The Mita-Kai Homecoming Day 2019, a gathering of the Keio Gijuku Shachu or Keio University "company" that is open to all Keio alumni (graduates), was held on Sunday, October 20 at Hiyoshi Campus under the slogan of "Legacy & Future — together extolling the bonds of the Keio Gijuku Shachu."
The homecoming this year was again blessed with a crisp, clear autumn sky, and the campus brimmed with excitement from the early morning as various stalls lined up to welcome the 21,500 visitors including alumni and their families.
As was the case last year, the commemorative ceremony was held in the Hiyoshi Kaido Senior High School Gymnasium due to the continuing construction work on the Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall. This year, Keio alumni from the class of 1969 marking the 50th anniversary of their graduation were invited to the main ceremony. The opening declaration of Homecoming Planning Committee Chairman Taijiro Nagatani was followed by the hoisting of the Keio school flag and the singing of the alma mater "the Juku-ka," as well as a speech from Keio Rengo Mita-Kai Vice President Tokujiro Yamamoto and a congratulatory address from President Akira Haseyama.
After the ceremony, musical actress Natsumi Kon and Keio alumnus Tetsuya Bessho lifted the crowd in the Hiyoshi Kaido with a special live musical performance, while men and women, young and old enjoyed the elaborate and varied events held at each venue on campus, which thronged with the members of the Keio Gijiuku Shachu who had gathered from across the country.
A raffle draw for luxurious prizes was held at the end of the event, and the proceedings were brought to a close with a rendition of "Wakaki-chi" by all members of the Keio Gijuku Shachu.