The visiting pros began their U.S. tour in New York City and then headed to Philadelphia, where they spent a day on the campus of Swarthmore College. Swarthmore is the only college in the U.S. with its own shogi club, and it was exciting for the student shogi enthusiasts to have the chance to interact with the professional players.
The visiting pros began their visit by meeting with the Vice-President of Swarthmore College, Maurice Eldridge, and presenting him with an autographed fan:
After chatting with students studying Japanese, and having lunch at the Japanese language table, the pros attended a special meeting of the Swarthmore Shogi Club in the afternoon. After formal introductions, each pro played three handicap games simultaneously against Shogi Club members.
The visitors with the organizers, Josh Onishi and Alan Baker
While at the Athenaeum, Mr. Oikawa challenged current Pennsylvania state chess champion (and Swarthmore Shogi Club member), Tom Bartell to a game of chess on the Athenaeum's historic chess table. Tom took a queen handicap, since Mr. Oikawa had spent only a couple of weeks learning chess, and they played to an exciting and hard-fought draw. [See here for Tom's account, and the moves of the game.]
Tom Bartell vs. Mr. Oikawa
This short video was taken of the pros' visit to the Swarthmore College campus, and is currently on the College homepage.