A group of 20 students from Secondary 1 to Secondary 4, along with two teachers, embarked on a Japanese Study Tour to Nagoya, Japan from 27 June to 4 July. This was the third time our school has organized this cultural and language exchange programme.

During the tour, our students participated in a 6-day homestay program with secondary students from our sister school—Aichi Keisei School. This immersive experience has allowed our students to fully immerse themselves in Japanese culture and practise their language skills.

One of the highlights was attending the Star Festival, known as Tanabata. Students wrote their wishes on colourful slips of paper and hung them on bamboo trees, following the traditional Tanabata celebrations. They also had the opportunity to wear Yukata, a type of traditional Japanese summer robes, and participated in a tea ceremony, learning the proper etiquette and techniques of Japanese Culture.

In addition to the cultural activities, our students visited the historic city of Takayama, where they witnessed the unique practice of cormorant fishing, known as UKAI. They also explored the charming old town of Takayama, experiencing traditional Japanese cuisine and architecture.

Our students have now become more confident in speaking Japanese, having had the chance to live with a Japanese family for a week. This immersive experience not only broadened their cultural understanding, but also significantly improved their language proficiency.