On 29 November 2025, 14 students and 3 staff embarked on our third study tour to Japan. The biggest difference between previous tours and this tour is the opportunity of experiencing homestay at a high school in Japan.
We began our adventure with visiting many beautiful historical sites in Kyoto, such as Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), Kiyomizu temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine. We also travelled to Hiroshima and visited the Peace Park and Peace Memorial Museum where we learnt what exactly happened in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. Before leaving Hiroshima, we didn’t forget eating Hiroshima’s famous okonomiyaki which was incredible! Next day we headed to Osaka and spent most of the day at Universal Studio Japan. We enjoyed all the attractions and thrilling rides they offer. This was following by visiting famous Dotonbori in the evening where we had a taste of a variety of amazing street food such as takoyaki and ramen!!
On Day 5, we hopped on bullet train and travelled to Toyohashi to commence our 5-day homestay program. Mr Jennings joined us in Toyohashi who came all the way from Melbourne to support this very first homestay program. 800 Toyohashi Minami Senior High students warmly welcomed us at the welcome assembly, and our students were able to experience daily Japanese life with their host family and participate in regular school activities for 5 days. Our students not only participated in their regular classes such as Japanese, English, Maths, PE, Art etc. but also joined some of the cultural clubs to experience traditional flower arrangement and tea ceremony. Some of our students even had a chance to participate in a Chikuwa making workshop where they made a traditional Japanese, tube-shaped fish cake. Students from both schools formed their friendship very quickly but sadly we had to say goodbye to them on our last day in Toyohashi.
After Toyohashi, we boarded a bullet train to our final destination, Tokyo. The first day in Tokyo was spent visiting Harajuku where we explored some of the trendy fashion stores and tasted ‘Harajuku crapes,’ and later we walked through the famous scramble crossing of Shibuya in the evening. Next day we visited Sensoji Temple and Tokyo Skytree in the morning and spent the rest of the day on shopping in Akihabara. On our last day in Tokyo, all students were able to try an earthquake simulator and learn about how to stay safe during emergencies at the Ikebukuro Safety Learning Centre. Our last dinner in Tokyo was at Sushiro (one of the best sushi train restaurants) and ate to our heart’s content there!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Lee, Ms D’Elton, Mr Jennings for their support and all of our students who were a pleasure to travel with. I am certain that they will treasure all of the wonderful memories and friendships that they formed during our time in Japan. The next study tour to Japan will take place in December 2027.
Mr Jun Hayashi – LOTE Japanese | Sister School Program Leader