Japanese Exchange 2014 Blog

News from our Japanese Exchange

Saturday 1st November
Although it rained all morning, we still enjoyed walking around Kiyomizu Temple. This is a famous temple that is located at the top of a steep hill. We returned to the city centre via Teapot Alley, a famous street crammed with little souvenir shops. We had some lunch at a ninja-themed restaurant after which the students were able to have a relaxing time in Nishiki market looking around at all the variety of items both traditional and modern . We returned to Hiroshima at 6.00pm where we greeted warmly by our host families.


Friday 31st October
Today we set off early for Kyoto and Nara. We took the "bullet train" which whisked us to Kyoto station. Then, we went to nearby Nara where we saw the huge Buddha statue in Todaiji Temple. After that, we returned to Kyoto for a tour of Gion, the "geisha" area where we were indeed lucky enough to spot a "geisha" flitting through the street. This was followed by a traditional Japanese meal full of a variety of little dishes.


Thursday 30th October
Today we spent the whole day at school. They went to lessons, also enjoyed a number of activities. First of all, we learned how to put on a kimono. We also learned about the different styles of kimono. We all had great fun putting them on!
Later, we participated in an English class. We showed them a video of our school, sat and talked with groups of students and taught them a song which we all sang together at the end. Now we are about to go to the Farewell Party. We are all very sad to be leaving. We have been made to feel very welcome and have been well looked after. We have made lots of new friends and have some great memories.

Tomorrow, we're off to Kyoto ...


Wednesday 29th October
Today we went to Miyajima. This is a World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful places you could wish to visit. The weather was fantastic so we were able to enjoy to the full the sight of the shrine. After that, we walked into the woods and had our lunch before returning to the main town for a spot of shopping.

The students are thoroughly appreciating their time in Japan. They have been eager to learn Japanese words, find out about the history and take photos for memories as well as for projects. They have also been a hit in the school,too. Interest amongst Johoku students in coming to Highcliffe next year has been very high! Tomorrow, we will have the Farewell Party. Johoku have looked after the students really well and the students feel really at home in their Japanese "homes". It will be sad to leave the school ...

Tuesday 28th October
This was a busy day in school. The students attended a variety of lessons. In the afternoon, they had a chance to join a calligraphy lesson. At the end of the day, the volleyball club welcomed us into the sports hall. Our students joined different teams before finally having a Johoku v England match! It was pretty clear that the Johoku Boys were stronger so the volleyball teacher joined the Highcliffe Team and - we won! I'm sure the "poor" display of the Johoky boys was merely a one-off occurrence and not a deliberate effort to let us win ...

Monday 27th October
The students visited Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Park. This was a very interesting and moving experience for them as well as being very informative. Afterwards, they met their students for some afternoon shopping. After seeing how the city had been devastated it was pleasing to be able to walk round it afterwards to see how it had been rebuilt.

Saturday 25th October
Today the students have been in school for the first part of the morning. (Private schools in Japan usually hold classes on a Saturday morning.) However, owing to parent consultations the school day is shorter, so our students and buddies will be able to leave earlier. I am given to understand that they will all be attending a tea ceremony hosted by a buddy's grandmother ...

As for the weather, it's still fine and sunny, but a little cooler than yesterday.

Friday 24th October
We were given a tour of the school by Mr Campbell (not the Highcliffe one). All Johoku students were taking exams on this morning, so the atmosphere was rather subdued. Once the exams were over, all  students - approximately 1200 - gathered in the main hall for an assembly. This assembly was specially arranged to welcome Highcliffe School.

We walked into the hall from the back in a line. As we walked through the middle, all students greeted us with a welcoming applause. Then we took our places on stage. This was quite a daunting experience for our students but they handled it well, getting up when their name was called to give a short bow to the assembled staff and students. Jessica delivered her speech clearly and even had the presence of mind to give a bow at the end.

Owing to the morning exams, the school day was shortened, so no students had be in school for the afternoon. As a result, the host mothers organised for our students and their buddies to gather at a local Tokugawa restaurant for an o-konomiyaki. ( This is a kind of pancake with noodles. The catch is, though, that you have to make it yourself!) The host mothers did a wonderful job making sure all our students felt welcome and at ease.

Thursday 23rd October
After a long but smooth journey, we finally arrived at Hiroshima airport where we were greeted by the friendly face of Mr Iwaishi of Johoku School. We then took the airport coach to Hiroshima station where we were given a fantastically warm welcome by the Japanese families. Each of our students got a welcoming hug from their family before being whisked off to their homes for some much-needed rest.

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