From Perth we flew Singapore airlines to Singapore, and everyone was very impressed with the service on the flight and the in flight entertainment systems. Ms Brideson also managed to get us a huge bag of plane goodies such as cards, pens etc which we shared amongst everyone. After a short stopover it was on to Tokyo where we spent four nights in the very old and traditional suburb of Asakusa. The Sakura Youth hostel was very accommodating with all Woodvale students having their own dormitory accommodation.  There were internet facilities, and breakfast was provided daily.

 

From the Sakura Youth Hostel it was a very easy short walk to the nearby market stalls. As we arrived during a phenomenon known as ‘Silver week’ there were even more crowds than usual, and so this was a very interesting first taste of Japan.

 

Many students enjoyed getting used to shopping while using their Japanese language skills here! At the same time they discovered the delights of Japanese festival food such as yakisoba (stir fry noodles,) okonomiyaki (like a vegetable pancake,) and flavoured ice.

 

While in Tokyo students visited various disctricts such as the busy Shibuya made famous from scenes in ‘Lost in Translation,’ Harajuku known to many due to songs by Gwen Stefani, Akihabara – the electronics town, and Tokyo Disneyland. Students were also introduced to Karaoke Japanese style and although hesitant at first, everyone appeared to absolutely love it!

 

After Tokyo students got their first taste of a bullet train shinkansen on which we headed for the beautiful Kanazawa, famous for Kenrokuen gardens, one of the 3 most beautiful gardens in Japan. While there we also visited the samurai district, the geisha district and Myuryouji, ninja temple. We also enjoyed staying at a traditional Japanese hotel some rooms with tatami mats and futons.

 

After Kanazawa we headed toKyoto where sights such as Kiyomizudera and the golden pavilion kinkakuji were visited. Students also experienced a Japanese fast food restaurant where they purchased a coupon for their dinner, as well as an okonomiyaki restaurant where food was served in beautiful surroundings where your feet can stretch out under the table and you ate in your own personal booth!  Food is then served on a hot plate which is in built into the table.

 

Next on the itinerary was Hiroshima. While in Hiroshima again we were treated to wonderful Japanese hospitality at a hotel near the train station. We visited the peace park heiwa kooen, located around the epicentre of the atomic bomb, where we unexpectedly came across a Japanese gentleman who spoke to us about what happened in Hiroshima’s past, and impressed upon us his wish for peace throughout the world which was a moving experience for everyone.

We also visited the memorial to Sadako from the book ‘Sadako and the thousand paper cranes’ and the Hiroshima peace memorial museum.

 

As our Japanese adventure came to a close students were treated to one last excursion to Universal studios Japan. Everyone was happy that is was a lot less busy than Disneyland there!

 

After 12 days touring, suitcases getting heavier with each place we visited, the time came for our fabulous language and cultural tour of Japan to come to an end.

 

It is always a pleasure to share the language, beauty and culture of Japan with fresh eyes. It is truly a magical place. So, if you are ever given the chance to visit and experience the magic of Japan I highly recommend you take it!

 

To the students on the trip: Casey, Matt, Sophie, James, Jelena, Kyle, Moeko, Heather,  Sean, Jake, Danielle, Holly, Alex, Stephen, Ryo, Jared, Monique, Katie, Melissa, Tiarne, and Alanna, thank you for being such ‘genki’ (enthusiastic) and all round fabulous participants! I am sure the experience and language learnt will be invaluable to you, and I look forward to coordinating future trips with Woodvale students.

 

We would also like to give a special mention to Jetset Woodvale for all their work in organising all of our travel arrangements.

 

Jennifer Donovan

Teacher in Charge Languages, Japan Tour Coordinator