Toledo (CA 133) - Naval Cruise Book

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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-

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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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Reviewing their parade at Imperial Palace qroun'ds, Tokyo, were Gen. Bradley, Gen. Vandenberg, Gen. Collins, and Adm. Sher- man, the Joint Chiefs of Staff. duced. and MC7ed by Ens. Bjorge, featured such perennial favorites as Art Davis, Irish tenor extraordinary, Jimmy Wayne, sword- swallower, firebreather, glass-chewer, and contortionistg the Pacific Coast Playboys and their Wfestern music, BMC Douglass and his guitar, and Ens. Kint, man-in-the- street questioner, and the man behind the Frankenstein mask. Everyone had a good time at the Follies. In early February, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Omar Bradley, USA, Chairman, Jimmy Wayne swallowed knives, Art Davis sang lovely lrish songs ate glass al' club and ship en- at the Fantail Follies, aided by Navy units marched from the RTO, Tokyo, fo parade grounds Cen. J. Lawton Collins, USA, Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg, USAF, and Adm. Forrest P. Sherman, USN, visited Japan on a tour of inspection. The Joint Chiefs boarded the TOLEDO at Forrestal Causeway, Yokosuka, for a few minutes, and later the same day reviewed a parade, comprised of units from all three services, at the Imperial Palace grounds in Tokyo. Naval units, including sailors and marines from TOLEDO, marched in this parade, and received commendations for a fine performance. fmfagnmenfsh Eng. Bio,-gel MQ, Capt. Arison, RADM Hartman and audience enioy a fantail show