Ako

.
.
.
....
.
.
By God's grace, we have grown to love the people pictured above. Deeply. They are our friends. Our partners. Our family in Japan. That and so much more.
.
.
.
The site of our annual retreat was Ako City, the setting for one of Japan's more significant legends. Click here to learn more about the tale of the 47 Ronin (Samurai). Our overnighter at the Ako Royal Hotel was just right, full of spreadsheets (yes, we started with a budget meeting, but it only lasted about two hours), a slew of silly stories, a dozen rounds of Japanese card games, and, for dinner, a deliciously baked fish encased in Ako's famous sea salt.
.
.
.
....
.
.
....
.
.

...

above and below: ground scenes of the original site of Ako castle

.
.
.
....
.
.

......

above: constructing a bonfire consisting of shintoistic new year's ornaments

.
.
.
....
.
.
....
.
.
....
.
.

:::

.
.
.