What will I be doing in Japan?
The Itinerary:
The 2019 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 Sunday 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 help you master the Japanese!)
After leaving Tokyo the group usually travels to a 1 - 2 night volunteering and/or personal challenge activity in a rural area - probably close to either Tokyo or Kyoto. This is usually not able to be confirmed until later in the program development. On the Sunday, Monday or Tuesday (depending on scheduling of activities) 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 either Temple or unique "pod" style hotel 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". (Please note it may be necessary to alter the Machiya house stay for a convenient local style hotel depending on costs and scheduling)
There will also be the opportunity to engage in "hands-on" cultural activities such as calligraphy, pottery, martial arts and/or Tailko drumming. The exact activities are usually adjusted to mirror group members' interests and hopefully fulfil some "wish lists" for the Japan trip. 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. Closer to departure the Committee will try to ascertain current estimates for purchasing these larger items. Hopefully this will assist you in working out your spending budget.
The 2019 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 Sunday 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 help you master the Japanese!)
After leaving Tokyo the group usually travels to a 1 - 2 night volunteering and/or personal challenge activity in a rural area - probably close to either Tokyo or Kyoto. This is usually not able to be confirmed until later in the program development. On the Sunday, Monday or Tuesday (depending on scheduling of activities) 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 either Temple or unique "pod" style hotel 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". (Please note it may be necessary to alter the Machiya house stay for a convenient local style hotel depending on costs and scheduling)
There will also be the opportunity to engage in "hands-on" cultural activities such as calligraphy, pottery, martial arts and/or Tailko drumming. The exact activities are usually adjusted to mirror group members' interests and hopefully fulfil some "wish lists" for the Japan trip. 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. Closer to departure the Committee will try to ascertain current estimates for purchasing these larger items. Hopefully this will assist you in working out your spending budget.
