Cross-Curricular School Trip To Japan

Ascend to the free observation decks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku for the most magnificent panoramic views of Tokyo and beyond. The striking 243 meter tall building has two impressive towers, each housing an observatory at a height of 202 meters.

Enjoy an early morning guided visit to one of Tokyo’s world famous bustling wholesale fish, fruit and vegetable markets. The variety of fish and seafood is astounding and reflects the importance of marine produce in the Japanese diet and culture. In the fast paced atmosphere of the market learn how the fish and seafood are caught, distributed and sol

Following the visit to the fish market have fun learning the art of sushi making from a sushi master. Create your own sushi laver wrapped rolls with rice and other ingredients.  Discover the origins of Sushi and its importance in Japanese cuisine and culture. Enjoy the Sushi you have prepared during the class for lunch.

Asakusa Kannon Temple is one of Japan’s most popular and colourful Buddhist’s temples. The Nakamise market is a shoppers’ paradise! Part of the Asakusa Kannon Temple complex, it is a covered street with bustling stalls along each side – perfect for your souvenir shopping.

Shibuya is a crowded, fashionable, trend-setting area of Tokyo particularly popular with young people. Fashion shops, game centres and fast food restaurants abound. Observe the organized chaos of the Shibuya crossing from the Tsutaya building on the crossings north side. When the lights change at this famous junction, students can witness a sea of people cross from all sides.

Tokyo’s Ryogoku district is the home of sumo, Japan’s national sport. It is here you will find the main sumo tournament hall (’Kokugikan’) and museum. The museum has many exhibits associated with the traditions and sport of sumo wrestling including ornamental wrestler aprons. It may be possible to watch sumo wrestlers training although the programme is only announced the night before.

With over 50 large scale models and 2,500 original objects and replicas this modern museum shows how the city developed over 400 years from when the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu established his government in Edo. Learn about the impact of WWII on the city and how it has developed over the centuries into the modern metropolis we see today.

The Kyoto International Manga Museum, housed in an old primary school building, contains a large collection of Japanese Manga. The museum also looks at the development of Manga internationally and has a smaller collection of international works. Events at the museum often involve foreign artists and there are frequent temporary exhibitions.

The Daisen-in, located inside the Daitoku-ji Temple, is one of the oldest buildings of the Zen sect of Buddhism. The complex is home to a historically important stone and sand Japanese garden, designated as of historic interest. Meditation is at the core of Zen Buddhism and students will engage in a lesson to learn this art.

The Kinkaku-ji Temple or golden pavilion is so called because of the gold-plated sanctuary which houses Buddha’s bones. The temple was built in 1397 for the third Ashikaga Shogun Yoshimitsu.  The Temple is reflected in a pond surrounded by a beautiful garden which is said to express paradise. Each visitor receives a fortune scroll.

Calligraphy or Shodo is recognised as an art form in Japan and is an important part of Japanese culture. It was introduced from China in the 6th and 7th century and is the art of writing Kanji (Chinese characters) or Kana (Japanese syllabaries) using a special brush and ink on Japanese paper.

Take a steam boat across to the peaceful UNESCO World Heritage site of Miyajima Island one of Japan’s most beautiful and treasured sites. This is the location of the 12th century Itsukushima-jinja Shrine with its 17 individual shrines and connecting corridors. The temple’s beautiful Torii Gate stands in the bay and is only accessible at low tide. Small wild deer roam free on the island due to their religious status.

Due to its tragic past during WWII, Hiroshima is now known as a City of Peace. See the symbolic ruined building, the A-bomb dome, which is one of the few to remain standing after the atomic blast of August 6th 1945. Wander through the Peace Park, while the moving Memorial Museum tells the story of the immediate and lasting impact of the Atom bomb on the population of Hiroshima.