Japan Trip 2017

On Wednesday 21^st June, 20 students and four staff members flew into Narita International Airport to begin a two-week trip in Japan. After spending a night in Narita, we headed to our sister school Seishin Gakuen, where we spent the next five days immersed in the Japanese culture. Students experienced life as a Japanese student with the warm hospitality of the Seishin host families and special lessons such as shodou (calligraphy), kendo (Japanese sword fighting) and kyuudou (Japanese archery). We were also fortunate to meet Mayumi and Akito, who will be coming to Pacific next week as Inbound Exchange Students.

It was an emotional last day at the school where students farewelled their new friends and family before heading to Choushi to experience a traditional Japanese inn. Students enjoyed the onsen and traditional banquet, followed by a night of karaoke.

Our journey continued to Tokyo, where students walked to Akihabara and experienced some shopping and time at a cat café. We thank our former Japanese Teacher Assistant (JTA), Yuki Sensei, for her time in helping us navigate through Tokyo station. We then caught the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto where we spent the next three days. Here, we toured Kinkakuji (Golden Temple), Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple) and had an actioned packed day at Universal Studios Japan. Thank you to Yuka Sensei and Natsuko Sensei who were both former JTAs at Pacific in 2016 and 2013.

The final two days were spent in Hiroshima, where students learned about the history of the city and the devastating effects of nuclear weapons at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Students walked through the Peace Memorial Park and left prayers for world peace with the thousands of other paper cranes on display.

We congratulate the 2017 Japan Trip students for the way in which they stepped out of their comfort zone to fully immerse themselves in the Japanese culture. This experience has touched each and every student in a unique way. We also thank Mr Mark Hauser, Mr Brendan Delaney and Mrs Virginia Schlotterbach for giving up their holiday to support the trip. We look forward to seeing our Seishin friends next year when they visit Pacific in Term 3! ありがとうございます。

Mrs Michiko Hauser, Head of Japanese 6-12 and Japan Trip 2017 Coordinator