JAPAN TRIPOver the recent July school holidays, 15 intrepid students, led by Maryann Green and Aidan Daly, embarked on the trip of a lifetime to Japan. Their trip began in the bustling city of Tokyo, a metropolis of 30 million, where the group learnt quickly to embrace the challenges of summer weather. Tokyo Disneyland was their first sightseeing spot, a highly anticipated one for many of the students. The following day, they delved deeper into Tokyo’s vibrant culture, navigating the metro system and the complex Shibuya Station to reach the famed Scramble Crossing. Later, was Takeshita Street in the trendy Harajuku district. Their last full day in Tokyo featured a trip to the Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower at 634 metres, and Tokyo teamLab Planets, where incredible interactive art exhibits captivated the students. Monday marked the beginning of the students’ journey westward to Mie Prefecture, where our sister school, Akatsuki Junior High, is located. En route, they stopped in Nagoya to visit its historic castle, originally built in 1612 and beautifully restored after wartime damage. The castle’s opulent gold-leaf-lined palace walls were a highlight of the visit. Upon arriving in Yokkaichi, students were warmly welcomed by their host families and began adjusting to their new routines of being a part of a Japanese family for a week. The week in Mie included a hands-on cooking class, and calligraphy class. Farewelling their host families on Friday morning, the group took the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto and stayed at Ryokan Wakamiya, a traditional Japanese inn offering an authentic experience with tatami rooms and meals such as Shabu-Shabu. Over the weekend, they explored Kyoto’s cultural treasures, including the serene Fushimi Inari Shrine, the historic Kiyomizudera Temple, and the stunning Kinkakuji Temple. Other activities in Kyoto included a visit to the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and a walk through the Arashiyama Monkey Park, where they observed Japanese Macaques in their natural habitat. The group’s final destination was Osaka, where they capped off their trip with a ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, offering panoramic views of the coastal city. The day also featured a visit to the Osaka Kaiyukan, the largest aquarium in the world, showcasing a diverse array of marine life from whale sharks to sunfish. Throughout the trip, the students immersed themselves in Japanese culture and made the most of all opportunities. They embraced new experiences, adapted to unfamiliar environments, and forged lasting connections with their peers and host families. The memories of this incredible adventure will undoubtedly be cherished for years to come.
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