The earthquake that struck the Kumamoto area in late July, causing damage and casualties, also shook and rattled Shinmeizan Hill, but fortunately caused no damage here. Although we were limited by “roadwork” along the road leading up to Shinmeizan and by frequent “aftershocks” from the earthquake, we were able to continue our activities, both in welcoming guests and in interreligious dialogue.

Recently, heavy rainfalls have severely damaged the road that leads up to Shinmeizan. Now, works are under way to repair it, but there are only limited times when traffic is possible. This situation has obliged us to cancel the monthly retreat, held usually on the second Thursday of every month, and also to ask several guests who wanted to come now to Shinmeizan, to wait for another occasion. 

The heavy rains of this season (tsuyu) notwithstanding,---and even the road climbing up to Shinmeizan being at times interrupted -– also during this month of June Shinmeizan welcomed several guests. Among them: