There are lots of United States army base in Japan. Sagami General Depot(相模総合補給廠) is one of those and close to Sagamihara Station(相模原駅). Some bases, especially in Okinawa, are controversial, such as Airplane accidents, noise pollution, unexploded bombs and crime, and so on. However, Sagami General Depot(相模総合補給廠) is exceptional. I've never heard those trouble. The only annoying thing is to hinder development of this town. The area of this base can accommodate 46 Tokyo Domes or 36 Yankee Stadiums or 39 Camp Nou Stadiums. This base occupies the whole northern area of this town. Although this town has lots of public facilities like a City Hall, towns like Hashimoto(橋本) and Sagami Ōno(相模大野) around this town has developed more. Sagami General Depot(相模総合補給廠) is forbidden zone for general people. But, Apr 20th 2014 was an exceptional day. The 18th East Japan International Friendship Marathon(東日本国際親善マラソン) was held at this base. The word "Forbidden" attracts me. Although I didn't take part in this sports event, there is no reason for me not to enter into this base. | Just before start, a member of this base made a speech with fluent Japanese. As soon as he finished, we gave applause to him. After then, he made the same speech with English. During his speech, some jumped, some did stretches and some did mental concentration. After his speech was done, nobody clapped their hands. It can't be helped. English is like background music for us. .....ehehe....... A drum band cheered up runners. It's been long time since I last listened to Beautiful Sunday which evokes sweet memories of my old days. I sang in my mind. |
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This base seems to love Torii(鳥居)/Gate of Shrine. What is an object hanging from Torii? Is it an object related with Christianity?
URLOfficial Site(Japanese): https://www.runningkanagawa.com/ejif_marathon.html Race Time & Entry Fee 5km 10:00 3,000 yen 10km 10:10 4,000 yen half marathon 11:45 5000 yen parent&children pair marathon 14:15 2,000 yen Access JR Yokohama Line(横浜線): 3 minutes walk from Sagamihara Station(相模原) |