Reunions

Class of 1982
Mini 30th Reunion in Tokyo July 2012

I think we all agree that the experience of growing up in Tokyo and attending an international school left an indelible mark on us. The friends we made and the memories we shared are things we cherish all our lives... Our time at Nishimachi was special. Although we eventually go our separate ways, it’s always great to take some time now and then to reconnect with childhood friends to reminisce about the “good ole days.” A mini, thirtieth reunion (really mini), attended by Buddy M., Yukie (T.) Y., Chiyoshi (K.) H., Miyuki (S.) T., and Chris I., gave a few of us an opportunity to catch up with one another and share some laughs, a sliver of time that took us back, briefly, to the good ole days. We’re hoping, for our fortieth, we’ll see a lot more of you.

Chris I. '82

Pictured here are (from left): Chiyoshi (K.) H., Buddy M., Yukie (T.) Y., Chris I., and Miyuki (S.) T.

Nishimachi-Kai BBQ 2012
With IACJapan Natsumatsuri @ St. Maur in Yokohama June 16, 2012

For the first time, IACJapan (International Alumni Council Japan) Natsumatsuri was held outside Tokyo. This year’s summer festival took place on Saturday, June 16, at St. Maur International School in Yokohama. In order to broaden its horizons beyond our campus and city, N-Kai joined the festivities and sponsored a hamburger and hotdog booth. Leading the N-Kai booth were board chair Nancy H. ’83 and members Michio M. ’99, Nobu H. ’85, Masa A. ’94, Yhu K. ’94, and Eisuke N. ’99. N-Kai felt the event provided a unique opportunity to meet up with alumni in the Yokohama area, as well as a good chance to check out the St. Maur campus. 

The natsumatsuri coincided with the start of tsuyu (the rainy season), so, accordingly, we experienced on and off rain throughout the day. Still, a hearty group of alumni braved the weather and the commute and had a really good time. There was live entertainment, food booths offering a variety of delicacies from Turkish kebabs to Chinese favorites from Yokohama’s Chinatown, ennichi for the kids, and sports in the gym. N-Kai would like to thank the many volunteers who helped out at the booth: Masa's wife, Natsuko, Riki M. ’97, Shinnosuke Y. ’99, Nobu's daughter, Eriya ‘16, and Philippe E. and Mayumi N. ’90 from the Development Office. 

Osamu F. ‘82

Pictured here from left to right: Michio M. '99, Riki M. '97, Masa A. '94, Osamu F. '82, Yhu K. '94, Nancy H. '83, Nobu H. '85, Eriya H. '16, and Mayumi N. '90.

Class of 1990 
Tokyo three-generations Reunion, Tokyo, Japan <i>November 26, 2011</i>

Class of 1990 had a three-generation luncheon on November 26, 2011, in Tokyo. 

Pictured here are (in random order):
Lalaka F., her husband, son, and mother;
Momoka K., her son, and mother;
Ryoji K., and his mother;
Mayumi N., her daughter, and mother;
Akiko P., and her husband;
Yuko Y., her daughter, and mother;
Atsuo Y., and his mother.

They are planning another get-together, and they hope to have more members from their class to join them for future events!

2011 Nishimachi-Kai Overseas Reunion 
Los Angeles, CA March 27, 2011

March 27, 2011

Road to Seoul (Korean BBQ), 1230 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006

by Hope A. ‘74

Los Angeles area alumni Joseph L. ‘73, Hope A. ‘74, Yujiro S. ‘76, Andreas G. ‘78, Maylie C. ‘80, Gary T. ‘85, and Tessa O. ‘04 gathered in Koreatown, March 27, for a delicious dinner at the Road to Seoul Restaurant. Over enormous platters of grill-it-yourself meat, Philippe Eymard gave a much-needed post-quake update on Nishimachi. It was wonderful to learn the students were fine and the school was undamaged. We were particularly gratified that the newly retrofitted Matsukata House came through the ultimate challenge without incident and applaud Nishimachi’s forward-thinking attitude.

2011 Nishimachi-Kai Overseas Reunion
Atherton, CA March 26, 2011

Hosted by Hiro and Betty O., parents of Andy '87 and Marcus '94

by Betty O. (former parent)

On Saturday, March 26, the Ogawa family hosted a Nishimachi reunion at their new home in Atherton for the San Francisco Bay Area. Hiro and Betty O. and their sons, Andrew and Marcus, welcomed fifty attendees. They all had a good time renewing acquaintances and making new friends. People came from all over the Bay Area and included alumni, former teachers, parents, spouses, and children. It was especially nice to see Yukiko A., a member of Nishimachi’s first graduating class, Nancy F., former vice principal, and former teachers Vivienne S. and Mary B.

Philippe Eymard updated the group about Nishimachi. He also talked about the recent devastating earthquake, which occurred when school was in session. Fortunately, no one was hurt and there was no damage. Due to the disruption of transportation services, some students weren’t picked up until late evening. Classes were cancelled until after spring break, the group learned.

The Ogawa family established a matching donor fund through the Red Cross for Japan relief. Many were interested to hear about the fund so Hiro explained why the fund was established, and Andrew and Marcus talked about implementation of it. 

It was a beautiful day, and the children enjoyed playing outside in the garden while the grown-ups talked and reminisced about their days at Nishimachi.

After lots of wine, sushi, cookies, and cupcakes, the group gathered outside to take a picture with the Nishimachi banner. All agreed it was a wonderful reunion, and we should do it again soon.

by Mary B. (former faculty)

As the rain abated, more than 40 guests gathered at the home of Betty and Hiro Ogawa on Saturday, March 26. Joined by their sons, Andy and Marcus, they greeted their guests with warmth and good cheer. Alumni, friends, staff, and a few former teachers mingled, noshed, and shared stories of their ties to and time at Nishimachi. Philippe Eymard described how students, teachers, and staff managed to get through the day the earthquake and the tsunami struck Japan, March 11, 2011, while Hiro Ogawa told us about the joint fundraiser his family held with the American Red Cross. We were all captivated by their accounts, and our sense of community was unwavering. Thank you to the Ogawa family for a wonderful afternoon.

On a personal note, the highpoint of the reunion for me was meeting former students with their young children. Sweet.

2011 Nishimachi-Kai Overseas Reunion
Seattle, WA March 25, 2011

Hi Spot Cafe, 1410 34th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122

by Mark A. ‘77

We had a great reunion in Seattle on March 25 at the Hi Spot Café. We had nearly 20 people show up, including alums, parents, former teachers, and staff. Alums included Tamara S. ‘75, Mark A. ‘77, Jennifer L. ‘86, Alexandra P. ‘86, Masaki W. ‘86, Lillian O. ‘90, Dani O. ‘09, and Tomi I. ‘12. It was also a delight to see Laurel L., a former music teacher. The reunion gave us a great opportunity to catch up and reconnect with fellow Nishimachi family and friends. Nishimachi is a place that is so dear to us all. Big thanks to Philippe Eymard for spearheading this reunion!