As tourists from Japan, they wanted to visit World War II sites and other tourist spots on an island that used to be administered by their country.
As park, however, they were attracted by the sight of the temple.
“There’s nothing about this temple in our guide map,” they said.
At that time, Rev. Shinryu Akita and his helper Mary Grace Rebosoga were performing a ritual.
The two tourists, who wanted to try to ring the Nanmeido Peace Bell, waited for Shinryu to finish his prayers and told him they were “very happy” to visit the temple. They then joined the Buddhist priest in offering prayers.
Akita briefly narrated to them the history of the temple which was dedicated to the spirits of those who lost their lives in the Battle of Saipan.
He told them about the large Peace Bell hanging from the ceiling which the two sisters rang.
Akita said he doesn’t get tired of teaching, talking and meeting people who visit the temple.
During his free time, he said he also teaches calligraphy to the Japanese community on Saipan as a volunteer every Saturday.
But Akita will be returning to Japan soon.
Akita said he has to undergo treatment in Japan after he injured his leg when he collapsed at the temple last month.
“I could hardly walk and I need treatment,” he said.
On Nov. 19, he will leave the island, but “I will try to return by December” for the annual event at the International House of Prayer.
Akita has been leading the bell ringing during New Year’s Eve since he arrived on Saipan three years ago.
The Joya No Kane or the temple bells are traditionally rang 108 times. The first 107 times are rang on New Year’s Eve and the last is rang the moment the New Year arrives.
Like Akita, the Yamada sisters are also planning to return to Saipan to explore more of its historical sites.
“We want to see the other places here that we’re not able to visit,” the sisters said.