Toledo (CA 133) - Naval Cruise Book

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Defense. darken ship. and 0011111101100 the fourth drill period, TOLEDO arrived in Osaka 011 a brisk morning, ready in all re- spects to have a liberty i11 the famed G'Venicc of the Orient, and one of the major .lapa- nese seaports and industrial centers of the recent war. Mooring to a pier which seemed to be a number of 111iles from town, the ship was soon being boarded by the usual group of Army visitors, ready to turn over all the available information on local recreation and entertain.ment, sports facilities, trans- portation, and out-of-bounds areas. This in- formation was immediately broadcast over the ship's announcing system and, at least in theory, every man leaving the ship knew exactly where to go-and where not to go. The canals provided novel snapshot sub- jects, and the Army clubs, opened to all Navy personnel, solved the problem of what to do after taking the snapshots. The pleas- ant stay was brought to a close four days after arrival when the ship moved to Kobe, a few miles west, the Kobe chapter of the story, a close parallel to the Osaka, then be- gan. At both cities, sightseeing of the bomb damage and of local scenic spots competed with organized Army recreation for our at- tentions. Kyoto, ancient capital of the Empire, lies north of Osaka and Kobe, the three cities forming a triangle on the map. While the ship was in the area, facilities of the resort hotels at Kyoto were used by TOLEDO of- ficers and men-used and enjoyed to the fullest. Travel to Kyoto was by rail, and from Kyoto station, busses and taxis took the leave-takers to the Miyako and Kyoto hotels. Wonderful food, fine accommoda- tions, and perfect leisure were the orders of the day. In the harbors of Osaka and Kobe, as well as those of other ports visited by CA-133, in- spections of Japanese ships took place. As an important part of the duties incident to occupation of the Japanese islands, regular inspections were conducted of the ships,

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treated to dinner and a movie, each child guided by two bluejackets. The language barrier was forgotten in the genuine fun of this event. One of the biggest events of the holiday season, as fas as Tokyo was concerned, was the colorful and well-executed Christmas Parade, which many TOLEDO oflicers and men were able to witness. Floats from many service activities and units, lavishly dec- orated in the manner of the 'Tournament of Roses or ulfiose Festivalf' portrayed the Christmas story and many family aspects of the gay season. Featured in the parade were several Santas, all apparently duly author- ized representatives of Saint Nick himself, many Japanese girls, and a few Army wives, present to assist Santa in his air operations from an Air Force fighter plane. The Tokyo children, and grownups, too, loved the dis- play, and we observed on every hand the way that our own customs of Christmas were being copied and enjoyed by the Japanese. Aboard the TOLEDO, Captain Arison, in a very impressive ceremony on the main deck, presented scholarships for a yearis study to Japanese school children of the Yokosuka area considered deserving of them. The money for these scholarships had been contributed by men of the ship during the preceding weeks. Needless to say, the gratitude of those receiving the awards was very evident. All hands felt that a positive step toward greater understanding and friendship with the Japanese people had been made by the ship. New Year's saw the end of the spiral of celebrations that marked the holidays. uOpen Housesv at the Officers, CPO and PO, and EM Clubs were big successes. The new year of 1950 having been ofiicially welcomed aboard, all hands looked forward to the third cruise from Yokosuka, this one to Osaka, Kobe and a chance to visit famed Kyoto. After barely enough cruising time to sound General Quarters, followed by Air

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lnspechons of Japanese vessels were part of the routine at each port Sharks 5 ss QS X 5 The countryside near Osaka provided many unusual scenes f , - ,raw The magnificent Heian Shrine af Kyoto Spectators at the Takarazuka Opera near Osaka often brought lunch these boardings were made by regular boarding parties from the TOLEDO, made up of representatives of various depart- ments Who were equipped to carry out a particular part of the check. One of the beauty spots in Kyoto was the Heian Shrine, a tremendous sprawling edi- fice in brilliant orange coloring. Those with color film in their cameras had a golden op- portunity here for one of the prettiest shots of the Orient. Also in Kyoto is the Imperial Palace, of which the Coronation Hall is still used as the place for the coronati'on of the Emperors. Lovely gardens surround the Palace buildings, which are sometimes visited by the Imperial family on cere- monial occasions. The Takarazuka Girls Opera, founded a half century ago by a dance professor, has its main academy near Osaka, and here men from the ship witnessed many start- lingly beautiful operas and more modern presentations. Groups of the organization tour large cities of the islands, including Tokyo, periodically. Also near Osaka lies the quaint, colorful town of Nara, site of the largest buddha in the Empire C500 tonsl, and home of the famous sacred deer, so tame they approach visitors to be fed by hand. The giant bell of Nara can be heard for several miles when struck by a large bell-ringer made of a twenty-foot log. Narais many shrines, parks and pagodas, including the World-famous five-storied pagoda, were visited by many from the ship. With considerable regret, the ship ended a pleasant visit to Osaka, Kobe, side trips to Kyoto and Nara, and returned to Yokosuka for a short pre-7th Fleet stay. One of the lighter spots in life underway was the ulilantail Follies in which men from every department of the ship took the stage for the entertainment of all, turning the ship into a sort of sea-going variety hall for an evening. The Follies, written, pro-