At Sumire Education Centre Co. Ltd., we are delighted to share one of our recent short-term study and homestay experiences in Japan.
A 14-year-old girl from Melbourne, Australia, who loves manga and is eager to further improve her Japanese, spent three wonderful weeks staying in Saitama(30 minutes to Tokyo).
During her time in Japan, she fully immersed herself in both the language and culture.
In addition to daily Japanese language lessons, she participated in a wide range of cultural activities designed to give her hands-on experiences of traditional Japan.
These included manga lessons, calligraphy (shodō), karuta(traditional Japanese card game), flower arrangement (ikebana), kimono dressing, and even cloisonné enamelware (shippō-yaki). Through these activities, she was able to experience Japanese culture in a meaningful and engaging way.
She was also fortunate to have the rare opportunity to attend a local Japanese school on a trial basis, giving her valuable insight into everyday school life in Japan.
She spoke with students and enjoyed cultural exchange activities, including playing Hyakunin Isshu(traditional Japanese card game).
As her stay coincided with the New Year period, she was able to enjoy uniquely Japanese seasonal experiences with her host family.
These included visiting a shrine for Hatsumōde (the first shrine visit of the year), having Osechi(traditional Japanese New Year’s meal), taking part in a traditional mochi-pounding event, and spending New Year’s Eve exploring Chinatown together.
Of course, food was another highlight of her stay. She tried many delicious Japanese dishes that she had never seen in Australia, such as monjayaki, tempura rice bowls (tendon), yakiniku(Japanese BBQ), and ramune.
She also enjoyed making and eating Japanese home-style curry rice during a cooking lesson at school.
Sightseeing was another memorable part of her journey.
She visited Akihabara, Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree, three of Tokyo’s most iconic destinations.
Along Nakamise Street at Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa, she sampled rice crackers and chocolates, enjoyed strawberry candy, and purchased matcha chocolate souvenirs.
After taking in the breathtaking panoramic views of Tokyo from the Tokyo Skytree observation deck, she was thrilled to discover that an exhibition featuring her favorite anime was being held there by chance.
She happily purchased many items tax-free and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
This three-week stay was filled with learning, cultural discovery, and unforgettable memories.
At Sumire Education Centre Co. Ltd., we are proud to support students in experiencing authentic Japanese life through language study, cultural activities, and homestay programs.
