Calvert (APA 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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- KUBE The city of Kobe is one of the two largest ports in Japan, the other being Yokohama. Kobe harbor is divided into two sections: The southern portion which is devoted to domestic trade, and the I northern portion, which is devoted to KOBE HARBOR foreign trade. The city is hemmed by Local color in Mt. Rokko Park steep hills on the north and so has spread east and west along Osaka Bay which is on the south. The business district is situated near the waterfront, and the residential quarter on the slopes of the foothills. ln the heart of the business district is a long narrow street called Motomachi-dori, which is the great shopping district of the city. Here an endless variety of merchandise can be purchased, such as chinaware, fine silks, jewelry, cloisonn, and perfume. lt is a veritable paradise for souvenir hunters. Also in the heart of the business district, near Sannomiya station, is the lkuta Shrine, a very ancient and famous Shinto Center, from which Kobe seems to derive its name. The city was originally called Kamibe, or H Keepers of the Gods , the H be referring to a community dedicated to the upkeep and protection of the shrine, where the Kami Qgodsy are enshrined. Within thirty minutes travelling time from Sannomiya station is the famed Mt. Rokko Park, considered to be an excellent place for rest and recreation. The mountain has an altitude of 3,057 ft., and the summit may be reached by way of a cable car. In the park is an eighteen hole golf course which has a very peculiar uphill layout, an exceptionally beautiful Alpine Botanical Garden, and the Rokko Oriental Hotel, which is an excellent stopping-over place. Takarazuka is another popular pleasure resort, located about forty minutes away from Kobe by electric railway. The greatest attraction there is the all-female theatrical company, which is famed throughout the Far East for the magnificent and spectacular stage plays which it presents daily. The large opera house there contains three theatres: the largest for the girls theatrical company, the second- largest for movies, and the smallest for variety shows. Other points of interest there are the zoological and botanical gardens, public and private baths, a library, dining room, and a childrens recreation ground. Nara and Kyoto are two very interesting cities, located quite close together and within less than an hour's time from Kobe. These cities played an important role in the early development of Japan's arts and crafts, and religion. Kyoto was the capital city of ancient Japan, and in Nara can be found the largest Buddha in the Orient, and many classical Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples. 'f 1 The Fabulous Motomachi The Great Buddha of Nom

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f I ,J I ,li , i 1 fr 4. 1 ,VW jg, S -P 'fi T 'ey Ir if t if S H I M 0 D A 16th BLACK SHIP FESTIVAL The prize cow of the Black Ship Festival Parade. U.S. Navy band from Yokosuka at the Black Ship Festival. Shimoda, Commodore Perry's entry port and the base of Town- send Harris, first Consul General of U.S. to Japan, is a hill enclosed fishing port of about 8,000 popu- lation, located on the southern tip of the IZU peninsula. lt is a small industrial town primarily dependent A Future Citizen on it's fishing industry. lt is the best on the peninsula. The Black Ships under the command of Commodore Perry of the United States Navy arrived at Shimoda in l854. At Ryosen-Ji Temple, here, the U.S. Japan Amity Treaty was concluded. This awakened Japan from a long dream of seclusion from other countries. The port of Shimoda was opened and the first Consulate General of the United States for Japan, Townsend Harris, was placed. His diplomatic ability and tact led to the negotiation of a commercial treaty on July 29th l858, the first ever made between Japan and a Western nation, by the terms of which, Yokohama was opened to foreige trade. To commemorate this historic event, and to pay homage to those pioneers who played the important part in opening Japan to the world, the first Black Ship Festival was held in T934 under the auspices of those interested. lt served to enhance the friendly relations between the United States and Japan. The HCALVERTH entertained approximately 3,000 men, women and school children by conducting them on a tour of the ship. This Main street, Shimocla. aided in promoting a successful Black Ship Festival in l955. A part of the crowd who came to see Personnel helping to direct children are L to R: C..H. the parade, some from far away. Hahn, L.A. Copeland, Chief Hansen, and H.F. Hatherill.

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A Navy-Marine landing exercise requires a lot ot planning and work, but above all, coordination and cooperation of all units participating. This was very true ot the operation I we held on Okinawa. The tollowing are a tew pictures taken on that operation which proved to be so highly successful. Okinawa as it looked to us when we arrived at Naha, the capital, on June 5th 1955. N A V M A R L E X 1-55 Marines debarking into the boats as they leave for the beach on D Day. Y The landing craft hit the beach.