What will I be doing in Japan?
The Itinerary:
The 2018 Itinerary is yet to be finalised. It is expected the schedule will remain similar to that below. Depending on the school term dates in Tokyo the itinerary is sometimes reversed.
From the Tokyo airport the group will be met by representatives of the Chuo City Council and Chuo City Board of Education and taken on a tour. The group is then transported to a hotel close to Tokyo Disneyland for the first two nights. On Friday the group will spend the day and evening at Disneyland. The next afternoon, Saturday, the students meet their host families and move into homestay until the Saturday of the following week. Due to the size and nature of most Japanese homes, only one Australian student stays in each home. However, it is usual practice for families with host children at the same school to get together during the weekend, and the Australian students see each other at school.
During homestay the students attend school with their Japanese host student for three days. The Sutherland students will also be involved in a half-day volunteering session within the Chuo-ku community and sometimes they are given the opportunity to engage with Sumo wrestling and wrestlers. The students will also introduce themselves (in Japanese!) to the Mayor of Chuo-ku, Tokyo at a formal reception.(Don't worry - we teach you the Japanese!)
After leaving Tokyo the group will travel to a 1 - 2 night volunteering and/or personal challenge activity in a rural area - probably close to either Tokyo or Kyoto. On the Sunday or Monday the group will travel to Kyoto (or to Tokyo if a reverse itinerary) via Shinkansen - the famous Japan Bullet train.
In Kyoto the group visits the Golden Temple - seen on typical Japanese Postcards and posters - as well as visiting Nara to see the world famous Todaiji temple. In Kyoto the group will stay both in Temple accommodation and in a traditional house unique to Kyoto - updated Machiya, or merchants buildings. The group rents the entire house, and it becomes a "home away from home" for the students. On arriving back at the Machiya after a long day of sightseeing students are often heard to comment "it's good to be home".
Whilst staying at the Machiya there will be the opportunity to engage in "hands-on" cultural activities in calligraphy, pottery, martial arts and/or Tailko drumming. These activities are presented by Masters in each art, and are not only educational but great fun! There will be a guided walking tour through the old areas of Kiyomizu and Ginza and a very interesting (and sometimes challenging!) stroll through Kyoto's oldest and most revered food market.
Kyoto is also the "shopping stop" for souvenirs and gift purchases. We have become familiar with the most reasonable places to purchase traditional Japanese souvenirs such as samurai swords.
The 2018 Itinerary is yet to be finalised. It is expected the schedule will remain similar to that below. Depending on the school term dates in Tokyo the itinerary is sometimes reversed.
From the Tokyo airport the group will be met by representatives of the Chuo City Council and Chuo City Board of Education and taken on a tour. The group is then transported to a hotel close to Tokyo Disneyland for the first two nights. On Friday the group will spend the day and evening at Disneyland. The next afternoon, Saturday, the students meet their host families and move into homestay until the Saturday of the following week. Due to the size and nature of most Japanese homes, only one Australian student stays in each home. However, it is usual practice for families with host children at the same school to get together during the weekend, and the Australian students see each other at school.
During homestay the students attend school with their Japanese host student for three days. The Sutherland students will also be involved in a half-day volunteering session within the Chuo-ku community and sometimes they are given the opportunity to engage with Sumo wrestling and wrestlers. The students will also introduce themselves (in Japanese!) to the Mayor of Chuo-ku, Tokyo at a formal reception.(Don't worry - we teach you the Japanese!)
After leaving Tokyo the group will travel to a 1 - 2 night volunteering and/or personal challenge activity in a rural area - probably close to either Tokyo or Kyoto. On the Sunday or Monday the group will travel to Kyoto (or to Tokyo if a reverse itinerary) via Shinkansen - the famous Japan Bullet train.
In Kyoto the group visits the Golden Temple - seen on typical Japanese Postcards and posters - as well as visiting Nara to see the world famous Todaiji temple. In Kyoto the group will stay both in Temple accommodation and in a traditional house unique to Kyoto - updated Machiya, or merchants buildings. The group rents the entire house, and it becomes a "home away from home" for the students. On arriving back at the Machiya after a long day of sightseeing students are often heard to comment "it's good to be home".
Whilst staying at the Machiya there will be the opportunity to engage in "hands-on" cultural activities in calligraphy, pottery, martial arts and/or Tailko drumming. These activities are presented by Masters in each art, and are not only educational but great fun! There will be a guided walking tour through the old areas of Kiyomizu and Ginza and a very interesting (and sometimes challenging!) stroll through Kyoto's oldest and most revered food market.
Kyoto is also the "shopping stop" for souvenirs and gift purchases. We have become familiar with the most reasonable places to purchase traditional Japanese souvenirs such as samurai swords.