On Saturday, about 140 members of the Gifu Prefecture Bukkayokai and grandchildren of Japanese soldiers who fought on Saipan during World War II are expected to visit the temple, he said.
Gifu Prefecture Bukkyokai is a religious group in Japan that helped build the Hall of Prayer, Akita said.
Akita said the visitors from Japan will attend the memorial ceremony at the shrine.
Because the temple is small, Akita said there will be table and tent outside for the worshippers.
After the service, he said visitors can come inside the temple to offer incense, flowers and other gifts.
Reverend Sokyu Yamakawa will be the lead minister, Akita said.
In April last year, the temple, which is called the Saipan International House of Prayer, was re-opened for the first time in 16 years.
Since the temple’s opening, Akita has been its caretaker. He looked after a similar temple for 10 years in Hilo, Hawaii.
“I would like to invite the community to join us in prayer and to thank the visitors for coming all the way from Japan,” he said.
On Saturday, the celebration of the Japanese Autumn Festival will be held at the Garapan Central Park.
//
