Under the warm summer sky, a record 2,779 festival-goers, including Members, their families and friends and local residents, turned out for the Club's annual Bon Odori celebration. A unique blend of Japanese matsuri traditions and American carnival atmosphere, the spectacular evening revelry featured taiko drumming and hula performances, karaoke and yukata contests, games, fun, food and jubilant Bon dancing.

Photos by Ken Katsurayama

 

The Club would like to thank the following sponsors for helping to make this year's Bon Odori such a success:

Ken Corporation, Mitsubishi Estate, Rakuten, HSBC, Merida, Arsoa, Fujikyuko, The Wall Street Journal, Live Jam, DAD, Sumitomofudosan Esforta, Gojo Japan, Allied Pickfords, Apartments33, Eton House, Kowa Real Estate, Mori Building, Blue Note Tokyo, Coca-Cola (Japan), Cold Stone Creamery, Cotton Club, Doctor Murad USA, Hakkaisan (Jiro Nagumo), Kadoya Sesame Mills (Jiro Ozawa), Michiko Selection (Michiko Matsuda), Mori Living, Motion Blue Yokohama, Nagatanien (Eiichiro Nagatani and Taijiro Nagatani), Panorama Hospitality (Xavier Destribats), PCA Life Insurance (Shinri Isaka), Toyotec (Kazuo Kimura), Toys "R" Us Japan (Monika Merz), United Dental Office (Hirogazu Enatsu), Yasuma (Yuriko Yasuma)

Moms basked in much-deserved attention during a weekend celebration for Mother's Day. At the Mother-Daughter Tea Party on May 8, the Club's sushi chef taught participants how to hand roll their own lip-smacking maki creations, which were served with high tea. The girls also headed to a crafts corner to make cards for their moms. During Mary Ann Tiu Yamashita's Sunday Crafts and Storytime, imaginative youngsters turned plain terracotta flowerpots into colorful presents filled with flowers, while moms were the guests of honor at the annual Mother's Day Buffet, featuring a spread of seasonal treats and a special keepsake.

Mudsharks coach Simon Hadlow led a team of the Club's talented young swimmers and a spirited cheer squad of family and friends on a short trek overseas to compete against 25 other teams from across Asia in a thrill-packed meet. A slew of top 10 accolades, including two gold medals, and personal bests were accrued over two full days of races at the state-of-the-art Shing Mun Valley Swimming Pool.

Photos supplied by Narissara March

The night lived up to its title as 10-year-old guitarist Yuto Miyazawa enthralled more than 130 spectators, including many schoolchildren, during an electrifying performance in the Gym. The Japanese rock prodigy ripped through versions of Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” and other rock classics, then afterward answered questions, signed autographs and posed for photos.

Photos by Irwin Wong

Intellectual brawn was flaunted and general trivia knowledge put to the test when six teams assembled in Traders' Bar for a traditional pub quiz to celebrate England's legendary dragon slayer and patron saint. Competition was fueled by traditional English fare and drinks, with the winners collecting a bounty of tantalizing treats that included Champagne and tickets to the Cotton Club.
Photos by Yuuki Ide

More than 180 kids flocked to this colorful celebration at the Club, taking part in a golden egg hunt, festive games and craft sessions and snapping keepsake photos with the Spring Bunny. A popular petting zoo filled with rabbits, chicks and other cuddly creatures offered plenty of hands-on fun.
Photos by Ken Katsurayama

Bolstered by blue skies and mild temperatures, 101 swimmers of all ages braved the icy water of the Pool for the Club's annual frigid dip, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. Participants who completed the challenge received a T-shirt, towel and mug of hot chocolate.

Photos by Yuuki Ide

Super Bowl XLIV at the Club
February 8

An estimated 160 Members gathered on a bright Monday morning around the big-screen TVs in the Club to watch Super Bowl XLIV live from Miami, along with a record legion of spectators worldwide. Football fans cheered on their teams in the New York Suite and Traders' Bar as the New Orleans Saints handed the Indianapolis Colts a shocking 31-17 defeat to claim their first-ever championship title. The lively Club tradition featured tasty game-day dishes, trivia and plenty of prizes, including two roundtrip air tickets to Hawaii.

Photos by Irwin Wong

Father-Daughter Dinner Dance
February 13

This annual celebration was another sellout as fathers and their dolled-up daughters sat down to a delicious meal before hitting the dance floor. A photo session provided keepsakes of the evening (and a much-appreciated break for short-winded dads), along with special souvenir bags for the girls. An assortment of gifts was handed out to lucky winners at the end of the night, including tickets to KidZania and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream vouchers.

Photos by Yuuki Ide