Japan Exchange 2023
On a freezing Friday morning in September, 24 students and 4 teachers travelled to Melbourne Airport where our next destination would be Japan, our home for the next 3 weeks!
It was a trip that had taken months of planning (thank you さわき先生) and we could all feel the excitement in the air. The moment it truly hit us when our host sisters excitedly waited for us as we gathered our luggage. As we spoke with our host sisters, their families and their friends, not only were all of us able to practise and learn new Japanese skills through this new experience, but it was the beginning of forming lifelong friendships.
For the next 2 weeks, we lived and experienced the Japanese culture and lifestyle. From going to school at Shinwa Girls’ High School on Saturdays, even on the day after we arrived, to following our host sisters to their after school clubs such as track and field, photography, volleyball, choir or calligraphy. We were also able to sit and actively participate in various different classes, a few of which were maths, geography, global understanding, biology, English and Japanese reading.
During our homestay, we also had some memorable excursions including a tea ceremony hosted by Shinwa alumni where we were all able to wear beautiful yukatas and had an authentic sadou (tea ceremony) while eating wagashi and drinking matcha. Other excursions include a day trip to Himeji Castle, Cup Noodle Museum and a big day full of fun at Universal Studios Japan when we came back to school at around 8pm! We were also privileged to be able to visit Shinwa Kindergarten and play Japanese childhood games as well as learn the very catchy "Ramen Daisuki” song with a room full of cute, bubbly kids! As well as a visit to the nearby Tahaka Primary School where we spent time playing games with either year 5 or 6 classes and then got to eat a kyuushoku (prepared lunch) as a class.
There were also a few rest days where we got to relax and get to know our host families. Many of us did exciting activities like going to Nara to feed the deers, visiting temples and shrines, or going to sing our hearts out at karaoke!
At the end of the 2 weeks of homestay, the most heartbreaking day arrived. The morning before we went to Kyoto was filled with tears, hugs, photos and messages to ensure that we made the most of our few precious minutes left. It was truly so sad to leave our host sisters and their friends and families, but we had learnt so much and could not be more grateful for this once in a lifetime experience that we were part of together. Also, thank you to the teachers for somehow having an endless supply of tissues that day. It was definitely needed!
Although the homestay had ended, our next destination was a week in Kyoto and Tokyo sightseeing the most magnificent places while learning about Japan’s history and culture. In Kyoto we were able to go to Mount Arashi known for its beautiful tall bamboo forest, the bustling Nishiki Market, Kiyomizu Temple and of course Fushiminari where we had the option of walking around and looking at the various eye capturing stores or hiking up the mountain under a path full of tall, red torii gates! We also got to Kyoto coming to life at night from the top of Kyoto Tower.
After catching a flight to Haneda Airport, we spent the final few days of our journey at Tokyo. During our stay, we visited places like Meiji Shrine where we got to take a stroll through a beautiful pathway full of nature, the vibrant Harajuku where we ate some delicious crepes, as well as Asakusa, a place home to the grand Sensoji temple as well as hundreds of stalls with street food and souvenirs. We also went to Ueno to do some shopping as well as Akihabara to see the anime-loving culture!
Time had passed so quickly and before we knew it, we were back on a 10 hour long plane to Melbourne. This trip was truly a special experience and everyone one of us had the opportunity to embrace the Japanese culture and find that spark about who we are as people and what the reason is that motivates us to study Japanese.
Sarah F (11E)