PW_3_2025

Professional Development

Dinner was hosted by IPA Kyoto and Nara members, who had travelled a long way to join us. We were very honoured to be entertained by two Maiko who danced to traditional music. One was a Maiko ‘Dancing Child’ going through her five-year training in music, dance and conversation. This was a special treat indeed - even for our Japanese IPA hosts. As the ladies circulated amongst the diners we could see their stunning embroidered kimonos up close. You can pack in a lot of culture in one day! Next day we took another Shinkansen direct to Tokyo - 476 km travelled in 2 hrs 20 mins with clear views of Mount Fuji. Later we were taken to the Sensō-ji Temple and the shopping arcade at Asakusa. The Sensō-ji Temple is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo. The narrow shopping arcade is very crowded with people slowly making their way down to the temple and five storey Pagoda. The cherry blossom season, known as Sakura, had been declared open the day before and people were also coming to see the trees and many foreigners also hire kimonos to wear.

The hotel Grand Arc Hanzoman, with its prime views of the Imperial Palace, is owned by the Police. We had our dinner there hosted by IPA Tokyo and Chiba branches. Dinner entertainment included a karate display by an IPA member. We were lucky to have access to the Imperial Palace grounds on a visit to learn about the role of the Imperial Palace Guards who guard the Palace and Japanese Royal family. They have stables, motorbike display area, dog handling and sniffer dog training. Amongst the martial arts practised in the dojo are Kendo and Judo. It was a treat to see the archery master demonstrate use of his two-metre bow, with the caveat that for purpose of the art, it is okay to miss the target occasionally. The museum within the palace grounds houses valuable artifacts including the wedding kimono worn by the Empress from the 1930s. As if we hadn’t seen enough already, we went to the red and white Tokyo Tower observation platform at 250 metres high. Sadly, there was no view of Mt Fuji that day. Last stop, a walk around the 17th century Hama-rikyu Edo Gardens of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and the freshwater lakes have a lock against the seawater. That evening, we were treated to a choppy night-time dinner cruise around Tokyo Bay, to see the skyline and see the new Skytree Tower lit up. On our last full day we went by coach to the Hakone area to (hopefully) see Mount Fuji. Sadly, slow traffic and bad weather meant we had to cancel the boat trip across lake Ashi. We took an aerial cable up to see sulphur pools, but with zero vision and high winds we cut it short and headed to Yokohama for our farewell gala evening hosted by Kanagawa IPA. A game of Bingo with an extensive prize table ensured a good spread of gifts for all, adding to those already on our tables. It is the Japanese custom to give small gifts when meeting people and it was good to see that reciprocated by guests. With the President of IPA Japan present, there were many national gifts of appreciation and thanks. Steve had thoughtfully brought a plaque and Thin Blue Line Union Flag which was gracefully received by Mr Kanetaka. It had been a great week, fully packed with interesting visits of historical and modern Japan, with wonderful food and

One of Maiko dancing at the Gala dinner, Kyoto

opportunities to learn about Japanese culture. Our many hosts had been so helpful, and it was a pleasure to meet so many IPA members within the group and our many new Japanese friends. Steve Chalmers writes: Truly the nicest people on earth! Having waited for over five years for the Friendship week to take place, due to a small inconvenience called Covid, we wondered whether or not Japan would really live up to its reputation?

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POLICE WORLD Vol 70 No.3, 2025