous Melon Parfait; the other to the Okada Museum of Art and a cable car ride up the mountain to view Mt Fuji (unfortunately not successful due to cloud cover), Lake Ashinoko and the nature nearby. Back by 3 pm to greet our second-day arrivals, the group totalled 22 as we held an afternoon birthday party with delicious, elegant cakes for Terry Jane and Margie, whose birthdays were the day before. Then there was the traditional, hilarious, gift exchange game. Lots of laughter and comically disappointed looks accompanied the boisterous action as gifts were “stolen” over and over. Everybody ended up with a lovely gift, if not always one of their first choice. Another elaborate, multi-course dinner was served afterwards, followed by a group photo op in our matching yukata and haori, then sitting together exchanging anecdotes and memories from all those years ago. Much disbelief and surprise, then more laughter as stories were recounted which some didn’t remember at all!

The next morning (Day 3 Fri) we enjoyed our last breakfast together, some ordering Western and some Japanese. Discussions were held about regrouping in Spain in three years, after which we all checked out and then dispersed as folks took different trains to their various destinations in Tokyo and Yokohama.

Saturday (Day 4) saw a sentimental Saint Maur visit. Mr. Gaury began the tour in the three-story classroom building which was completed our Sophomore year. We shared fun recollections of the nuns at the chalkboards - now whiteboards. The auditorium, new music room and art room were impressive, including three 3-D printers - much improved from our days. The new gym had red wall padding and a gorgeous wood floor. We were told that it was too nice to risk marring by holding dances there – remember how we loved the dances in the old gym! Seeing Mimi's classroom where she taught for many years was a highlight. Leaving by the gravel road which used to be our old entrance, we passed what used to be St. Joseph's - now a large condo building. We found that the spirit of the campus we knew so well was ultimately still there, despite the many changes in the last 50 years.

The tour and other individual activities were followed by a sensational Chinese banquet at Peking Hanten in Chinatown, Yokohama. Mimi and Zen joined us here to make our final group of 24 classmates, as well as some St. Joe alumni and Saint Maur Juniors. What a remarkable feat, that so many of us were able to gather together! Everyone knows that this famous and venerable restaurant has been owned and run by Lanko’s family for 3 generations. She concocted a delicious 10-course menu for us and supervised all the details to make sure we had the best feast and time.

Many of us then moved to the bar at YC&AC (Yokohama Country and Athletic Club), where dancing and much merrymaking ensued. The Bayside Swingers, a band consisting of Kay’s husband, Jeffrey, and other OBs from St. Joe with Yen as an impromptu guest singer, entertained us late into the night. Final (sad and tired) farewells were said at about 11pm, and Tokyo-bound classmates boarded the train (surprisingly crowded so late) at Yamate Station for their trip home.

None of us will forget the joy and happiness we all experienced with our former classmates, all the big smiles and laughter.